Around The Globe

No winner in sight for Global Sprint Challenge -- except racing itself?

2014-09-16T19:45:00Z

By Bob Kieckhefer

Barring something truly unforeseen, the Global Sprint Challenge will go unclaimed for another year.

What's that? You're not aware of the Global Sprint Challenge? That's a shame but not a surprise, especially if you live in North America, which is not represented in the series.

For the record, the GSC offers a US$1 million bonus to the connections of any horse that can win three legs of the 10-race series. The catch is, those victories have to come in three different racing jurisdictions. Since three of the races are in England and two in Australia, it takes some planning to get the brass ring.

It used to be even harder. Until the rules were changed a few years ago, races in a horse's home jurisdiction didn't count. Despite the slight easing of conditions -- and despite the brilliance of globetrotting sprinters like Lucky Nine, Lord Kanaloa, Black Caviar and Slade Power -- the prize remains unclaimed.

It could have been within reach this year for Lucky Nine, the Hong Kong-based sprinter who won the fourth leg of the series, the 1 KrisFlyer Sprint (Sing-I) at Kranji in Singapore on May 18. Trainer Caspar Fownes had planned to take Lucky Nine to Japan for the Sprinters Stakes (Jpn-I) on Oct. 5, then return home for the 1 Longines Hong Kong Sprint (HK-I) on Dec. 14.

That plan came a cropper when Fownes frowned on the quarantine facilities at Niigata, where the Sprinters Stakes is being run this year while the regular site, Nakayama, is undergoing renovation. While praising the Japan Racing Association for its spirit of cooperation, Fownes said he had been unable to secure suitable stabling for his star.

Lacking a "Plan B," he told the South China Morning Post, "We'll just have to stay home and concentrate on having the old boy perfect for December here at Sha Tin."

Slade Power won two of the three British legs of the series -- the Diamond Jubilee (Eng-I) at Royal Ascot on June 21 and the Darley July Cup (Eng-I) at Newmarket On July 12. Of course, only one counts toward the GSC's three wins. Trainer Eddie Lynam said the 5-year-old is headed for the Darley Classic (Aus-I) at Flemington on Nov. 5 but, rather than going for the hat trick in Hong Kong, currently is headed for the breeding shed after the Australian race.

Sole Power won the King's Stand (Eng-I) at Royal Ascot on June 17 and, while a 5-furlong specialist, did finish second to the great Lord Kanaloa in last December's Longines Hong Kong Sprint (HK-I) -- albeit 5-lengths second. He looks unlikely for the last two stops on this year's GSC tour.

What's wrong with this picture?

First, there's the schedule and the choice of venues. The series opens in mid-February in Flemington -- not a location likely to attract many top international runners, especially when Black Caviar was lurking there for the past few years. This year's winner is named Snitzerland. The second leg was the Dubai Golden Shaheen (UAE-I) at Meydan. The third was just one day later -- the Group 1 Takamatsunomiya Kinen (Jpn-I) at Chukyo in Japan.

Cross off the February race Down Under and pick one from the late March races. Win one of those, then travel to England and win any one of three legs there. But remember, only one leg per jurisdiction counts for the bonus. And there are plenty of other choice sprint targets in the UK, including a third to be added next year at Royal Ascot. Then it's on to Japan? Australia? Hong Kong?

Clearly, it COULD be done if the prize were seen worth the effort and risk. Black Caviar, for example, won the Lightning and the Diamond Jubilee in 2012 but, after the torturous trip to England, wasn't about to risk her unbeaten record by traveling again. That was a no-brainer.

"Much like the American Triple Crown, this is not intended to be easy but rather it is recognition of great achievement at the highest level," said Bill Nader, Executive Director of Racing for the Hong Kong Jockey Club. "It will most certainly continue in 2015 and add to the residual value of any horse able to win it."

And Leigh Jordan, speaking on behalf of the series, argued it already has been a success in terms of horses traveling internationally, even if the prize has yet to be claimed.

"This year in Australia, we will see Europe's champion 1,200-meter horse, Slade Power, running at Flemington," Jordan noted. "Over 50 horses trained outside Europe have run at Royal Ascot since the challenge began in 2005.

"It has never been structured as a formal competition -- more an industry-focused promotional tool -- although we would expect the bonus to be won sooner or later and that would no doubt focus some more mainstream attention on the challenge," Jordan said.

It's obvious the US$1 million bonus -- $750,000 to the owner, $250,000 to the trainer -- isn't motivating participation, even with the offer of "contributions toward the cost of transport" for runners. More money would help. Some jurisdictions have experimented with a supplemental bonus for their sprints. Or, is Longines tapped out?

It would be nice, too, to have an American race in the mix. But the logical candidate, the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, would conflict with the Darley Classic. Anyway, it would be unrealistic to expect Breeders' Cup to surrender any autonomy to an international agreement. Mid-August is an open date in the GSC schedule and a turf sprint added to Arlington Park's International Festival of Racing would be a good fit. But Illinois racing is in such dire straits that any expansion appears impossible.

Jordan said the GSC is, in fact, in negotiations with potential sponsors and has had applications from other nations to join, "all of which is very positive for the future and all of which we are considering."

That's encouraging. International competition clearly is the cream of Thoroughbred racing and, if promoted properly and supported more generously, might stir up a lot more general interest for the sport -- interest that could be channeled down to more involvement in day-to-day racing.

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Here's the 2014 Global Sprint Challenge schedule, with winners of the seven races already run, all Group 1 events:

Feb. 15, Flemington, Black Caviar Lightning: Snitzerland

March 29, Meydan, Dubai Golden Shaheen: Sterling City

March 30, Chukyo, Takamatsonomiya Kinen: Copano Richard

May 18, Kranji, KrisFlyer International Sprint: Lucky Nine

June 17, Royal Ascot, King's Stand: Sole Power

June 21, Royal Ascot, Diamond Jubilee: Slade Power

July 12, Newmarket, Darley July Cup: Slade Power

Oct. 5, Niigaga, Sprinters Stakes: ---

Nov. 8, Flemington, Darley Classic: ---

Dec. 14, Sha Tin, Longines Hong Kong Sprint: ---

A Jockey Challenge with 'Bling'

2014-08-01T21:23:00Z

South African known as "Bling" makes British riding debut in Ascot's annual international jockey challenge Aug. 9.

After bursting on to the scene a few years ago, S'manga Khumalo, nicknamed "Bling" on account of his peroxide blond hair, has won a plethora of group I races in South Africa, notably the 2013 Durban July on Heavy Metal.

S'manga Khumalo - Photo Courtesy of Ascot Racecourse

In doing so, he made history by becoming the first black South African to ride the winner of the continent of Africa's premier race.

S'manga will ride in the Great Britain for the first time in the upcoming Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, set for Saturday, August 9 at Ascot, alongside Japanese legends Yutaka Take (captain) and Yuichi Fukunaga, on the Rest of the World team.

"Winning the Durban July was my career highlight and sent a message to all black South Africans that racing is a sport for all in the modern era," said S'manga.

"To be recognized globally and invited to ride in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup on the back of that victory is another very proud moment for me and I look forward to meeting and riding with the two Japanese legends in the Rest of the World Team."

Take, the 18-time Japanese champion, has partnered four winners at the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, while Fukunaga has ridden just once in the competition back in 2006. Recently, the latter has struck a redoubtable partnership with Just A Way (the highest rated horse in the world in 2014), winning the Tenno Sho (Jpn-I) and the Dubai Duty Free (UAE-I) on Dubai World Cup night March 30, a victory which earned him an automatic invitation to the world's premier jockeys' competition on August 9.

On the Girls' team, Hayley Turner will make her eighth appearance in the competition having missed last year due to injury. Like Yutaka Take, she has ridden four winners at the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup.

Turner is joined by Canadian star, Emma-Jayne Wilson, who participated in the competition in 2006 and 2012, and Steffi Hofer from Germany, daughter of trainer Mario Hofer, making her Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup debut.

"I was absolutely thrilled to receive the invitation," Hofer said.

"I have always followed the event with great interest, and even whilst being in the top six or seven jockeys riding, numerically, in Germany this year, I never thought I would get a chance to take part at this level; this has come as a huge endorsement.

"I hope that I can play my part in getting a good result for the girls!"

For Europe, Frankie Dettori and Andrea Atzeni, making his debut in the competition, will ride so long as they are not claimed to ride elsewhere by their retaining owners.

Their confirmed teammate, also making his debut in the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, will be Dutch rider Adrie de Vries, who is based in Germany. He enjoyed success in the Preis von Europa (Ger-I) last year on Meandre and has also won at the top level in the Grosser Preis von Baden and the Italian Oaks. He triumphed at Royal Ascot on Energizer in the 2012 Tercentenary Stakes and leads the German jockeys' championship for 2014.

For Great Britain & Ireland, Tom Queally will captain the team and it is hoped he will be joined by Ryan Moore and Richard Hughes, who are keen to take part but may be subject to stable claims.

"The 2014 renewal looks like being a fascinating contest bringing together some of the world's most accomplished riders," Dubai Duty Free executive vice chairman Colm McLoughlin said.

"We're delighted that the competition will provide some of them with their first experience of riding at this internationally renowned venue, and I am sure they will be eager to impress alongside the more experienced Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup contenders."

This year the value of the competition has risen by 33%, with all six races now £40,000 handicaps rather than £30,000 last year. Each jockey will get five rides as they bid to win the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup for their team and there is £3,000 for the Silver Saddle-winning jockey (the top jockey overall). Points are awarded 15, 10, 7, 5, 3 for the first five horses home with 4 points for a nonrunner.

There will be three reserves declared for each race this year (up from two), all of whose connections will receive £500 for travel costs if the horses are not required to run.

What to Wear to Royal Ascot

2014-06-13T18:35:00Z

More than 300 years of elite racing and fashion converge June 17-21 at the prestigious Royal Ascot meeting in Great Britain. Ascot Racecourse has put together a video that provides their guidelines on a very strict dress code for five very special days of racing. View the video below.

Chauncey Morris Talks Australian Horses

2014-05-30T15:51:00Z

by Myra Lewyn

Former Keeneland sales marketing associate Chauncey Morris, now CEO of Aushorse, is promoting the Australian Thoroughbred to the world and with great success.

Racing Victoria posted a Youtube video of Morris, who recently returned to Australia from a promotional stint abroad, talking about the global high regard of the Australian racehorse and several other topics ranging from sales to artificial insemination.

“Things are very exciting,” Morris says of the Australian Thoroughbred.

Morris joined Thoroughbred Breeders Australia, which is the national body for the nation's breeders, and Aushorse Marketing as CEO in December 2011.

Vin Cox, managing director of Australian sales company Magic Millions, credits Morris with attracting a number of high-profile buyers to the record-smashing National broodmare sale May 28-30 on Australia’s Gold Coast. Active buyers included Kentucky-based Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms and Stonestreet Thoroughbred Holdings, evidence of an emerging trend of U.S. investment in Australian bloodstock.

Morris joined Keeneland in 2002 and helped establish a global sales strategy for the sales company as well as initiatives to attract news owners to the sport. He also established a global emerging markets program within the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association/Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders.

Prior to joining Keeneland, Morris was as a trade specialist for the Kentucky Department of Agriculture from 1999-2001, when he was appointed as an analyst and adviser to then-Gov. Paul Patton's Office of Agricultural Policy.

Morris now resides in Sydney with his family.

Oh, Australia!

2014-05-19T20:01:00Z

Australia racing in the QIPCO Two Thousand Guineas. - Trevor Jones Photo
Order this Photo

by Myra Lewyn

Trainer Aidan O’Brien’s hopes for a third straight win in the Investec Epsom Derby (gr. I) June 7 look to be riding on regally bred Australia, who took his initial step toward the second jewel in England’s Triple Crown with a close third-place finish in the first, the QIPCO Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-I) May 3 at Newmarket.

Currently the hot 4-6 favorite with British bookmakers Coral, Australia is a product of Thoroughbred breeding’s age-old formula: breed the best to the best. The colt has already shown he possesses the elusive X factor in that equation: racing ability—and O’Brien recently noted that he has always been an exciting prospect.

“We knew Australia was special from the first time we worked him as a 2-year-old,” he said. “The lads always rated him as he always showed us something different. In the March/April of his two-year-old career he was half-speeding with horses he shouldn’t have been at that stage of his career.”

Campaigned by Coolmore and partners and Meydan racecourse builder Teo Ah Khing, Australia is a son of 2001 Epsom Derby winner and leading sire Galileo. His dam is 2004 Epsom Oaks winner Ouija Board, the brilliant mare who was a two-time champion turf female in the United States and a two-time Horse of the Year in Europe.

“He is a very natural horse and has a great mind,” O’Brien said of Australia, “so he is like both his dad and his mum in that respect.”

No offspring of an Epsom Derby winner out of an Epsom Oaks first-place finisher has ever won the Derby, and Australia looks to be O’Brien’s leading hope among four possible starters for the race. (It should be noted that 1995 English Derby winner Lammtarra was by 1970 English Triple Crown winner Nijinsky II and his dam was Snow Bride, who was awarded the 1989 Oaks on a controversial disqualification.)

O’Brien is seeking an overall fifth Epsom Derby victory, following Galileo, High Chaparral (2002), Camelot (2012), and Ruler Of The World (2013).

Australia was bred in Great Britain by Stanley Estate and Stud Co., the breeding operation of the 18th Earl of Derby, who died November 28, 1994, at the age of 76. The operation passed on to the 19th Earl of Derby, Edward Stanley, owner-breeder of Ed Dunlop-trained Ouija Board, and his brother, the Honorable Peter Stanley. They are descendants of the12th Earl of Derby, who was instrumental in establishing the Derby, first run in 1780.

Ouija Board, a daughter of Cape Cross, posted a 10-3-5 record from 22 career starts in a brilliant career in which she earned more than $6.3 million. Wins in the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (gr. I) in 2004 and 2006 led to championships in the U.S. She also won the 2004 Darley Irish Oaks (Ire-I) and defeated males in the 2006 Prince of Wales’s Stakes (Eng-I) at Royal Ascot and 2005 Hong Kong Vase (HK-I) at Sha Tin.

Ouija Board has produced four winners from as many to race—though none of her caliber as yet–including the Kingmambo gelding Voodoo Prince, a group III winner in Australia and stakes-placed in England.

Ouija Board - Photo by Anne M. Eberhardt - Order Photo

Her fourth foal, Australia is a chestnut colt born April 8, 2011. He was offered at auction through the Watership Down Stud, acting as agent at the 2012 Tattersalls October yearling sale, where Australia was offered in the elite Book 1 catalog. Coolmore bloodstock adviser Demi O’Byrne went to 525,000 guineas ($841,313) to secure him for Coolmore principal John Magnier.

“Australia is uncomplicated, relaxed and has speed – exactly what you want in a racehorse,” O’Brien said. “He is a horse you have to work out all the time – he is so relaxed; he is always yawning!

Australia posted a 2-1-0 record from three starts as a 2-year-old. He took a seven-furlong maiden at the Curragh in July in his second start and subsequently won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Trial (Ire-III) at Leopardstown in September, defeating previously unbeaten Free Eagle by an eye-catching six lengths, to conclude the season and stamp him a Derby candidate.

His classic campaign began with his season debut May 3 at Newmarket when he was a staying-on third, beaten three-quarters of a length, behind Night Of Thunder in the Guineas, Britain’s first classic of the season. But the start of the 2014 season saw illness among a number of O’Brien runners, including Australia.

“Australia was sick around seven weeks before the Two Thousand Guineas and was among the first to start coughing, but he managed to get over it in a week,” O’Brien said.

“We were excited by Australia ahead of the Guineas as he had really come on and treated his work companion Oklahoma City with total contempt in the build-up.

“The reason we went for the Guineas was because we knew the ground would be good at Newmarket, it is run over a straight mile and gave us a five-week gap ahead of Epsom. When he turned up in the Guineas, he ran well – there were just so many variables in that race.”

O’Brien’s son, Joseph, has the mount on Australia for the Derby.

“Australia has pace but is also well-balanced and has a good temperament – you really cannot fault him,” he said. “I wouldn’t want to swap him for anything else at all either in the Derby or back over mile.

“I really believe in the horse. To be successful, you have to believe in your own horse.”

Aidan Brien is considering three other runners for the Derby: Chester Vase (Eng-III) winner Orchestra (20/1 with Coral) and Dee Stakes victor Kingfisher (33/1), both sons of Galileo, and 2013 Beresford Stakes (Eng-II) winner Geoffrey Chaucer (14/1), a son of Montjeu.

“No matter what anyone says the Derby is the total test,” O’Brien said. “It is the total test of speed, stamina and tactics run over an undulating course. It is the ultimate test, our Olympics and what the breed is all about.

“It’s the race where everyone wants to be. It’s the ultimate race and like no other. The lads (owners John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith) always want to have as many runners as they can in the Derby.”

Having fun traveling with your horse

2014-05-16T07:40:00Z

By Robert Kieckhefer

American horses haven't been doing real well on the international scene lately. The connections of Si Sage hope to strike a more positive note in Sunday's Singapore Airlines International Cup (Sing-I). But, if not, they're having a good time anyway.

Meanwhile, Meydan Racecourse in Dubai is getting busy replacing its Tapeta surface with real dirt. While they don't say so out loud, this is at least in part a reaction to the precipitous decline in American fortunes -- and participation -- on World Cup night.

Let's look at Singapore first.

Jed Cohen is the owner of Red Baron's Barn, the Southern California operation that campaigns Si Sage. As would any owner, he smiled when he picked gate No. 4 for the 4-year-old, French-bred gelding.

Jed Cohen shows souvenir plate that held gate No 4 for his runner in Singapore Airlines International Cup.

Despite the favorable draw, Si Sage will be an outsider in a tough field of 12 that includes last year's 1-2 finishers -- the imposing Hong Kong duo of Military Attack and Dan Excel. Si Sage, by contrast, has but three wins from his 14 career starts and all of those came in France.

No matter to Cohen. The horse will have all four hooves on the track, just like all the others, and he will have David Flores in the irons. And, like any good owner, Cohen figures Si Sage had excuses for his third-place finish in the Sir Beaufort Stakes (gr. IIT) at Santa Anita last Boxing Day and for a runner-up showing behind Vagabond Shoes in February in the San Marcos (gr. IIT).

But, if nothing good happens on the track Sunday at Kranji, Cohen, 81, a Los Angeles-area investment advisor, said he will have enjoyed the experience anyway.

Si Sage, photo courtesy of Singapore Turf Club.

"My family is here with me," he said. "I've traveled many places around the world and people started asking me where I'd like to go that I hadn't been. I thought about it and I said, 'Singapore.' And then this came up."

Cohen's long-time trainer, Darrell Vienna, said a Singapore recruiter came around the backstretch at Santa Anita looking for potential runners and he put two and two together -- eventually coming up with gate No. 4.

Vienna is looking for his first overseas win, though he came close when Echo Eddie finished second to Caller One in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (UAE-I) 12 years ago.

And, speaking of Dubai, some of the international racing fraternity gathered in steamy Singapore are scratching their heads over the surface switch at Meydan, scheduled to be in place in time for the start of the 2015 Carnival in January.

Saeed Al Tayer, chairman and CEO of the Meydan Group said the switch "will be best for the future of Meydan racing and the Dubai World Cup Carnival. In the coming year we will celebrate the 20th running of the Dubai World Cup and the track will be the natural surface that proved so successful during the first 14 years of this magnificent race day."

Runners from most parts of the world other than the United States would argue the existing Tapeta surface proved plenty successful for them during the past few years but that wasn't the topic up for discussion.

Through the World Cup meeting's first 14 years at the old Nad al Sheeba track, starting with Cigar's victory over Soul of the Matter, American horses were, if not dominant, at least consistently in the mix. Silver Charm, Captain Steve, Pleasantly Perfect, Curlin and Well Armed all lifted the World Cup for the American side and space prohibits detailing the long list of other U.S. horses who succeeded in the rich supporting races.

Not so much after the move to Meydan and its Tapeta surface.

Animal Kingdom's victory in 2013 was an exception but he was an exceptional runner. But beyond that, the list of American also-rans, including Royal Delta and Game On Dude, runs on. This year, only a trio of -- with apologies -- secondary-rank U.S. horses even bothered to make the trip to the United Arab Emirates.

While many owners and trainers from the rest of the world loved the Tapeta, it just didn't seem to suit the American runners. Why? There have been plenty of theories, including the observation that even the relatively gentle desert heat of March could make the surface sticky enough to cling to the soles of a human's shoes. Although that would be true for all the competitors, wouldn't it?

Whatever the reason, it would seem the flight of the Americans finally got through to Meydan officials, likely through Sheikh Mohammed bin Rasheed al Maktoum, the ruler of Dubai, master of Godolphin Racing and generally the boss. American horses put this event on the map when Jerry Bailey booted Cigar across the line first in 1996 and that helped put Dubai itself on the map.

Will the new dirt surface help bring Americans back to Dubai? Would any of the current crop -- Will Take Charge, Game On Dude, etc. -- have made the trip this March for different footing? Conversely, will the switch discourage prospective World Cup runners who mostly compete over grass in their homelands?

Much of the feeling in Singapore is that it's risky to tip the scales back in favor of American runners when, in fact, the rest of the world seems to be producing better competitors for the international stage. Of course, there aren't that many Americans in Singapore, other than the Cohen-Vienna bunch, so the sample is skewed.

Take a look at the replay of the 2008 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), run on a synthetic track at Santa Anita. You'll see Curlin, winner of the Dubai World Cup just seven months earelier on the Nad al Sheeba dirt, taking the lead turning for home, only to be swallowed up in deep stretch by grass-running Euros Raven's Pass and Henrythenavigator.

Does that prove anything? Nah. There will be a nice contingent of U.S. horses at Royal Ascot next month and they make an impression. Verrazano could run well in his first start in England. And maybe Si Sage can surprise everyone and scramble the thinking a little bit with an upset on Saturday at Kranji.

If not, having a good time might continue to be the best reason to take American horses overseas.

Worldwide racing festivals? Fravel says BC was first

2014-05-08T03:29:00Z

By Robert Kieckhefer

There is an ongoing explosion of new racing "festivals" around the world and much more is on tap.

Craig Fravel, president and CEO of Breeders' Cup Ltd., kicked off an Asian Racing Conference seminar on "big events" May 8 in Hong Kong by taking credit for the idea.

Noting others on the podium represented "big events" in Hong Kong, Dubai, England, Japan and Singapore, Fravel said the 30-year-old Breeders' Cup World Championships were there first and, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery ... The interest has only continued to grow."

Of course, some of racing's "big day" races far predate the Breeders' Cup. But many festival-type packages do emulate, to a greater or lesser degree, the American format, among them Dubai World Cup night and the British Champions Day races.

Fravel also told the Hong Kong audience Breeders' Cup's new expanded television strategy, the "Challenge Series," will drive renewed viewer interest by showcasing "the whole spectrum of races throughout the United States, right up to the Breeders' Cup ... an extraordinary lead-in to the Breeders' Cup itself."

Asked about siting for the Breeders' Cup World Championships, Fravel noted Santa Anita has hosted the event for the past two years and will do so again over the Halloween weekend this year. "The 'Hollywood' part of that is a major attraction, not to mention the weather," he said. A 2015 site has not been announced.

As others discussed their "festivals" and scheduling around a world calendar, there was some reluctance to discuss a new formal "World Series" linking them. The old Emirates World Series experience, which foundered in part over broadcasting rights and sponsorship, obviously has left a heritage of caution.

Brian Kavanagh, Chief Executive of Horse Racing Ireland; Rod Street, Chief Executive of the British Champions Series Limited; William A. Nader, Executive Director, Racing, of the Hong Kong Jockey Club; and Craig Fravel, President and Chief Executive Officer of Breeders’ Cup Limited, at the session. Hong Kong Jockey Club Photo

Rod Street, chief executive of the British Champions Series, boasted the Qipco British Champion Stakes (Eng-I), which anchors Champions Day in October, is officially the world's highest-rated race, benefitting from the impact the now-retired Frankel and globetrotting older horses such as Cirrus Des Aigles. Unlike the social emphasis of Royal Ascot, he said, the focus of Champions Day "is on world-class racing and to date, we're very pleased with the progress we've made ... But, looking at Craig and his 30 years of operation, we're relative newcomers."

Brian Kavanagh, chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland, touted the newly developed, two-day (like the current Breeders' Cup) Irish Champions Day set to debut this September. Avoiding the occasional Breeders' Cup-style flaps over siting, the Irish event will run at two tracks—Leopardstown and The Curragh. "There's politics involved in this as well as practicality," Kavanagh said. He said the idea is to bring together top year-end races into "a single weekend that will showcase the industry to the Irish public and the Irish government ... It's very clear that a circuit of international championship meetings is emerging and we want to be part of that."

Fravel noted four of the Irish races will be "Win and You're In" events for the Breeders' Cup.

Martin Talty, head of international racing in Dubai, chimed in, "From an international point of view, the Dubai World Cup is right at the top." Dubai's top night, positioned at the end of March, also is uniquely situated near the start of the Northern Hemisphere seasons and the end of the term for the Southern Hemisphere, adding to its appeal as part of an international strategy for owners and trainers.

Singapore's international races, only a week away, have grown racing interest in that nation from local focus to a world forum, said Simon Leong, vice president of the Singapore Turf Club. And, he said, everything done on the day is targeted for charitable purposes, building public support. "Branded, run, organized to highlight his special use."

Australia kicked off its fall championships in April this year, joining the worldwide trend. Ten championship races are held across two weekends with increased purses, sparking renewed international interest in the top events. The races also are a convenient lead-in for the Hong Kong, Singapore and Royal Ascot events.

Japan, with is incredibly rich purse structure, continues to promote two separate events, the Arima Kinen, or Grand Prix (Jp-I), and the Tokyo Yushun, or Japanese Derby (Jp-I), even over the arguably better-known Japan Cup (Jp-I) and Japan Cup Dirt (Jp-I).

France was not represented on the panel but Louis Romanet, head of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, noted from the floor that the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I) and its attendant races remain among the world's most prestigious, highly rated and best funded. An increase in the purse for this year's running of the Arc to 5 million Euros reinforces that, he said.

Interestingly, when the nine panelists were asked to name their favorite race outside their jurisdictions, none picked a Breeders' Cup race. The Arc got the most votes, with others plumping for the Melbourne Cup, Dubai World Cup and Royal Ascot.

Asian racing nations have problems. And some have solutions.

2014-05-07T08:26:00Z

What do you do as a racing operator when you see your turnover drop by 25% during a five-year period? For the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the answer to that scary experience was: Connect with the customer.

Many people say that. The HKJC did it.

Richard Cheung, executive director for customer and marketing for the HKJC described the initiative for the Asian Racing Conference May 7 in Hong Kong.

Richard Cheung, Executive Director, Customer and Marketing of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, presents his views to all attending delegates. - Photo: Hong Kong Jockey Club

Delegates from other member jurisdictions of the 25-member Asian Racing Association later contributed stories of challenges faced and solutions developed in their very diverse markets, as well as interesting tidbits of information about racing their markets.

Cheung, an honors graduate of the Harvard Business School, said the HKJC turnover for the 2000/2001 season was HK$81.5 billion. By the 2005/2006 season, it was HK$60 billion. Worse, he said, 75% of its customers were older than 50. And racing was seen as a matter of betting, with a complicated, long learning curve.

After research involving a customer base of two million people, the Hong Kong brain trust came up with a segmentation plan that identified seven types of customers from HKJC members and horse owners through "young rookies" looking for lifestyle experiences.

For each of those segments, the Jockey Club developed strategies around the racecourse experience, digital outreach, data-driven marketing and outreach to popular culture.

Implementation of that plan has contributed to a striking recovery in racing turnover despite competition from casinos in nearby Macao and mushrooming interest in sports betting.

For the current season, Cheung said, the club estimates racing turnover at around HK$102 billion. While marketers often like to take credit for all positive results, he acknowledged an uptick in the economy played a role in the turnaround. But, he said, that's responsible for only about 20% to 25% of the hike, with most of the rest due to the new initiatives. As you'd expect from a Harvard graduate, he had data to back that up.

Much of the push for "young rookies" has come at the in-town Happy Valley Racecourse, which is situated amid the hustle and bustle of urban Hong Kong—almost as if a racetrack were dropped into Midtown Manhattan in New York. The evening meetings are surrounded by the city's towering housing high-rises and the pulsating neon lights of the central city.

Much of that vibrancy was underappreciated until the new marketing push turned it into a lifestyle choice for younger Hong Kongers. Now, the grandstand boasts trendy nighclubs, a beer garden and state-of-the-art, social media-based data and wagering options. A typical Wednesday night at Happy Valley does not look very different from a top-end Saturday night club scene in Las Vegas—with the added excitement of horses running clockwise on an undulating grass track.

The atmosphere provides its own spin by encouraging young racetrack attendees to become part of the marketing process, he said. "For example, we create photo opportunities at the racecourse and the fans share their photos through Facebook and Instagram," he said. Their social media friends can take the hint.

Turnover from "young rookies" at Happy Valley is up 40%, attendance by more than 80%. Food and beverage profits are up by even greater precentages.

For more sophisticated patrons, innovations include new types of wagers -- some of them created through complex computer algorithms—that provide the potential for higher payoffs than traditional win and place bets. On-track amenities have been targeted by segment.

Lionel Ni, professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, told the ARC the HKJC's "big data" effort of digital data mining for targeted marketing has almost limitless potential.

Panel speakers discuss over connecting with the customer topic on the stage. - Photo: Hong Kong Jockey Club

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At a separate session, representatives of other Asian jurisdictions outlined their focus, challenges and bragging points through slick video presentations.

Aki Akitani, from the strategy planning department of the Japan Racing Association, noted this is the organization's 60^th birthday and its focus is "back to basics: Customers have priority. Without their support, we have not come so far." Challenges include a shrinking and aging population. So the goal is to increase the number of racing fans despite that demographic challenge, and to increase the frequency of participation by each fan. Targets include growing numbers of relatively young single women ("boys will follow them, which is a universal phenomenon") and older men and women who never married. Regulation also gets in the way of meeting public demand, Akitani said. "There is a big demand for wagering on foreign races, especially where Japanese horses are running." Japanese law requires modification to permit that.

Dr. Seunghgo Ryu, international racing manager for the Korea Racing Authority, in a video presentation, said the KRA operates tracks, "the most popular leisure activity in Korea," and horse parks, which allow people to become familiar with the animals. "The horse industry wants to make Korea smile," the video proclaimed. The government grants KRA monopoly status and, in return, it has control over operations. A national gaming commission also sets rules. Regulation can pose problems. In 2009, online betting was halted when the government decided it violated then-current law. After changes, on-line wagering is back on line. Competition includes a lottery, sports gaming and casinos as well as wagering on bicycle racing, power boat races and bullfighting.

Bill Nader, executive director of racing for the HKJC, said the club takes great pride in presenting world-class racing, including five of the IFHA's World's Top 50 Group I races. He also noted the annual turnover in Hong Kong now surpasses that of the United States and threatens to blow past Australia's. With horse ownership, he said, comes "great status and prestige," including use of four clubhouses, including one in Beijing. But he noted the emphasis on the consumer includes a 83.9% return to bettors. "Public confidence is imperative," he said, so the club puts great emphasis on racing control, regulation of medication and other security.

Greg Purcell, chief executive of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing, noted his nation has a track for each 9,000 residents and that one-third of jockeys are female. Nearly 160 stallions stand in New Zealand, 4,000 foals are produced per season and 40% of those are exported.

A presentation by Tunku Shahabuyddin, from Malasia, said religious sensitivities in the Muslim country prevent televising races, advertising and off-track wagering, driving an estimated 90 percent of wagering to illegal operations. That, in turn, severely limits the ability of racing operators to support owners through purses and to develop sponsorships.

And Thomas Li, CEO of the Macau Jockey Club, noted cooperation between Macau and Hong Kong has helped lift Macau into international racing relevance at the same time the local casino industry has exploded to the top of world gaming. Macau, in some races, leaves empty stalls in the starting gate to ease congestion during starts. A Hong Kong-Macau bridge/tunnel due for completion in 2016 and a new Macau mass transit system also are expected to benefit racing.

Can cutting-edge TV tech help horse racing? Hmmmm. Maybe.

2014-05-07T04:51:00Z

By Robert Kieckhefer

Can the "cutting edge" technology of sports television be of any help to horse racing? Some of the pioneers in television tech said yes, in presentations May 7 at the Asian Racing Conference in Hong Kong.

"Our philosophy is bringing people closer to the game, making them feel what it's like on the field of play," said Gary Burns, head of programmes and production for FOX Sports Australia.

Burns said FOX Sports Australia uses such techniques as "Cornerpost Cam" in rugby, "ref cam" in soccer and "FOX Kopter," a drone-like device that provides mobile and wireless coverage above sports events, including a recent introduction into surfing.

"One went into the drink just a couple of months ago. That wasn't a great moment," he admitted.

Gary Burns, Head of Programs and Production at Fox Sports, Australia, gives his presentation in the session. - Photo: Hong Kong Jockey Club

But through video clips, he demonstrated the technique "is almost like being there" for the viewer.

Joerg Heise, from German-based Riedel Communications, detailed much more expensive and complicated communications and coverage equipment used in Formula One racing, the Red Bull Air Race and the 2012 Stratosphere Jump by Felix Baumgartner in New Mexico, which would have been impossible as a commercial video presentation without special-purpose systems.

Riedel enhances presentation of events through multiple camera positions, graphics, post-production digital, second screen views and "point of view" provided by miniaturized cameras, "bridging the distance from the action to the audience."

But neither of those operations involves horse racing. So how could their products and innovations benefit racing?

Heise noted Formula One, without enhanced communications, "is really boring." In today's world of sports fans' high expectations and short attention spans, the parallel to racing is obvious.

Joerg Heise, Managing Director and Chief Operations Officer of Riedel Communications, speaks at this session. - Photo: Hong Kong Jockey Club

"Application of technology expands the attention span of the viewer," Heise said. "They are emotionally involved in what they're seeing. It all boils down to being fully immersed as an audience and not just watching and getting bored."

He said his company is "trialing" with the Hong Kong Jockey Club at the Happy Valley Racecourse. And Oonagh Chan, head of broadcasting services for the HKJC, said the use of technology, including aerial coverage, is important to the future.

The HKJC also has an extensive graphical version of races, used both on track and in the "gamification" of racing for younger fans, Chan said.

James Gagliano, president and chief operating officer of The Jockey Club, presented to the seminar a summary of United States' initiatives in television, including the America's Best Racing series and the newer "Jockey Club Tour on Fox" partnership with FOX Sports1.

Gagliano said the increased television exposure, supported by Web-based and social media outreach, has played a role in recent increases in wagering and attention to major American racing events, including the Triple Crown races.

Asian Racing Conference Shows Success Breeds Success

2014-05-06T13:03:00Z

The Asian Racing Conference - Photo: Hong Kong Jockey Club

By Robert Kieckhefer

If there was a theme to the first full day of the 35th Asian Racing Conference, ongoing in Hong Kong, it might have been: Enlist government as your ally. The subtext would have been: Oh, but first get your act together and be successful.

Panels discussed a broad range of topics, focusing on such as community impact, the international movement of horses, the future landscape for wagering (and regulation of wagering), and fair competition through drug control.

The ARC is organized under the auspices of the Asian Racing Federation, composed of 25 racing jurisdictions from Turkey and South Africa to New Zealand, Japan and Mongolia, which organizers credit with holding 40 percent of the world's races and 60 percent of its turnover. The organization also includes some of the world's most successful racing jurisdictions, such as Hong Kong, Japan and Australia.

Cutting across economic success or lack thereof, many delegates at the May 6 session spoke of concern about capturing and returning to horse racing a fair share of revenue—and data—generated by wagering across all the new betting platforms.

In England, for example, Paul Bittar, chief excecutive of the British Horseracing Authority, said the levy imposed on wagering operation in 1961 does not capture revenue from "remote" wagering platforms, which have proliferated. He also noted the Authority has no access to customer information from remote markets other than from Betfair, the international alternative wagering company that voluntarily signed a five-year agreement with British racing authorities. Customer data, he said, is vital for many reasons, including ensuring integrity.

Paul Bittar, Chief Executive of British Horseracing Authority, gives his presentation to all attendees. - Photo Hong Kong Jockey Club

Phillippe Germond, Chairman and Chief Executive of PMU in France, said French wagering is doing well but faces challenges from saturation of the market and competition from other forms of wagering authorized four years ago. If, he said, PMU were authorized to conduct other forms of gaming, it would do so. And, he added, revenue from those sources " is also for the horse racing industry." Authorities from Australia and other jurisdictions chimed in with similar thoughts.

Not surprisingly, countries where racing is thriving—and producing a significant revenue stream for government—seem to be doing better than their more impoverished brethren at getting government cooperation in solving their problems.

Germond said PMU is optimistic about getting authorization to handle more forms of gaming. John Brumby, former premier of the state of Victoria in Australia, said racing has enjoyed bipartisan support throughout several government turnovers and works closely with state and national authorities on issues such as ensuring that racing gets its fair share of wagering profits.

Even Bittar said English racing finds "a very supportive government at the moment." But he noted that government support is for legislation that not only would help the industry but also would extend the levy collection to offshore operators, which would mean a 15 percent tax on profits plus the levy, currently 10.75 percent. So even if racing isn't currently generating cash for the government kitty, cooperation can be forthcoming if it might do so soon.

A panel on community involvement showed how racing can go beyond generation of tax dollars to create partnerships with government.

A host of local non-governmental organizations and academic institutions leaders also attend this session regarding the community impact of horse racing. Including Prof Raymond So, Dean of School of Business of Hang Seng Management College, right. - Photo: Hong Kong Jockey Club

Brumby noted that racing historically has been an integral part of Australian culture. He said events like the Spring Carnival, including the Melbourne Cup—the race that stops a nation—contribute not only financially but also to the spirit and "liveability" of the city. That spirit, he said, translates down to smaller communities that have the same regard for their local carnivals and "cup days."  But, as the host for the meeting—in the Chinese "Year of the Horse", no less—it was Hong Kong's chance to blow its horn. The Hong Kong Jockey Club, celebrating its 130th birthday this year, is a not-for-profit corporation that plows its substantial surpluses right back into the community. The Club enlisted a government beneficiary, the Hon. Matthew Cheung Kin-Chung, the Special Administrative Region's secretary for labor and welfare, to explain.

"Through tax revenue, the HKJC is the government's major social partner," Chung said. He elaborated: The HKJC is Hong Kong's single largest taxpayer, coughing up HK$17.6 billion, 7.3% of total taxes collected each year and about one-third of government recurring spending for welfare during the year. In addition, the club donates close to HK$1.9 billion a year to charitable causes, employs 24,000 people and maintains a 1,000-member volunteer team that "lend a gentle, human touch" to its social activities.  Remember, that was a government official speaking, not the club.

"The HKJC is omnipresent in Hong Kong," Chung said. "It has weaved itself into the local fabric."

It could be noted that, despite that relationship, it took years for the club to win approval for co-mingled international pools—an approval granted last year that already has led to the import of the Hong Kong signal into the United States and other markets.

Another area of interest to racing that will require some government support is easing restrictions on international movement of horses. A complex maze of national regulations currently impedes or delays the flow of equine competitors, in racing and other horse-related events.

"These movements are controlled by national veterinary authorities," said Brian Stewart, head of equine welfare and veterinary service for Racing Victoria Ltd. and chairman of the Committee on International Movement of Horses for the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities. "They're inherently conservative and risk-averse...To make change, we can't just wish it to be so and we can't just force it to be so. We have to provide them with comfort that the decision to facilitate movement is going to be safe, that it will protect the horse population and that it will be based on science and not business."

Panel Chairman and speaker Dr Brian Stewart, Head of Equine Welfare and Veterinary Services of Racing Victoria Limited, gives his addresses in this session. - Photo: Hong Kong Jockey Club

Efforts are under way and protocols are being developed for international accords, at least covering "major event" horse movement. But implementation will require some big-time relationship with regulators.

The Hong Kong meeting also provided the opportunity for the IFHA to conduct an executive council meeting, which approved a statement on medication and horse safety. The regulation provides for traceability of Thoroughbreds throughout their career and for out-of-competition testing for prohibited substances at any time.

"While some racing authorities may face difficulty in accomplishing out-of-competition testing due to regulatory constraints or jurisdictional practices, it is critical that each authority examine its current drug control regulations and protocols to ensure out-of-competition testing is in place or begin steps for implementation," said Louis Romanet, IFHA chairman.

The draft was approved unanimously, with the vote including the United States Jockey Club.

Dr Michelle Yeung, Senior Veterinary Officer of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department of Hong Kong SAR (centre), also attends this session today. She smiles for cameras with Dr Brian Stewart (left) and Dr Christopher Riggs, Head of Veterinary Clinical Services of the Hong Kong Jockey Club (right). - Photo: Hong Kong Jockey Club

Dr Susanne Munstermann, Charge de Mission of World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), speaks on the concept of the “high health, high performance horse”. - Photo: Hong Kong Jockey Club

Breon Corcoran, CEO of Betfair, speaks to all attending delegates in the session for Racing's lifeblood – The future landscape for wagering - Photo: Hong Kong Jockey Club

Session chairman William A. Nader, Executive Director, Racing of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, makes his presentation to attending delegates for "The Pattern: Now & in the future." - Photo: Hong Kong Jockey Club

Other panelists have in-depth discussions on stage about "The Pattern: Now & in the future." - Photo: Hong Kong Jockey Club

World's Largest Racing Conference Begins in Hong Kong

2014-05-05T20:06:00Z

Asian Racing Conference has drawn 800 racing officials, administrators, and executives to Hong Kong, with IFHA executive council a newcomer at global forum.

Caption:Louis Romanet, Chairman of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, speaks at the IFHA Executive Council meeting today as it met for the first time at an Asian Racing Conference. - Photo: Hong Kong Jockey Club

By Robert Kieckhefer

The Asian Racing Conference (ARC) got under way in Hong Kong May 5 with a full agenda of seminars focused on the business of racing, featuring topics such as the future landscape for wagering, the use of cutting edge technology in sports broadcasting, the issue of drug control, the community impact of racecourses, and the international movement of elite horses. A first-time participant at the conference was the executive council of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities.

The conference, which runs through May 8 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, takes place every 18 months or so and is widely considered to be the most important and influential event of its type. Hong Kong has hosted the Asian Racing Conference twice previously, in 1978 and 1991 and this year’s 35th edition of the conference was organized by the Hong Kong Jockey Club in association with the Asian Racing Federation.

“The ARC is now the largest racing conference in the world and is no longer just a regional gathering but is now one of the major forums and marketplaces for ideas for the racing industry worldwide,” said Asian Racing Federation chairman Dr. Koji Sato in his opening remarks at a stunning opening ceremony to the conference and gala dinner.

“This year's 35th event has drawn a record attendance of almost 800 racing officials, administrators, executives and leaders in various business fields from some 40 jurisdictions, all motivated to embrace a common global vision for the development of this great sport.”

Attending guests and delegates enjoyed a variety of entertainment during the evening (see photos below).

The IFHA executive council meeting on day one considered major policy issues, including proposals on the international harmonization of anti-doping control, forensic testing laboratory certification, and the genetic integrity of Thoroughbreds. The council also reaffirmed its strong support for the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), which with it is working on issues concerning the international movement of horses, including research into equine influenza.

Based in Paris, the IFHA is the world body for Thoroughbred racing. Its major functions include the quality control of International Race Planning and Grading (known as "black type"), the production of the LONGINES-sponsored Official World’s Best Racehorse Rankings, the setting of international standards relating to anti-doping and animal welfare, and the system of racing clearances for international competition.

In addition, the IFHA works toward harmonization of the codes of racing rules around the world and on fostering the commercial development of the racing industry globally. The IFHA executive council is the highest level of governance in world racing.

The IFHA executive council, presided over by chairman Louis Romanet, France’s longest serving racing administrator, consists of 13 members drawn from three regions--Europe, the Americas, and Asia. Jim Gagliano, president and chief operating officer of The Jockey Club, is the council’s vice chairman representing the Americas. Brian Kavanagh, chief executive of Horse Racing Ireland is vice chairman representing Europe, and Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, CEO of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, is vice chairman representing Asia.

The council meets again in Paris in October 2014 in conjunction with the running of the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I).

Also on opening day of the Asian Racing Conference, the 5th International Stewards’ Conference convened at Happy Valley Racecourse. Chaired by Kim Kelly, the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s chief stipendiary steward, the conference was attended by 71 delegates representing 28 racing jurisdictions.

One of horse racing’s most important rules is the protest/objection rule, which until relatively recently was operated in several different ways around the world. This issue was highlighted at the 31st Asian Racing Conference in Dubai in 2007, since then great progress has been made to harmonize the rule internationally, thanks to discussions held during previous International Stewards’ Conferences and meetings of the IFHA’s International Harmonisation of Raceday Rules Committee.

There was further welcome news on that front at the Stewards’ Conference, when Yoshihiro Nakamura, chief steward of the Japan Racing Association informed delegates of the results of a change to the protest/objection rules in Japan that had taken place in 2013. The JRA had changed to the ‘Category 1’ philosophy which is widely used throughout Asia, Australasia, Great Britain, India, Ireland and South Africa.

Nakamura reported that in 2012, there were 142 protest/objection inquiries conducted, with a change to the judge’s placings being made on 21 occasions. Of these 21 instances, seven horses were disqualified as a result of being found to have caused interference which affected the result of the race, irrespective of where in the field the offending horse finished. By contrast, during 2013 there were just 25 inquiries with only one change to the result of a race. Further, there were no horses disqualified from a race for having caused interference.

Against the background of events in various parts of the racing world over the past few months, another significant discussion at the Asian Racing Conference was held on the subject of the level of penalties that should be applied to serious offences, including the use of anabolic steroids and issues relating to animal welfare. On that subject, the conference noted a report from Johan Petzer, chairman of stewards at Thoroughbred Racing South Australia, concerning the introduction in Australia of mandatory minimum penalties relating to offences involving prohibited substances and animal welfare.

Some of the other subjects discussed on a wide-ranging agenda were: the provision of information by stewards to the public through mainstream media and the increasing use of social media platforms; a study currently being conducted in Hong Kong regarding the health, fitness and welfare of jockeys; rules applying in certain jurisdictions regulating or prohibiting medication/treatment being administered to horses on or leading up to the day they are to race; and the benefits of interaction between stewards and Security & Integrity departments.

Looking toward the increasing internationalization of racing, further presentations examined: the possibility for protest/objection hearings being conducted in a harmonized manner around the world; and the merits of having jurisdictional gear/equipment registers to assist connections given the ever increasing movement of racehorses between countries.

“It is very fitting that the ARC is being held here in Hong Kong,” said Sato, also the Japan Racing Association's presidential counselor for foreign affairs. “Hong Kong is one of the leading racing jurisdictions in the world. It is a global giant in terms of its wagering operations, it stages spectacular international racing events and it has a highly respected role as a major contributor to charity and to the community.

“Between our 21 ARC members we now run over 55,000 races a year, almost 40% of the total worldwide,” he said. “We generated US$75 billion of turnover in 2012, nearly 60% of all the money wagered globally on horse racing; and we have developed substantial breeding operations, foaling some 35,000 high-quality Thoroughbreds a year, again close to 40% of the world total. Most important of all, the ARF has become well-recognized for its innovative ideas, promoting the development of the sport.

“The Asian Racing Conference is a global forum for industry leaders from around the world to meet together, identify emerging issues, and to develop new strategies.

“This is an exciting time for racing. We do face some challenges, but there is also a great deal that we can be optimistic about. By working together we are making great progress. 2014 is also the Year of the Horse, and that must be a good omen for our discussions this week.”

Full members of the Asian Racing Federation are: Australia, Bahrain, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Mauritius, New Zealand, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam. Mongolia is an associate member, and Indonesian, Kuwait, and Turkmenistan are affiliate members.

The Hon Leung Chun-ying, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (centre); Mr T. Brian Stevenson, Chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club (second from left); Dr Koji Sato, Chairman of the Asian Racing Federation (second from right); Mr Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges, Vice-Chairman of the Asian Racing Federation and Chief Executive Officer of the Hong Kong Jockey Club (left); Mr Andrew Harding, Secretary-General of the Asian Racing Federation (right), at the opening ceremony of the 35th Asian Racing Conference at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre tonight. - Photo: Hong Kong Jockey Club

Photo: Hong Kong Jockey Club

Red Cadeaux Ready to 'Bring It' in Tenno Sho

2014-04-30T17:38:00Z

Photo: Mathea Kelley
Red Cadeaux

Staying power is defined as having strength and energy, stamina, and toughness—all attributes of one of racing’s highest-profile world travelers: Red Cadeaux.

The big, red runner, based in Great Britain with trainer Ed Dunlop, has been in Japan since April 19 preparing for his second bid to win the marathon Tenno Sho (Spring) (Jpn-I) May 4 at Kyoto Racecourse, and his connections think he is poised for a top effort.

Campaigned by Hong Kong lawyer and businessman Ronald Arculli, the 8-year-old Cadeaux Genereux gelding has contested 16 group I races worldwide and will try to win the Tenno Sho after finishing third, three lengths behind Fenomeno, in the 3,200-meter (about two-mile) race last year.

Red Cadeaux arrived in Japan in good order, and after clearing quarantine at Miki Horse Land Park was transported to the international stables Kyoto April 25.

Dunlop’s assistant Robin Trevor-Jones accompanied Red Cadeaux on the journey to Japan and reported smooth going during the eight-hour, 4,835-mile trip from the United Arab Emirates, where the runner was unplaced behind winner African Story in the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) March 29 at Meydan.

“It was a long trip but there were no particular problems," Trevor-Jones, who also accompanied Snow Fairy (also from the Dunlop stables) twice to Japan, where she won the back-to-back editions of the Queen Elizabeth Commemorative Cup (Jpn-I) in 2010 and 2011.

Earlier this week, Trevor-Jones had concerns about the very hard turf course at Kyoto, but rain began falling in the area April 29 and Red Cadeaux was sent for a jog and a canter, then April 30 for a three-furlong gallop under work rider Stephen Nicholson on the rain softened turf course.

"He trained well this morning—we had a nice lot of rain last night so we decided that this was the best day to use the turf and he was quite happy on it," Trevor-Jones said. "He started rolling three furlongs out and he seemed comfortable. The ground on the stand side is definitely easier, and a softer ground for work would be better, but on race day you've got to go where the fastest ground is anyway. It would be ideal for us to have rain just to keep it as it is now.

"He's definitely coming out of Dubai better than last year. He trained very well in Dubai after the World Cup, the way he's eating his food—all round, everything just seems to be more comfortable this year.

"There are four really high-profiled horses in this year's line-up, and he'll definitely have to be up in his absolute ‘A’ game to beat them, which I think he is. I think last year's winner Fenomeno is the biggest danger."

This year’s Tenno Sho lineup includes 2013 winner Fenomeno, as well as 2013 Tokyo Yushun (Jpn-I, Japanese Derby) winner Kizuna (fourth in the 2013 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, Fr-I); and 2013 Takarazuka Kinen (Jpn-I) winner Gold Ship, coming off a win of the Hanshin Daishoten (Jpn-II). Also expected to start is Win Variation, victor of the Nikkei Sho (Jpn-II) March 29 and second in the 2013 Arima Kinen (Jpn-I) at year’s end.

Red Cadeaux is now done with his pre-race hard work, Trevor-Jones said.

“We're quite content to see how he's done today; he didn't blow much afterwards so we'll just do some little canters up to race day."

A tough and game gelding, Red Cadeaux has been a fairly consistent and versatile performer for Dunlop despite constant foot issues. He has been given a schedule to that of last year's campaign leading up to his bid in the Tenno Sho.

He enters the race off a disappointing sixth-place in the $10 million Dubai World Cup March 29 after a poor draw, which followed a fourth to Dominant in the Hong Kong Vase (HK-I) at Sha Tin in December.

Dunlop was pleased with the World Cup performance.

“He’s run another super race from that draw (post 14),” he said after the race. “(Jockey Gerald Mosse) had to take him back, and he finished his race really well. Another couple of strides and he’d have been fourth.”

Prior the Hong Kong Vase, Red Cadeaux finished close second, three-quarters of a length behind Fiorente, in the Melbourne Cup (Aus-I) in his second start in the race. In the 2011 edition, he was second by a nose to French runner Dunaden in the closest finish in the 151-year history of Australia’s most famous race.

The Tenno Sho is deemed Red Cadeaux’s ideal distance. It is Japan's longest group I flat race and run at Melbourne Cup distance of 3,200 meters.

Photo: Courtesy Hong Kong Jockey Club
Red Cadeaux won the 2012 Hong Kong Vase

Mosse rode Red Cadeaux in last year’s Tenno Sho and is booked for the ride again this year.

Leading up to last year’s Tenno Sho, Red Cadeaux finished a fast-closing second to Animal Kingdom in the Dubai World Cup on the Tapeta surface after capping his 2012 season with a head victory in the Hong Kong Vase.

Red Cadeaux was unraced as a 2-year-old in 2008 and developed into a progressive handicapper during ages 3 and 4, recording victories at Wolverhampton, Doncaster and Lingfield. The next year began his evolvement into a high-class stayer.

Red Cadeaux is by two-time English champion sprinter Cadeaux Genereux but there is stamina influence on his dam’s side. He is out Artisia, a daughter of 1997 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I) winner Peintre Celebre.

Artisia, who failed to win in three starts, is a half sister to 2012-13 Hong Kong Horse of the Year and champion middle-distance horse Military Attack, by Oratorio, and to English and Irish group III winner Alamty, by Dancing Dissident. Second dam Almaaseh, a daughter of 1985 Irish One Thousand Guineas (Ire-I) winner Al Bahathri and 1986 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Fr-I) winner Dancing Brave, is a half sister to 2004 Two Thousand Guineas (Eng-I) winner and sire Haafhd.

A chestnut gelding who was bred in Great Britain by Foursome Thoroughbreds, Red Cadeaux has a 7-11-6 record from 43 career starts.

London-based bloodstock agent Charlie Gordon-Watson bought Red Cadeaux as a yearling for 55,000 guineas ($117,331) on Arculli’s behalf at 2007 Tattersalls October yearling sale. Arculli, former chairman of the Hong Kong Jockey Club from 2002-2006, also races horses in Australia and New Zealand.

Red Cadeaux has not won in 10 starts since in the 2012 Hong Kong Vase, but he has finished in the top three six times: three seconds, a third and two fourths, all but one in top-level races. His overall record includes wins in the 2011 At the Races Curragh Cup (Ire-III) and the 2012 Yorkshire Cup (Eng-II) as well as a second the same season in the Coronation Cup (Eng-I).

The Tenno Sho is open to 4-year-olds and up and is held at the right-handed Kyoto Racecourse. The race carries a purse of nearly 275 million yen ($2,749,600 in United States funds), with a winner's share of 132 million yen ($1,320,000).

'A Not-To-Be-Missed Uptown Society Event'

2014-04-15T20:37:00Z

(Photo: Courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club)
Guests join Selections Announcement to show support to the Audemars Piguet QEII Cup, which will be run on 27 April at Sha Tin Racecourse.

Elite sport and high-end chic come together with the 20th international edition of the Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II Cup (HK-I), set for Sunday, April 27, at Sha Tin Racecourse.

Several elite runners, including France’s Cirrus des Aigles, South African champion Vercingetorix, and Japanese classic winner Epiphaneia, are among five foreign raiders, all group I winners, in the 13-horse field announced for the 2,000-meter (about 1 1/4-mile) race, which carries a HK$14 million purse ($1,805,613 in United States funds).

(Photo: Courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club)
Cirrus des Aigles

“We have seen some brilliant champions carry off the Audemars Piguet QEII Cup in the past, and with six individual international group 1 winners and some exciting rising stars, this could be one of the strongest renewals we've ever had—it’s shaping up to be a real classic,'' said Bill Nader, the Hong Kong Jockey Club's executive director of racing.

Last year's QEII Cup victor Military Attack will have to replicate the brilliance he displayed 12 months ago if he is to become only the second horse to win back-to-back renewals. John Moore's charge is currently rated the best 2,000-meter turf horse in the world, but as well as a strong overseas challenge, Hong Kong's reigning Horse of the Year will have to contend with a home contingent brimming with established heroes and emerging stars, not least his own stablemate, this year's outstanding BMW Hong Kong Derby victor Designs On Rome.

Designs On Rome will also face-off against his predecessor in BMW Hong Kong Derby champion, Akeed Mofeed, trained by Richard Gibson.

The latter, a powerful five-year-old, proved his mettle on the biggest stage with success in December's Hong Kong Cup (HK-I) and was a solid fifth in the Dubai World Cup (UAE-I) in March. And in an eagerly anticipated clash of the generations, this year's highly regarded Hong Kong Derby third, the Michael Chang-trained Dibayani, will join Designs On Rome against their elders for a first tilt at all-age group I company.

Japan's horses are riding the crest of a wave on the international scene at present. Japan has carried off the QEII Cup three times previously with Eishin Preston (2002 and 2003) and the Katsuhiko Sumii-trained Rulership (2012), and Epiphaneia represents the Sumii stable this time.

(Photo: Courtesy of the Japan Racing Association)
Epiphaneia

Last year's Kikuka Sho (Jpn-I, Japanese St Leger) victor was runner-up in both the 2013 Satsuki Sho (Jpn-I, Japanese Two Thousand Guineas) and Tokyo Yushun (Jpn-I, Japanese Derby), and warmed up for this task with a smart third to Kizuna in a group II race at Hanshin. Meanwhile, Uncoiled has useful form at the top level against the likes of Japan's world stars Gentildonna and Just a Way.

Vercingetorix also represents some of the best international form available at this stage of the year. The 4-year-old colt rounded out an unbeaten career in his homeland with success in the Daily News 2000 (SAf-I) in June of last year and maintained his unbeaten streak in the Jebel Hatta (UAE-I) at Meydan in March before running second to the outstanding Just a Way in the Dubai Duty Free (UAE-I) (1,800 meters). Vercingetorix is joined by his group I-placed stablemate Sanshaawes as trainer Mike de Kock chases a third win in the race following Irridescence (2006) and Archipenko (2008).

(Photo: Courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club)
Vercingetorix

French star Cirrus des Aigles, a three-time group I winner and a four-time competitor at December's Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin for trainer Corine Barande-Barbe, was also in action on Dubai World Cup night and showed that he is at the top of his form with a fine second to Gentildonna in the Dubai Sheema Classic (UAE-I), a race he won in 2012.

Hong Kong's strong defense also includes the Moore-trained Dominant, winner of the Hong Kong Vase (HK-I) in December, who ran on well from the rear to take fifth in the Dubai Sheema Classic last month at Meydan, and Same World, who triumphed in the January Cup at Happy Valley Racecourse earlier this year. Packing Whiz won the Chairman's Trophy in 2013.

"With the field set to be a quality mix of top local and overseas runners, this race is certain to retain its place among the (International Federation of Horseracing Authorities) list of the World's Top 50 Group I Races,” Nader said. “Going right back to 1995, the Audemars Piguet QEII Cup has a history of attracting high caliber runners from around the world and this year is no exception. We have an excellent mix of elite Hong Kong runners going up against top-class international competitors, all boasting tie-ins to the best form lines from Europe, South Africa, Dubai and Japan. This is what international racing is all about.

"The AP QEII Cup day has become a not-to-be-missed uptown society event in Hong Kong and it is great that we are able to showcase fantastic world-class sport on such a glamorous occasion as this."

(Photo:Courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club)
William A. Nader, Executive Director of Racing of HKJC and David von Gunten, Chief Executive Officer of Audemars Piguet Hong Kong and China, share their keen anticipation of the 16th running of the Queen Elizabeth II Cup and offer their best wishes to the elite runners.

(Photo: Courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club)
Michele Reis appears at the event with captivating style and glamour. She wears the Royal Oak Offshore Diver Limited Edition watch which is made specially for the Audemars Piguet QEII Cup 2014.

Remembering Sir Henry Cecil

2013-06-11T13:38:00Z

Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt

Sir Henry Cecil, one of the most prominent international horse trainers over the last four decades, left behind a stellar legacy when he died June 11 at age 70. The self-effacing Cecil was respected by his peers and well-liked by the racing public. As a tribute to Cecil, BloodHorse.com is offering the international racing industry this forum in which to remember the great Henry Cecil.

Share your thoughts and memories of Sir Henry Cecil in the comments below.

Reaction on Twitter

What sad news about Henry. A brilliant trainer and a brave man to have successfully fought the disease for so long. RIP Maestro.
— CUMANI (@lucacumani) June 11, 2013

Had the great pleasure of working for Sir Henry Cecil for 5 1/2 yrs (1987-1993). A true gentleman and a genius at his craft. #RIP
— Simon Bray (@SimonTVG) June 11, 2013

Just heard the news that Sir Henry Cecil has died. So so sad. He was one of the true greats and a gentleman. Frankel his crowning glory #RIP
— Clare Balding (@clarebalding) June 11, 2013

V sad to hear of the passing of Sir Henry Cecil - a true legend of the British turf. A truly remarkable life & career.
— Mark Johnson (@churchillmark) June 11, 2013

RIP Sir Henry Cecil. One of greatest horsemen I've ever met,true gentleman. Met him at Newmarket,he wished me luck and thanked me for coming
— Kenny McPeek (@KennyMcPeek) June 11, 2013

How I'll always remember Sir Henry Cecil, the King of Warren Hill. Rest in peace. twitter.com/collingsberry/…
— Emma Berry (@collingsberry) June 11, 2013

Think how difficult it is for a trainer to dig out one Royal Ascot winner. Then think that Sir Henry Cecil had 75 of them.Astonishing man.
— Graham Cunningham (@gcunning12) June 11, 2013

Quite simply the most decent, funny, caring and genius man I have ever met. Sir Henry Cecil. Everyone will miss you so very much. #RIP
— Matt Chapman (@MCYeeehaaa) June 11, 2013

More About Sir Henry Cecil

Here is an interview with Sir Henry Cecil following Frankel's victory in the 2011 St James's Palace Stakes:

[brightcove videoid="993194203001"]

Opportunities Await in South Africa

2012-11-08T22:41:00Z

By Robin Bruss
CEO, Cape Thoroughbred Sale Co.

When Wise Dan crossed the line to win the Breeder’ Cup Mile (gr. I) and endorse his status as the highest-rated horse in America, he did more than establish himself at the forefront of Horse of the Year honours—his victory was felt with a certain sense of pride by breeders in an unlikely part of the world—South Africa.

Wise Dan’s dam is by the South African-bred champion Wolf Power, whose 18 wins and Horse of the Year honours at home attracted the attention of John Gaines in the good old days when diversity was seen as a strength, rather than a barrier to commercial markets. Hybrid vigour through an international outcross was popularised by Bull Hancock and John Gaines, scouring the world for the exceptional, regardless of fashionability. Great horses, after all, can create their own desirability.

Bull Hancock fittingly played another part in the construction of Wise Dan’s South African connection too, as he stood South African-bred champion Hawaii at Claiborne following his election as champion turf male in the U.S. back in 1969. Hawaii became broodmare sire of Hennessy, grandsire of Wise Dan, giving South Africans a double dose of pride, albeit somewhat distant. After all, what is a decade or three in the development of a pedigree.

What both stallions had in bucketloads was what South Africa prides itself on—toughness and soundness, for we are a country built on wide open spaces, plenty of sunshine, some of the most beautiful and some of the harshest territory imaginable—and a medication policy tougher than most jurisdiction, barring perhaps Germany.

South African yearlings are also cheap by international standards because we are marginalised, somewhat by geography, but moreso by logistics and regulations. We would love to send more of our horses to the U.S., but since 9/11, direct scheduled cargo flights were stopped and all cargo travels via Europe. As the Europeans require our horses to quarantine 40 days prior to export and America requires the horses to quarantine 60 days on arrival, it’s made the logistics somewhat tortuous. Currently we are exporting via the island of Mauritius, four hours by air into the Indian Ocean.

The answer to easier exports is to be found in a newly developed diagnostic test for African Horse Sickness, the PCR Assay, which provides conclusive diagnosis of freedom of this disease within a matter of hours. The PCR is undergoing international validation as I write this, and hopes are high that it will create a scenario for South Africa to readily enjoy greater freedom of movement, which we haven’t seen much of since the heady days of Hawaii and Wolf Power who were, in those days, shipped out at a few days notice and arrived in the U.S. Similarly, the current USDA protocol for South Africa needs updating for it was established in 1958, has served its time well, but everyone recognises that an update is overdue.

My hope is that the new PCR will permit reduction in quarantine from 60 days post arrival to perhaps 14 days, and that this will allow a whole range of constructive and dynamic possibilities that will allow our brand of the Thoroughbred to engage in other parts of the world.

It was intrepid out-of-the-box thinking that led Team Valor’s Barry Irwin a decade ago to start buying South African horses and shipping them through the tortuous gamut of red tape and quarantines in order to race internationally. I love a challenger to convention and love to see trailblazers get rewarded. Barry had some spectacular success with South African horses—winning grade I races in Dubai, Hong Kong, and the U.S. and selling some of his fillies in the millions of dollars. Irwin also now retains a band of grade I-winning mares in South Africa, breeding them to the top sires. He sees South Africa as a true emerging market.

Wasn’t it John F. Kennedy who said that “we go to the moon not because it is easy, but because it is hard, and because it will test the best of our courage and resourcefulness.” Well, we feel like that in South Africa, too. Contrary to some opinions, we aren’t on a different planet, but we like to think our horses have developed differently to convention because of our isolation and that we can offer something different, but at the same time, with a dose of good old fashioned value. Thirty years ago, the South African Rand and the U.S. dollar were on par. Today, given the tide of history, politics and economics, US$1 buys you R8.50 and makes South African horses incredibly cheap.

In 2011, South Africa’s major breeders set up the sales company that I run, Cape Thoroughbred Sales, specifically to operate an internationally advertised sale out of the world’s most beautiful city, Cape Town, in the international convention centre, in what is a unique constructed indoor sale. We host visitors from 15 countries; we showcase our horses and our nation and we do so with a measure of aplomb.

Racing and selling, we think, is more than business, it’s about entering the unique world of the great game of racing, and we use our sales, to create a series of lifestyle events. For what is a sale without the parties, the cameraderie, and the champagne that goes with it. Think of it like Keeneland-on-Broadway, with golf in between. The Cape summer is also rather like Bermuda in glorious sunshine, blue skies, long warm days and party time at night. Isn’t buying and owning horses meant to be fun?

Shiekh Hamdan probably epitomises our sale best, in that he bought Soft Falling Rain (by U.S.-bred National Assembly, a son of Danzig) from an imported Giant’s Causeway mare, at the 2011 sale, for R340,000 ($40,000) marginally below the sale average. The 300 horse sale has yielded three of the four winners of South Africa’s grade I juvenile races, and the best of these, Soft Falling Rain, became champion 2-year-old male. He is currently on his way to compete in the Dubai Carnival 2013 for the Sheikh and trainer Mike de Kock.

Most foreign buyers leave their purchases in South Africa to race—training fees are less than $1,000 a month, a low-cost nursery, with a nice springboard—so owners have a good tax-deductible excuse to return, and for the smart and the lucky, the best of these youngsters will wend their way into international competition on the Barry Irwin pathway—with a dose of patience and perseverence through the quarantine process. It’s not easy, but as JFK observed, Americans are up to a challenge.

In January, Kip Elser and Terry Finley came to the sale, they bought a colt by American-bred grade I winner Var (by Forest Wildcat) for R600,000 as a pinhook, which is rare in our country. Re-offered at the Nov. 3 Ready to Run Sale, he sold for R1.6 million. A cool million profit. Americans, I realise, can teach us a trick or two. Ah, the intrepid and the brave. Here we go again.

I write to this inform and not to advertise. You’ll find us at www.capethoroughbredsales.co.za. View a video about the Cape Premier Yearling Sales, last week of January. We’d love you to come and visit, to allow yourself some South African hospitality and a chance to see how we do it in our corner of the globe.

We’ll have bigger dreams in time to come, including shuttle sires, American partnerships, perhaps a Breeders’ Cup series, the building of all-weather tracks, structural changes to advance purses and easier trade routes. But that’s for another day.

Horses on the beach in picturesque Cape Town, South Africa.

Mike de Kock and Angus Gold receiving a champagne gift from Cape Thoroughbred Sales Co.

Zolani Mahola performs at the 2012 Cape Premiere Yearling Sale.

Inside the Cape Town International Convention Centre. Site of the Cape Premiere Yearling Sale.

Sale Preview location surrounded by the beautiful landscape of Cape Town , SA.

Rock of Gibraltar: Hey Now, He's a Rock Star!

2012-10-04T18:04:00Z

Fifteen 3-year-old fillies lined up for the Prix Charles Laffitte at Chantilly Oct. 3. At the end of the 10-furlong listed event, Baino Rock (Rock of Gibraltar—Baino Ridge, by Highest Honor), a homebred for Isaam Fares’ Haras de Manneville, easily defeated her rivals to land her first black-type race. Her dominating performance also served to illustrate the consistent performances of the progeny of Rock of Gibraltar, one of the legion of outstanding sire sons by the legendary Danehill (Danzig—Razyana, by His Majesty).

Standing at Coolmore in Ireland and having done Southern Hemisphere duty in both Australia and South America, Rock of Gibraltar has proved to be as solid as his namesake. His first foal crop (2004) set the bar high, producing 30 added-money winners. Baino Rock is his 82nd career stakes winner, 11th this year, and the eighth from his 2009 crop.

A handsome, well-muscled bay, 13-year-old Rock of Gibraltar is out of the group II stakes-placed Be My Guest mare Offshore Boom, whose black type was earned as runner-up over seven furlongs in the Irish National Stud Stakes. As a 2-year-old, Rock of Gibraltar won his first group I, the Grand Criterium Lucien Barriere, in France on Oct. 7 and 13 days later landed his second, across the channel in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket. Undefeated through five more group Is (all at a mile) at 3, including victories in the Irish and English Two Thousand Guineas, he had his perfect season spoiled with a hard-luck race in the NetJets Breeders’ Cup Mile at Arlington, having finished just short of winner Domedriver. At year’s end he was Europe’s Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old male in addition to being highweighted among sophomores in England, France, and Ireland.
Offshore Boom, a half sister to two stakes winners, is out of a winning Bold Lad (the Irish version) half sister to Riverman (Never Bend—River Lady, by Prince John), who sort of set the pace for his modern-day kinsman by winning the Poule d’Essai des Poulains (the French version of the Two Thousand Guineas), before embarking on a stud career that brought him leading sire titles and 128 stakes winners.
Baino Rock takes double advantage of this connection through Riverman’s dam River Lady (Prince John—Nile Lily, by Roman). As a daughter of both Rock of Gibraltar, whose granddam is a daughter of River Lady, and a granddaughter of Highest Honor (Kenmare—High River, by Riverman), whose broodmare sire is Riverman, Baino Rock is inbred 4x5 to River Lady. (Baino Rock also carries 3x3 inbreeding to leading sire Be My Guest and four crosses to Natalma in a five-generation pedigree.)

The River Lady cross is not an unusual occurrence among Rock of Gibraltar’s stakes winners. Nine of his 82 carry this female family inbreeding. Highest Honor as a broodmare sire is responsible for nearly one-third: From 14 foals of racing age, Rock of Gibraltar is the sire of three black-type winners (21.4%) from Highest Honor mares, including group II winner Rock Me Baby in Australia.

Other successful crosses for Rock of Gibraltar have come with Blushing Groom-line mares, especially from the Rainbow Quest (Blushing Groom—I Will Follow, by Herbager) branch. From 21 foals of racing age, Rainbow Quest mares have produced five stakes winners (23.8%), including group I winner Samitar, who enhanced the family’s mile reputation by taking the Irish One Thousand Guineas this year and more recently the nine-furlong Garden City Stakes at Belmont in September.

A Review of Racing 'Round the World for Sept. 27-28

2012-09-28T19:48:00Z

Arguably, the most significant stallion in racing the last two days has to be Green Desert (Danzig—Foreign Courier, by Sir Ivor). Now pensioned, the 29-year-old Nunnery Stud resident sired his 99th worldwide stakes winner on Sept. 19, when his 3-year-old daughter Semayyel won the John Musker Fillies Stakes at Yarmouth.

But that was then and this is now, so what has he done for us lately? Well, nothing directly, but his sons have shined. Within a 24-hour span (give or take), Cape Cross, Oasis Dream, and Invincible Spirit all added new black-type winners to their ever-expanding CVs. On Sept. 27 Cape Cross (Green Desert—Park Appeal, by Ahonoora) added stakes winner 79 as his son Caucus, out of the Sadler’s Wells mare Maid To Perfection (from the Stinging Nettle female family that brought the U.S. graded stakes winners Stroll and Grassy), took Newmarket’s listed Jockey Club Rose Bowl.

At Newmarket the following day, Oasis Dream (Green Desert—Hope, by Dancing Brave), notched another stakes winner in his belt, when Chigun, a 3-year-old filly out of the Nashwan mare Stormy Weather, won the listed Rosemary Stakes, to become the 62nd added-money winner for her 12-year-old sire.

In France, the Wertheimers’ 3-year-old filly Foreign Tune became the 61st stakes winner for 15-year-old Invincible Spirit (Green Desert—Rafha, by Kris). Out of the group III-winning Green Tune mare Gwenseb, Foreign Tune won the listed Prix Coronation at Saint-Cloud.

All in all, not a bad 24-hours for the Green Desert boys.

Other sires to add to their career totals for black type include Galileo (Sadler’s Wells—Urban Sea, by Miswaki) who racked up stakes winner 131 with Gallipot, who took the Princess Royal Stakes at Newmarket, Sept. 28. The 3-year-old bay filly is the second foal out of the Spinning World mare Spinning Queen, who won the group I Sun Chariot Stakes at Newmarket in 2006.

Add U.S.-based stallion Arch (Kris S.—Aurora, by Danzig) to the list as well. His 2-year-old daughter Waterway Run, out of the Dixieland Band mare Princess Consort, won the group III Oh So Sharp Stakes at Newmarket to become her sire’s 43rd stakes winner. Incidentally, Arch and Green Desert share a common female family, that of Courtly Dee (Never Bend—Tulle, by War Admiral). Arch is a great grandson of the blue hen matron while Green Desert is a grandson.

Another family connection occurred in Newmarket’s group I Fillies Mile. The winner, Godolphin’s 2-year-old Elusive Quality filly Certify and the runner-up, Roz, trace in tail-female to the Bold Lad mare Lodge, a stakes-placed half sister to leading European stallions Habitat (Sir Ivor) and Northfields (Northern Dancer) who are sons of the Occupy mare Little Hut. Undefeated in four starts, Certify was bred by Darley in partnership with Hurstland Farm and William Kartozian out of the stakes-winning Mr. Leader mare Please Sign In. Certify’s third dam is Lodge. (Incidentally, the Nuckols family has been stewards of this fine family for decades, having owned Little Hut and bred her foals since her first in 1959 until the mare died in the early 1980s.) John Ferguson signed the $80,000 tab for Certify at the Keeneland September yearling sale. Roz, on the other hand, was a Darley-bred by Sheikh Mohammed’s young European stallion Teofilo (Galileo—Speirbhean, by Danehill), who also sired Somerville Stakes (Eng-III) winner Havana Gold on the Sept. 27 Newmarket card. Roz’ dam, Debonnaire, is a daughter of group-placed Ultra Finesse, a Rahy great granddaughter of Lodge purchased for Sheikh Maktoum’s Gainsborough Stud out of the Keeneland July sale. Roz was purchased by Crimbourne Stud out of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale for $26,022.

Certify is the 10th gr. I winner out of 84 career added-money winners for her sire.

On the same Newmarket card, Godolphin’s 5-year-old Australia-bred Retrieve (Rahy—Hold to Ransom, by Red Ransom) got back in the black-type column by winning the appropriately named Godolphin Stakes, his first added-money win this year. The winner’s purse pushed his earnings past the $1 million mark.

In India, U.S.-bred expat Rebuttal (Mr. Greeley—Reboot, by Rubiano) scored a stakes coup when his 3-year-old son Super Storm won the grade III Two Thousand Guineas at Mysore. The bay colt is out of the Conquistador Cielo mare Cielo Vodkamartini, a winning full sister to grade II stakes winner Cielo Del Nord, from the female family of Lahib and General Holme.

Pierro, Australia’s 2-year-old Triple Crown champion, took another step to repeating honors by taking Moonee Valley’s group II Bill Stutt Stakes. The 3-year-old bay son of last year’s leading sire Lonhro (Octagonal) out of the Daylami mare Miss Right Note is undefeated in eight starts. On the distaff side of things, 3-year-old filly Snitzerland (Snitzel—Monte Rosa, by Fraar) captured Moonee Valley’s group III Champagne Stakes to remain perfect on the year. Last year she won the AAMI Golden Slipper (Aus-I) at Rosehill.

Also undefeated, Australia’s Horse of the Year Black Caviar is scheduled to race again in 2013. Fingers crossed for the gallant daughter of Bel Esprit—Helsinge, by Desert Sun.

And that last item brings us full circle: Desert Sun, broodmare sire of Black Caviar, is also a son of Green Desert.

The Loss of Tiger Hill

2012-09-28T15:27:00Z

Within the space of 18 days, German breeders have lost two important stallions. Following closely behind the death of Monsun at Gestut Schlenderhan, Gestut Fahrhof’s stallion Tiger Hill (Danehill—The Filly, by Appianni II) has died in circumstances eerily similar to those surrounding the death of his own sire, Danehill. Both died as a result of paddock accidents at the untimely age of 17. Even with a life cut short in his prime, Danehill has left a legacy of riches: leading sire of stakes winners (347), leading broodmare sire on multiple continents, and a ubiquitous sire of sires. While Tiger Hill will never fill Danehill’s gigantic shoes, he has proved to be a valuable addition to the bloodstock world.

He was purchased out of the 1996 Baden-Baden yearling auction for $74,360 and raced for Georg Baron von Ullmann, winning three group Is and the group II Mehl-Muelhens-Rennen (German Two Thousand Guineas) among his 10 wins from 17 starts. His four placings included a third in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. He was twice highweighted horse in Germany. As a runner, he had an average winning distance of 9.5 furlongs, making him a sold middle-distance performer.

Retired from racing, Tiger Hill first did stallion duty at Haras du Val Henry in France before moving to Ullmann’s Gestut Schlenderhan, Germany’s oldest privately owned stud. Although inbred to blue hen Natalma 4 (Northern Dancer) x 4 (Spring Adieu) in the Danehill side of the pedigree, Tiger Hill has a very continental female family that is free of the most common names found in today’s pedigrees. Bred in Ireland by Gestut Wittekindshof, Tiger Hill was out of the unraced mare The Filly, whose sire Derby Italiano winner Appiani II was a champion in Italy and a leading sire in Germany. (Appiani II’s sire was French champion Herbager who brought a strain of stamina to the U.S. when he was imported to Claiborne Farm where he established a very successful career as both sire (64 stakes winners) and broodmare sire.) Tiger Hill’s female family (3-e) traces directly to La Fleche (St. Simon—Quiver, by Toxophilite), who won the English Triple Crown for fillies (One Thousand Guineas, Epsom Oaks, and St. Leger Stakes) in 1892. As a broodmare, she produced the outstanding stallion John O’Gaunt, the sire of Swynford. Tiger Hill’s dam is a daughter of Tigress Silver, an unraced half sister to three stakes winners, whose dam Templeogue is a full sister to German champion 3-year-old filly Tigerin.

Tiger Hill is an outcross until the sixth generation, which finds him linebred to leading stallion Hyperion 6x6x5x6 and Felstead 6x6. He also carries crosses of the outstanding producer Nogara 6x6 through the half brothers Nearco (by Pharos) and Niccolo Dell’Arca (Coronach).

Tiger Hill’s first crop produced nine black-type winners, three of them group. While subsequent crops failed to match the quantity of added-money winners, they often surpassed them in quality. From Tiger Hill’s second crop came only six stakes winners, but two were group-I caliber: Preis der Diana (German Oaks) winner Iota and Gran Criterium (Ity-I) winner Konigstiger, who has assumed Tiger Hill’s mantle at Gestut Fahrhof. The best of Tiger Hill’s offspring and his most promising possible sire son was the star-crossed Rewilding, a multiple group I-winning half brother to three other group I winners including 2009 champion mare Dar Re Mi (Singspiel), who broke down in the 2011 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. His progeny’s AWD of 9.75 shows their proclivity for middle distances.

Sire of 47 stakes winners and two champions, Tiger Hill crossed with a variety of broodmare sires, but his favorite nick was with fellow German-based stallion Monsun (Konigsstuhl), From 30 foals of racing age, Tiger Hill has sired six black-type winners from Monsun mares (20%). As a relatively young broodmare sire, Tiger Hill has already sired five stakes winners and two of them, including group II winner Atempo, have been by Monsun.

Tiger Hill has eight yearlings cataloged for the upcoming Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.

Breeders will miss this representative of the Danehill branch of the Danzig line that has proved so valuable in European pedigrees.

Tiger Hill has eight yearlings cataloged for the upcoming Tattersalls October Yearling Sale.

All in the Family: Encke, Shareta, and the Sinndar Connection

2012-09-17T18:42:00Z

The outcome certainly wasn't for lack of effort, but on Saturday, Sept. 15, Coolmore's Triple Crown contender Camelot (Montjeu--Tarfah, by Kingmambo) fell victim to the English Triple Crown curse. The first to attempt the feat since Nijinsky II, (neither interim dual classic winners Sea the Stars [2009] nor Nashwan [1989] ran in the St. Leger), won it 42 years ago, a valiant Camelot finished three-quarters of a length in the best finish of a Triple Crown contender since Minoru finished fourth in a field of seven in 1909.

What Kingmambo couldn't accomplish as a broodmare sire, however, he did as a sire: Playing the role of spoiler was Encke, Godolphin's Kentucky-bred son of Kingmambo (Mr. Prospector--Miesque, by Nureyev), whose victory provided his sire a second St. Leger winner. In 2004 Kingmambo had sired Rule of Law to win the 2004 edition also for Godolphin. Encke's victory in the 14-furlong affair not only earned the handsome bay colt his first stakes win but also the honor of being the 94th added-money winner for his pensioned U.S-based sire.

Trained by Mahmood Al Zarooni and ridden by Mickael Barzalona, Encke is out of the dual group I-winning Sinndar mare Shawanda, who took the Irish Oaks and the Prix Vermeille for her breeder the Aga Khan.

In a somewhat prescient turn of events, some 24 hours later the Aga Khan's Shareta another representative from this historic Aga Khan female family, easily defeated 12 opponents by two lengths in the Prix Vermeille at Longchamp.

By Sinndar (Grand Lodge--Sinntara, by Lashkari), Shareta was produced by Shawara, a Barathea (by Sadler's Wells) half sister to Encke's dam Shawanda, both daughters of Shamawana (Darshaan), who ran third in the group III Prix de Royaumont. Shandizadeh, the Nijinsky II granddam of Shamawana produced three stakes-winning daughters, one of whom, Sharaya (Youth) won the Prix Vermeille in 1983.

The family traces to Éclair whom the present-day Aga Khan's grandfather purchased as a 12-year-old mare in 1942 in foal to Hyperion. For the Aga Khan, Éclair, a champion 3-year-old filly in England, produced Khaled (Hyperion), who would become a leading sire in the U.S., and Emali (the great granddam of leading sire Blushing Groom).

The modern representatives are the ninth generation to have been nurtured by the historic breeding program.

In addition to female family, another shared link between Encke and Shareta is Sinndar (broodmare sire of Encke and sire of Shareta). Bred and owned by the Aga Khan, Sinndar descends from yet another significant Aga Khan family. A ninth-generation grandson of Frizette, Sinndar joins fellow tail-female Frizette descendants Seattle Slew and Mr. Prospector as an important son of a sire-producing female family that includes Tourbillon, the foundation sire for Marcel Boussac's famed Haras de Fresnay-le-Buffard stud in France, who is the sire of Tourzima, the fifth dam of Sinndar. Tourzima carries a tail-female double dose of Frizette through the full sister act of Durban (dam of Tourzima's sire Tourbillon) and Heldifann (Tourzima's granndam). Both are by English Derby winner Durbar out of Frizette's classic-winning daughter Banshee who took the 1913 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches.

An Aga Khan-homebred, Sinndar won the English Derby, Irish Derby, and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe as a 3-year-old in 2000. Among his many black-type winners are other group I winners Rosanara and Youmzain,

Other weekend racing news

The omens were right for George Strawbridge's Thought Worthy (Dynaformer--Vignette, by Diesis) to win the St. Leger. First, his full brother Lucarno had won the race in 2007. Then on the Friday eve of the St. Leger, his 2-year-old full brother Flying Officer had won a maiden race on the Sandown card in his debut. If that were not enough, in Australia earlier on Saturday, Buxted, a 6-year-old horse bred on the same Dynaformer/Diesis cross won the listed Japan Racing Association Trophy at Moonee Valley. Unfortunately, the Tarot cards must have been upside down as Thought Worthy finished off the board.

In spite of that Dynaformer had a good day, siring two other stakes winners in addition to Buxted. Also in Australia the late son of Roberto added a new stakes winner as Stout Hearted, bred by Strawbridge in the U.S out of the Danzig mare Seebe and who raced in the Northern Hemisphere as Seelo., won the group II Kingston Town Stakes at Rosehill, and in the U.S., Ioya Bigtime, out of the Lord At War mare Ioya Two, took the 12-furlong grade III Kentucky Cup Turf Handicap at Kentucky Downs.

Dynaformer was not the only one with a red-letter day of Saturday as Sheikh Mohammed, in addition to Encke's win in the St. Leger, took honors in Australia with a 1-2 finish by a pair of 3-year-old colts in Rosehill's group I Golden Rose Stakes with Epaulette (Commands--Accessories, by Singspiel) and Albrecht (Redoute's Choice--O'giselle, by Octagonal). Also sporting the maroon and white colors in a group II event was Ambidexter, a 4-year-old Commands colt out of the Quest For Fame mare Dextrous.

In Japan, Deep Impact (Sunday Silence--Wind in Her Hair, by Alzao) sired the first four finishers in the grade II Kansai Telecasting Corp. Sho Rose Stakes at Hanshin. Leading the sort of sibling foursome was Gentildonna (out of the Bertolini mare Donna Blini) who won by more than a length from Verxina (o/o the Machiavellian mare Halwa Sweet), Las Venturas (o/o Danehill mare Josette), and Quatre Feuilles (o/o Tejano Run mare One for Rose). Two of the first four finishers, Gentildonna and Las Venturas are out of mares by sons of Danzig.

Japanese connections of sire Stay Gold (Sunday Silence--Golden Sash, by Dictus) have reason for pride as two of his sons won grade/group stakes in the last two days. On Sunday at Longchamp, Orfevre (o/o Mejiro McQueen mare Oriental Art), 2008 Japanese Triple Crown winner, finished his final preparations for the Arc by winning the group II Qatar Prix Foy at Longchamp while Fenomeno (o/o Danehill mare De Laroche) took the grade II St. Lite Kinen Stakes at Nakayama.

This just in: Ireland-bred Piracicaba (Dansili--Montaria, by Dashing Blade) won the listed Prix Joubert at Saint-Cloud. The 3-year-old filly is the newest stakes winner for her sire, bringing his lifetime total to 72.

The Sun Has Set: Monsun Dies at 22

2012-09-12T20:43:00Z

Monsun has died. On Monday, Sept. 9, at 7:00 p.m., the pillar of Gestut Schlenderhan and a bulwark of European bloodlines was put to rest at age 22 after suffering an acute neurological disease.

Bred by Gestut Isarland in 1990, Monsun did not reach the races until age 3. Racing in the colors of Baron Georg von Ullmann and trained by Heinz Jentzsch, Monsun started 17 times in his three-year turf career, winning eight races (all group stakes from 10-12 furlongs) including three group Is. A solid middle-distance performer adept on both soft and firm turf, Monsun earned more than $1.7 million.

While Monsun was an accomplished racehorse, his career as a stallion has been much more influential. Retired to Gestut Schlenderhan for the 1996 season, Monsun (Konigsstuhl—Mosella, by Surumu) carried a wealth of German bloodlines and little of the pedigree strains that had begun to saturate many of the European breeding establishments. Monsun’s pedigree was free of three of the most influential sires of the latter part of the 20th century (in U.S. pedigrees): Northern Dancer, Mr. Prospector (Raise a Native), and Bold Ruler (Nasrullah). He did, however, have 5x5 inbreeding to classic winner Nebelwerfer—Germany’s champion older male in 1949 who had won the Henckel-Rennen (2,000 Guineas) as a 3-year-old—and to the blue hen mare Kaiserwurde, through the full siblings Kaiserkrone, tail-female third dam of Konigsstuhl, and Kaiseradler, the broodmare sire of Monsun’s granddam Monasia.

Kaiserwurde, a black mare foaled in the ebb of World War II in Europe, became the ancestress of many important sires. In fact, this family dominated the German sire charts during the 1970s. In addition to her daughter Kronung, the granddam of Konigsstuhl, Kaiserkrone is the dam of Kronzeuge (by Neckar) who became leading German sire in 1972. Kaiserwurde’s son Kaiseradler, the full brother to Kaiserkrone, was leading German sire four times (1973, ’75-’77).

The family of Kaiserwurde took flight with Monsun’s sire Konigsstuhl. The first horse to win the German Triple Crown—races that range from eight furlongs (Henckel-Rennen) through 12 furlongs (Deutsches Derby) and culminates in the 14-furlong Deutsches St Leger—champion Konigsstuhl was Germany’s Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old male in 1979. Three time leading sire in Germany, he set the stage for his successor son. Ironically, Konigsstuhl’s sire Dschingis Khan was much more comfortable at sprint distances and was named champion for this distance even though he stretched out enough to win the 1964 Henckel-Rennen. He was also the leading sire of juveniles from 1974-76.

Equally important to the equation is the Monsun’s female family. His dam Mosella was a daughter of six-time leading German sire Surumu, who also led the broodmare sire list 11 times, and the stakes-winning mare Monasia. A half to two other stakes winners, Mosella raced only twice at 2 and nine times at 3. Her black-type was earned in the Las Vegas Slenderella-Rennen, a middle-distance affair at Mulheim. She also won over 12 furlongs at Chantilly in France.

This is the hardy, stamina-laden family that produced Monsun, leading German sire four times (2000, ’02, ’04, ’06) and already leading broodmare sire in 2010.

As a sire, Monsun has produced offspring that come to hand late, improve as they age, and perform well over middle distances. Clues to this kind of offspring should be found in his own career. As a runner, he had an average winning distance of 11.4 furlongs and the AWD of his produce falls within that range. His 522 lifetime starters have an average distance raced figure of 10.95 furlongs and an AWD of 11.06.

Download a PDF of Monsun's stakes winners here.

Currently, Monsun has sired 108 stakes winners (14 in 2012) from 713 lifetime foals, an impressive 15% strike rate. But examining the numbers more closely reveals much more. His number of racing age foals is 660, which brings the 108 stakes winners up to 16.4%, and if the seven (his number of juvenile starters) of the current 45 2-year-olds are removed (remember his foals improve with age), the percentage of stakes winners rises to 17.4.

Let’s go one step further: Monsun has 522 starters (73% of his foals). The ration of stakes winners to starters comes in at a whopping 20.7%. Discounting the foal crop of 2010, his crops have averaged only 47 foals and only twice in 13 crops of racing age has Monsun failed to produce less than double-digit percentages of stakes winners to foals. He reached the heights with his 2003 crop with 13 from 39 foals (33%).

His outcross pedigree finds him performing well with mares from many different sire lines. Most especially Monsun as done well with Northern Dancer-line mares and specifically the Nijinsky II branch of the Northern Dancer line. At least sixteen of Monsun’s 108 stakes winners descend from the Nijinksy II (or his three-quarters relative The Minstrel), including group I winners Shirocco, Amarette, and Floriot. Sadler’s Wells-line mares also have a significant influence with Monsun; most influential among these is the Old Vic mare Sacarina who is responsible for three of Monsun’s 15 group I winners: Salve Regina, Samum, and Schiaparelli.

Eclipse Award winner Stacelita, champion grass female in 2011, represents another successful cross for Monsun that of the Mill Reef branch of the Nasrullah line. This German-bred multiple group I/grade I French classic winner is a daughter of a mare by Dashing Blade, Germany’s leading sire in 1998 and a great-grandson of Paul Mellon’s Epsom Derby-winning Horse of the Year. No less than 11 of Monsun’s stakes winners derive from the nick with Mill Reef and his descendants.

While Monsun has direct links to many sire lines, he has also done well with the female family 16-c the family of taproot mare Little Agnes, tracing to Schwarzblaurot. Among the prominent members of the Little Agnes family are Grey Dawn II, Green Dancer, Carnegie, Herbager, and Slip Anchor. Schwarzblaurot, a foal of 1947, was a great-granddaughter of Teddy out of the spectacular German mare Schwarzgold, winner of the Preis der Diana (German Oaks) and Deutsches Derby over the colts.

Given the hardiness of his runners, many more Monsuns are streaming across the race courses of Europe (three daughters are entered in the group II DFS Park Hill Stakes at Doncaster Sept. 13) and his final chapter will not be written for a number of years.

A magnificent 16.2 hand mahogany-coated horse, Monsun, though later blind in both eyes yet still strong of character, could spellbind those in his presence.

He will be sorely missed.

First Stakes Winner for Freshman Sire Sageburg and a Bahamian Bounty in France

2012-09-11T19:23:00Z

France-based stallion Sageburg sired his first stakes winner from his first crop when his undefeated 2-year-old daughter Peace Burg squeezed out a narrow victory in the group III Prix d’Aumale over a mile at Chantilly.

Bred in Ireland by Lagardere Elevage, 8-year-old Sageburg raced in the familiar colors of the Aga Khan, who had purchased the lock-stock-and-barrel racing and breeding interests of the late Jean-Luc Lagardere in 2005 when Sageburg was a yearling. For the Aga Khan, the grey colt won four of his 11 starts at distances ranging from nine to 10 furlongs, including the group I Prix d’Ispahan at Longchamp as a 4-year-old. Sageburg retired to Haras de la Gatine in France for the 2009 season.

From the first crop of European and U.S. champion 2-year-old male Johannesburg, Sageburg is out of the group II-winning Linamix mare Sage et Jolie, a full sister to group I winner Sagamix who took the measure of the 1998 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe field in 1998 and earned a championship to boot and to Sagalina, the dam of 2012 group I winner Sagawara (Shamardal). A winner of the Prix de Malleret at Longchamp, Sage et Jolie is also a half sister to group I winner Sagacity (by Highest Honor.

Unraced Peace Talk (Sadler’s Wells—Pampa Bella, by Armos), dam of the Prix d’Aumale winner, is a half sister to group I winner Pistolet Bleu (Top Ville) and a full sister to group III winner Palme d’Or, all bred by the Wildenstein family. Pampa Bella won the group III Prix Penelope at Saint-Cloud and placed in two group I stakes during her two-year racing career.

Sageburg has sent out 11 juvenile runners from his first crop with three winners and an additional non-winning black-type performer in Sage Melody who finished third in the group III Prix du Bois at Chantilly.

Also on the Chantilly card was the Prix d’Arenberg, a group III sprint for 2-year-olds. The finish of the race is a good illustration of the saying that apples don’t fall far from the tree as both winner, Cay Verde, and runner-up, Baileys Jubilee, are offspring of Bahamian Bounty (Cadeaux Genereux—Clarentia, by Ballad Rock), Europe’s champion 2-year-old male in 1996, with six-furlong victories in the Prix Morny Piaget (Fr-I) and Middle Park Stakes (Eng-I).

Cay Verde’s dam, All Quiet, is a consistent, hardy daughter of Piccolo (Warning), who started 29 times over her four-year career with her wins coming from seven to eight furlongs. Her dam, War Shanty, is a Warrshan half sister to black-type full brothers: group I winner Bold Edge and stakes winner Brave Edge, both by U.S.-bred Beveled (Sharpen Up—Sans Arc, by High Echelon).

Bahamian Bounty has sired 22 lifetime stakes winners including group I-winning full brothers Pastoral Pursuits and Goodricke, both of whom won group I credentials over six furlongs.

The second race on the Chantilly card was won by first-time starter Oceanliner, a 2-year-old Kentucky-bred son of Dynaformer out of the group III-placed Danzig mare Sweet Travel, a full sister to group I winner Iron Mask. A homebred for the Wertheimer brothers, Oceanliner is a grandson of the Wertheimer-raced Raise a Beauty, whom the brothers bought for $625,000 as a weanling from the Calumet Farm dispersal in 1991. The daughter of Alydar out of stakes winner Stick to Beauty, was a half sister to grade II stakes winner Gold Beauty, dam of grade I winners Maplejinsky (Nijinsky II) and champion Dayjur (Danzig).

In a touch of family irony, Oceanliner’s impressive two-length debut win came on the undercard of the Prix d’Arenberg, a race in which his dam had finished second and which her brother Iron Mask had won.

The other juvenile race at Chantilly went to another first-timer Tasaday, a daughter of Nayef—Tashelka, by Mujahid.

High 5-year-olds, Famous Name, A.P. Indy, Mr. Greeley, and a Familiar Nick in India

2012-09-10T19:10:00Z

Concerning the prime cuts of this weekend’s international group racing, let’s paraphrase a bit from The Bard: Age cannot wither nor custom stale their infinite variety. Of the three group I races for older horses in Ireland and Great Britain, all were won by horses who may be considered well past their prime in some racing jurisdictions (won’t say whose).

In a field of 13 runners whose ages ranged from 3 to 8 and whose average age was 5.2 years, 5-year-old Society Rock, a son of Rock of Gibraltar—High Society, by Key of Luck, defeated a solid field of sprinters to win Haydock Park’s group I Betfred Sprint Cup (Eng-I) by three-quarters of a length over Gordon Lord Byron (Byron) and Bated Breath (Dansili). Australia-bred Ortensia (Testa Rossa), a 7-year-old mare who won the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes (Eng-I) at York in August and the 5-2 favorite, finished next to last after striking herself during the running.

At 13, Rock of Gibraltar (Danehill—Offshore Boom, by Be My Guest), has proved quite a mainstay for the Coolmore flagship stallions, having sired 81 stakes winners, nine of the highest order, during his career.

In Ireland, Chachamaidee, 5-year-old daughter of Footstepsinthesand (Giant’s Causeway) took her first group I on the disqualification of Duntle (Danehill Dancer) in the Coolmore Fusaichi Pegasus Matron Stakes (Ire-I) at Leopardstown. Always a consistent performer, the Henry Cecil-trained stablemate to Frankel, was winning her fifth black-type event in four years of racing. Chachamaidee, out of the unraced Danehill mare Canterbury Lace—a half sister to group I winner Virginia Waters (Kingmambo) and full to group III winner Alexander of Hales—has failed to be in the top three only five times in her 20 start career.

Also striking an Irish blow for the aging crowd was champion Snow Fairy, who won her second group I from two outings this year by taking the Red Mills Irish Champion Stakes (Ire-I). Trained by Ed Dunlop, Snow Fairy is a 5-year-old daughter of Intikhab—Woodland Dream, by Charnwood Forest. The lone female in a field of six that included group I winners Nathaniel (Galileo) and St Nicholas Abbey (Montjeu), Snow Fairy was an easy winner of her seventh group I race.

Inbred 3x5 to Roberto through her sire Intikhab (by Roberto’s son Red Ransom) and her broodmare sire Warning, Snow Fairy also carries inbreeding to In Reality (5x5) and, of course, Northern Dancer (5x5). Her dam, Woodland Dream is a winning half sister to group III winner Big Bad Bob, whose sire Bob Back is a son of Roberto. The family seems to have a penchant for the Roberto line as Persian Fantasy, Snow Fairy’s third dam, produced to the cover of Sri Pekan (who like Intikhab is a son of Red Ransom) stakes winner Persian Lightning.

And then there is Famous Name. At age 7, he is the venerated senior citizen in the Dermot Weld barn. Now in his sixth year of racing, Famous Name (Dansili) has lost none of his verve: His latest exploit found him toting 138 pounds and showing his heels to a pack of upstart whippersnappers comprising five 3-year-olds, a 4-year-old, and a relatively young by comparison 6-year-old, who carried from five to 10 pounds less on much younger joints. The Juddmonte juggernaut rolled to his 20th win in 37 starts by taking the group III Refuse To Bend Solonaway Stakes Sept. 9 at the Curragh by nearly three lengths. The only missing entry from his CV is a group I win, although he has been well-placed in seven group Is across Europe, five of them seconds including the Prix du Jockey Club at Longchamp, two runnings of the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh. And the Grosser Dallmayr-Preis-Bayerisches Zuchtrennen at Munich.

Out of the winning Quest for Fame mare Fame At Last, Famous name is from a solid female family that has been a part of the Juddmonte family since Khalid Abdullah acquired Famous Name’s group-placed third dam Katsura (Northern Dancer—Noble Fancy, by Vaguely Noble) from Robert Sangster in the early 1980s. Fame At Last is also the dam of the 4-year-old stakes-winning Zamindar filly Zaminast.

On the day prior to Famous Name’s latest triumph, his juvenile full sister Big Break won a maiden race at Leopardstown in her second start for the same connections.

Twice the Success

Juddmonte stallions continued their winning ways as Oasis Dream (Green Desert) sired two black-type winners in Sunday racing in Europe and three on the week. In Italy, Sandreamer, a 2-year-old filly out of the Machiavellian mare Alsharq, won Milan’s listed Premio Eupili to become the 12-year-old stallion’s 60th stakes winner. Shortly after, his tally rose to 61 as his sophomore filly Waldtraut won the Grosser Preis der Metallbau Burckhardt GmbH, a listed race in Germany. Each of these winning fillies represents breedings that have performed well for Oasis Dream. Waldtraut, out of the Mark of Esteem mare Waldbeere, is bred on the same cross that produced multiple stakes winner Anne of Kiev, while Sandreamer is bred on the same cross of group I winner Naaqoos.

Other stallions to sire more than one stakes winner internationally include Hussonet (Mr. Prospector—Sacahuista, by Raja Baba) in Australia: His 3-year-old colt Tatra won the Ming Dynasty Quality Handicap at Warwick Farm. Tatra’s dam Slovakia is a full sister to Librettist (Danzig—Mysterial, by Alleged), who won two French group Is. At Flemington, Members Joy, a 3-year-old filly, took the listed Cap d’Antibes Stakes. Hussonet has 85 lifetime stakes winners.

India-based stallion Alnasr Alwasheek (Sadler’s Wells—Someone Special, by Habitat) also scored a Sunday double as his 4-year-old daughter In the Spotlight won the grade III President of India Gold Cup at Hyderabad and his 4-year-old son Star of Gibraltar the grade III Southern Command Gold Trophy at Pune. The 23-year-old Alnasr Alwasheek has sired at least 23 added money winners lifetime. Both In the Spotlight and Star of Gibraltar are out of Placerville mares. The cross should be a familiar one as it is a variation on the Northern Dancer/Mr. Prospector nick. Group II winner of the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Ascot, Placerville, who died in 2011, was a U.S.-bred son of Mr. Prospector—Classy Cathy, by Private Account. The Alnasr Alwasheek cross with Placerville has accounted for at least 10 black-type winners from 72 (13.9%) foals of racing age.

Last of the Line

As international buyers congregate for the world’s largest yearling sale at Keeneland, they will have the last opportunity to buy yearlings from two of the breed’s noted stallions, both of whom had stakes winners on the weekend.

In France, Mr. Greeley (Gone West—Long Legend, by Reviewer) sired Ireland-bred What a Name to win the group III Prix La Rochette at Longchamp Sept. 9. The only filly in the field, What a Name is out of the Dayjur mare Bonnie Byerly, a tail-female descendant of DarbyDan foundation mare Soaring (Swaps—Skylarking II, by Mirza II). What a Name became her sire’s 60th stakes winners to date. Mr. Greeley’s last crop are yearlings of 2012.

Sire of 147 career stakes winners, pensioned A.P. Indy (Seattle Slew—Weekend Surprise, by Secretariat) strides into the sales on the success of his latest black-type winner Dreaming of Julia who won the Sept. 9 Meadow Star Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Belmont Park by a widening 16 lengths. Out of the multiple grade I-winning Wild Rush mare Dream Rush, Dreaming of Julia races for her breeder Stonestreet Farm.

A.P. Indy has 15 yearlings cataloged to the Keeneland sale and Mr. Greeley, 45.

Cape Cross, Dehere in Oz, a Slick Finish in France, and an Ace in India

2012-09-07T19:44:00Z

Sept. 7 found black-type racing in Australia at Wyong, a provincial course located in New South Wales, about an hour north of Sydney. The listed McNamee Mona Lisa Stakes for fillies and mares went to Miss Stellabelle, a 4-year-old filly trained by Gai Waterhouse. A Gold Coast Yearling Sale purchase at A$75,000, Miss Stellabelle is owned by Segenhoe Thoroughbreds Australia.

A daughter of Dehere (Deputy Minister—Sister Dot, by Secretariat) out of the Spinning World mare Sam’s Belle, Miss Stellabelle won her second added-money event by more than two lengths over Irish Dream (by Falbrav). She Goes to Rio (Captain Rio) finished third. U.S.-bred Dehere is the Johnny Appleseed of Thoroughbred stallions. He has stood in the U.S., Australia, Japan, and now Turkey, dropping stakes winners wherever he goes. For his career he has sired 76 stakes winners, including eight grade/group I winners among his 35 grade/group stakes winners. In 2010 Dehere became one of the premier additions to The Jockey Club of Turkey Stud Farms stallion roster.

Ireland-based Cape Cross may not have quite the number of passport stamps as Dehere, but the 18-year-old Ireland-based son of Green Desert—Park Appeal, by Ahonoora, matched black-type wins on the Wyong card for trainer Waterhouse. In the Carlton Mid Wyong Gold Cup, Julienas, an Ireland-bred 5-year-old eked out a head victory in the 2100 meter listed stakes. The unlucky loser was Gazza Guru (Street Cry), who finished a half-length better than Storm Burst (Danehill Dancer), the only mare in the nine-horse field.

Out of the group II-winning Sri Pekan mare Dora Carrington, a half sister to group I winner Primo Valentino (Primo Dominie), Julienas became the 77th and newest stakes winner for his sire. From three foals of racing age, Cape Cross has sired two black-type winners (66.7%) out of Sri Pekan (Red Ransom) mares.

In France, Mobaco, a 32-1 longshot scored the second black-type victory of his career by winning the listed La Coupe de Marseille at Marseille Borely. A 3-year-old bay son of Slickly—Lunaa, by Anabaa, Mobaco was a length better than runner-up Gris Caro (With Approval), with favored Abtaal (Rock Hard Ten) finishing another length back in third.

France-based Slickly, a 16-year-old son of Linamix—Slipstream Queen, by Conquistador Cielo, combines a Europe-based sire line with a well-established U.S. female family. Country Queen, the second dam of Slickly, was a multiple graded stakes winner of 12 races from 42 starts, which included the grade I Yellow Ribbon Invitational Stakes at Santa Anita. Country Queen is also the dam of stakes winner With Distinction (Distinctive), the dam of grade I winner Procida (Mr. Prospector), who won both the Prix de la Foret (Fr.-I) at Longchamp and the Hollywood Derby (gr. IT) at Hollywood Park in 1984.

Racing in India brought to the front yet another sire son of Danehill. The grade III Mysore 1000 Guineas went to Equine Lover, a 3-year-old daughter of Ace (Danehill—Tea House, by Sassafras) in a seven-length tour de force. She is the third stakes winner from the first crop of the Ireland-bred group III winner who won the Desmond Stakes at Leopardstown, his only added-money victory. However, Ace is multiple grade/group I-placed, having finished in the money in the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh and the Joe Hirsch Turf Classic Invitational Stakes and the John Deere Breeders’ Cup Turf at Belmont Park.

Filling the minor placings were Chase the Sun and Jersey Girl, both daughters of Burden of Proof (Fairy King—Belle Passe, by Be My Guest), a great-grandson of Hollywood Gold Cup winner Princessnesian.

In other news from India, U.S. grade I winner Western Aristocrat, who took the Jamaica Handicap at Belmont Park in 2011, will stand stand at Capricorn Stud in India in 2013. The 4-year-old bay colt is a son of Mr. Greeley out of the Kris S. mare Aristocratic Lady.

Racing in England and the U.S., Western Aristocrat won four of nine starts, ranging from seven to nine furlongs. His average winning distance was 7.75 furlongs.

Oasis Dream Sires 59th Stakes Winner

2012-09-05T19:42:00Z

Juddmonte stallion Oasis Dream (Green Desert—Hope, by Dancing Brave) acquired his 59th career stakes winner when his daughter Dream Clover squeezed out a neck victory in the Prix de la Cochere, a listed race for 3-year-old fillies at Chantilly. Trained by Freddy Head for owner George Strawbridge, Dream Clover covered the mile on good turf under Thierry Jarnet in 1:40.06. Filling the minor placings were the Wertheimers’ Foreign Tune (by Invincible Spirit) in second a length to the good of Neuquen (Rock of Gibraltar), both of whom are out of mares by Green Tune (Green Dancer).

Dream Clover’s first black-type win continued the Strawbridge run of luck in Europe, following the success of fellow 3-year-old Thought Worthy (Dynaformer) the full brother to St. Leger (Eng.-I) winner Lucarno who is triangulating his own path toward the last of the English classics, having won the Great Voltigeur (Eng.-II) at York; Aiken (Selkirk), winner of the group II Grand Prix de Chantilly; and Moonlight Cloud (Invincible Spirit), the filly who gave the undefeated Australian speed queen Black Caviar (Bel Esprit) one of her sternest tests (second by the narrowest of noses) in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes (Eng.-I) and winner of the group I Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville in August.

Out of the group III-winning Inchinor mare In Clover, Dream Clover is the eighth stakes winner from her sire’s fifth crop and the second stakes winner from the 2009 crop bred on the cross of Oasis Dream with Inchinor mares. In May 2012, Power, representing the juggernaut Ballydoyle battalion, took the Irish Two Thousand Guineas (Ire.-I) at the Curragh. Power’s dam Frappe, is a winning Inchinor half sister to group I winner and promising young sire Footstepsinthesand (Giant’s Causeway) and to 2012 Phoenix Stakes (Ire-I) winner Pedro the Great, the first stakes winner by freshman sire Henrythenavigator (Kingmambo). They are all out of Glatisant, a group III-winning daughter of Rainbow Quest out of the Green Dancer mare Dancing Rocks.

The cross of Oasis Dream with Inchinor mares is relatively untested but has provided a great deal of success: From four foals (3yos and up) have come two stakes winners (50%). When all six foals of racing age are considered, the percentage drops to 33.3%, still a lofty figure, considering neither of the 2-year-olds has started.

Bred in Great Britain by Strawbridge, Dream Clover now has three wins and two thirds from eight starts, all in France.

A Completed Forward Pass: Raven's Pass Sires First Stakes Winner

2012-09-04T21:54:00Z

Already off to a good start, Raven’s Pass (Elusive Quality—Ascutney, by Lord At War) added a little gilding to his reputation: a first black-type winner from his first crop of 2-year-olds. At Goodwood on Sept. 4, his son Steeler, won the listed Peter Willett Stakes at seven furlongs for the team of Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, trainer Mark Johnston, and jockey Kieren Fallon.

The 7-year-old chestnut stallion has sent out 25 runners who have earned 10 wins, nine seconds, and 6 thirds from 47 starts. Included among his eight winners are two black-type runners: Steeler, who also ran a close second to record-setting Dundonnell in the group III Acomb Stakes at York; and Lovely Pass, who finished third in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot.

After winning his first added-money event at 2, Raven’s Pass spent the first part of his 3-year-old season knocking on the group I door, having finished second in the St. James’s Palace Stakes and Sussex Stakes in England and the Prix Jean Prat in France. Persistence paid off and the door opened wide in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot and stayed open for the Breeders’ Cup Classic at Santa Anita.

As expected for a great grandson of Mr. Prospector, Raven’s Pass has done well with Northern Dancer-line mares, with five of his eight winners being bred on that cross. In fact, seven of the eight juveniles carry inbreeding to E.P. Taylor’s venerable stallion.

One of the more interesting pedigrees among Raven’s Pass’ winners belongs to Snowboarder. He is a son of the Distorted Humor mare Gaudete, whose dam is a Holy Bull daughter of the grade I-winning Lord At War mare La Gueriere. Snowboarder carries 3x4 inbreeding to Lord At War in addition to inbreeding to Mr. Prospector, Secretariat, and Northern Dancer. Bred by Airlie Stud,

Steeler is out of the group III-winning Darshaan mare Discreet Brief, whose dam Quiet Counsel is a half sister to Aston Upthorpe Yorkshire Oaks (Eng.-I) winner Key Change. This family traces in tail female to Qurrat-al-Ain, a source of many classic winners in the silks of the late Aga Khan.

Raven’s Pass has some competition for carrying the Elusive Quality standard in Europe: Elusive City. From just five crops to race, the France-based stallion out of the Dayjur mare Star of Paris (from an established Tartan Farm family) has sired 18 stakes winners.

In a rather odd twist of events, also on the Goodwood card, Snow Rose, a 2-year-old full sister to Raven’s Pass, was a two-length winner of the EBF Racing UK Maiden Fillies’ Stakes over a mile for Godolphin in her second outing.