Once a promising name on the horizon, Bonjoy has risen to become a serious feature race contender. According to racingwa.com.au, trainer Jason Miller is optimistic the star mare can continue her ascent and challenge the top-tier horses later this year, following an exceptional run of form. Bonjoy’s immediate target is the Listed Detonator Stakes (1800m), where Miller hopes she can cap off her current campaign in style. The mare, a daughter of Maschino, has shown remarkable improvement this preparation, establishing herself as a genuine Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) prospect. With a dazzling turn of foot, the five-year-old secured her third consecutive win at Ascot last Saturday, solidifying her credentials as a rising force in feature races. Her recent accomplishments include maiden stakes victories in the Starstruck Classic (1600m) and the Celebration Of Life Day Trophy (1500m), culminating in her triumphant performance in the Ascot Mile. Miller’s plans for Bonjoy include a well-earned spell following the Detonator Stakes, setting her up for a peak performance during the Ascot Pinnacles carnival. “We’re looking at the Detonator and then giving her a break for the carnival,” Miller told Racing WA. “She’ll have a longer break, about three or four months off, and then concentrate on the carnival. Not many horses can win 11 from 18, and her record is pretty good. She has stepped up.” Miller’s confidence in Bonjoy’s ability to compete with elite rivals is well-founded. “I think she can definitely mix it with the better class,” he said. “She has got better each prep, and it’s exciting. It’s just good to have a horse that is capable of going to those races.”
NEWWell Travelled Derby Path Taken by Pike
Wednesday, 5th February 2025
Trainer Tony Pike has often used the Gr2 Legacy Lodge Waikato Guineas (2000m) as a stepping stone to Derby glory, reports racingnews.co.nz. This Saturday at Te Rapa, he hopes to replicate that success with two promising 3YOs. The Cambridge trainer has twice claimed this feature, first with Rangipo and then with Field Of Gold, with Rangipo going on to clinch the $1 million Gr1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m). This prestigious event has been a long-standing ambition for Golden Century, a son of Pierro purchased by OTI Racing after an impressive early career. Though yet to secure a win in four starts, Golden Century has been consistently competitive, narrowly missing out in the Listed Gingernuts Salver (2100m) at Ellerslie last month, losing by a nose to Mustang Morgan. “He’s a progressive staying 3YO,” Pike noted. “His manners on the track have let him down at times, but he’s improving with every run. That (Gingernuts) was his toughest test so far, and he handled it well. His trackwork since has been excellent, and he’s bred to handle the mile-and-a-half of the Derby, where I expect him to improve further.” Pike’s usual path from the Waikato feature leads to the Gr2 Avondale Guineas (2100m), held at Ellerslie on February 22, two weeks before the Derby. “Most of my Derby runners take this route – Rangipo and Sherwood Forest did,” he said. “It provides another chance to race at Ellerslie before the final, which is always an advantage.” Stablemate Amazing Fluke, a son of The Autumn Sun, could make his own case for Derby inclusion in Saturday’s $275,000 contest. “He’s a lovely big stayer, but we had to give him a break after his maiden win,” Pike said, acknowledging that the Derby may come too soon for the promising 3YO.
NEWRecord Prizemoney for QLD Winter Carnival
Wednesday, 5th February 2025
The 2025 Queensland Winter Carnival is poised to dazzle, offering over $28 million in prize money and cementing its place as one of the most dynamic events in Australian racing. From May 3 to July 5, the carnival will feature nine million-dollar races and 55 black-type contests, including eight prestigious Group 1 events spread across 11 race meetings. The $3 million Star Stradbroke Handicap takes pride of place, leading a trio of million-dollar sprints alongside the $1.5 million Doomben 10,000 and $1 million Kingsford Smith Cup. These marquee events will lure Australia’s finest gallopers to the Sunshine State, with Stradbroke Day – valued at $6.5 million – crowned as the jewel of the Brisbane Racing Club’s Star Stradbroke Season. On this day, the $3 million Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap joins the $1 million JJ Atkins and $1.2 million Q22 as highlights. Queensland’s Minister for Sport and Racing, Tim Mander, emphasised the carnival’s significance. “This event underpins racing’s $2.4 billion contribution to Queensland’s economy annually,” he stated. “With the Doomben 10,000, Kingsford Smith Cup, and Stradbroke Handicap ranked among the world’s top-100 Group 1 races, the carnival is a chance to showcase Queensland globally ahead of the 2032 Olympics.” The Gold Coast Turf Club introduces a new night meeting in May, headlined by the $1 million Magic Millions National 2YO Classic, coinciding with the National Weanling, Broodmare, and Yearling Sale. The carnival’s front end also features the $500,000 A.D. Hollindale Stakes at Aquis Park, a key lead-up to the $1 million Doomben Cup and Q22. Jason Scott, Racing Queensland’s CEO, hailed the carnival as a showcase of current and future stars. “Eight Group 1s and nine million-dollar races highlight the incredible talent in Queensland,” he said, referencing 2024’s standout performers like Bella Nipotina and rising stars Broadsiding and Stefi Magnetica. Ipswich Cup Raceday, the Sunshine Coast Turf Club’s Winx Guineas, and the $700,000 Tattersall’s Tiara further enrich the program. Brisbane Racing Club CEO Karl deKroo remarked, “The Star Stradbroke Season is attracting Australia’s top stables, delivering fans an unparalleled experience while setting runners up for global campaigns.”
Xtra Bonus Series a Strong Classic Incentive
Wednesday, 5th February 2025
Buyers keen to participate in the popular Inglis Xtra Bonus Series can take advantage of this weekend’s Classic Yearling Sale, with inspections starting at Riverside on Tuesday, February 4. This innovative series, introduced in 2024, offers 50 maiden races across the nation, each carrying a lucrative $100,000 bonus for winners. To qualify, horses must be Inglis graduates from 2023 or later and registered for the Inglis Race Series. Since its launch in August, 22 bonuses have been claimed, spread among 22 different trainers or partnerships, resulting in $2.2 million in additional prize money for Inglis clients. Winning races have spanned across NSW, Victoria, South Australia, and Queensland, with Thoroughbred Park in the ACT joining as a host club on Black Opal Stakes Day next month. Last Thursday at Pakenham, the latest bonus went to Jenni Intiba, trained by Charlotte Littlefield and owned by Tony and Lynn Ottobre. “It’s huge,” said Tony Ottobre. “If you’re not getting into the Inglis Race Series, you’re throwing away good money, it’s as simple as that. We’ve picked up $140,000 for this maiden win; it’s like winning a Group 2 but you’re winning a maiden! You just simply have to be in the race series.” Earlier in the week, Terry Croft’s bargain buy Zoutastic claimed the Wagga bonus, defeating horses trained by Bjorn Baker and Chris Waller. Croft reflected, “We only paid $5,000 for her, and she’s won $150,000 and only broken her maiden. It’s a lot of money. The owners were in tears. We’ll be buying more off Inglis to try and win it again – you’d be mad not to.” The series has already attracted some of the biggest names in racing, with trainers like Gai Waterhouse, Chris Waller, Ciaron Maher, and James Cummings among the winners. Clinton McDonald described it as “the best bonus race series in Australia,” while Liam Birchley called it “the best incentive there is around.”
Hayfield Racing celebrates a recent Inglis Xtra Bonus win (pic: inglis.com.au)
Inglis Bloodstock Chief Talks Up Xtra Bonus
Wednesday, 5th February 2025
Bloodstock CEO at Inglis, Sebastian Hutch, hasurged buyers to think about the Xtra Bonus when bidding on yearlings at the Classic Sale, which runs from Sunday through to Tuesday. “The most satisfying thing about the Xtra Bonus Series is that hundreds of owners have won bonuses already and with horses from as cheap as $5000 purchases,’’ Hutch said. “The intention when we first came up with the concept was to provide an opportunity for more of our clients to win more prizemoney more often and there’s no doubt that the series is doing that. The concept is still very much in its infancy, but we have seen $2.2m in Xtra bonuses won to date and there are plenty more to win through the balance of the season before the series kicks off again next season.” Hutch pointed out, “It’s hugely important to us to see owners rewarded for their investment and what better way to do that than through a Maiden win that can result in a windfall for owners. We have been overwhelmed by the popularity of the series and we have had tremendous engagement with it, whether it’s been from owners, trainers or race clubs, which has created a reach that we have never seen anything like before." The schedule of Xtra Bonus races for March has now been released. To view the schedule CLICK HERE. Meanwhile, following publication of the first tranch on Tuesday, draft previews for Premium Black Type Vendors selling at Classic will continue through until Thursday.
Coolmore Stud 2025 Inglis Classic Preview
Wednesday, 5th February 2025
Headed by their own significantly touted stallion, the dual Group 1 winner Home Affairs (I Am Invincible), Coolmore heads to the Inglis Classic yearling sale with a strong draft of 13 catalogued lots, comprising eight colts and five fillies. Selling up to a record breaking $3.2m earlier this year at the Magic Millions, the progeny of Home Affairs have been in high demand, and Coolmore's draft commences with Lot 178, a bay son of Home Affairs out of out a half-sister to Gr3 winner Residential, while Lot 673 is out of a Spina Rosa, a three-quarter-sister to Gr1 winner Lotteria. Already the dam of Singapore Horse of the Year Inferno, this colt is bred on the same cross as last Saturday's Gr3 Chairman's Stakes winner Inkaruna as well as Overshare, himself the sire of Gr1 winner Lady Laguna. On the filly front, Coolmore have Lot 474, a Home Affairs filly out of Gr1 winner Nechita, already the dam of Forbearance and Harop Marx, while Lot 513 is the second living foal out of the dual Gr3 winner Pedrena. From the family of Gr1 winner Mr Innocent, Lot 542 is the second foal of the dual Gr3-winning, Gr1 placed Canford Cliffs mare Princess Posh. Another of Coolmore's sires who is all the rage at present is Wootton Bassett, and there are two colts by the son of Iffraaj in the draft, commencing with Lot 252 who is the second foal of the imported Kingman mare Glengowan, while Lot 597 is out of a half-sister to Gr3 winner Royal Tithe, herself the dam of Listed winner Royalzel. One filly who is sure to provide her future buyer with outstanding broodmare credentials is Lot 220, a chestnut daughter of St Mark's Basilica out of Fiorentina, an unraced half-sister to Gr1 Dubai World Cup winner Monterosso (see below). Already the dam of five winners from seven to the races, Fiorentina's best to date is the Gr1 William Reid Stakes winner Silent Sedation. From the family of Gr1 winners Universal Prince, Universal Queen, Krone and Think It Over, Lot 324 is a son of Think It Over's sire So You Think out of the Pierro mare Infinitely Perfect, while Lot 608 is another son of the 11 time Gr1 producing sire, this time out of a winning Savabeel daughter of Gr1 performer Rock Diva from the family of Champion 3YO Filly and Gr1 winner Shamrocker.
Goodwood Farm 2025 Inglis Classic Preview
Wednesday, 5th February 2025
With 12 catalogued lots, Kerrie Tibbey's Goodwood Farm takes a draft of six colts and six fillies to this year's Inglis Classic Yearling Sale at Riverside Stables. From the family of Champion Hong Kong Stayer Super Kid, Lot 14 is a son of Darley's Gr1 July Cup winner Harry Angel out of the Smart Missile mare All Over Casanova, while the very next offering from the farm is Lot 55, a bay colt by Golden Rose winner Astern out of a Commands half-sister to juvenile stakes winner Quarterman who is being offered on behalf of Manford Downs. From the family of Yes Yes Yes and In Her Time, Lot 275 is a filly by Coolmore's Churchill out of the Oratorio mare Harlem Shuffle, herself a half-sister to the Listed winner Harlem River, while another filly from a Gr1 family is Lot 545. A daughter of Widden Stud's Zousain, Lot 545 is out of a half-sister to multiple Listed winner Bandipur from the family of Gr1 winners Neroli and Benfica. Having had some good success in the past with Written By, selling his top priced yearling last year at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale with a colt making $700,000, Goodwood will offer Lot 395 on Monday, with the colt being the second foal out of the Danewin mare Lucient from the family of Gr1 winner Northern Drake, while another colt with appeal is Lot 81, the first foal of the Gr3 placed Reliable Man mare Bronte Beach. From the first crop of Darley's Palace Pier, Lot 81 comes from the extended international family of numerous black type winners. A consistent source of smart winners, Star Turn is the sire of Lot 121, a colt out of the Manhattan Rain mare Classy Manhattan, herself a half-sister to the Gr3 Kindergarten Stakes winner Property from the family of dual Gr1 winner Desert Sky. With a selection of quality fillies, Goodwood will also offer Lot 599, a chestnut Farnan filly from the family of Gr1 winners Maroofity and Beauty Flash, and Lot 681, another Farnan filly, this time out of a half-sister to Gr3 winners Boognish and Colour from the family of Golden Slipper winner Forensics. Ending the draft with another nice filly, Lot 711 is a daughter of Hellbent, just like Gr1 winners Magic Time and Bendetta. A half-sister to the Listed winner Smart Meteor, this filly is related to Gr1 winner Tempest Morn as well as fellow stakes winners Good Standing, Castanya, Tempt Me Not and Pasikatera.
Lot 545 is out of a half-sister to multiple stakes-winner Bandipur
Kia Ora Stud 2025 Inglis Classic Preview
Wednesday, 5th February 2025
With an impressive 14.5% stakes horses to runners, 9% stakes winners to runners, and 72% winners to runners since 2017. Recent Kia Ora graduates include 2025 G3 Blue Diamond Preview (F) winner My Gladiola, 2025 G3 Chairman's Stakes winner Inkaruna, and elite Group 1 winners Wild Ruler, Wellington, Loving Gaby, etc. All bar two of their ten strong draft are yearlings by their own stallions. One of Kia Ora Stud's Inglis Classic yearling sale offerings to hold plenty of intrigue is Lot 759, the Pierro x Villa Verde filly. Achieving a very nice pedigree update recently when the I Am Invincible 2YO half-sister out of the mare named My Gladiola (see below) brained her rivals in the Gr3 Blue Diamond Preview (F), this lovely grey is sure to be in high demand, with this well-pedigreed lot likely to be very popular with buyers looking for residual broodmare value. The only other yearling in their draft not by one of their three stallions is Lot 454, the Zoustar x Moss Trip filly. The third foal of her Gr3-winning dam, this is also the family of dual Gr1 winner and successful Gr1 producing sire Kermadec. The first of five first crop yearlings by Gr1 Champagne Stakes winner Captivant in the Kia Ora draft, Lot 15 is a half to stakes winners Eximus and Devan – Hostwin Achilles (Mac) from the family of Gr1 Golden Slipper winner Mossfun, while Lot 583 is a filly out of a half-sister to Listed winner Warpath, the dam of Gr2 winner Positive Peace. Set to sell on day two of the three day sale, Lot 606 is a Captivant filly out of the Sebring mare Sangita from the family of Gr1 winners Amicus and Starspangledbanner. The final Captivant yearling in the draft is Lot 767, the third living foal of the imported, Gr2-winning Lonhro mare War Heroine. With the first crop of Golden Slipper winner Farnan pleasing trainers and securing Black Type success on the track, Kia Ora have consigned Lot 197, the second foal of the winning Exceed And Excel mare Escape Artist from the family of Gr1 winner Escado. The final two lots in the draft are both by Redoute's Choice's dual Gr3 winner Prague. Lot 768 is a bay filly out of Listed winner Warpath, making her a half-sister to Gr2 winner Making Peace, while Lot 769 is from the very same family with the bay colt being out of Warpath's All Too Hard daughter Waruna.
Kingstar Farm 2025 Inglis Classic Preview
Wednesday, 5th February 2025
Rapidly evolving Kingstar Farm bred Gr1 Golden Slipper hero Stay Inside, selling him as a weanling, and their farm is focused on early maturing runners with their stallions Time To Reign and Unite And Conquer. In 2025, they are bringing a draft of 17 yearlings to the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, led by precocious Stay Inside colt, Lot 691. He is a half-brother to Listed juvenile winner Tyresa (Written Tycoon) and his dam is an unraced half-sister to Gr1 Golden Slipper and sire Capitalist. Speaking of Capitalist, his daughter, Lot 801 is out of a winning Snitzel mare who has already left a winner by Capitalist, and this is the family of Gr1 winner Clean Sweep. Cosmic Force colt, Lot 379, is also out of a winning Snitzel mare who is a half-sister to Gr1 Blue Diamond-placed Zamzam. Russian Revolution filly, Lot 462, is out of a winning half-sister to Listed 2YO winner Whittington, while Spirit of Boom filly, Lot 444 is the first foal of winning mare Money In My Pocket who ran fourth in the Gr3 Scarborough Stakes. A trio by Tassort are bound to catch the eye, given his exciting start to his stud career, and they include Lot 23, a colt out of a half-sister to Gr3 winner Laburnum, Lot 461 a full brother to stakes placed 2YO Ad Astra (Tassort), and Lot 298 a filly out of Listed winner Honey Flower. Time To Reign colt, Lot 336, is out of Listed winner Jasminka, while Time To Reign filly, Lot 173, is out of a half-sister to Gr1 placed Listed winner Dowager Queen. A pair of Wild Ruler yearlings includes Lot 53, a half-brother to Gr3 placed 2YO winner Wonder Boy, out of stakes placed winner of eight races Beatniks. Rounding out the draft is a Zousain colt, Lot 559, out of Gr3 placed American winner Quiet Kitten from the family of Eleven Eleven and Queensland sire Glenfiddich.
Stay Inside was bred by Kingstar Farm (pic: Steve Hart)
Lime Country 2025 Inglis Classic Preview
Wednesday, 5th February 2025
The 2024 Inglis Classic draft from Lime Country Thoroughbreds already contains two city winning juveniles in Rivellino, who will race in Saturday's $2m Inglis Millennium, and Kujenga, while their 3YO graduates are led by Gr2 placed Olympic Park and stakes placed Chosen Legend. In 2025, their draft for the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale is sixteen strong with a range of proven and emerging stallions. Their collection of colts all come with strong pedigrees, led by the half-brother to Listed winner Saint Alice; Lot 565 is a Tarzino colt from the family of Gr1 winner Booker. The So You Think colt, Lot 26, is the first foal of a full-sister to Gr2 winner Mr Mozart from a strong family. Lot 46 is a Pierro colt out of a half-sister to Zululand who placed in the Gr1 Champagne Stakes. Nicely bred Farnan colt, Lot 73, is out of a winning half-sister to Gr1 winner Invest who is out of Gr1 winner Unearthly. Lot 106, by Hellbent, is out of Gr3 winner Chabaud who has already produced two winners, and Lot 303 is a Castelvecchio colt who is the first foal of winning I Am Invincible mare I Am Verve, a daughter of Gr1 Golden Slipper-placed Pure Energy. Lot 698 is an Almanzor colt from Listed winner Summer's Day, and Lot 793 is a Capitalist colt from Listed winner Ygritte, a full-sister to Listed winner My Sister Lil. Of the fillies, Lot 384 by The Autumn Sun is sure to grab some attention given The Autumn Sun's record with fillies, and she is the first foal of Little Stevie who won seven races. Wild Ruler filly, Lot 390, is out of Gr2 winner Look To The Stars, who placed in the Gr1 JJ Atkins Plate. Lot 397 is a Proisir filly out of a half-sister to Gr3 winner Sacred Satono from the family of Horse Of The Year Mufhasa. Home Affairs filly, Lot 507, is out of stakes placed Panna Cotta, whose first foal won recently, and Panna Cotta is a half-sister to three stakes winners.
Mr Mozart is a close relation to Lot 26 (pic: Bradley Photographers)
Murrulla Stud 2025 Inglis Classic Preview
Wednesday, 5th February 2025
Picturesque boutique Murrulla Stud sold Gr3 winner Drifting at the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale from a draft of just eight horses which also includes Brutal Love and Miss Piera. In 2025, they will present a very select draft of three yearlings. Drifting won on debut at two, going on to win the Gr3 Magic Night Stakes last season. This season at three, the Zousain 3YO filly won the Gr3 Quezette Stakes in the spring and has trialled recently in preparation for the autumn. A colt by Brutal, who sired Listed winner Jenni's Meadow with his first 2YOs last season, is Lot 117. His dam, Ciao (Not A Single Doubt), won four races and has produced one winner to date. This colt's full brother was bought by Chris Anderson Racing last year. This is a tough running family and Ciao is out of a half-sister to Gr3 winner Bon Precieux, from the family of Research. Harry Angel is flying at the moment, and his colt, Lot 120 is out of a proven winner-producing mare whose five winners include Tenorino who has won seven races. His dam, Classic Music, is a full sister to Gr3 winner Walk On Bye, out of Gr1 winner Haydock Sprint Cup winner Pipalong. This is a strong European family which includes Gr3 winner Oh This Is Us, winner of an impressive 17 races. Gr1 Golden Rose placed group winner North Pacific enjoyed his first winner with 2YO Brazen Sailor just before the end of the year, and his second crop colt, Lot 180 is out of winning mare Dwindle, who is the dam of two winners, and is a half-sister to Gr2 winner Tarquin as well as to the dam of Gr2 winner Character. This is a small but select draft of colts from a farm with a proven stakes winner producing record.
Gr3-winning Murulla graduate Drifting (pic: Mark Gatt)
Newgate Farm 2025 Inglis Classic Preview
Wednesday, 5th February 2025
Powerhouse property Newgate Farm will present 34 yearlings at the 2025 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. They currently sit in sixth place on the 2024/25 Black Type Premiership thanks to sale graduates Give Me Space, Cannonball, Rustic Steel, Sakima, and the exciting filly Memo. This draft highlights Newgate Farm's investment in their broodmare band with many young stakes-winning mares represented. Newgate Farm's Gr1 Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside has three colts in the draft, led by Lot 558 a half-brother to Listed winner Sangria, from the exceptional Redoute's Choice family. Lot 492 is a filly out of American Gr3 winner Ol' Fashion Gal, and Lot 629 is a colt from Gr3 winner Shared Reflections. Gr1 winner Wild Ruler's first crop is showcased here by four yearlings, such as Lot 327 a filly out of American Listed winner Invading Humor, and Lot 741 is a colt out of Listed winner Triple Chelsea. Lot 747 is out of Listed winner Unbridled Courage. Lot 803 is a half-sister to Listed winner and Gr1 placed Whispered Secret by Newgate Farm's proven sire Russian Revolution. Gr1 Golden Slipper winner and proven sire Capitalist has eight yearlings in this draft including Lot 714, a colt out of stakes placed winner Terminology who is a full sister to Gr2 winner Swift Witness. Lot 680 is a colt out of Listed winner Spring Tempest. Lot 4 is a half-sister to Listed winner Tactical Advantage whose 11 wins earned over $1 million. Other stallions with yearlings in this draft are Brutal, Cosmic Force, Home Affairs, King's Legacy, North Pacific, Profiteer, Snitzel, Tiger Of Malay, and Yes Yes Yes.
Wild Ruler has four yearlings in Newgate's draft (pic: Steve Hart)
Newhaven Park 2025 Inglis Classic Preview
Wednesday, 5th February 2025
Historic Newhaven Park's most recent Classic Yearling Sale draft which are now 2YOs already includes Listed placed Cobra Club, while Russian To The Bar is also a Classic graduate. The farm sits in eighth on the Black Type Premiership for this season thanks to the likes of The Playwright(see below), Gold Bullion, Autumn Glow and Encap. Their draft of 37 yearlings in 2025 includes six by their exciting young sire Cool Aza Beel whose first 2YOs have started off so well with Cobra Club, Club Archie and Cool Aza Rene. His Classic yearlings are led by Lot 174 a filly from the family of Super Seth, and this filly's half-sister Simply Xtravagant has won six races. Lot 189 is a colt out of dual Gr3 placed winner Emphatically who is a half-sister to stakes winner Tudor. Resident sire Xtravagant has seven yearlings in this draft, including Lot 40 a half-brother to Gr3 placed winner Party For One, whose dam is a daughter of four-time Gr1 winner Grand Archway. Among the remainder of the draft are horses by outside stallions including Lot 413, a Fierce Impact half-brother to stakes winners Ringbolt and Bestseller. Lot 251 is a full-sister to stakes placed winner Celestine (Nicconi), and Lot 627's a Pinatubo colt out of a half-sister to smart Queenslander Rothesay. So You Think colt, Lot 65, is the first foal of Listed placed winner Berdini's Girl, and Lot 684 is a Wild Ruler half-brother to stakes placed Fistsoffury. Several exciting proven sires are represented in the Newhaven Park draft with the likes of So You Think, Shamus Award, Harry Angel, and Exceed And Excel.
Cool Aza Beel has made a super start with his progeny (pic: newhavenpark.com.au)
North Bloodstock 2025 Inglis Classic Preview
Wednesday, 5th February 2025
With 13 different sires represented in North Bloodstock's 16 catalogued Inglis Classic yearlings this year, buyers will surely be spoilt for choice. From the family of Gr1 winners Captivant and Crown Prosecutor, North's first lot through the ring is a colt (Lot 32) by Tassort, while another by the same sire (Lot 285) is a bay filly from the family of Gr1 winners Nicconi and Niconero. Another stallion in the draft who will be represented by multiple lots is Darley's Harry Angel, sire of Gr1 winner Tom Kitten, amongst a plethora of global stakes performers by the sire. Lot 69 is a colt from the family of Gr1 winner Steps In Time, while later in the sale the farm offers Lot 398, a colt from the family of Yes Yes Yes and multiple Gr1 winner In Her Time. In high demand at this year's Magic Millions and sure to be once again here, Coolmore's Wootton Bassett will be represented by Lots 438, a filly out of the imported Gr3 placed Teofilo mare Miss Teheran followed by North's final offering in the sale, Lot 777, the first foal of the Not A Single Doubt mare Why Doubt. From an exciting international family which includes Gr1 winners Almanaar and Lady Prancealot, Lot 187 is a daughter of Rosemont Stud's Shamus Award while Lot 284 is another well-bred filly, this time a daughter of Astern out of the Zeditave mare Hell It's Hot, making the filly to sell a half-sister to dual Gr1 winner and $3.7m earner In Her Time. Bred on the double Danehill pedigree cross that has produced seven Gr1 winners including Ozzmosis, Joliestar, Jonker and Zougotcha, Lot 157 is a first crop son of Gr1 Champagne Stakes winner Captivant out of the Dane Shadow mare Devil Miss, while Lot 265 is a son of Widden Stud's Written By out of the three-time-winning Snitzel mare Gretna, herself a half-sister to the dam of Gr2 winner Lavish Girl. From the first crop of the speedy Profiteer, Lot 403 is a colt from the family of three-time Champion Sire I Am Invincible that shouldn't be missed while another colt sure to have appeal is Lot 654, a son of Maurice out of the stakes-placed Smooth Landing.
In Her Time is related to Lot 398 (pic: Steve Hart)
One Way Traffic Beginning to Turn
Wednesday, 5th February 2025
Australian stables have seen many a rich prize head to New Zealand over decades, however that one-way traffic is beginning to change, with both Australian jockeys and trainers now starting to target the growing prizemoney to Australia’s east. Thriving in his lead-up to Saturday’s feature sprint at Te Rapa, the accomplished Lindsay Park runner Here To Shock has returned to familiar surroundings. According to entaingroup.co.nz, the kiwi-bred 7YO, a son of Shocking, arrived smoothly last week to contest the Gr1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) on Saturday. Top Sydney jockey Nash Rawiller is set to partner him in the race. “He’s all good to go,” said co-trainer Ben Hayes, who works alongside his brothers Will and JD. “He flew over Thursday night, arrived safely Friday morning, and is staying with Stephen Marsh.” Here To Shock has amassed $2.4 million in earnings and is racing in the colours of syndicator Slade Bloodstock, who purchased him for $70,000 from Cambridge Stud’s draft at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale. Hayes explained the team’s decision-making process. “We discussed options with Rob Slade, considering the Orr Stakes or a Sydney campaign, but this New Zealand race stood out as a prime opportunity for a Group 1 win,” he said. “He’s in excellent form and has a proven track record when travelling.” During the spring, Here To Shock secured victories in the Gr3 Cameron Handicap (1400m) and the $1.5 million Allan Brown Stakes (1400m). He returned from a break to win the $1 million Supernova (1400m) in December and showed his readiness with a 1000m trial win at Geelong last month. Bred by the Sunlight Trust, Here To Shock is out of the Lonhro mare Frescoes, also dam to stakes winner Turn The Ace. Despite his pedigree suggesting otherwise, he’s developed into a sharp and versatile competitor. “We’ve found 1400m to be his ideal distance,” Hayes added. “While he’s run well over a mile, his high cruising speed suits the BCD Sprint.” Hayes anticipates a competitive race, noting fellow Australian stable Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald’s Bosustow (a half-brother to Amelia’s Jewel) and strong local horses in the mix. “It will be a fantastic contest to watch.”
Here To Shock winning The Supernova (pic: Bruno Cannatelli)
