Star 3YO Zougotcha (Zoustar-Fast Talker) has unequivocally asserted herself as the filly of her generation with a dominant Gr1 Darley Flight Stakes success. On a day where Inglis graduates were alo responsible for a Group 2 and a Group 3 quiella, as a well as a Group 2 and Listed trifecta, the star of the show was Zougotcha, an Easter Yearling Sale filly who secured a third consecutive Group win following successes in the G2 Silver Shadow Stakes and G2 Tea Rose Stakes prior to Saturday, leaving her undefeated as a 3YO. Becoming the seventy-fifth individual Group 1 winner for Inglis since 2018, Zougotcha defeated She's Extreme in the Flight Stakes, making for a G1 quinella for Inglis graduates. Trainer Chris Waller teamed up with Guy Mulcaster to buy Zougotcha (pictured) for $500,000 at the Easter Sale from the draft of Widden Stud, who co-bred the filly with Robert Anderson's RMA Bloodstock. She has now won four of her six starts and is one of the most valuable broodmare prospects in the country. Her latest victory sees Zougotcha with 33 points on the Black Type 3YO Premiership table, four ahead of Godolphin's In Secret (I Am Invincible), with another Zoustar filly (North Star Lass) holding down clear third place on 27 points. Six of the top eight 3YOs to date are fillies – SEE HERE. Zougotcha's dam Fast Talker (Fastnet Rock) – herself a $280,000 buy from the Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale – was covered by Written Tycoon last season and will go back to Zoustar this Spring.
Zougotcha is leading the 3YO pack (pic: Steve Hart)
Widden Stud on a Magic Carpet Ride
Weekend, 3rd October 2022
Following sensational results at the 2022 yearling majors, Widden Stud's 2022 just seems to get better and better. Also buoyed by their continued success since taking on a Victorian operation (former Sun Stud), Widden's lamplight Zoustar is bringing delight to the Widden Valley property, his shareholders and also to the buying bench that invested heavily in his stock the past few years. The son of ill-fated stallion Northern Meteor – his early loss looks greater by the day – has moved into another realm since the start of the new racing season. In just two months, his progeny have boosted his Black Type Stallion Premiership points to 114 points, putting him 41 points clear of second-placed So You Think (73 points) and I Am Invincible (71 points). Part owner of Zougotcha (see above item) ad well as her dam Fast Talker, Widden Stud is currently also leading the Australian Black Type Vendor Premiership. It's as good a start as principal Antony Thompson could have wished for, and it looks like there's a lot more to come.
By George, Corumbene's Done it Again
Weekend, 3rd October 2022
Corumbene Stud's principal George Altomonte is no stranger to success as either a breeder or an owner, particularly with his juveniles who have enjoyed a stellar association with the Gr1 Golden Slipper and the Gr1 Blue Diamond Stakes. From the family of Tie The Knot, and a Group 2-winning half-sister to Isurava, former outstanding Snitzel 3YO Menari (now at stud at Corumbene), broodmare Ichihara is well known for her 2019 Snitzel yearling colt who sold for $2.8 million. Her following yearling, also by Snitzel, is a filly that Altomonte retained. Named Yatsumi, her true value could come in the breeding barn following last Saturday's Royal Randwick meeting where her younger full-brother Empire of Japan stunned his opposition in the Gr3 Arrowfield Breeders' Plate in the manner of a colt with a serious future. Purchased for $680,000 at the 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale, he is owned by a group that ensures he'll never want for broodmares should he end up at stud. They comprise: Newgate Bloodstock, China Horse Club Racing Pty Ltd, Newgate S F, Horse Ventures, Go Bloodstock Australia, Starlight Racing, Grant Bloodstock Pty Ltd, Carpe Diem, Aston Bloodstock, Nick Vass Bloodstock, G1g Colts & Breeding Pty Ltd, Ticket King & Aristia Park Bloodstock Pty Ltd.
Empire of Japan has the world at his feet (pic: Steve Hart)
Verry Elleegant Boxed In During Paris Group 1
Weekend, 3rd October 2022
Trainer Francis-Henry Graffard believes the run of Verry Elleegant (Zed-Opulence, by Danroad) in the Gr1 Prix de Royallieu can be ignored, reports racingnews.co.nz. "She had the worst scenario possible," said Graffard post-race. "At the first bend, when I saw where we were, I said that it was over. The pace was against her, and she was pulling and she needs room, which she didn't get. The one thing we didn't want was for her to be on the rail boxed in and that's what happened. It's very unfortunate because she loves the game, she looks fantastic, she's happy, she's fit and she's trying hard, but everything is going against her. Today was another example unfortunately." Graffard acknowledged, "There's a lot of disappointment for such a fantastic mare to be beaten like this. It's upsetting because I really wanted to show the fantastic filly that she is, she was ready to run really well and everything goes against her. She didn't have a hard race. She looked great after, she doesn't looked cooked to me. It's simple in my mind – she will go to Ascot for the fillies and mares race on Champions Day. She could be retired, it depends on the owners, but for me, physically, she's not a cooked filly. She's never shown that in the mornings, she's keen to go. The day that things go her way, you will see the real Verry Elleegant." It is likely that Verry Elleegant will now travel to England for the Gr1 Champions F&M Stakes at Ascot.
Dead Heat Gives Trainers First Group 1
Weekend, 3rd October 2022
Co-trainers Sterling Alexiou and Gerald Ryan picked up their first Group 1 as partnerswhen Ellsberg (Spill the Beans-Love of Liberty, by General Nediym) deadheated in the Gr1 Epsom Handicap on Saturday, reported magicmillions.com.au. "It's better than the other way," said Ryan. "It was a last minute decision (to run). (At) ten to nine on Wednesday morning we decided to run and well, it's been good! It's good when you buy the horse as a yearling and bring him along. We've been desperate to win a Gr1 with him, but I had basically given up hope. We'd been here three times at the mile and we had been found wanting but he stuck his head out today. He's so honest! It's our first Group 1 together (with Alexiou). We had Ellsberg's father, we bought him (Spill the Beans) as a yearling, we bought him (Ellsberg) as a yearling. We paid a lot of money for him, there are good blokes in the horse with us, a great syndicate. I think it's just three times that he has been out of the first four. I wish I had more of them." Ellsberg deadheated with import Top Ranked (Dark Angel-Countess Ferrama, by Authorized). It was Ellsberg's seventh career win from 22 starts (10 placings) and took his earnings to over $1.5 million. He was sold as a weanling at Magic Millions by Kitchwin Hills for $50,000 and then at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale by Segenhoe Stud for $280,000.
Dead-heating duo Top Ranked and Ellsberg (pic: Steve Hart)
Two Expensive Debutants at Warwick Farm
Weekend, 3rd October 2022
Race one at Warwick Farm today will feature the debut runs of two well-bred youngsters, lead by Chris Waller trained 3YO gelding Royal Pharoah (American Pharoah-Ennis Hill, by Fastnet Rock) who will be ridden by Jason Collett. Royal Pharoah was a $625,000 graduate of the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the Coolmore Stud draft, and he is the first foal of Gr3 winner Ennis Hill, herself a full-sister to Listed winners Lake Geneva and Acrobat. The other debutant in this race is Lee and Cherie Curtis-trained Lasqueti Boom (Spirit of Boom-Supriym Story, by General Nediym), who is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Lasqueti Spirit (Beneteau). Lasqueti Boom will be ridden by Chad Schofield, and she was a $180,000 purchase from AlexiaFraser Bloodstock's draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Smokin' Romans Takes Home First Group 1 Victory
Weekend, 3rd October 2022
A dream spring for Smokin' Romans (Ghibellines-Inferno, by Yamanin Vital) went to another all-new high at Flemington on Saturday, scoring his first Group 1 victory in the Turnbull Stakes (2000m), reports NZ Racing Desk. The gelding won his first stakes race only 10 months ago, capturing the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) in December of last year. He has continued on that upward trajectory this spring, heading to Caulfield last start and collecting his first Group win in the Gr3 MRC Foundation Cup (2000m) on September 17. That last-start success secured the 6YO a spot in the Gr1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) later this month, but Smokin' Romans was an overlooked $21 outsider as he switched to set weights and penalties for Saturday's $1 million Turnbull. Ridden by Ethan Brown for trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Smokin' Romans settled in second behind the pace-making Knights Order. Smokin' Romans moved up alongside Knights Order after rounding the home turn and soon gained the ascendancy, winning by a length and a half. "He is just so easy, this horse. He's very tractable in the run. He gave me a lovely ride throughout. He's taken a lot of improvement from last start," said Brown. He adds, "I thought he was a bit overlooked today and he has defied his odds to win."
Smokin' Romans has continued to improve (pic: Mark Gatt)
No Compromise Upholds Reputation at Randwick
Weekend, 3rd October 2022
New Zealand-bred stayer No Compromise (Pins-Baggy Green, by Galileo) lived up to his name in a grandstand finish to Saturday's Gr1 Metropolitan (2400m) at Randwick, prevailing by a nose to claim his first triumph at the elite level, reports loveracing.nz. The Chris Waller-trained gelding had shown big-race ability with six previous victories headed by the Gr3 NE Manion Cup (2400m). He had also placed in more than a dozen other races, four of them at stakes level including a third in the Gr2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) on September 3. No Compromise was ridden patiently by Tommy Berry at Randwick and settled towards the rear of the field for most of the journey. He gained plenty of ground in a promising move coming up to the home turn, but he found himself blocked badly at the 400m and even worse at the 200m. Berry switched back to the inside and asked No Compromise to quicken again, and the 6YO responded in style. He lunged through along the inside of the favourite Le Don De Vie, and that pair went to war in a head-bobbing duel through the final 50m. "This is a special win. He's got a great family from New Zealand behind him," said Waller. Out of the blue hen Baggy Green, now owned by Yulong, No Compromise has earned $891,620 in a 30-start career that has produced seven wins, five seconds and eight thirds.
Revised Dates for NZB’s 2022 Breeze Ups
Weekend, 3rd October 2022
New Zealand Bloodstock has made the decision to postpone its Breeze Ups for the 2022 Ready to Run Sale (November 16 & 17), with the revised contingency dates being held on Monday 17 and Tuesday 18 of October at Te Rapa Racecourse. Working closely with the Waikato Racing Club and New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing over the past few days, NZB is pleased to report the new dates and track availability for this year’s Breeze Ups work cohesively with the current Sale schedule. The auction house strongly believes that postponing the Breeze Ups to October 17 and 18 is conducive to the consignors, preparers, buyers, as well as the horses. “With the weekend weather forecast starting to materialise and a prediction of 80mm of rain through to next Monday, it became evident that the conditions were not ideal to hold the Breeze Ups on the proposed dates of Monday 3 and Tuesday 4 October,” NZB Director of Operations James Jennings said. “NZB believes the new contingency dates offer a fair opportunity for all consignors and preparers, being held over two consecutive days on the same turf surface. After a period of deliberation with wider clientele, Jennings ensures NZB is committed to conducting its Breeze Ups on a solely turf surface at Te Rapa. A revised Breeze Up schedule will be distributed and available to view on nzb.co.nz in due course. View the 2022 Ready to Run Sale catalogue here.
The revised breeze up contingency is for October 17 and 18 (pic: supplied)
Russian Emperor on Song for December
Weekend, 3rd October 2022
Trainer Douglas Whyte has Russian Emperor (Galileo-Atlantic Jewel, by Fastnet Rock) ready for the Hong Kong International meeting in December, reports hkjc.com. "This is what wakes me up every morning – a horse like this. I love horses full stop but I think everybody knows that I love the competition and to prepare these big horses for the big races certainly gives me a thrill," Whyte said. "It required patience from myself but more so the owner. He's been a horse that had I pushed him or given him those extra runs or gallops that he probably wouldn't be where he is today, it would have been a tragedy because with the time, patience and expectations it has now all paid off." Whyte opined, "On that run (third in last year's LONGINES Hong Kong Cup), you'd be tending to lean towards the Cup. He's still got freshness on his side, it's not that far into the season and he would have only had two races prior to that. I'd like to lean towards the Cup but we'll have a look at the entries and decide with the owner closer to the date, it's a good option to have anyway." Russian Emperor has won four of his 20 starts including the 2022 Gr1 Hong Kong Gold Cup and 2022 Gr1 Standard Chartered Champions & Charter Cup. "I think based on what I've seen over the summer break and him having had the full season of racing last season and as well at the top level that he's probably furnished more than I've ever seen of him. He's put on weight in the right places but more than anything he is very fluent in his action and mentally he is in a good place."
20 Length Win in Staying Group 1 by Kyprios
Weekend, 3rd October 2022
Trainer Aidan O'Brien will spell Kyprios (Galileo-Polished Gem, by Danehill) after his impressive 20-length victory in the Gr1 Prix du Cadran over 4000m over the weekend, reports racing.com. "He's a great horse and it's a privilege to have him," O'Brien said. "He has an unbelievable capacity for covering any amount of distance. He obviously has an incredible heart and lungs. Ryan rode him handy all the way and his opponents just fell away as they turned into the straight and he got left there. That's what happened when he came up the straight. He lost a shoe halfway up the straight as well [off fore shoe], probably when he turned the way he did. Maybe that was a little bit of the reason, maybe it wasn't, but I think he was just left in front too long." Kyprios drifted to the outside fence during the win, and now has won eight of his ten starts, with the last four being at Group 1 level.
Expansion of UK TV Rights Key to Prizemoney
Weekend, 3rd October 2022
Peter Savill, a former chairman of the British Horseracing Board, believes television rights are the key to improving prizemoney, according to theguardian.com. "The expansion of terrestrial televised racing is the big opportunity," Savill said at a crisis meeting in London this week. "When racing is on television, the betting turnover can be as much as four times what it is when it's not on terrestrial television. Sundays are a big opportunity. They've done the Sunday Series, which is six Sundays, and we'd like to see that expand to 20 or even more if possible. Ireland, France and other countries race on Sundays, that's when people can go racing, and we haven't taken advantage of that. Sunday has been 'bouncy castle day' so far." Savill presented details of his proposals to last week's meeting in London, where senior executives from the British Horseracing Authority, the Thoroughbred Group – representing owners, trainers, jockeys and stable staff – and both large and small racecourses were all in attendance.
Harrovian Still a Big Boss in Retirement
Weekend, 3rd October 2022
The Harrovian (Fastnet Rock-Harrow, by Dehere) is one of the most popular gallopers to come out of Queensland in recent years, taking his owners on an amazing journey to heights they would have never dreamed of when he first landed in Cairns, reports racingqueensland.com.au. “Big H”, as he is known, was always branded as a “cult hero” in his racing days. He lifted himself from a lowly rated galloper in Victoria to go on a Cup-winning spree through North Queensland. He was competitive in Black Type events in Brisbane, winning two Listed races, as well as putting in a mighty effort in the All-Star Mile of 2021. In retirement, Big H’s connections are spoiling him the exact same way he treated them during his dazzling career. He has found a permanent home at Tom Hedley’s spelling farm, Aztec Park, and manager Alistair Glasser revealed the 9YO still acts like he is the king of the north: “We will often lead spelling horses past him and joke that they need to pick their game up and what The Harrovian did is what they need to aim for. Even when he is on the walking machine, he still carries on like he is ready for another preparation!”
Winner (DH): 7YO horse Top Ranked (Dark Angel-Countess Ferrama, by Authorized)
Winning Sire: Dark Angel (Acclamation-Midnight Angel, by Machiavellian)
Stud Farm: Yeomanstown Stud
Trainer: Annabel Neasham
Jockey: J Bowman
Race record: 8 wins and 4 placings from 16 starts for $1,344,316 in earnings
Sales Info: £26,000 yearling at the 2017 Tattersalls October Sale Book 3
Vendor: Cooneen Stud
Winner (DH): 5YO horse Ellsberg (Spill The Beans-Love Of Liberty, by General Nediym)
Winning Sire: Spill The Beans (Snitzel-Miss Dodwell, by Falbrav)
Stud Farm: Aquis Farm
Trainer: G Ryan & S Alexiou
Jockey: B Avdulla
Race record: 7 wins and 10 placings from 22 starts for $1,860,000 in earnings
Sales Info: $50,000 weanling consigned by Kitchwin Hills at the 2018 Magic Millions National Sale and then a $280,000 yearling consigned by Segenhoe Stud at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale
Placing: 4YO mare Hinged (Worthy Cause-Tints, by Tycoon Ruler)
Race: HK$3,900,000 Gr3 The National Day Cup (1000m)
Winner: 7YO gelding Super Wealthy (Epaulette-Well Hidden, by More Than Ready
Placings: 4YO gelding Cordyceps Six & 6YO gelding Sky Field
Winning Sire: Epaulette (Commands-Accessories, by Singspiel)
Stud Farm: N/A
Trainer: D A Hayes
Jockey: Z Purton
Race record: 7 wins and 6 placings from 24 starts for HK$14,067,710 in earnings
Sales Info: $50,000 yearling consigned by Bhima Thoroughbred at the 2017 Inglis Classic Sale and then a Homman Bloodstock 2YO pass-in at the 2017 Inglis Ready2Race Sale
