Hellbent joins brazen beau for I Am Invincibleby Grant Morgan I Am Invincible will further increase his presence in the stallion market with his son Hellbent represented by his first yearlings in 2021. Standing alongside his illustrious father at Yarraman Park Stud, Hellbent will certainly lack nothing in terms of representatives. At the Gold Coast, Hellbent is the most represented first season sire with some 39 yearlings catalogued for sale. Hellbent will also showcase some 34 yearlings at the Inglis Classic Sale in February. In terms of mares covered, Hellbent has been incredibly well patronised. He met with 182 mares in his first season, followed by a further 156 in his second year. Hellbent is an imposing individual built much in the mould of his father. On the racetrack, he eclipsed his sire by winning at Group 1 level in the William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley. In all he won 7 races after winning on debut as a June 2yo at Canterbury. Like most of the I Am Invincible progeny, Hellbent’s racetrack ratings improved as he matured. He won his Group 1 sprint as a five year-old demonstrating that good things come to those who wait. Given I Am Invincible’s ability to match with a wide range of mares, its reasonable to expect Hellbent to do something similar under the expert management of the astute Mitchell family.
Hellbent was an inexpensive yearling purchase from the second crop of I Am Invincible. He fetched just $95,000 in the Inglis Classic ring of 2014 from the Dartbrook Downs draft. Just a year earlier I purchased Brazen Beau from the same ring for just $70,000. Nowadays I Am Invincible is very much hot property. That type of value on the ‘Vinnies’ is long since gone. Those of us craving more reasonable yearling prices will be casting a close eye on the stock of Hellbent. In doing so we will reminisce of the days where I Am Invincible didn’t grace the inspection lists of the big boys. We can also look forward to a further branch of the I Am Invincible family to develop in the coming seasons. Despite his oldest progeny only being four year-olds, Brazen Beau himself now shapes as a sire of sires. His first son at stud is the highly talented Tassort, who stood his first season at stud this year at Newgate Farm. Waiting in the wings to enter stud is another highly impressive son of Brazen Beau in North Pacific. A narrow runner up at Group 1 level in the stallion making Golden Rose, North Pacific must surely be one of the hottest young stallion prospects in training. Hellbent stands at Yarraman Park Stud, Scone for $22,000 (inc GST). Prizemoney & infRastructure continue to growLast week Racing Queensland announced $15.5m in additional funding for the Queensland Racing Industry. The Plan, which will benefit almost 40,000 Queensland participants, will be delivered through increased prize money and payments to jockeys and drivers, along with infrastructure grants and higher club payments. This is in addition to $4.1 million of prize money increases delivered in August. The Plan includes $5.25 million in grant funding to support the infrastructure requirements of the industry, with funding prioritised towards projects that have been identified as critical for club sustainability. Participants will also be major beneficiaries, with increased prize money for greyhound, harness and thoroughbred racing, as well as an increase in breeding bonuses for thoroughbred and standardbreds. For the Queensland Thoroughbred industry, the key points of the new funding include:
5 wins from 9 starts for talented mareFew horses can boast a strike rate like talented mare Baroda. This week she improved her statistics further with an impressive first up win at her home track. Prepared on course at the Gold Coast by Toby & Trent Edmonds, Baroda extended her winning run to 5 victories when first up over 1200m. She was partnered by Michael Cahill who readied her for a return to the races with three recent trials. Baroda was sent for spell following an uncharacteristic below par effort in the Gr 3 Gold Coast Guineas in May. “Toby & Trent really thought she would win the Gold Coast Guineas, but she never got into the race from a wide draw,” said Ontrack boss Grant Morgan. “We decided to give her a good spell after the Guineas as she hadn’t had a proper break for a while. “It’s always a relief to see these nice mares come back and win first up after a break. “She is a mare we have always had a very good opinion of and we think she can win black type." Baroda was purchased by Grant Morgan at the 2018 Inglis Classic Sale for $150,000 from the Eureka Stud draft. "She is an absolutely gorgeous mare. I think she will have a great future at stud when she is finished racing, hopefully with some black type," added Morgan Her latest victory takes her record to 5 wins 2 placings from 9 starts with earnings of just under $250,000. Congratulations to our winning owners: Steve Mauger, Rob Harvey, Ian Mathieson, Tony Halloran, David Worthley, Mark Snowden, Mark Ostermeyer, Jenny Edington, Dennis & Dell Bates, Brent & Judy Hudson, Wayne & Paddi Muller, Haimes Racing (Manager Jamie Haimes), Tom Wyld & Francis Field. Distance targets now for New Zealand bred fillyNew Zealand bred filly Always On Show took care of her maiden status when stretched out to 1600m. The Kris Lees prepared three year-old won dominantly in Maiden grade at Taree with regular stable rider Andrew Gibbons. Always On Show will now be spelled with the Autumn and Winter Carnivals in mind, according to Ontrack Thoroughbreds Principal Grant Morgan. Tested in top 2yo company during the Queensland winter earlier this year, Always On Show was fourth in the Gr 3 Ken Russell Classic at the Gold Coast behind Wisdom of Water, before a luckless 2.4 len Listed defeat behind subsequent Group 1 winning filly September Run. “I purchased her as a potential Oaks filly. I think we are on target to step her out in distance next time in when the tracks are a bit softer and she has had the opportunity to grow and furnish a bit more,” said Grant Morgan. “I think she will appreciate the sting out. Her full sister in New Zealand is Gr 2 placed doesn’t like firm tracks. “Hopefully she can really be hitting her straps come the Queensland winter Carnival next year. Always On Show was bred in New Zealand by the Chitty family at their Haunui Farm, which was also the former southern hemisphere home to her sire Showcasing (GB). Bred to stay being out of the Monsun mare Forever and Ever, Always On Show is a. full sister to Gr 2 runner up (Our) Intrigue who is a winner up to 2200m for Cambridge trainer Tony Pike. Her second dam Time Ahead was Group 1 runner up as a three year-old in the Prix de Diane (French Oaks) (2100m) at Chantilly. Always On Show was purchased at the 2019 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale by Ontrack boss Grant Morgan. Congratulations to owners: FTB Syndicate (Manager Paul Holloway), Paul & Karen Davis, Marilyn Searles, Mike Larmer, Kate Kelly, Norm Land, Babu No 4 (Manager Prof James Dale), The fifthhole Racing (Manager Damien Dwyer), Brad Maltby, Denis McGrorey, Albert Cid, Gary Pratt, Bruce Young, Mark Wood, Dinah Newhouse, Michael Byrne, Gary Batchelder, Brian & Linda Irwin, Carl Fischer, Robert Hill, Glenda Newick, Tim O’Neil & Julee Van Steenis.
2021 Catalogue released by Grant Morgan The Inglis Classic Sale has been a remarkable source of high-class horses for OnTrack and my clients. With the 2021 catalogue now available online, focus begins to turn to countless hours of research to unearth the next Brazen Beau or Savanna Amour. I’m looking forward to returning to the Riverside Sales Complex at Warwick Farm next February. It’s a remarkable complex with all the bells and whistles. I must admit to being sentimental. I’ll always miss the old Newmarket complex which holds so many fond memories for me. Since 2013, I’ve purchased just 12 yearlings from the Inglis Classic Sale. This isn’t a terribly large number. I very much consider myself as a small player and I think that gives me an advantage in some ways. But numbers don’t lie in this game. It’s been an incredible sale for me and I’m looking forward to growing my results in 2021. Highlight lots of the 12 yearlings purchased by Grant Morgan at the Inglis Classic Sale since 2013: BRAZEN BEAU (Inglis Classic 2013 - $70,000)
INVINCIBLE HEART (Inglis Classic 2014 - $56,000)
SAVANNA AMOUR (Inglis Classic 2015 - $100,000)
TEST THE WORLD (Inglis Classic 2015 - $40,000)
IMPREGNABLE (Inglis Classic 2015 - $40,000)
DREAM MASTER (Inglis Classic 2015 - $60,000)
BARODA (Inglis Classic 2018 - $150,000)
The 2021 Inglis Classic Sale features 803 lots which will be sold over three days 7-9 February at the Riverside Sales Complex at Warwick Farm. 21 new stallions represented at Gold Coast by Grant Morgan An interesting group of first season sires will be represented with their first yearlings at the Magic Millions Gold Coast yearling sale in January 2021. In terms of numbers, Hellbent (39 lots), Russian Revolution (35 lots), Pariah (28 lots) and Merchant Navy (25 lots) will be prominent players. Yarraman Park’s Hellbent sets out to emulate the deeds of his barnmate father I Am Invincible. Unlike his dad, Hellbent was a winner up to Group 1 level after collecting the William Reid Stakes at his final start. Whilst I Am Invincible was a winner up to only Group 2 level, a CV lacking a Group 1 win has been no hindrance to a glittering stud career of rags to riches. “Vinnie” will be represented by 55 yearlings at the Gold Coast sale and looks almost certain to provide the sales topper. The Danehill sireline will continue its strong foothold with new representatives by Redoute’s Choice, Fastnet Rock and Sntizel joining the fold. Newgate Farm’s Russian Revolution (by Snitzel) is sure to be well sort after. Standing off a $44,000 service fee, Russian Revolution has covered huge books of mares with 226 and 224 covers in his first two seasons. Arrowfield Stud's Pariah (by Redoute’s Choice) comes off a lower fee base of $16,500 and covered 143 and 100 mares in his first two seasons. Merchant Navy (by Fastnet Rock) covered a massive first season book of 247 mares at Coolmore Stud. Merchant Navy is the only dual hemisphere Group 1 winner having captured the prestigious sprint double of the Coolmore Stakes (1200m) at Flemington and the Diamond Jubilee Stakes (1200m) at Royal Ascot. The full list of first season sires at the Magic Millions Gold Coast sale is:
Gold Coast sale grows in 2021 by Grant Morgan Already mammoth in size, the Magic Millions Gold Coast yearling sale in January 2021 will be staged over a marathon 7 days, following the release of the online sale catalogue. The 2021 catalogue features 1273 yearlings in book 1 and book 2, with a further group of yearlings to be offered in book 3. Book 1 yearlings will commence selling on Tuesday 12 January, culminating on Saturday 16 January (5 days of selling). This represents an increase of 1 day of book one selling, with the book 1 sale previously held over 4 days with a traditional Wednesday start. Book 2 yearlings will be sold on both Sunday 17 January and Monday 18 January (2 days of selling). This doubles the selling days of book 2 from 1 to 2 days. In terms of numbers, the 2020 catalogue of book 1 and book 2 totalled 1065 yearlings, so basically we are seeing a further 200 yearlings added to the sale over two additional selling days. It would seem both Magic Millions and vendors alike are keen to get in early for 2021 in what has been a very turbulent 2020.
Whilst the three sales companies have done a wonderful job of completing sales with the assistance of online auctions, they will never completely replace the full value of a traditional live sale. Magic Millions, William Inglis & Son and New Zealand Bloodstock will each be very eager to welcome live buying benches to each of their sales for 2021. William Inglis & Son will conduct its Classic Sale at their Warwick Farm headquarters over three days (7-9 February, 2021). New Zealand Bloodstock is set to stage its annual yearling sale series at Karaka (Book 1 – 24, 26 January 2021) and (Book 2 – 27-28, January 2021). First yearlings selling in 2021 for Cambridge Stud stallion by Grant Morgan Almanzor (FR) has big shoes to fill when attempting to match the deeds of Cambridge Stud stallions of the past. Sir Tristram (IRE) and son Zabeel (NZ) broke all records between them when in residence under previous Cambridge owner, Sir Patrick Hogan. Now with new ownership and management, Cambridge is looking to regain its foothold in the Australasian stallion market with Almanzor leading the charge. Still New Zealand owned by Brendan and Jo Lindsay, the Cambridge team is now headed by former Godolphin Australia boss Henry Plumptre. With his first Southern hemisphere yearlings selling in 2021, Almanzor has been well touted by many as being a big chance to make it in the South, and also the North. Alamanzor is a son of Wootton Bassett (GB), a name not all that familiar to Kiwi or Aussie racing enthusiasts. It may pay to take notice of him now. Wootton Bassett was recently acquired by Coolmore and will stand the coming Northern Hemisphere season in Ireland at a fee of 100,000 pounds (more than 190,000 in Kiwi dollars). Named after the UK township near the Lambourn training centre, Wootton Bassett the sire has achieved massive results off low service fees in nine seasons at his former French home of Haras d’Etreham in Normandy. A son of former Kiwi shuttler Ifraaj, Wootton Bassett started at 6,000 euros and rose to 40,000 euros at his peak in France. Wootton Bassett is the sire of 14 stakes winners and 12 more stakes performers including Group 1 winners Audarya, Wooded and his principal performer, Almanzor. Almanzor was champion 3yo colt in Europe in 2016 with Group 1 victories in the Prix du Jockey Club (2100m) at Chantilly, Irish Champion Stakes (2000m) at Leopardstown and the Champion Stakes (2000m) at Ascot. In all Almanzor won 8 races from 11 starts, which included 3 victories at two headed by the Listed Grand Criterium de Bordeaux (1600m). Standing at 16.1 ½ hand high, Almanzor is certainly an imposing individual who oozes quality. Some of New Zealand’s best mares have been sent to Almanzor and the majority of these will be available at Australasian sales rings in 2021. No doubt he will be most heavily represented in the New Zealand Bloodstock ring at Karaka, with the company’s annual yearling sale set to be staged from 24-28 January, 2021. Almanzor stands at Cambridge Stud in 2020 for NZ $30,000. Guthman-Chester shines at the Gold Coast Lightly raced five year-old Senrima Tide has strung together back to back victories thanks to another polished display by underrated young Gold Coast jockey Jag Guthmann-Chester. Ontrack Thoroughbred’s Grant Morgan was quick to heap praise on the talented young rider. “We are very fortunate to be able to use Jag here at the Gold Coast. I think he is very underrated,” said Morgan. “If he wanted too I’m certain he could become the dominant rider here at the Gold Coast and fill the void left by Dan Griffin. “But he’s also got the talent to be successful in the City. But whilst he is available at the Gold Coast on a Saturday I think you would be mad not to book him.” After scoring at his last two runs at the Gold Coast over 1400m, the son of Ocean Park has now won 4 of 18 starts. Senrima Tide is prepared by John & Chris Meagher from their Eagle Farm stable which is managed by experienced horseman Andrew Kermond. The slightly built Senrima Tide will now be rewarded with a short break in the paddock at Kilto Park. “We’ve used Kilto to freshen horses before mid prep and it’s worked very well,” said Ontrack’s Grant Morgan. “We achieved great results with Cymbalism who was a lightly framed mare that the stable turned around. Cymbalism concluded her career with a stakes placing before being sold for good money as a broodmare” “He’s enjoying his racing now and full credit must go to Team Meagher for getting him back in form and feeling good,” said Morgan. Ocean Park has gradually built up a strong foothold in the New Zealand stallion ranks since entering stud. Standing at famed Kiwi nursery Waikato Stud, Ocean Park is the sire of Group 1 winners Kolding and Tofane, along with Group winners Oceanex, Another Dollar, Star of The Seas and Out of The Park. Senrima Tide is a member of Ocean Park’s first crop which arrived in 2014. More 'Horse & Wine' planned for Australasia Bookings are now open for our very popular 'Horse & Wine Tours' to the Hunter Valley for 2021. A second Hunter Valley tour has been added to our regular roster. The first Hunter Valley Tour in 2021 will be conducted in the Autumn, Sunday 18 April – Thursday 22 April 2021 (4 nights). The regular Hunter Valley Tour conducted during the Spring has been confirmed for Sunday 10 October – Thursday 14 October 2021 (4 nights). The Hunter Valley Horse and Wine Tour has been a fixture on the OnTrack calendar of events for the past 15 years. Ontrack managing director Grant Morgan said that he expects demand for high quality tours within Australasia to increase significantly in 2021 and beyond. “Our tours to both the Hunter Valley and New Zealand have always booked out and been incredibly popular,” said Grant Morgan. “With COVID changing the way we all travel, I expect that demand to grow significantly. “With our Royal Ascot and Hong Kong tours on hold for the foreseeable future, our focus on our Australasian tours will increase. In anticipation of an Australian/New Zealand travel bubble, Ontrack has also scheduled two tours to New Zealand for 2021. The first New Zealand tour has been scheduled to co-incide with the Group 1 New Zealand Derby meeting at Ellerslie. This tour will be staged Thursday 4 March – Tuesday 9 March 2021 (5 nights). The regular Spring tour of New Zealand has been confirmed, Thursday 25 November – Tuesday 30 November 2021 (5 nights). Each of the 2021 OnTrack Hunter Valley and New Zealand Tours will be limited to just 20 guests. Bookings are now being taken for each of the tours. Visit www.ontrackracingtours.com for more information. Hawkes colt heading to the Hunter Valley Star three year-old Ole Kirk will enter the breeding barn at Vinery Stud when his racing career concludes. He looks set to race on in the Autumn for the family training partnership of John, Michael and Wayne Hawkes. A son of in-form stallion Written Tycoon, Ole Kirk has already registered Group 1 wins in the stallion making Golden Rose and Caulfield Guineas. One of the most historic properties in the Hunter Valley, Vinery Stud is owned by a partnership which includes Gerry Harvey and managed by highly regarded horseman Peter Orton. “We are obviously delighted to be involved with Ole Kirk and to have secured the breeding rights for when he retires to stud,” said Peter Orton. Ole Kirk was bred by astute Victorian Rick Jamieson, the man behind champion sprinter Black Caviar who also forms a cornerstone in Ole Kirk’s female pedigree. Jamieson retained an interest in Ole Kirk, and races the colt together with managing owner, Neil Werrett. Ole Kirk was as $675,000 yearling from Jamieson’s Gilgai Farm draft at the 2019 Inglis Premier Sale.
“As breeder and part owner of our most exciting horse Ole Kirk, I am thrilled to have Vinery come in as a partner in the colt,” commented Jamieson. “Ole Kirk has the genetic potential and the elite racetrack performance to play a major role in the ongoing development of the Australian Thoroughbred industry. He is from one of the most successful pedigrees in the Australian Stud Book, descending back to the blue hen mares Scandinavia and Helsinge. “His sire line traces back through to Last Tycoon and Try My Best, making him a great genetic match for mares carrying Danehill in their pedigree. “We had great interest from a number of studs for him but after many detailed discussions we settled on Vinery, as their team headed by Peter were very keen to land him for stud duties and made a compelling proposal. "With the support of all current owners as well as that of Vinery and their loyal clients he will be supported with a great line up of mares when he begins his stud career. "Personally I believe we have been fortunate and put our foot on a future great speed stallion and can’t wait for him to begin the next phase of his exciting career,” said Rick Jamieson. Boutique stable suits son of Ocean Park Lightly raced five year-old Senrima Tide is appreciating the small stable environment with John and Chris Meagher at their Eagle Farm base. Senrima Tide scored his first win for Meagher Racing at the Gold Coast last week at his fourth start for the stable. The Gold Coast win also showcased the talents of underrated young rider Jag Guthman-Chester. Senrima Tide had been troubled by frustrating minor issues in recent seasons, but looks to have finally turned the corner under Team Meagher. Ontrack’s Grant Morgn also paid tribute to the work of John and Noreen Mott at Kilto Park, who looked after Senrima Tide during a prolonged spell prior to his current preparation. “The team at Kilto Park put a great deal of effort to getting this fellow right before he headed back into training at Eagle Farm,” said Grant Morgan. “Since arriving at Eagle Farm he has really thrived. He is enjoying his racing now and the Gold Coast win showed a good deal of determination in what was a small, but useful field. “We will continue to keep him a bit on the fresh side and keep his races at the 1400m-1600m range. It’s tempting to stretch him out in trip but he just may race better on the fresh side,” said Grant Morgan. A lightly framed first crop son of highly successful New Zealand sire Ocean Park, Senrima Tide was originally prepared at Caulfield with Mick Price before being sent North. His prior victories came at Sandown and Wangaratta. Meagher Racing operates boutique stables at both Mornington (Victoria) and Eagle Farm (Queensland). Headed by Hall of Fame and Melbourne Cup winning John Meagher, Meagher Racing also retains a highly successful Singapore stable under Daniel Meagher. “COVID has certainly presented its challenges for the stable with travel restrictions placing further responsibility on Eagle Farm foreman Andy Kermond. “Full credit must go to Andy and his team who have put a lot of effort into getting Senrima Tide back to being a happy and healthy horse who is most importantly relishing being a racehorse,” said Grant Morgan. Despite its small numbers, the stable has enjoyed a successful year with the talented sprinter Pippie who has won twice at Group 1 level in 2020. Ontrack and Meagher Racing have enjoyed good success since the Meagher Racing re-established itself in Australia in 2013 after a highly successful period in Singapore. Black type performers for the combination have included Savanna Amour, Arctic Shock, Harada Bay, Cymbalism and Cruising Speed. ‘Raw’ Captivant dominates at Randwick Highly touted first season sire Capitalist recorded his first winner when his son Captivant scored a dominant win on debut at Randwick on Everest day. Like his Golden Slipper and Magic Millions winning sire, Capitalist is prepared by the clever father and son training duo of Peter and Paul Snowden. Operating both stables at Randwick and Flemington, Captivant had been educated in both yards prior to his debut win. Demonstrating his toughness, the colt had been earmarked to debut in Melbourne only to draw wide at Caulfield, prior to being sent back to the Sydney stable. Peter Snowden told AAP that few two year-olds would cope with such a demanding preparation. “To do that with a two-year-old, you wouldn’t do it. Only with the ones you think can handle it and obviously he can,” Snowden said “That’s why it gives me so much confidence knowing that he has so much more to give. He is nowhere near where he needs to be. “He’s that raw he’s still frozen.” Captivant may have his next run in the $1m Golden Gift (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday 7 November. The $2m Magic Millions 2yo Classic at the Gold Coast on 16 January 2021 is another race that would come under consideration for connections of the promising colt. Captivant was a $550,000 yearling purchase from the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the Ashleigh Thoroughbreds draft. He is now raced by a partnership headed by Henry Field’s Newgate Farm as well as the China Horse Club. Capitalist was bred in Queensland by Jan Clark from her Daandine Stud near Warwick. Despite carrying only a small broodmare band, Daandine can boast not only Capitalist, but also his sire Written Tycoon who were both bred and reared in Queensland. Capitalist stands at Newgate Farm in the Hunter Valley and has been favoured by many to take out the first season sire honours this year. Ole Kirk the latest star for veteran sire Black Caviar’s sire Bel Esprit is fast becoming a leading broodmare sire following a second group 1 victory by his brilliant grandson Ole Kirk. Ole Kirk is rated one of the hottest young stallion prospects in Australia thanks to Group 1 victories in the stallion making Caulfield Guineas and Golden Rose. Genetically, Bel Esprit has a great deal to offer as a broodmare sire. He brings dominant female influencing stallions Royal Academy and Vain to the table. Bel Esprit’s daughters have already produced 11 individual stakes winners and a further 14 stakes placegetters. Prior to Ole Kirk’s arrival, champion Hong Kong galloper Beauty Generation (ex Stylish Bel) was the main flagbearer for Bel Esprit’s many daughters now at stud. By Road to Rock (by Fastnet Rock), Beauty Generation has won more than $19m AUD from his 20 wins, 8 of them at Group 1 level. Costa Viva is another Group 1 winner for Bel Esprit, being out of the talented Group 3 winner Vivacious Spirit. Other good recent performers for Bel Esprit’s daughters include Immortal Love (by Snitzel), Swat’s That (by Shamus Award) and Sylvias Mother (by Snitzel) Now a veteran sire, Bel Esprit is also enjoying another strong season and is still producing headline acts.
His current star is Queensland 3yo filly Kisukano (ex Kiss For Gran by Show A Heart) who was amassed prizemoney of almost $700,000 with 6 wins from 9 starts. Best known for producing champion sprinter Black Caviar, Bel Esprit is far from being a one trick pony. He has produced 728 individual winners from 1053 individual starters, which gives him an amazing winners to runners ratio of almost 70%. Bel Esprit will stand his 18th season at stud this season. He resides at Sun Stud, Victoria and stands at a fee of $7,700 (inc GST). 4 wins from 10 starts for son of I Am Invincible Slick speedster Invincore scored his first win as a gelding after landing an all the way win at Ipswich. Gelded prior to the start of his current preparation, Invincore is starting to deliver on his earlier promise after a frustrating career which promised so much. Throat surgery and feet issues have contributed to a truncated career with Invincore having just his tenth start in his five year-old year. He was gelded late in his career in his four year-old season. This weeks victory extends Invincore’s Ipswich record to two wins from two starts. He scored at the track on debut as a two year-old. His other wins have come at Grafton and Murwillumbah. Invincore was purchased by Grant Morgan of Ontrack Thoroughbreds from the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $260,000. The son of I Am Invincible was bred by Southern New South Wales breeders Neil & Denise Osborne form Mane Lodge, Sutton. Congratulations to owners: Steve Mauger, Pat Crotty, Sandra and Lindsay Hitchener, Barbara Gilbert, David Worthley, Dennis and Margaret Frew, Gordon Henry, Jenny and Jim Edington, Mark Ostermeyer, Mark Snowden, Bayles Girls Racing (Pam, Amanda and Jill Bayles and Kim Arnell), Gold Seven Syndicate (Peter Battersby, Greg Bowers, Hamish Coleman, Greg Goodman, Ron Grantham, Ryan Lawlor, Stefan and Luisa Marinkovic, Dan Paton, Damian Pound, Josh Ryan, Lisa Saxton, David Sutherland), Runaway Bay Sports Centre Syndicate (Phil Day, Mark Doran, Kenny Edwards, Geoffrey Illich, Jason Kelly, Steven Ralph, David Vertullo, Matthew Whitehouse, Kevin Willetts, Tom and Gill Wyld, Ted Gregorski). First starter a winner for promising first season sire Newgate Farm’s Flying Artie has sired his first winner as Princess Bojack scored on debut at Eagle Farm last week. Prepared by Toowoomba trainer Michael Nolan, Princess Bojack backed up her strong trial form with an all the way win over 1000m. Ridden by Michael Cahill, Princess Bojack defeated Stellar Magic (by Star Turn) and Headlander (by Better Than Ready) in one of the first two year-old races in Queensland for the season. “We bought at the sales, she’s been in and out a couple of times and we brought her back in with the Magic Millions in mind,” Michael Nolan said. “She is small but nice and racey and she has been a good filly to train. “We might give her a bit of a break now and see what we do.” Princess Bojack was a $50,000 yearling purchase from Tim Nolan’s Murulla Stud draft at this years Magic Millions Gold Coast yearling Sale.
She is out of the Testa Rossa mare Catseye Surprise who is from the family of blue hen mares Cotehele House (GB) and Eight Carat (GB). Flying Artie stands at a fee of $16,500 (inc GST) at Newgate Farm this spring. A son of Artie Schiller, Flying Artie won the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes and also placed in the Golden Slipper and Blue Diamond. Flying Artie has covered big books at stud. He saw 186 mares in his first season, followed by 148 in year two and 105 in the normally tough third season. Track upgrades & night racing locked in The Gold Coast Turf Club is a step closer to becoming the ‘Happy Valley’ of Australian racing after receiving key support to light up Aquis Park. Earlier today, the Palaszczuk Government announced a $31.5 million commitment to the multimillion-dollar redevelopment at Bundall which would deliver a full refurbishment of the racing surfaces, along with lights, an in-field tunnel and an all-weather synthetic track. “The Gold Coast is one of Queensland’s most magnificent tourism drawcards and the turf club is already home to the internationally renowned Magic Millions Carnival, including the January yearling sale and its raceday,” Racing Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said. “Now it needs a turf club to match, which is exactly what a re-elected Palaszczuk Government will be able to deliver.” Funded out of the Racing Infrastructure Fund, the Gold Coast tracks and lights project is an essential component of the RQ Infrastructure Plan and is expected to deliver increased commercial returns to the club and industry through the creation of new and exciting timeslots, improved racing infrastructure and enhanced amenities for stakeholders.
With the club also committing $5 million to the project, RQ Chairman Steve Wilson AM said today’s announcement was significant for the Queensland racing industry. “The Gold Coast tracks and lights project is at the heart of RQ’s night racing strategy and is a gamechanger for our industry,” Mr Wilson said. “We want the Gold Coast to be our very own Happy Valley – showcasing the city to the world by unlocking new and exciting timeslots – whilst establishing itself as the most impressive night racing venue in Australia. “This will give visitors and locals at Australia’s favourite holiday destination the chance to have a night out whilst loving the thrill of our thoroughbred superstars sprinting down the upgraded track. “Just as importantly, the all-weather synthetic track will provide the Gold Coast with a much-needed wet-weather racing option, which will increase wagering returns through greater surety - and flexibility - in race scheduling.” Kembla Grange return for in form Vandyke Trainer David Vandyke is planning a return to his former home track Kembla Grange, whilst his white hot form streak continues in Queensland. Two months of the new season down and Sunshine Coast based David Vandyke’s sensational form shows no sign of stopping. A Group One winning trainer in Sydney, David Vandyke made the bold move of pulling up stumps and re-establishing himself at the Caloundra track in 2016. As expected, it took a while for David to get used to the new environment but he trained 20 metropolitan and 28.5 provincial winners during the 2016-17 season. He’s been a top 10 trainer with tallies of 60, 52 and 49 in the following seasons. But the 2020-21 season is now two months in and David sits behind champion trainer Tony Gollan on the premiership board. David has lined up 31 metropolitan runners for 13 wins and 11 placegetters for a winning strike rate of 42% and 77% placegetters. Tony Gollan has won 21 metro races from 84 starters for what in any normal season would be considered an excellent 25% winning rate. The Vandyke stable is even more dominant in provincial racing where his 16 runners have won 8 races (50%) and placed 5 times (81%). His winning strike rate for all runners so far this season is a staggering 44.6%. There’s no doubt that David’s decision to reinvent himself at the Sunshine Coast is behind these figures. In 2016 he had a team of around 80 in work in two barns at the Corbould Park track but after a couple of seasons he made the decision to dramatically cut back his team and focus on quality rather than quantity. These days Vandyke trains stable star Alligator Blood and the big winner is poised to take David back to where it all started. David’s career as a trainer began as a 21 year old at Kembla Grange where he won the local Training Premiership in 1989 as a 22-year-old. This title was under his original name of David Hayes, he changed his surname to his mother’s maiden name Vandyke in 2010 to avoid confusion with fellow trainer David Hayes, son of Colin Hayes. While his 10 years or so at Kembla Grange coincided with some very tough times, he’s excited at the prospect of returning to Kembla with stable star Alligator Blood in the $1 million The Gong in November. Alligator Blood is due to arrive in Sydney soon for the $500,00 Silver Eagle (1300m) at Randwick on October 10 then on to the Golden Eagle (1500m) three weeks later. Safely through these races it’s off to The Gong. “It was great memories, though I wasn’t as well back then as I am now,’’ he said. “I was in one of the first big stables that was built at Kembla around 1988 and Keith Nolan ran the club, there was no big grandstand and he bought the club out of dire straits. “Having won the premiership there it would be wonderful to go back there and win the biggest race on the track. “I never imagined there’d be an Everest or a Golden Eagle or any of these races. “Each year there were the same races and we planned towards them. The Illawarra Classic, or the Brambles Classic it was called, was the big race and I never imagined there’d be any other big race. “They used to have a Calcutta the night before, it was the biggest day of the year and we were all pretty comfortable with the way things were. “It’s a different world now. Nothing surprises me now but if you’d said to me back then there’d be a $1m race I wouldn’t have expected it,” said David Vandyke. Council plans lodged by Racing Queensland The overdue addition of night racing to the Gold Coast has taken a step closer with an application to install 10 new lighting structures to illuminate the Bundall track. The Courier Mail reports that Racing Queensland has recently lodged a development approval to with the Gold Coast City Council to install new lighting infrastructure. The proposal is to erect ten 45 metre lighting structures. The track currently has lighting for trackwork which is carried out 6 out of 7 days. The new lighting would rationalise the current lighting poles from a total of 16 to 10. The Bundall track neighbours housing on the Crombie Ave side of the course. The development will incorporate acoustic fencing, barriers and landscaping to minimise the impact on local residents. The Gold Coast Turf Club has been in operation with the Bundall equine precinct since 1946, long before many of the nearby houses or units were erected. The Queensland State Government had previously allocated $28m in funding to upgrade the Bundall track in 2018. Night racing would be a massive boost for the Gold Coast racing industry which incorporates the $10m Magic Millions Raceday, held each January. Images: Gold Coast Bulletin Kalashnikov scores impressive 2yo trial win Newgate Farm stallion Capitalist is favoured to take the first season title honours in what shapes as a highly competitive year for the freshmen sires. Ladbrokes opened Capitalist at $2.50 favourite last month. The Kensington two year-old trial results this week have bolstered his backers confidence thanks to an impressive victory by sharp looking colt Kalashnikov. A $600,000 Magic Millions Yearling, Kalashnikov carries the same colours as his Golden Slipper winning sire. The James Harron led ownership group will be hopeful of emulating Capitalist with this Peter and Paul Snowden prepared colt.
Kalashnikov was bred by Segenhoe Stud, who also retain an interest in this stunning colt. A second foal by the Flying Spur mare Rough Ride, Kalashnikov is from a strong black type female page which features multiple Group 1 winner Eagle Way. A moderately performed racehorse, Rough Ride recorded wins at Goulburn and Wyong in the Segenhoe colours for Peter Robl, before being retired to stud after just 5 starts. Rough Ride has a yearling filly by Shalaa. Capitalist has around 160 two year-olds to run for him this season. He has numbers, quality and precocity on his side. His yearlings looked to be compact precocious sprinting types, generally in the same shape and size as their father. Newgate barnmate Flying Artie shares the second line of betting at 5.50 with Coolmore Stud’s American Pharoah. Star Turn is next in the market at 8.50 ahead of Sooboog and Maurice at 11.00. 100 stakes winners for Kiwi super sire Champion Kiwi stallion Savabeel notched up 100 stakes winners last month and is already chipping away at his second century. The Chris Waller-trained Savacool providing the multiple champion sire’s 100th individual stakes winner when winning the Listed Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury. And Savabeel didn’t take long to notch up Black Type win 101 with the promising Mo’unga racing away with the Listed Dulcify Quality (1500m) at Rosehill last Saturday. On the same day Savabeel’s son The Chosen One signalled a great Melbourne spring campaign by winning first-up from a 22 weeks’ spell over 1700 metres. Mo’unga (named after All Black Richie Mo’unga) brought up a winning hat-trick following victories over 1400m at Gold Coast in June then Newcastle last month, and he’s now being set for the Group Three Gloaming Stakes (1800m) at Rosehill on September 26 before the Group One Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on October 10. Savabeel rules the roost at New Zealand’s leading thoroughbred stud, Waikato Stud on the outskirts of Matamata where he stands for $100,000. The Cox Plate winning son of Zabeel is in his 16th season at Waikato and he’s been champion New Zealand stallion for the last 13 years. Waikato Stud is operated by father and son partnership of Garry and Mark Chittick and they acknowledge the significant role played by Savabeel in elevating Waikato Stud to top ranking as the leading vendor at Karaka for six straight years. Savabeel’s exemplary record of achievement extends to a consistent 70 per cent winners to runners ratio and 10.8 per cent stakes winners to runners ratio – both stats achieved in the 2018/19 season. Despite Savabeel’s outstanding success, Mark Chittick concedes that the horse’s stud career hasn’t always been plain sailing. “Obviously, we are all extremely proud of what he has achieved. It’s never been a secret that he was the first NZ$10 million syndicated horse to come to New Zealand,” Chittick said. “The support we had in purchasing him and getting him syndicated was incredible and all the way through. We’ve all had a great ride with him and continue to do so. “Being by Zabeel, we knew they were going to be at their best and 3-year-olds and onwards and there was certainly a year when he served well under 100 mares. There was also a year around that stage that we didn’t get a lot of support from the sales company. “Through that period it was really very tricky and his service went from NZ$30,000 to NZ$20,000, but we always had confidence in Savabeel. There were definitely difficult years, tough times, and I’m very proud that he came out of that. “Interestingly enough, he’s now up 15 2-year-old stakes winners, which is incredible. He leaves a top 2-year-old and horses that train on with stakes winners over sprint distances up to a Group 1 winner over 3200 metres and leaves fillies and colts,” said Mark Chittick. The Odyssey continues to fly the flag for Better Than Ready Queensland stallion Better Than Ready continued his meteoric rise when notching up his first million dollar runner. Better Than Ready’s son The Odyssey achieved millionaire status at Doomben last Saturday when dominating first-up in the $100,000 Quality Handicap. A $30,000 Magic Millions purchase from Better Than Ready’s first crop, The Odyssey’s win took his earnings to $1,063,825 from 20 lifetime starts for nine wins and five placings. Standing at Lyndhurst Stud on the Darling Downs, Better Than Ready is a son of super stallion More Than Ready and was a very fast racehorse who broke the Randwick course record when winning the 1200 metres Brian Crowley Stakes (Group 2). He went to stud in 2015 and during his first four seasons at Lyndhurst he stood for $9,900, but some spectacular results from his first crop to hit the racetracks of Australia resulted in his fee rising to $33,000. With the spectacular results from his first racing crops, Better Than Ready served 216 mares last spring and he’s now firmly established as a commercial stallion. The Odyssey was one of Better Than Ready’s 23 individual winners of 38 races in Australia from his first crop and his progeny have trained on in impressive fashion.
Already this season he has had 15 individual winners to take his career tally to 135 starters for 75 individual winners of 151 races. But when you compare Better Than Ready’s record against super stallions it’s apparent he’s a serious stallion. In the 2018-2019 season Better Than Ready’s 23 winners of 38 races compares very favourably with I Am Invincible’s 27 winners of 36 races and Snitzel’s 23 winners of 29 races. It’s not unusual for a young stallion to start his stud career in a blaze of glory and then fade away, but for Better than Ready it’s been more of the same. And the 2019-2020 season was no different with Better Than Ready third best sire of two-year-old winners with 17 winners from 45 runners. Snitzel headed the table with 60 runners for 28 winners and I Am Invincible was next with 61 starters for 24 winners. But contrast the fees that these super stallions attract this spring. I Am Invincible’s standing at $209,000 and Snitzel is $165,000 while Better Than Ready commands $33,000. Brian Lawlor reflects on blistering track gallops in light of the recent lightning work by star Queensland 3yo Rothfire by Brian Lawlor Rothfire’s sizzling times recorded during an Eagle Farm exhibition gallop caused social media chaos and took me back decades to a similar occurrence. The Rothfire gallop made headlines after he clocked 32 seconds for the final 600 metres and fuelled scepticism about how a horse could run this fast when seemingly under no pressure. Back in 1977 I was a young racing journalist working for The Evening Post in Wellington New Zealand. That was a time when newspapers ruled the media and we had a team of four in the racing department. I got a late call advising that I would have to head to Trentham early the next morning and cover for an ill colleague when final gallops would take place in readiness for the final day of the prestigious Wellington Cup carnival. Good Lord won the Wellington Cup that year and he won the Sydney Cup a year later, but it was a star three-year-old who was the centre of attention at track work that morning. The filly named La Mer was the champion three-year-old of her time and was at prohibitive odds to add the New Zealand Oaks (2400 metres) to an already imposing record and there was huge interest in her final piece of work before the Group One. La Mer galloped that Thursday morning with regular rider Des Harris in the saddle and worked with a mate over a round of the Trentham track (2400 metres) before being asked to stretch out over the last 600 metres. As expected, La Mer ran right away from her companion and there didn’t appear anything unusual about the gallop until I checked the times. Journalists used two stop watches to get sectional times and both my watches showed La Mer had broken 32 seconds for her last 600 metres. Panic set in as I looked at the time and wondered how I could have stuffed up so badly. Things settled down a little when I compared the times with Tony Hilton from The Dominion, who was the only other journalist at the track, and found we had recorded almost identical times for her gallop. Malcolm Smith, the trainer of La Mer, was a particularly forthright character and when he asked me what time his filly had run it sparked a tirade that left us in doubts that he didn’t believe we had clocked the gallop correctly. Given his filly was three days from her grand final, running such a time in a track gallop left him open to criticism that she had a gutbuster and true to his nature he didn’t hold back. “You’re a f…… idiot,” was the most sympathetic part of his response which was delivered in front of some of the nation’s leading trainers and jockeys watching the champion filly’s work. Tony Hilton and I were starting to think he might be right but rechecked our clocks and the course markers and we were in no doubt that she did indeed run that startling time. The problem now was whether to report that time - and allow the rest of the country to share Malcolm Smith’s assessment of us - or to fudge the time in our reports. In the end we took the coward’s way out and added a couple of seconds to the time we reported in newspapers around the country that day. But the episode took another twist later that morning when over breakfast a wily old trainer named Walter McEwan sidled up to me and informed me La Mer had broken 32 for her final 600 metres. You see Wally McEwan, an old school trainer who honed his skills in the depression of the 30s, had quietly clocked the gallop out of sight of prying eyes and agreed we were right about the sensational time we recorded. He simply said: “You were right.” Footnote: La Mer came out on Saturday and won the New Zealand Oaks by a huge margin. She later raced in Melbourne winning the Coongy Handicap over 2000 metres. She won 24 of 34 lifetime starts but sadly, like so many great race mares, she was a flop at stud after being purchased by Irish breeder Captain Tim Rogers who established Airlie Stud in County Kildare and at one time owned farms in the U.S. and New Zealand as well as Ireland. Tim Rogers started Grangewilliam Stud near Wanganui in New Zealand and the property is best known through the deeds of Melbourne Cup winner Doriemus and being the birthplace of Vegas Showgirl, the dam of Winx. It’s also home to stallion Zed, sire of multiple Group One winning mare Verry Elegant. While La Mer was a failure at stud, she features in the background of the pedigree of many good horses including Group One winners Nahrain and Benbatl. Brazen Force shed his maiden tag with an authoritative Kilmore maiden win on Saturday proving he inherits his looks from dad and his stamina from mum. Trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Junior at Caulfield, Brazen Beau is a four year old gelded son of Brazen Beau and the Octagonal mare Apocrypha. “We bought him from the first crop of Brazen Beau to go through the sales ring at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale in 2018,” said Ontrack Thoroughbreds Managing Director Grant Morgan. “He was a black colt much like his dad but he had a fair amount of size and scope as a yearling that suggested he inherited a lot of his mum’s qualities. “His dam is by Octagonal and his second dam Tributes won the VRC Oaks and was successful up to 2500 metres and the more we did with him the more he told us that he threw to the maternal side. “He’s had a few issues and has taken time but the stable have always liked the horse and this preparation he’s put things together. The way he ran out what is considered a tough 1600 metres at Kilmore suggests that he is going to get over further ground. “Experience has shown us that Brazen Beau’s progeny are not speedy squibs and they all seem to be getting better with time and patience and Brazen Force is a perfect example of this. “He’s only had six starts for Saturday’s win and two minor placings and there’s a lot to suggest that he’s going to be even more effective next time in work and over a middle distance. “Apocrypha has had eight foals to race and seven winners and her progeny have won up to 2200 metres so there’s plenty of stout blood in Brazen Force’s pedigree and it’s a family of horses that train on and win plenty of races. “His half-brother Affirmation (Not A Single Doubt) has raced successfully in Hong Kong as Sichuan Dar and won just on a million dollars while a close relation Top Spin (Arena) was Singapore Horse of the Year in 2008 and has won 16 races up to 2000 metres for earnings in excess of $1.8 million. “Brazen Force is a big, strong gelding who is sound and gives every indication that there’s more in store,” said Grant Morgan. Congratulations to our owners: Simon Dorrat, Ross Guzzo, Mick Hackett, Mark Kite, Dianne Linnane Stefan Marinkovic, Barry Muller, Damien Pound, Ken Stocks, Ty Wagstaff, Livnthedream Syndicate (Manager Brett Williamson), Marilyn Searles, Robert Corolla, David and Sue Worthley, Leigh Matthews, Ken Gordon, Ricky Kim, Jane and Martin Hellyer, Keating Racing (Manager Shane Keating), Vin Harink, Mark Snowden, Barbara and John Gilbert, Mick Power, Wayne and Paddi Muller, Reg Kim and Scott Anderson. 87yo Lillian Brady is the longest serving female Lord Mayor Ontrack owner Lilliane Brady is a truly special person and now she’s been recognised by the New South Wales Government. Lilliane Brady is Mayor of Cobar, a mining town 700 kms north west of Sydney, and at 89 and after more than 19 years in the job she’s the longest serving female mayor in the State’s history. But at Ontrack she’s one of our most loved owners with an interest in the good mare Arctic Shock and unraced So You Think gelding Pascal. A straight shooter who calls a spade a ……. Shovel when she feels the need, Lillian is a great supporter and really gets a thrill when her horses perform well. Lilliane’s been a racing fan for a long time and has had interests in horses all around Australia and this week she got a great thrill to be named the winner of the inaugural Minister for Local Government Award. The Minsters Awards for Women in Local Government recognise achievements in leadership and innovation in both regional and metropolitan categories.
Local government minister Shelley Hancock said as the state’s longest serving female mayor, Mayor Brady was committed to increasing the participation of women in the sector. The Minister’s award recognises someone who has delivered quality outcomes in helping women in their local community. Shelley Hancock said Mayor Brady’s achievements in public life over four decades were “too long to list”, but she was “the epitome of passionate community service, determination, commitment and strength of character”. Lilliane Brady built the region’s first aged care home, established a mayoral fund for cancer support and helped the community through drought during her years in office, Minister Hancock said. At Ontrack we salute Lilliane’s many achievements and hope that her horses in the all gold can bring further successes in the months ahead. |
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