Magic sales momentum set to March on

5 min read
Magic Millions is confident that the momentum of a white-hot yearling market and the excellent returns available from Queensland racing can create the formula for a successful Gold Coast March Yearling Sale, which gets underway on Monday.

Cover image courtesy of Sharon Lee Chapman

A catalogue of 420 yearlings will be offered over two days at Magic Millions' home base after a phenomenal yearling season so far which has seen records rewritten on the Gold Coast and in Perth, Tasmania and Adelaide in the past two months.

As a Sale which is traditionally the domain of Queensland breeders and vendors, there is much anticipation that the locals can get access to a buying bench with a seemingly insatiable appetite for quality bloodstock, in an Australian market operating with renewed confidence.

While unable to promise pre-Sale, the level of growth which has propelled a terrific run of results across the country in 2021, Magic Millions Managing Director, Barry Bowditch, does believe the right ingredients are there for a successful couple of days for Queensland breeders and vendors.

"This is the bulk of the quality of the Queensland harvest, so to speak, and a lot of the Queensland vendors bring their best horses here. It’s a Sale with a proven record for producing a lot of good horses and these horses have more incentives to race for than any other. Whether it be Queensland buyers or interstate buyers, it’s a Sale you’d hope would be on the radar of those people," Bowditch said.

"It’s a Sale with a proven record for producing a lot of good horses and these horses have more incentives to race for than any other." - Barry Bowditch

"In a market like we are enjoying this year, it’s great to see vendors at all levels getting a win. You suspect that here will be opportunities for that to happen at those levels over the next couple of days."

The history of the Sale paints a picture of one of opportunities for buyers, with graduates including Group 1 winners Buffering (Mossman) and Spirit Of Boom as well as stakes winners Winning Rupert, Boomsara (Spirit Of Boom), Apache Chase (Better Than Ready), Chapter And Verse (Rothesay), Ours To Keep (Seidnazar), Katsuro (I Am Invincible) and I'm A Rippa (Love Conquers All).

Inspections underway at the Gold Coast | Image courtesy of Sharon Lee Chapman

But it's not just the past results which should give buyers confidence, according to Bowditch, who said the unprecedented prizemoney and bonuses available to graduates should give further cause for positive sentiment.

"Whether we see the increases we have seen at other sales is hard to say, but what I do see in the Queensland market is that there will be plenty of people buying here. These horses have got an unbelievable amount of money to race for," he said.

"These horses have got an unbelievable amount of money to race for." - Barry Bowditch

"They are eligible for all the Magic Millions races. They have got a $1 million QTIS race in January and there are huge bonuses that are paid on two and 3-year-old races for first, second and third.

"You look at a day like yesterday (Saturday), with Jewel Day, where there is somewhere between $1.5 and $2 million available. It gives buyers, in particular Queensland buyers, so many incentives to play.

"On top of that we have 140 BOBS-eligible horses in the catalogue. In that sense, it’s not a Sale just for the Queensland buyers. This is a Sale that should be on the radar of buyers all over Australia, because what you can get here is an early, precocious horse at a value price."

Local stallions dominate the numbers

Recent yearling sales around Australia have been notable for the results achieved by quality offerings by the wealth of burgeoning young sires in Australia. Similarly on the Gold Coast, there will be opportunities to access yearlings by the likes of Capitalist, Flying Artie, Merchant Navy, Extreme Choice, Hellbent, Impending, Russian Revolution, Invader and the like. There are also lots by proven stars like Zoustar, Pierro, Deep Field and Sebring.

But this is a Sale which the Queensland sires have made their own in recent years and there will be an extraordinary depth of quality available from the likes of Lyndhurst Stud Farm's Better Than Ready and Eureka Stud's Spirit Of Boom.

Better Than Ready | Standing at Lyndhurst Stud

That pair made up $1.7 million of the $7.9 million gross last year and accounted for 74 of the 279 horses sold last year. That is set to go to another level this year with 80 of the catalogue, or 19.1 per cent by Better Than Ready, alone.

The son of More Than Ready (USA) produced 174 foals in 2019 as his popularity boomed off the performances of his first crop and that boom will be felt over the two days of selling on the Gold Coast.

Spirit Of Boom has 35 lots catalogued, with that crop of 149 foals conceived off a service fee of $55,000 (inc GST), the first year his price jumped from $11,000 (inc GST) introductory price.

Spirit Of Boom | Standing at Eureka Stud

Bowditch is not at all concerned that the heavy representation from the two prominent Queensland sires will tip the balance of the catalogue.

"Those two horses in particular are our best two sires in Queensland right now. I think the breeding game in this state from a stallion perspective, is in as good shape as it has been in many years," he said.

"Whether it be Better Than Ready or Spirit Of Boom, or going to the first crop of Heroic Valour or the next crop of Sidestep, who has his first Queensland crop, there's a quality lineup of horses. They are horses that will get up and run and give their buyers an opportunity for quick returns and big returns."

All-Star Mug an inspired success for Australian Bloodstock

7 min read
When Australian Bloodstock purchased Mugatoo (Ire) (Henrythenavigator {USA}) off the back of a win over 3000 metres in a restricted handicap at Doncaster two years ago, few could have expected that they were sourcing the 2021 winner of the world's richest mile race.

Australian Bloodstock's Luke Murrell and Jamie Lovett have established a reputation for canny overseas purchases, utilising their own extensive data to analyse the performance of prospective acquisitions.

In Mugatoo's four starts for David Simcock in relatively low-profile races, including wins at Lingfield and Doncaster, Murrell said he had seen enough to suggest the then 4-year-old gelding by Henrythenavigator (USA) was worth pursuing.

"Our underlying philosophy is that the eye can lie, and you have to have some hard factual data to back up your impressions," Murrell told TDN AusNZ.

"Some of the stuff he had done in his races, not only when he won, was 'is that right?' type stuff. You go back and double and triple check. We have got a pretty extensive database of historical type sectionals and times and you see that he is a good horse. We just looked at what we needed to do to get him.

"We have got a pretty extensive database of historical type sectionals and times and you see that he is a good horse." - Luke Murrell

"They are the ones that I get most excited about. They aren't the obvious ones. They haven't won three from three or have a couple of Group races under their belt. Big Duke was a bit like that and there have been a few of them."

While the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups were the races initially on the radar of Mugatoo, he showed himself more than adept across a range of distances. He arrived in Australia in October 2019 and three months later in his first start in Australia for Kris Lees, he won a race over 1600 metres. Two starts later, he claimed his first stakes success in the Listed Canberra Cup.

After the past 12 months, he has proven a brilliantly consistent horse, winning the Listed Winter Challenge, G3 Premier's Cup and G3 Newcastle Cup before finishing runner-up in the G1 Metropolitan and an excellent fourth in the G1 Cox Plate.

On Saturday, he relished the soft conditions at Moonee Valley, and aided by a perfectly timed ride from Hugh Bowman, captured The All-Star Mile in thrilling fashion. It was particularly satisfying for Murrell.

"As a scout, you are always looking for those left-field ones. To get him off some pretty standard form and do what he has done and exceed our expectations has been amazing. We knew he was a very good horse and when we bought him we thought his pedigree might say he might only be a miler. We always had that in the back of our heads, but his form was up to nearly two miles," he said.

Rich success shared with owners

What made the moment all the more satisfying for Murrell is the people they were able to share the success with.

"When you are in this situation, it's more of a relief I find. To share it with the most beautiful people you could even imagine, they have all come together in this one horse, that makes it extra special," he said.

A happy group of connections

"The majority of the owners have been with us for 10 years plus. Like everything, you build relationships, rapport and trust and not every one of these horses works out. We try to get them more right than wrong.

"We all couldn't be there yesterday, but there were a couple of big parties around the country and everyone got together. There were really good scenes around the place. It's the relief and joy you see in their faces. No matter how much money you have, you can't buy that experience. It’s very satisfying from my point of view."

A tribute to Lees

Lees has been a long-time trainer for Australian Bloodstock, a relationship forged through their connections in Newcastle, and Mugatoo has been the horse which has brought them more combined joy than any other. His win in last year's Newcastle Cup was significant as Lees' first victory in the 'hometown' race after many years of trying.

Saturday's All-Star victory, second-up over the 1600 metres, was a tribute to Lees' preparation and vision.

Hugh Bowman and Kris Lees celebrate the win

"We are just really pleased for Kris. I see some freakish things he's done. It might be a Class 1 horse that has had 10 starts, but he just does some amazing things and overachieves with so many horses," Murrell said.

"We have backed him for a long time now based on him being a trustworthy guy who can really train. He's had some bad luck in some massive races and to finally get a bit go your way, I'm just as happy for him and his team."

"We have backed him (Kris Lees) for a long time now based on him being a trustworthy guy who can really train." - Luke Murrell

What has been the key to realising Mugatoo's potential has been the patience Lees has shown with the imported gelding. His breeding indicated he would take some time to hit his best, with his dam, Elopa (Ger) (Tiger Hill {Ire}), a multiple stakes winner at four, while Murrell also points out that the best of Henrythenavigator's progeny have been slow-maturing horses.

"You know that in the back of your mind. The way Kris has placed him, other trainers might have rushed him and thrown in the deep end more quickly, but it's a big thing to try and manage their careers, and Kris just does that so well all the time," he said.

"To take them through the grades. Perhaps that could have cost him in terms of the profile to get into The All-Star Mile, but the things he did on the clock, always told us how good he was."

Chance plays its part

Murrell is aware of the role chance can play in success in the racing game. Had Mugatoo not got a wildcard entry to The All-Star Mile he wouldn't have been at Moonee valley on Saturday, while had the rain not arrived in time for the race, it may have been a very different outcome.

"We had that slight couple of nerves when he initially didn't make the field. It is funny how things work out. We left the Cox Plate last year, thinking what might have been and you don't get many shots at those good races," he said.

"Yesterday, when they upgraded the track after Race 4 to a Good 3 and the leaders were kicking and leading, you felt it wasn't going to be our day. But then the rain came and you get a 10 out of 10 ride to go with it."

The G1 Queen Elizabeth S. now shapes as his likely next challenge, with a trip north for the winter for the $1.5 million G2 Q22 at Brisbane on the agenda before seeking some redemption at Moonee Valley in the spring.

"It might be the obvious path to give him a trial and head to the Queen Elizabeth and then race for the good money in the new race in Queensland. That might flow him on to getting a bit of payback for the Cox Plate if we can," Murrell said.

Mizzy set to be offered at Magic Millions' National Sale

4 min read

Cover image courtesy of Bronwen Healy

Written by Bren O'Brien

Group 1-performed mare Mizzy (Zoustar) is set to be offered as part of the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast in May.

The Anthony Cummings-trained mare has been twice placed in Group 1 races this month, finishing second in both the G1 Canterbury S. and the G1 Coolmore Classic.

She is a three-time stakes winner in her 23-start career, winning the G2 Golden Pendant, the G2 Sheraco S. and G3 Toy Show Quality and will be offered as part of the Newgate Consignment.

Mizzy as a yearling

Mizzy was purchased by Cummings for $200,000 at the 2017 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale from the draft of Segenhoe Stud, with her breeder Robert Crabtree remaining in the ownership via his Dorrington Farm.

Her dam, Missy Cummings (Magnus), was a stakes winner as was her grandam, Lady Knockout (Serheed {USA}), and her third dam, Prime Again (Marooned {GB}). Prime Again is also the dam of stakes winners Young Lionel (Blackfriars), Expunge (Gilded Time) and the grandam of Like A Butterfly (Blackfriars).

"She will present prospective buyers with an incredible opportunity," Crabtree said. "Physically she is a stunning animal - as nice a mare as I've ever seen.

"She (Mizzy) will present prospective buyers with an incredible opportunity." - Robert Crabtree

"I bred her, her mother and also raced her grandmother. She gets her speed from the Magnus and Zoustar blood, but also some stamina from Serheed.

"Mizzy is in career-best form and her last three runs have been fantastic in Group 1s. In the Oakleigh Plate she got back from barrier 15 and was 12 wide on the turn and yet still managed to be beaten less than 3l.

"Her last two seconds have been outstanding. Yesterday she again came from a wide draw and was right there at the finish."

Mizzy will be given the opportunity to add to her record ahead of the National Sale and offers her new buyers a great opportunity to race on with her, before embarking on a breeding career.

"The plan is to start her next in the Emancipation S. in a couple of weeks and then she will tell us where we go next," Crabtree said.

"The National Sale is well timed for any buyers to look at the Tattersalls Tiara - there's so much upside. She will make a wonderful broodmare."

Mizzy on her way to victory in the G2 Golden Pendant

Newgate's Managing Director, Henry Field, said he is looking forward to Mizzy being one of the headline acts of its consignment for the Gold Coast.

"We are honoured to be entrusted to consign such a race offering as Mizzy," he said. "A superior racehorse in career-best form."

"Phenomenally, her mother, grandmother and great grandmother were all, like her, very good racemares.

"Every inch of her makeup suggests she will also be a truly elite producer once her racing days are over."

"Every inch of her makeup suggests she will also be a truly elite producer once her racing days are over." - Henry Field

She is the first high-profile racemare to be confirmed for the Sale which will be held from May 25 until May 28.

"Mizzy is a prospect of the highest order and she joins a mouth-watering list of race fillies and broodmares for the National Sale," Magic Millions Bloodstock Manager, Clint Donovan, said. "We'd like to thank the owners for entrusting the sale of Mizzy with Magic Millions.

"We are pumped to be releasing the catalogue in the next few weeks," Donovan added.

The Shadwell Stud Australasia Unreserved Dispersal Sale will also be a highlight of the National Sale, which will take place from May 20 to June 4. Entries for weanlings, race fillies, broodmares and yearlings close on March 19.

First Group 1 for sire Eurozone

4 min read

Written by Bren O'Brien

Krone's G1 Coolmore Classic win on Saturday could prove a turning point for her sire Eurozone, who changed hands for just $20,000 at the recent Inglis December Online Sale.

Eurozone began his breeding career at Newgate, where the Group 2 winner and multiple Group 1 placegetter, a son of Northern Meteor, served a big opening book of 167 mares in 2014, including Krone's dam, Soft Landing (Al Maher) at an opening service fee of $13,750 (inc GST).

The size of his books has declined off those early levels and in 2019, after five seasons, he moved to Bellereve Stud in Canberra, where he attracted books of 30 and 15, standing for $5500 (inc GST) in 2020.

Eurozone was then offered by his owners through the Digital Sale in December and was secured by buyer Timothy Neville for $20,000. His breeding future, or where he might stand in 2021, is as yet unknown, but his new owners now have a Group 1-producing stallion on their hands.

Eurozone

Bred by Dr Phillip Chen, Eurozone was purchased by Duncan Ramage for $110,000 at the 2012 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from the draft of Carramar Park on behalf of the late Dato Tan Chin Nam, plus Tunku Ahmad Yahaya and Dr Michael Alexeef.

Out of G3 WA Sires' Produce S. winner Miss Vandal (Don’t Say Halo {USA}), he is a three-quarter brother to the multiple stakes winner Miss Marielle (Encosta De Lago).

Eurozone's family already had a connection to a Coolmore Classic winner, with Miss Marielle the dam of 2016 winner Peeping (Redoute's Choice) as well as stakes winner Encouraging (Redoute's Choice).

Eurozone when racing

Bearing the famous Dato Tan Chin Nam, yellow, black and white colours, Eurozone created his own piece of history as a racehorse, becoming the first stakes winner for James Cummings, when he trained in partnership with his iconic grandfather Bart Cummings.

That first black-type win came in the Listed The Rosebud at just his third start, having won his first two starts with Bart Cummings as his sole trainer as a 2-year-old.

Later in the spring of 2013, he would go on to win the G2 Stan Fox S., defeating the subsequent multiple Group 1 winner Criterion (NZ). He then resumed in the autumn with a close-up second in the G1 CF Orr S. and would finish fourth in the G1 Australian Guineas and third in the G1 Randwick Guineas before being retired later in his 3-year-old season.

As mentioned, he was well patronised in his early seasons at Newgate, with the premature death of his own sire, Northern Meteor, in 2013, increasing demand for his sons at stud.

First-crop colts Eurozone and Zoustar were the first sons of Northern Meteor to stand at stud in Australia in 2014, producing foal crops of 124 and 134 respectively in the spring of 2015.

At the yearling sales in 2017, that large first crop averaged $32,621 across 70 sales, including Krone, who was purchased by Rosemont Stud for $60,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. She had been earlier purchased on the Gold Coast by Rae-Louise Charlton for $30,000 as a weanling and would be sent through the Magic Millions Gold Coast 2YO's In Training Sale, where she was secured by Roll the Dice Racing for $120,000.

Krone became Eurozone's first winner and first stakeswinner when she won the Listed Cinderella S. at Morphettville as a 2-year-old. As a 3-year-old she would add the Listed Darby Munro S. and as a 4-year-old with her third trainer, Tony Gollan, would claim the Listed Glasshouse S.

After a breeding career was put on hold, she has elevated to a whole new level as a 5-year-old under Gollan's guidance, winning the $1 million Magic Millions Fillies And Mares' race in January, then claiming the G2 Guy Walter S. before Saturday's breakthrough Group 1 win.

She is not the only stakes winner from Eurozone's first crop, with Mystery Love winning the Listed Bendigo Guineas and Tagmaster, a stakes winner in Macau.

That first crop has produced 46 winners from 85 runners, while Eurozone's overall record as a stallion stands at 90 winners from 185 runners.

His ability to significantly add to that will be likely curtailed by his lower crop numbers in the past few years, but Krone's latest success could prove the basis for a revival.

Daily News Wrap

7 min read

Winner number four for Shalaa

Tidal Impact gave Arrowfield Stud shuttler Shalaa (Ire) his fourth winner on Sunday.

The Damien Lane-trained filly bolted in on debut at Coonamble in the Wellington Boot Prelude by nearly 10l.

Bred by Burke Bloodstock, she was a $40,000 purchase by Impact Thoroughbreds at Round 2 of the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale. She is out of Eventide (Dane Shadow), the half-sister to stakes performers Extreme Impact (Snitzel) and Wine Night (Playing God).

Shalaa's four winners are highlighted by Shaquero, who has won the G3 Breeders' Plate, the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic and Saturday's G3 Pago Pago S.

Star Turn also gets fourth winner

Vinery Stud's Star Turn has his fourth winner, thanks to the victory of Stellar Magic at Grafton on Sunday.

The Steven O'Dea and Matthew Hoysted-trained filly was having her second start and proved too strong for Mabel (Dream Ahead {USA}) by 2.4l, with Vicky's One (Super One) in third.

Out of stakes-placed mare Al's Magic Miss (Magic Albert), she was a $100,000 buy by Proven Thoroughbreds from the Yarraman Park draft at the 2020 Inglis Classic Sale.

Sword's Slipper hangs on Sydney weather

Sword Of State's (Snitzel) last-minute dash to Saturday's G1 Golden Slipper S. could be hampered by Sydney's inclement weather.

Sword Of State burst into Slipper contention off the back of an impressive victory in Saturday's G1 Sistema S. but while trainer Jamie Richards was keen to back the star colt up on the other side of the Tasman, the challenge could be the weather.

"The rain is a concern, there is no doubt about it,” Richards told reporters. “The weather will be a big factor and his willingness for good ground.

“I don‘t think he is hopeless on soft ground, he is just more effective when he is on good going and we’ve still got the (G1) Sires' to think about as well.

“He is still a young horse and it’s hard on a horse to go across the Tasman and run with a short back-up into the Slipper.”

Sword Of State is a $15 hope in Golden Slipper betting, but could be reserved for the G1 Inglis Sires' for which he is an $8 chance.

Snowdens sense of Wild timing

Wild Ruler's (Snitzel) brilliant second-up record is a cause for confidence for Peter and Paul Snowden ahead of the G1 The Galaxy at Rosehill.

Wild Ruler was very impressive winning the G2 Roman Consul S. second-up last time in and is expected to improve significantly from his 1.3l Listed Fireball S. last start.

“He has had two trials, one run and his best runs are second-up. He is lethal," Paul Snowden told Racenet.

“Hopefully we have got it right and it can pay off next Saturday.

“He is going great and steps out next week on what hopefully is a dry deck but we will see what happens."

Snowden said a wet track won't be ideal, but backed the 3-year-old to handle the challenge.

“This is another step-up again but he also drops 8kg in weight so that’s a big plus but we are really happy with the horse. He is a nice horse going forward and is going well.”

Queen under the microscope

Owner Bob Peters will give Arcadia Queen (Pierro) a full vet check on Monday morning to see if she can resume her autumn campaign after she was a scratching from The All-Star Mile on Saturday.

Peters told Racing.com that no specific issues had been found as to why the mare was lame ahead of Saturday, but if she continued to be not allowed to race because of her action, he may consider retiring her.

Arcadia Queen

‘’If we don’t find something and they won’t let her race, we might have to retire her," he said.

‘’We’re at the stage we’d love to find something wrong with her. We’ll go all over her again in the morning (Monday) with scans and x-rays.

‘’If we don’t find anything and we can gallop her on Tuesday morning, we’ll see where that can take us in regards to Sydney. But if they don’t let her race for some reason, we’ll have other things to think about."

The G1 George Ryders S. and the G1 Queen Elizabeth S. could be races which Arcadia Queen might head towards in Sydney.

Peters has endured a tough weekend after the sudden death of his G1 Kingston Town Classic winner Truly Great (Dundeel {NZ}) on Saturday morning.

An autopsy will be conducted on the 5-year-old, but Peters suspect his death might have been a snake bite.

William Reid shot confirmed

Ancestry (The Brothers War {USA}) will back-up in Friday night’s G1 William Reid S. after his effortless win in the Listed Abell S. on Saturday.

In three starts at Moonee Valley, Ancestry has won by a combined margin of nearly 8l and having disappointed when last tested in Group 1 company in the Oakleigh Plate, will be given his chance again at his favourite track this Friday by trainer Phillip Stokes.

He is set to clash with the Coolmore Stud S. winner September Run (Exceed And Excel), who is coming off a disappointing unplaced run in the G1 Newmarket H. as well as Brooklyn Hustle (Starspangledbanner) and G1 Oakleigh Plate winner Portland Sky (Deep Field).

Decision time for Levante

Having shown herself back in form with a win on Saturday at Ellerslie, Levante (NZ) (Proisir) has left trainers Ken and Bev Kelso with some decisions to make.

Ken Kelso reported the mare had pulled up in fine fettle after the run and the task now was to decide on whether to press ahead to a start in the G1 Coolmore Legacy S. at Randwick on April 10 or to tackle the G1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ S. (1600 metres) at Te Aroha on the same day.

“We have paid a nomination and a first acceptance for the Coolmore Legacy but realistically we are still undecided about making the trip (across the Tasman) until we can get some more clarity around the current travel restrictions,” he said.

“The logistics of it, with quarantine and the like, makes it very hard, so we are looking to see whether there will be a travel bubble or any easing of restrictions before we make a final decision.

“We do have options as there is a Group 1 mile just half an hour down the road at Te Aroha, so it is not like we don’t have anything else to look at.

“That Australian race will attract the cream of the crop with horses like Arcadia Queen and Probabeel possibly joining a number of the ones that ran in the Coolmore Classic (Group 1, 1500 metres) at Rosehill yesterday, so it will be no easy task.

“We would like to take her over there and if we don’t go this time there is still Melbourne in the spring as another option.”

Force Of Will headed to Australia

Matamata trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott are set to take on Australian targets with promising filly Force Of Will (NZ) (Power {GB}) after her win at Ellerslie on Saturday.

Force Of Will made it four wins in a row with a narrow but impressive victory against the older horses over 1600 metres in the last race of the day and is now a candidate for the G1 Vinery Stud S., on March 27

“I thought Force Of Will was very brave as it was her first run for about five weeks,” O’Sullivan said.

“We thought she was capable of winning, but we did know whatever she did there would see a heap of improvement in her.

“We’re looking at the Vinery in Sydney for her next run, which will be a big test against the Aussies as well as going over 2000 metres for the first time.

“Andrew and I are still trying to work out just how far she wants to go. Being by Power you would think there are some distance queries, but her female side has some quality staying blood in it and we think she deserves her chance.

“I know Sir Owen (Glenn, owner) would love to see her get some Australian black type to further enhance her value."

International News Wrap

6 min read

Swiss Skydiver returns in style

Making her first start of the year in the G1 Beholder Mile, last year’s G1 Preakness S. winner Swiss Skydiver (USA) (Daredevil {USA}) made easy work of her 4-year-old debut.

Breaking from the inside post in the 1600 metre race, the filly raced comfortably in mid pack a few lengths off the leading Golden Principal (USA) (Constitution {USA}). Swinging to the outside of Golden Principal as they entered the final 200 metres, the filly was given a hand-ride to win by 2.75l over a late closing As Time Goes By (USA) (American Pharoah {USA}).

“You know, you can’t force anything with her, and if you go too fast early, she will wilt a little bit,” said trainer Kenny McPeek. “She like cruises through everything, even when she gallops. The feed tub’s the biggest deal with her. I’ve never had a horse, colt or filly, eat like she does. It just makes my job so much easier.”

One of two Graded stakes winners for her sire today, Swiss Skydiver is a three-quarter sister to Verrazano’s (USA) stakes-placed filly Miss Hot Legs (USA). The best of her family for four generations, last year’s Champion 3-Year-Old Filly Swiss Skydiver joins Mistical Plan (USA) (Game Plan {USA}), Private Persuasion (USA) (Pirate’s Bounty {USA}), and Da’Tara (USA) (Tiznow {USA}) as Grade 1 winners in her extended family.

Baffert continues hold on Rebel

Bob Baffert won his eighth G2 Rebel S. on Saturday when Concert Tour (USA) (Street Sense {USA}) romped in the race with Baffert’s eight victories all coming in the last 11 years.

Concert Tour relaxed on the lead of the 1700 metre race, ignoring a keen Caddo River (USA) (Street Sense {USA}) pushing him with every stride. Caddo River started to fade in the stretch and there was no one to take up the challenge with Concert Tour romping home by 4.25l over stablemate Hozier (USA) (Pioneerof The Nile {USA}).

“I’m just happy to run 1-2. That’s pretty huge. I’m just glad they showed up,” said Baffert. “This is a really top horse. I was going to be disappointed if he didn’t do what he did today.”

Concert Tour is now undefeated in three starts with the colt winning the G2 San Vicente S. last out. Concert Tour’s winning Tapit (USA) dam Purse Strings (USA) is a three-quarter sister to 2008 Champion 2-Year-Old Filly Stardom Bound (USA) (Tapit {USA}).

Oaks winner Shedaresthedevil wins comeback

G1 Kentucky Oaks winner Shedaresthedevil (USA) (Daredevil {USA}) had been off since October but she was ready to run on Saturday in the G2 Azeri S. at Oaklawn Park.

The 4-year-old took the lead quickly in the 1700 metre race and dug in determinedly in the final furlong when Letruska (USA) (Super Saver {USA}) tried to steal the lead. The mare put in a determined final effort to win by a head over her rival.

“My filly is extremely talented,” said jockey Florent Geroux. “You know you want to slow her down, just keep her in a nice rhythm. Turning for home, she gave me everything she had. She maybe got a little bit tired down the lane, but it was good for her first race off the break. I don’t think she was 100 per cent cranked up for this. We have hopes for a big year with her.”

Co-owned by Qatar Racing Limited, Flurry Racing Stables, and Big Aut Farms, Shedaresthedevil is a half-sister to Grade 3-placed Mojovation (USA) (Quality Road {USA}). The filly was a US$100,000 (AU$128,799) weanling who was sold at the end of her 2-year-old season for US$280,000 (AU$361,925) after multiple stakes performances.

Artie Schiller son wins Silks Run

Second by a neck last out, Carotari (USA) (Artie Schiller {USA}) won his second Silks Run S. after the 2020 edition on Saturday at Gulfstream Park.

Breaking sharply in the 1000 metre race, Carotari kept the lead from the start for a gate-to-wire victory. The gelding had to hold off Citrus Burst (USA) (Into Mischief {USA}) in the end but was able to cross the line 1.25l in front.

“He’s run a couple times here on this track and for some reason he shows more speed here than on any other track. We wanted to put him right there on the lead or at least second,” jockey Julien Leparoux said. “Even if they pressured me the first part of the race, he was not doing it rank. He was just nice and relaxed, and he got a nice breather around the turn actually, and when I turned for home he went on nicely.”

Carotari is a half-brother to stakes winner Fuerza Naval (USA) (Midshipman {USA}) from the family of Grade 1 winners Data Link (USA) (War Front {USA}) and Hymn Book (USA) (Arch {USA}). Artie Schiller now stands full time in Australia at Stockwell Thoroughbreds.

American Pharoah half-brother wins debut

Trainer Bob Baffert debuted another impressive 3-year-old on Saturday when American Pharoah’s (USA) half-brother Triple Tap (USA) (Tapit {USA}) won his debut by 4.25l.

Racing just a head behind the leader for much of the 1400 metre race, the colt took over the lead in the stretch in a professional performance. Asked to extend in the final furlong though he was clearly the winner, the colt complied and pulled away for his 4.25l victory.

“It went well and he rated kindly,” Baffert told Thoroughbred Daily News. “When Prat asked him to go, he took off. He looked like he was in control of the race and Flavien worked him the other day for me and he really loved him. He usually doesn't say too much. When he came back, he said it was nothing for him, he was just getting going here in the end, so that's good sign.”

Triple Tap is the sixth winner from six runners out of Littleprincessemma (USA) (Yankee Gentleman {USA}). The colt is a full brother to Chasing Yesterday (USA) and a half-brother to American Pharoah’s Grade 1-placed full sister American Cleopatra (USA) and Group 3-placed St. Patrick’s Day (USA).

Littleprincessemma has a yearling and 2-year-old full sisters to Triple Tap and returned to their sire last year.

2YO & 3YO Winners By Sire

First Season Sire Runners & Results

1 min read

First Season Sires' Results

Results: Sunday, March 14

First Season Sires’ Runners

Runners: Monday, March 15

Second Season Sire Runners & Results

1 min read

Second Season Sires’ Results

Results: Sunday, March 14

Second Season Sires’ Runners

Runners: Monday, March 15

NSW Race Results

Grafton (Country)

Coonamble (Country)

Race result inclusion criteria: all city and provincial races, + country maiden, 3YO & feature races ($15,000+)

VIC Race Results

bet365 Yarra Valley (Country)

Race result inclusion criteria: all city and provincial races, + country maiden, 3YO & feature races ($15,000+)

QLD Race Results

Sunshine Coast (Provincial)

Race result inclusion criteria: all city and provincial races, + country maiden, 3YO & feature races ($15,000+)

WA Race Results

Mount Barker (Provincial)

Race result inclusion criteria: all city and provincial races, + country maiden, 3YO & feature races ($15,000+)

SA Race Results

Port Lincoln (Provincial)

Race result inclusion criteria: all city and provincial races, + country maiden, 3YO & feature races ($15,000+)

TAS Race Results

Hobart (Metropolitan)

Race result inclusion criteria: all city and provincial races, + country maiden, 3YO & feature races ($15,000+)

NZ Race Results

Gore

Race result inclusion criteria: all city and provincial races, + country maiden, 3YO & feature races ($15,000+)

AUS Sire Premiership

AUS Broodmare Sires' Premiership

NZ Sire Premiership

NZ Broodmare Sires' Premiership

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