Yulong Prince fee set
Yulong Stud has announced the fee for Yulong Prince (SAF) for the 2021 season will be set at $9900 (inc GST).
A limited number of breeding rights will be made available to breeders that commit to breeding to the stallion in his first and second seasons. In his second year at stud, breeding right holders will be provided the opportunity to an addition nomination, two in total.
Yulong Prince (SAF)
Troy Stephens, Nominations and Sales Manager at Yulong Stud, said that Yulong Prince’s service fee afforded Australian breeders the only opportunity to use a recent dual international Group 1 winner for under $10,000.
“There have been numerous instances where elite racehorses have forged an outstanding stallion career despite launching their careers off a low fee, Champions like I Am Invincible and Not A Single Doubt,” said Stephens.
“We know that harnessing the support of breeders is an important key to achieving this, so we will bring his valuable supporters along for the ride. When he succeeds, so will they.”
“Yulong Stud will also be supporting Yulong Prince strongly in his stud career, so we are ensuring he has every chance to succeed.”
Zadig fires for first-season sire
The Jean Dubois-trained Zadig has provided first-season sire Astern his fourth winner at stud.
The juvenile gelding proved too strong for a quality maiden field at Wagga Wagga on Thursday, prevailing by 0.6l under Brendan Ward.
Zadig was a $67,500 2019 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale purchase by Bill Andrews from the draft of Newhaven Park.
Soft track a possibility for Golden Slipper Day
The Rosehill Gardens track could race in the Soft range at this Saturday’s rescheduled Golden Slipper meeting, according to track manager Shaun Patterson.
Patterson said sunny weather combined with strong south-westerly winds will see the track dry out quicker than initially thought.
“I’m pretty confident that we are going to get back into the Soft range by Saturday,” Patterson told Racenet.
“Bearing this weather continues until Saturday and the track continues to react the way it has since the rain stopped.”
Mackinnon winner passes
Group 1-winning gelding Alcopop (Jeune {GB}) has passed away aged 16, after succumbing to various health issues.
Former trainer Jake Stephens confirmed the news on Thursday, saying the day had been “looming” for some time.
“He’d been slipping downhill for a few months with cushings and a few foot issues as well, so it was one of those things where we had plenty of forewarning,” Stephens told Racing.com.
“Even then, he was still okay, but just in the last 24 or 48 hours before yesterday he slipped even further downhill.
“It was always going to happen one day, but it would have been nice if it was a few years later.”
Bowman on the verge of magical milestone
Leading NSW-based hoop Hugh Bowman is only two Group 1 wins away from joining the illustrious 100 club.
The 40-year-old has a strong book of Group 1 rides at this Saturday’s Golden Slipper meeting at Rosehill, headlined by leading Slipper contender Profiteer (Capitalist).
He will also partner high-class hopefuls Kolding (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}), Colette (Hallowed Crown) and Wheelhouse (Pierro) in their respective Group 1 tilts.
“I know I’m getting close to the 100 Group 1 wins so one Group 1 win on Saturday would be good, two would be great, three would be even better,’’ Bowman told Racenet.
“I have some good rides so we will see what happens.’’
Trainer change for Shadow Hero
Dual Australian Group 1 winner Shadow Hero (Pierro) will return to original trainer Mark Newnham, after failing to fire in five consecutive Hong Kong starts.
Hong Kong-based owner Edmond Lee confirmed on Thursday his intention to return Shadow Hero to Newnham, in light of veterinary inspections by Hong Kong Jockey Club officials offering no explanation for his galloper's disappointing last-start performance.
Cumani to gain Highclere stayer
Highclere Racing have confirmed that exciting English stayer Hint Of Stars (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) will be placed in the care of Ballarat-based trainer Matt Cumani, ahead of the Melbourne spring carnival.
Matt Cumani
Highclere Australia Racing Manager Andrew Hawkins declared that the 4-year-old will be aimed at the Duke Of Edinburgh H. at Royal Ascot before a possible Ebor H. tilt at York before joining Cumani’s yard.
‘’Matt's young, he’s hungry and he’s showing all the time how shrewd he is with stayers of this calibre. The facilities at Ballarat are second to none and offer the closest thing to Newmarket that you will find in Australia currently,” Hawkins told Racing.com.
Emanate to relish wet Rosehill
Godolphin head trainer James Cummings expects rising mare Emanate (Lonhro) to a relish a rain affected Rosehill surface in Saturday’s G3 Birthday Card S.
Cummings has a high opinion of the lightly raced 4-year-old, declaring that she has the ability to overcome drawing barrier 16 in the capacity field of 18.
“Emanate isn’t quite ready for the pressure of a Group 1,” Cummings said.
“But she’s absolutely flying and can win the Birthday Card with only 53kg on her back.”
Gelded import ready for return
Co-trainer Trent Busuttin is confident that talented French import Skyward (Fr) (Camelot {GB}) can measure up in Saturday’s Listed Golden Mile at Bendigo, despite resuming short of his best trip.
Busuttin confirmed that the 5-year-old gelding has continued to improve in recent months, declaring he will show his true ability this time in.
“He has top-class form in Europe but he didn’t produce it when he was out here, as is often the case, for a variety of reasons but he’s had a good long spell and we’ve gelded him,” Busuttin said.
“He’s won a couple of trials very nicely, albeit against much inferior opposition, but he’s a high-class individual.”
Arqana May Breeze-Up Catalogue goes online
A total of 158 2-year-olds have been catalogued for the 2021 Arqana Deauville Breeze-Up Sale, to be held on Friday, May 14.
The catalogue is enriched with proven pedigrees that will appeal to an international buying bench, with many prominent sires from around the world represented.
Leading European sires include Dubawi (Ire), Exceed And Excel, Galileo (Ire), Invincible Spirit (Ire), No Nay Never (USA) Sea The Stars (Ire), and the late Shamardal (USA).
The first-crops of Almanzor (Fr), Caravaggio (USA) and Churchill (Ire) will also go under the hammer in Deauville.
Fletcher to be inducted into Hall of Fame
Revered Industrialist, philanthropist, thoroughbred breeder, owner and administrator, Sir James Fletcher is to be honoured with an induction into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame.
Sir Fletcher has been acknowledged for his foresight that transcended the world of horse racing and the breeding industry.
Fletcher passed away in 2007, aged 93.
Rain affected track no concern for Quick Thinker
Co-trainer Andrew Forsman expects Rosehill’s rain affected track to bring out the best in Group 1 winning OTI galloper Quick Thinker (So You Think {NZ}).
Forsman is confident that the 4-year-old can still compete at the highest level, despite failing to place at his last five starts.
Quick Thinker (white cap)
He said barrier 13 presents some challenges for his galloper in the G3 N E Manion Cup. However, the stable are confident star hoop James McDonald can overcome the awkward draw.
“I’m sure the track will still be pretty wet (on Saturday) and that should suit him,” Forsman said.
“I don’t think the races being put back a week is going to bother them too much; Quick Thinker has gone a couple of solid runs but has been crying out for a some give in the ground and he finally gets that on Saturday.”
