Daily News Wrap

Sargent eyes upset

All the word is on Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) ahead of Saturday’s G2 Q22 at Eagle Farm, but Randwick trainer John Sargent is keen to upset the apple cart with Brandenburg (NZ) (Burgundy {NZ}).

He finished third behind the Annabel Neasham-trained 6-year-old in the G1 Doomben Cup last time out after taking up the pacemaker role, and Sargent is keen for his charge to sit behind the speed this time.

“I thought it was a very good effort first-up over 2000 metres and having to lead at a very good pace. There was nothing wrong with the ride, he (Regan Bayliss, jockey) took the right option at the time,” Sargent told Racing HQ.

“He has developed a lot mentally and physically. He is just a lovely horse to be around the stable. The favourite (Zaaki) is going to be very hard to beat but anything can happen.”

Viridine in the mix

Viridine (Poet’s Voice {GB}) won’t have it easy in the Listed Bob Charley AO S. at Randwick, but trainer James Cummings remains keen on his chances.

“He has to carry 60.5kg from a tricky gate. On the positive side, he’s adept in Soft and Heavy going and his course stats read well,” he said.

“His recent performances have been pretty good against stronger company and his trackwork indicates his fitness and enthusiasm are first rate.”

Viridine hasn’t raced since he finished sixth in the G1 The Goodwood in May, but has had the benefit of a trial at Rosehill to have him ready for Saturday’s test.

First-up stakes target

Lee Freedman’s first runner from his new Gold Coast base will step out in black-type company at Ipswich next Saturday.

"We're building up steadily and we'll probably have our first runner next weekend with Intrepidacious in the Gai Waterhouse Classic and then a trickle of runners after that," Freedman told Racing.com.

"I haven't a lot of older horses as yet, we've got a lot of babies, but I'm happy with what we've bought into the stable. They all seem the right horses for up here.

"I've been buying at the online sales for a few years now. It works out quite well if you know who is selling the horse and that the horse is sound and happy so it's good to be able to ring those trainers up."

Not for sale

Trainer Clayton Douglas been fielding offers for Mimosas (Squamosa), but has knocked them back and the debut winner will run in the Clanbrooke Racing H. at Ladbrokes Park on Saturday.

"There were a few offers on the table but nothing of big significance," Douglas told Racing.com.

"We feel like he's a horse that's going to make a really nice 3-year-old, he's a big, robust type, I don't think we've seen the best of him yet.

"I think he'll come back a nice horse once he has a break and comes back as a 3-year-old."

Full book for Contributer

Mapperley Stud has announced its exciting young stallion Contributer (Ire) is fully booked for the 2021 breeding season.

Following a satisfying year on the track and success in the sales ring, his service fee was increased from NZ$10,000 + GST to NZ$22,000 + GST this year.

His progeny’s success was headlined by Lion’s Roar (NZ), who won the G1 Randwick Guineas and placed in the G1 Australian Derby, 2400 metres over the Sydney autumn carnival.

“We have received an overwhelming amount of interest in him early on in the year, he’s had fantastic results on the track this year and it is easy to see why breeders are keen to get into him this season,” Mapperley Stud Principal, Simms Davison, said.

“Lion’s Roar’s win in the Randwick Guineas was huge for him, getting a first crop Group 1 winner over a mile during one of their major carnivals really put him on the map.”

Yearling entries open

Entries are now open for New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2022 National Yearling Sales Series.

Continuing NZB’s traditional format, Book 1 will be held on January 23 to 25 with Book 2 on January 26 to 28. The National Online Yearling Sale will take place in April.

Managing Director Andrew Seabrook is already looking forward to the prospect of selling next January and putting together what will be a vintage catalogue for prospective buyers.

“The amount of people who surfaced to show their support at Karaka 2021, both physically and via our online bidding technology, was unparalleled considering it was the first time since Phar Lap sold that no internationals were present,” New Zealand Bloodstock Managing Director, Andrew Seabrook, said.

“In what were testing conditions due to international border closures and a reduced catalogue size, the results were a tremendous success with the average and median increasing on previous years and the clearance rate settling at 82 per cent.”

Solid Ocala trade

Steady trade continued through the second session of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company June Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Central Florida, with a filly by Nyquist (USA) bringing the day's top bid when selling for US$420,000 (AU$542,000) to Gary Hartunian's Rockingham Ranch. The session-topping juvenile was consigned by Eddie Woods.

“I think there has been strength throughout the market,” OBS Director of Sales, Tod Wojciechowski, said. “Particularly on an overall scale for the 2-year-old season, we were missing a big part of our buying bench in the Koreans.

“I went on the record in March that I thought we could pick up the slack and I got a few sideways looks, but I think domestically, we've done a great job of picking up the slack and filling the hole that the Koreans left in the market."

With two sessions in the books, OBS has sold 380 head for US$15,776,500 (AU$20.4 million). The two-day average is US$41,517 (AU$53,580) and the median is US$18,000 (AU$23,230). With 106 horses reported not sold, the buy-back rate was 21.8 per cent.

Through two sessions of the pandemic-delayed 2020 Sale, 336 head had sold for US$9,395,600 (AU$12,121,000) for an average of US$27,963 (AU$36,090) and a median of US$13,000 (AU$16,754). At the close of the day, the buy-back rate was 28.3 per cent.

Breathnach appointed

Keeneland has named bloodstock consultant Cormac Breathnach, associated for many years with first Adena Springs and then Airdrie stallions, as its new Director of Sales Operations.

Breathnach succeeds Geoffrey Russell, who retired in April after 25 years with Keeneland. Russell will remain in a consulting role with Keeneland through the rest of 2021.

“We are excited to have Cormac join the Keeneland sales team as the Director of Sales Operations,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales, Tony Lacy, said.

“I have long admired his professionalism, knowledge, and integrity, which is second to none, and have had the pleasure of watching him develop in the industry and gain the respect of a broad range of professionals."

Southern Hemisphere breeding opportunity

Group 1 winner King Of Change (GB), who stood his first season at Derrinstown Stud in Ireland this year, will be available for covering duty on Southern Hemisphere time.

Standing for €7000 (AU$10,980) in 2021, the G1 Queen Elizabeth II S. hero was bred by Rabbah Bloodstock and raced in the silks of Ali Abdulla Saeed.

For trainer Richard Hannon, the bay ran second in the 2019 G1 2000 Guineas and captured the Listed Fortune S. one start prior to his score in the Queen Elizabeth II S.

Clement lands new role

Former high-ranking policeman Mike Clement has been appointed Chief Executive of the new independent Racing Integrity Board, which will oversee the racing industry from July 1, 2021.

“The Board is delighted to have been able to secure a leader of Mike’s standing, experience and impeccable integrity,” said Sir Bruce Robertson, Chair of the Racing Integrity Board.

The Racing Integrity Board takes over the functions of the Racing Integrity Unit and the Judicial Control Authority for Racing, both of which will be disestablished as of June 30, 2021 with all employees transferring to the new Board.

Clement took retirement from the New Zealand Police last year after 42 years of service. He was Deputy Commissioner National Operations at Police Headquarters from 2014 and prior to that he was District Commander Auckland City.