Jordan Baker has a useful overview of the success of the AJC's 'Princesses' marketing campaign ("Princesses betting like paupers") in today's Sydney Morning Herald:

"But rain, mud, wind and yobbos aside, the Australian Jockey Club's "Princesses Prepare" marketing campaign to bring young folk to Ladies Day at the Easter Racing Carnival is shaping up as a success. The money they spend on gambling (about $2 a bet) might be a tiny fraction of the cost of their frock (up to $500), but veteran punters at the track describe it as the best thing that's happened to the sport in a long time" ...

The old adage 'money makes money' would appear to be true for Tony Santic, owner of Australia's best staying mare Makybe Diva - and also her dam, the Riverman mare Tugela. With $9,124,110 million in prize money courtesy of Makybe Diva's expended energies on the track, Tony looked to Tugela to also chip in in terms of income generation. The mare duly provided when her yearling son (a half-brother to Makybe Diva) merely had to prance nervously into a sales ring this evening to garner Tony more than a quarter of Makybe's earnings again in the time it took for six bids to wipe last year's record price of $2.2 million for a Danehill/Prawn Cocktail colt off the board. The new record now stands at AUD$2.5 million. The man behind the purchase was none other than the "chicken king" Bob Ingham whose stud - Woodlands - has been an active buyer at this year's sale (having waded back into the auction fray last year).

It could be argued that on paper at least, the record priced colt didn't have as strong a stallion's pedigree as certain others - but the judges held him in high esteem and it certainly didn't hurt that his sire was current auction sensation Redoute's Choice. Here are some comparisons for you: 38 Redoute's yearlings have been offered at 2005 yearling sales prior to Easter. 30 have sold for a total of $6,035,000 and an average of $201,166 and change [the top price of $410,000 paid by R James at the New Zealand Premier sale for a colt out of Za Tiara].

But since the Easter catalogue went to print the progeny of the young Arrowfield sire have driven their collective prize money total to $7,157,373 (top earner the Golden Slipper winner Stratum with $1,944,650). The stallion has sired an amazing 10 individual two-year-old stakes winners, including three Group 1 winners this year and not surprisingly such results have thrown the old 'supply/demand' curve into overdrive, and left a tonne of breeders who forked out just $44,000 for the service fee 3 years ago to be raising a glass (or four) of champagne at a breeding gamble that has well and truly struck gold. By the close of this evening's session 19 Redoute's Choice yearlings had been sold for an average of $674,474. As an interesting comparison consider that Redoute's champion father - Danehill (USA)- averaged $600,000 at Easter last year when 26 of his stock were sold (including the Australian record priced yearling for $2.2 million).

... and just to remind you that this end of the market is as much about the 'who's who' as is it about the horses - another Redoute's Choice colt (ten lots earlier than the record breaker) that had been bred by former high profile politician Andrew Peacock was sold to Sheikh Hamden’s bloodstock representative Angus Gold who paid a million dollars for the colt out of Treasury Gardens. This was the fifth yearling purchased for the Sheikh under the Shadwell banner. Other buyers include the usual suspects such as Gai Waterhouse, Lee Freedman, Graeme Rogerson etc - also Tim Stakemire bidding on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum who, with Tim Martin, purchased the first session sales topper - a $1.8 million Redoute's Choice/Saucy Nell colt; Adrian Nicoll from the bloodstock agency BBA Ireland; and the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

The sale continues tomorrow.

There is really no excuse these days for businesses having an outdated website. A lot of studs (I found 4 in ten minutes so I wasn't exactly trawling the dust looking for crumbs) haven't updated their sites since mid-late 2004. I found one that hadn't updated since 2002!!!! If you plan on updating your site once a year don't then be surprised when clients don't ever read it (people will only be repeat visitors if you offer fresh content on a regular basis) - which makes a mockery of you investing in web marketing in the first place. To be quite honest - you would be better off having NO web presence (and saving the money) than an out of date 2002 presence.

What makes Macquarie Stud's website so intriguing is it's proffered words of wisdom. Helpful hints have included "Some horses hate pills and sometimes they might need to take medication in a pill form. Solution: grind them up in an electric coffee grinder, add a little water, molasses or honey, dump it in a feeding syringe and it's as easy to give as paste wormer", to "Control over horses will be based on the horse´s willingness and ability to interpret the signals that he receives from his rider/trainer."

It was Warwick farm trainer, Guy Walter, who became the first person in the history of the Doncaster to train the first three horses past the post. Today's trifecta saw Patezza in the winner's circle with Court's In Session second and Danni Martine securing third in a photo.

Is the Dubai World Cup set to switch to turf? 'Unlikely' comments Richard Griffiths from the Bloodhorse. His article also looks at the possibility of the meeting being converted to two days and the inclusion of a six-furlong sprint on turf.

OH WHAT A WIN!!!! Apart from the fact that it was the first win for an Australian horse at the world's richest race meeting, from a marketing perspective, international wins at this level do so much for a horse's stud value (Blue Gum will still be celebrating no doubt), public awareness (at home and overseas), and promotion of the local breeding and racing industry (ditto).

If you didn't see the race and want to see the replay of Elvstroem's victory you can do so on the HKJC website. The caller is Australian expat Terry Spargo.

I loved this one on the Inglis news updates during the week:

Easter Catalogue – Buy the Lot!

The world’s leading breeders spend vast amounts of money on sire prospects each year in the eternal hope of securing the next Danehill (USA) or indeed Redoute’s Choice.

Inglis Bloodstock consultant Matt Rudolph recently pointed out that you could have bought every colt at the 2002 Australian Easter Yearling Sale for $36 million and turned a handsome profit, given the catalogue contained Exceed and Excel, Reset and Elvstroem, whose combined stud vale has been reported at $52 million.

“ In the past 12 months we've seen unprecedented competition for stallion prospects in this part of the world, which has been matched by a sharp increase in the demand for our bloodstock in the northern hemisphere,” explained Rudolph.

“While to most people it would seem crazy to buy the catalogue, the idea in fact has plenty of merit.”

Multiple Gr1 winner & 2004 Caulfield Cup hero Elvstroem (9 wins & 7 placings in 26 starts for $3,916,600 prize-money) is set to take on a world class field in tonight's US$2m Gr1 Dubai Duty Free (1777m on turf). In doing so, Elvstroem becomes the first Australian representative in the 10 year history of this particular race; New Zealand having been represented in 2001 by the mighty Sunline. It's fair to say that the dirt races assume a large proportion of the evening programme but that doesn't detract from the turf challenges: I was there for last year's history making dead heat between the British runner Right Approach and the German runner Paolini in the Dubai Duty Free and the 20 minutes that it took the judge to make the final decision is a buzz I certainly won't be forgetting in a hurry.

Australia has had a handful of other thoroughbred representatives travel to Dubai to compete over the last decade:

G1 Dubai World Cup: Danewin [1996], Juggler [1997]
G1 Sheema Classic: Ihtiyati [1998]
G1 Golden Shaheen: Dantelah & Notoire [2000], Bomber Bill [2001] and Belle de Jour [2003].
G2 Godolphin Mile: Firebreak [2003]

Meanwhile, whilst the global racing media focus on the world's richest race day, the United Arab Emirates are using the Dubai World Cup to market more than racing. If you don't know about The Palm- then the following information may be of interest:

The Palm involves the creation of the world's largest two man-made islands known as The Palm, Jumeirah and The Palm, Jebel Ali. The Palm comprises approximately 100 million cubic meters of rock and sand; the islands together will eventually support over 60 luxury hotels, 4000 exclusive residential beachside villas, over 5,000 shoreline apartments, marinas, water theme parks, restaurants, shopping malls, sports facilities, health spas, dive sites and cinemas. Located just off the coast of the city of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, the two palm tree shaped islands are expected to contribute to Dubai's position as a premier global tourist destination. The project will increase Dubai's shoreline by a total of 120km and create a large number of residential, leisure and entertainment opportunities.

The vision of The Palm was conceived by His Highness General Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and UAE Defence Minister. The concept of the palm tree shaped islands was inspired by Dubai's own heritage, with the palm tree and water long considered the most important sources of food, shelter and trade for Dubai. Construction commenced in June 2001 after many years of research and planning. Each island took approximately two years to be completely raised from the sea. A further two to three years are then required to complete the infrastructure and the buildings. The end-result will be the creation of two virtually self-contained communities within the islands. With the 3.7 square miles of trunk and fronds intact, The Palm is said to be visible from the moon.

An architectural site - Glass Steel and Stone said of the development: "Architects, developers, real estate moguls, and egomaniacs all try to use architecture to make their mark on the world. They do it with soaring towers, majestic spans, and glittering facades. But when taken from a global perspective, rarely do these construction literally make a mark on the world. Palm Island is an exception. The development in the Gulf of Arabia is actually large enough to be seen from space. Some claim it's visible from the moon, but so far no one has tested that theory. The island is actually more of an artificial reef curving around a multi-branched jetty. The effect is the outline of a palm leaf in the water. On these spits and arcs of land sit luxury homes, apartments, and hotel for those who can afford it."

The development ran into a bit of a snag earlier this year. The devastation of the tsunami in South East Asia made the prospect of a low lying residential area (albeit a few thousand kilometres West) a touch difficult to promote. To make things worse, a 30 knot North by North Westerly Al Shamal had raced over the beaches of Dubai and the UAE shoreline on January 11 causing substantial damage to parts of the coastline. The PR agency (hired to circumnavigate [no pun intended] such disasters) set to work. 40 journalists from the UAE were therefore taken on a boat trip around the breakwaters of The Palm, Jumeirah, The Palm Jebel Ali and The World to review for themselves the strength of the breakwaters that defended the coastal projects - their guide none other than Nakheel, the leading property developers.

The tour gave the PR Agency full reign to wax lyrical about the outer perimeter of the breakwater and the rocks which have been strategically placed to absorb waves reaching four metres in height. In addition to the breakwater the press heard about employment by Nakheel's engineers of the latest techniques and technology for wave energy dispersal and how it is deployed below sea level.

Impressive stuff - but hardly surprising when you consider the sort of money tied up in the project and the sort of buyers Dubai hopes to attract. Soccer megastars David Beckham and Michael Owen, along with 10 other England footballers, 1 physio and 1 coach, have already bought residential villas on The Palm. In addition, Nakheel LLC and Kerzner International Limited (NYSE: KZL) formed a joint venture to develop Atlantis, The Palm, which will ultimately include a 2,000-room resort and water theme park. Atlantis, The Palm will be located at the center of The Palm, Jumeirah. The first phase of Atlantis, The Palm is an estimated $650 million development project that is expected to include a 1,000-room hotel and water theme park situated on 1.5 miles of beachfront.

On 16 March the South China Morning Post reported that all 780 luxury apartments at the flagship Golden Mile [the 'trunk' of The Palm] were snapped up in 48 hours when the project opened for sale in May last year. Since the project's launch, prices have jumped an amazing 60% to US$320 p/square foot. Media reports suggests more than 80% of apartments sold last year went to speculators. Meanwhile advertisements continue to appear in newspapers across the globe. British buyers in particular are buying on spec.

The biggest project is yet to come. Modestly called The World, this will be a group of 250 man-made islands forming the shape of the five continents. They are to be launched in the New Year, but FPDSavills is already receiving "interest" from individuals - one of whom wanted written confirmation that there would be "only one World". Islands will sell, estimates FPDSavills, for £5 million to £6 million each.

The developer has already admitted that The World will only be offered to a very selective group of elite people. Background first; money second.

The Islands, west of the Palm Jumeirah and farther out to sea, will range from 250,000sq ft to 900,000 sq ft. Zoning work is being carried out and height restrictions will be imposed on properties, but once reclamation work is complete in 2006, island owners will be able to do as they wish. They can create a very private home - or their own country. The World's promotional video suggests the option of a Cuba-themed island and shows a virtual "Havana Club" with 1950s Buicks pulling up outside.

It's possible to draw a connection between almost anything but few will argue with the wonderful father/daughter link represented by today's result in the TJ Smith Handicap and then the male/female challenge represented by the Sires Produce Stakes where a filly (and her trainer) saluted. It was a sensational double for a truly sensational trainer, who also acts as a successful role model for business women everywhere.

The TJ Smith Handicap had been widely predicted as a two-horse match race between Paul Perry's Fastnet Rock and Lee Freedman's Alinghi. On a track that was very close to being rated as 'heavy' the expected fireworks failed to fire leaving Gai Waterhouse and His Excellency Nasser Abdullah Hussain Lootah to bask in the wondrous anomalies of G1 racing. In a stunning result, the 4yo mare Shamekha (ridden by Darren Beadman)- first up since 13 November where she ran 5th in the G3 Sandown Stakes - raced away at the 300m mark and despite Fastnet Rock and Alinghi closing at supersonic speed (and looking, in the barest of moments, as if they would run to expectations) Shamekha held on by a long neck to beat Fastnet Rock, with 3 additional horses fighting out the photo for third. The wet track specialist Only Words held on by a mere long head to take it, Alinghi (her usual rider Damien Oliver in hospital with spinal injuries following an accident at Moonee Valley last Thursday) officially fourth. Fastnet Rock and Alinghi are now set to pursue international careers in Europe and the US respectively.

Stamping her authority on her favorite track, Gai (who has also just passed the extraordinary milestone of 2000 winners) scored back-to-back G1 wins when less than an hour later Fashions Afield redeemed last week's effort in the Golden Slipper to race away with the Inglis - Sires's Produce Stks over 1400m.

On 24 March Breeding & Racing (Australia) reported the unusual story about a business savvy US jockey seeking to cash in on the latest jockey advertising rights:

"Southern California-based jockey Patrick Valenzuela (who returned to riding in mid-January after being suspended for failing to report for a drug test) "is auctioning advertising space on his pants & collar on the internet auction site eBay with an opening bid of US$15,000," reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The item description says: "This is for any company interested in doing some real advertising: that is, not on Hooter's girls or random foreheads. My sport is televised & I have received quite a bit of media coverage lately. Your company's name or logo would be embroidered onto my jockey pants legs as well as my collar & would remain there for the specified 2-month period through the Santa Anita race meet ending April 18. Winning bidder will enter into a contract with me within 10 days of auction closing. No tobacco, alcohol or firearm endorsements are allowed in this industry, so if you are with a company that manufactures or distributes any of these products, please do not bid."

The Fort Worth Star Telegram (Fort Worth,TX,USA) reported this morning (26/3) that somebody paid $15,000 for the right to advertise on his pants.

I thought I'd give a free plug to Getty Images, the world's leading provider of imagery, film and digital services (to give you some idea of their size: they offer over 70 million images and 30,000 hours of film). The company has recently launched a new (free) service that you may find useful. If you want to locate a particular image but can't quite see yourself wading through a million (plus) images to uncover it - you can ask a Getty researcher to do it for you. Let's face it - they know what they have on file better than anyone else!

"Every day, millions of people use search engines to find things. A significant majority of these people will not go beyond the first page of search results, and most people will stop searching by the third page.

However, if you want to succeed with search engines in the long term, you should not primarily focus on how the search engine works. Rather, you should focus on how the brain of the searcher works. Because if you understand how people search, you're halfway there to getting found when they search for your content.

It all comes down to a small set of words. (I call these words "carewords"—the words people really care about.)"

The article is titled Search Optimization, Not Search Engine Optimization and is written by Gerry McGovern. If you have a website and are looking to 'get into the heads' of the people who you want to stumble across your online offering then the article is worth a glance. Click here for the full text.

Bite The Bullet is on the move from Baramul Stud to Bengalla BUT that wasn't actually the novel part of the media release that appeared on all number of racing portals today; no, the interesting sideline actually related to Bengalla's other stallion: Magic Winner (Ubetido-Magic Palace, by Sovereign Red), a Biscay grandson who "has the remarkable achievement of 10 winners from 11 runners".

... Clever 'tag' advertising for an otherwise little known sire.

Podcasting. Sounds like a bizarre species of flora doesn't it? Suffice it to say - it isn't, and from a marketer's perspective it's quite a useful term to familiarise yourself with. Go on - take the plunge - you'll learn something about the audio equivalent of weblogs [a weblog (or "blog") is basically what you are reading right now]. MarketingProfs.com has the inside goss on this new and sexy mode of communicating with your customers. The article can be sourced at the following URL.

Breeding & Racing (Australia) carried the following story today (one can only assume that the likes of Smarty Jones had something to do with the statistics):

US Interest In Racing Up 5%
Results of an ESPN Sports Poll "indicate 37.4% of the US population aged 18 or older was at least a little bit interested in thoroughbred racing, a 5.1% increase over fan interest in 2003 & a 19.1% increase from fan interest in 1999," reported thoroughbredtimes.com. The increase "was the biggest for any sport from 2003 to 2004" & "represents 78.5 million US adults". NTRA vice president Keith Chamblin commented: "The numbers are extremely encouraging. As we continue to grow national television exposure & ratings, our priority as an industry going forward is to convert this higher level of interest into across-the-board handle & attendance gains, which we are already seeing on many of the higher-profile days on the racing calendar." Overall horse racing ranked 9th out of 29 major sports (its 1st time in the Top 10) "surpassing golf, boxing & fishing, & becoming the only sport to increase its 18 & higher fan base for 5 years in a row".

RODNEY JACKSON is looking to stamp his name on more than business success in this Saturday's Group 1 AJC Derby. The enigmatic Cairns businessman has his hopes pinned on a pedigree page, Caloundra trainer GREG KENNEDY and a gutsy Grand Lodge gelding with a unique Japanese name.

I caught up with Rodney earlier today.

It's raining. The sort of rain that pounds on a roof, runs steadily down a windscreen and obscures a skyline. Rodney glances at it; frowns in spite of himself. Alongside him, trainer Greg Kennedy, a stranger to both the town he now finds himself in, and his plush surroundings, chews absently on a fingernail.

The two have just left the AJC Derby barrier draw at Doyles Restaurant in Sydney. The dark Queensland grey they represent drew 6 of the 12-strong field. "They fed us like kings," Rodney said of the lavish luncheon. "You know, it's better than the Slipper," he adds "You're just stuck outside at Martin Place for that one." His eyes flick back to the water that pours down the window. "Hmm, hope we have better conditions by the weekend," he adds. "What do you reckon Greg?"

"She'll be right," is the response.

A relative newcomer to racehorse ownership, Rodney (and indeed his trainer) - are facing what most owners only ever dream of - a G1 runner. His horse is the sole Queensland representative in Saturday's field and the 3yo carries the additional anomaly of a very non-Queensland name: TAISHO.

Attracted to both the colt's page and his looks when he first saw him 2 years ago, Rodney relied on Greg's nod of approval and the necessary "Yep, he'll grow into a nice horse" before securing the final bid of $31,000 at the 2003 Magic Millions Winter Yearling sale (the colt having failed to meet his reserve at the Melbourne Premier some months earlier). The purchase expanded Rodney's (then) thoroughbred holdings to a total of just three.

The naming of the Jackson horses is shared between Rodney and his Japanese wife, Yae. Taisho means "the boss" or "leader" in Japanese. His name also defines an era in Japanese history. Of note, one of Grand Lodge's best horses - Shogun Lodge (who ran second in the 2000 AJC Derby) is named in a similar tradition to Taisho - 'Shogun' also being an era in Japanese history. Strong-willed and independent, 'Taisho' was deemed 'perfect' for the colt who always pinned his ears back and swished his tail in irritation at strangers who entered the stables, yet also allowed the Jackson children to pat him and pull on his mane at will.

Taisho (Grand Lodge/ Out with the Old) is the second foal of an unplaced Star Way mare. His third dam, Belle Cherie, won over 1854m and is the dam of the champion Beau Zam whose 5 Group 1 wins also included the AJC Derby. It's a stayer's pedigree so, unusually perhaps, Taisho had quite an intensive 2yo preparation. Rodney shrugs when I query the strategy. "I wasn't the trainer - I merely give the horses to [Greg] and let him do his job. My job is just to pay the bills!"

It's a partnership that has certainly paid dividends. Rodney and his wife, Yae, now have 12 horses with Greg (6 in work) including the top priced Honours List/Cinnamon Splendor colt ($110,000) who was purchased at this year's Magic Millions Premier Sale.

Taisho remains the favourite however given he was the first to carry the Jackson's distinctive red and white silks (modelled on the Japanese flag) to victory.

"Six months ago I told Greg I don't care what you have to do but [Taisho's] now three and if I can get him to the Derby I will be the happiest man alive."

The results so far have pleased all concerned. The gelding has only been out of the prize money once in his last 12 starts and he has been in the winner's circle on 4 of those occasions (losing an additional win on protest), winning over distances spanning 1400m to 2106m.

There will be those that will argue that the odds are against a gelding who has done much of his racing in non-metropolitan fields being able to make much of an impact on horses the calibre of Outback Prince, Jymcarew, Xcellent and Eremein; spend half an hour with Rodney and you'll realize that Saturday's race is as much about the experience itself as it is about having a horse to contest it.

"I was a bit worried he wouldn't get a run," Rodney admits "but when I paid the nomination fee the other day the racing manager at the AJC reckoned we'd be fine. We were ecstatic after that!"

Taisho arrived in Sydney this morning, Ron Quinton generously providing a box and facilities at his stables.

"He travelled perfectly - went for a walk when he got here and is eating fine," Rodney says. "Isn't that right Greg?"

Greg looks mildly pained by the attention. A focused and quiet man, he is someone who, whilst indulging his owners with time, still prefers the company of his horses. Today his voice is also tinged with a level of distractedness that one doesn't often hear from him.

"No, I'm not nervous" he says in a tone that causes me to raise an eyebrow. "I'm not!" he repeats. "I just want to concentrate and get things done." He waves a hand at the surroundings. "These lunch things are not my cup of tea - I'd rather be with the horse and take him for a walk or a swim."

I switch the focus to his equine charge and his expression softens. "The weather isn't helping at the moment but he's three and I'm not at all worried about him getting the journey. A lot of others still have to prove that. He will race wherever he is comfortable and where he sits in the field will depend on the pace. I'll just tell the jockey to put him to sleep somewhere."

A trainer whose best horse to date is the listed winner Stanzaic ("one of only two I had in work at the time"), Greg has risen rapidly - yet in his typically understated way - quietly through the trainer ranks in Queensland, boasting current stats (since January 1) of 11 winners from 27 starters which even he admits (with some prompting) "is a fairly good strike rate".

He looks at his watch - then back at the rain. His attention is elsewhere. He wants to get back to his horse.

"So, Saturday?" I ask.

"Anything that happens now is a bonus" Rodney says. He smiles broadly. "I think big not small!"

In June last year a mild mannered biped male (an IT consultant nontheless) by the name of Huw Lobb out-ran four-legged equine Kay Bee Jay and in doing so put a giant hole in the accounts of bookmaker William Hill, who had promised £25,000 (at odds of 16/1) to any human who could do it.

According to the Observor, some 47 horses and riders lined up against nearly 500 people and relay teams in the gruelling 22-mile race in what claims to be Britain's smallest town. No human running alone had ever been able to defeat a horse in the 25 years the race has been run. The closest was four years ago when Mark Croasdale came within 90 seconds.

Lobb, however, (no stranger to long distance running having taken fourth prize in the London marathon - and narrowly missing a place on the British Olympics team) smashed the record by more than two minutes. As the reporter commented: "Cynics may compare the feat to cheese-rolling or lawn mower-racing rather than the four-minute mile, but he will have the last laugh as the prize money has been increased by £1,000 each year after remaining unclaimed".

Lobb is not the only human winner in the battle between man and horse. Following his Olympic Gold in 1936, American sprinter Jesse Owens competed in a 100-yard exhibition race against a thoroughbred - and won.

But William Hill had lost £25,000 and our equine heroes needed urgent reinstatement as the 'king of the turf' so in the same month the man was replaced with a retired greyhound - Tiny Tim - and the racehorse, a 6-year old gelding, triumphed to claim the crown of fastest animal in the racing world.

Moree Race Club has also decided on the Horse vs Human approach to attract people to its Easter Saturday meeting on March 26.

Princess Os, runner-up behind Saranac in last year's Moree Cup will match strides with Moree Services Cycling and Triathlon Club relay runners Grant Custance and John Shepherd at the Easter Saturday meeting.

MRC secretary Bill Poulos said the concept arose after throwing ideas around with Moree jockey Jim Bryans, a cycling and triathlon club member.

"I'm pretty sure this type of thing has been done in Australia in the past, but after much asking around and internet searching, I couldn't find any reference to it," Poulos said

'The Princess', to be ridden by Jim Bryans, will start at the 300m while Custance and Shepherd will each run 75m from the 150m mark.

Bill said the match-race had created quite a bit of interest in Moree - and further afield - since first organised early last week.

'It should be a great spectacle, a lot of people are talking about it,' Poulos said.

The match-race will be held with Shepherd and Custance racing in two 75m divisions while Princess Os, owned by Warren and Marina Wiggins, will start from the 300m mark.

She will carry 55kg - standard weight-for-age for a six-year-old mare - and be ridden by Bryans.

"At full speed, a horse can run roughly twice as fast as a human, so the first relay runner will start at the 150 mark and the horse a further 150m back," Poulos said. "In theory, we should see something very close to a dead-heat, although I think many punters would like to be on Princess Os."

Princess Os, a six-year-old mare trained on the track by Peter Sinclair, finished second behind Saranac in last year's Moree Cup. She ended her last campaign in late November with a half-length second behind Eyes Forever at Toowoomba.

She won three in a row at Walcha, Grafton and Toowoomba early last year and rarely misses earning prize money, Poulos said.

"Princess Os has been back in work since February 1 and is a very smart horse," he said.

"She has won five times and been placed 19 times against good company."

Athletes John Shepherd and Grant Custance are no slouches either.

Custance, a 28-year-old middle-distance runner, won the half-marathon at Mudgee last year while Shepherd, 38, represented NSW at schoolboy level.

"I'm not the quickest runner around, more of a stayer," Custance laughed. "And Princess Os is no nag, she goes all right.

"We'll probably go out to the track and have a few practice runs beforehand but I think I'll do the first half and let John sprint the second half," he said.

As a teenager, Shepherd traveled extensively to athletics' carnivals across the State, but now competes over longer distances.

"I used to be a sprinter but as I've got older it's progressed to longer and slower runs," he said.

Anyone notice the sire of the winner of the TONY WILLIAMS 2YO SLIPPER in Armidale last Monday?

DESIGNER CLEO

ch f 2 Armidale – Designer Lass by Swooping (USA)

Not a bad coincidence wouldn't you say?!

Stratum's win in Saturday's Slipper gave the Queensland auction company its fifth win by MM sale graduates in the past six years.

It's a great statistic for branding - and indeed advertising - purposes.

The second horse over the line - Gai Waterhouse's Fashions Afield, was also a Magic Millions Yearling graduate.

Stratum follows in the footsteps of recent Magic Millions graduates Dance Hero, Polar Success, Ha Ha and Belle du Jour, who have all raced to glory in recent seasons.

ALWAYS (and I mean ALWAYS) be aware of your background.

Today's example courtesy of Yarraman. Lovely horses ... shame about the fence posts.

Danehill, his son (Danehill Dancer) and his brother (Eagle Eyed) sired the trifecta in the listed MAURICE MCCARTEN STAKES ($102,275) at Rosehill yesterday.

1. BRITT’S BEST (NZ)

b g 6 Danehill (USA) – Bal des Sirenes (IRE) by Warning (GB)

2. Damigos

b g 6 Danehill Dancer (IRE) – Still Friends by Oenjay Star

3. Entreaty

b g 5 Eagle Eyed (USA) – Zedra by Palace Music (USA)

Margins: 1 3/4 len. 1 1/2 len.

Time: 1m 9.43s

After securing yesterday's Golden Slipper quinella, Redoute's Choice's progeny have now amassed more than $5.25 million for the season.

Quoted in today's Sydney Morning Herald, Arrowfield Stud principal John Messara said "I never thought Danzero's record of $3.5 million set last year would be broken. [Redoute's Choice] is something really special, it's unheard of."

Messara's half-share of Redoute's Choice, which he bought for $5 million, has turned into a goldmine, with the stallion reportedly now valued at $100 million plus.

UNDOUBTEDLY was first into the barriers for the 2005 Golden Slipper Stakes. Minutes later, 14 youngsters belied their age and inexperience and stood calmly as the one class delinquent - FLYING PEGASUS - lived up to his bloodlines and spent a good amount of time considering alternative career options. The colt finally consented to race; OPPORTUNITY the final horse led into line. The starter maintained the buzz as he held the line for a further 30 seconds; the roar from the stands massive when he finally released the gates.

SNITZEL was away quickly but that was as noteworthy as his performance got, the much favoured colt finishing disappointingly close to the rear of the field (his trainer Gerald Ryan philosophical in his comment "these things happen, that's racing.") With 700m to go it was Alan Jones' and John Messara's OPPORTUNITY from the widest barrier with the hopes of Queensland's breeding industry - WRITTEN TYCOON - close on her heels. As they turned for home it was Len Beasley "riding a crest of a wave" who booted STRATUM to the lead and "riding for his life", the jockey who recently returned from a successful stint in Singapore, drove the colt headlong into the history books. FASHIONS AFIELD and MEDIA were barely distinguishable in their short half head split between second and third, a collective length behind the winner.

The maroon and pale blue silks that Stratum carried to victory were no stranger to the winner's circle. Their owner - trainer Paul Perry (and his wife) plus the Wallace Family were a combination already successful on the international stage with sprint-sensation Choisir. Stratum's victory also added a further accolade to Paul Perry's training feats this season which (apart from his first Slipper victory today) include multiple G1 wins by his boom 3yo colt Fastnet Rock.

Stratum was sent out at odds of $11.10/$3.70, his price reflecting certain commentators concerns that the G2 Pago Pago stakes winner from last weekend may not be equal in class to some of the other runners given the Pago Pago form was not considered as strong as that of the Skyline or Todman Stakes.

In the breeding stakes, the fairytale continued for Redoute's Choice, who having been scratched from the Golden Slipper six years ago (after being a strong contender for the win), sired the winning quinella in 2005. Former shuttler Gilded Time sired the third place getter (MEDIA) and Encosta de Lago secured the fourth (MNEMOSYNE).

Of note, three fillies filled the minor placings.

Makybe Diva would appear to have engraved her name on the Horse of the Year Title with a stunning win in today's BMW. The widely anticipated clash between the multiple G1 champions - Grand Armee and the 6 year old mare well and truly lived up to expectations; the win taking Makybe Diva's prize money past the $9 million mark.

Superlatives flew as the mare was led back to scale, an almost-giddy race commentator summing up the seemingly impossible 12 length gap that the mare closed on the front running Grand Armee from the 650 mark by stating: "she would have given Grand Armee a cold as she went past him!".

Makybe Diva made history by posting her second Melbourne Cup and an Australian Cup win this season and today's win (just seven days since her last) gave her a third major Group 1 race for the season.

Today's run may well have been the mare's last in Australia as trainer Lee Freedman sets her for the $3 million Tenno Sho (3200m) in Japan on May 1. One suspects owners and trainer alike will also have their sights set on Sunline's record of $11,690,679 in prize money; Australasia's best staying mare may just be the one to eclipse the crown.

With San Miguel's sponsorship agreement ending last year, prominent syndication group Sire Custodians and Equine United have booked out the Vista & Kingston Town Rooms at the summit of the Royal Randwick grandstand for today's Derby Day. Sire Custodians principal Tony Fleiter says the idea came from Lee & Anthony Freedman (who felt it could be promoted as Randwick's equivalent of Flemington's Chairman's Club). Away from the hustle & bustle of a big race day, yet with the best views on the track, fine dining & private TAB betting facilities, many of the industry's big names are attending. Tickets were limited to just 280 & a special booking & information website was set up at www.uncorkthespirit.com.au.

Source: Breeding & Racing (Australia) Daily News March 17.

Mannington Threatens Broodmare Record

Intense speculation surrounds the up-coming sale of Mannington (during the Vinery Dispersal at the Inglis Broodmare Sale in Sydney on Sunday April 3) & whether it will provide a new record price for a broodmare offered at public auction in Australia. (The record currently stands with former champion 2YO Burst, who fetched $900,000 at the 1996 Newhaven Stud Dispersal, also conducted by Inglis in Sydney.) Vinery's Adam White confirmed: "There has been a tremendous amount of interest in Mannington & she would certainly be an outstanding acquisition for any stud in the world. She is a magnificent mare: a Group-winning daughter of Danehill from Gr1 Golden Slipper winner Bint Marscay, in foal to Red Ransom. It's nearly impossible to buy into this family; mares like Mannington just don't come up for sale." On the track, Mannington won her initial 3 starts as a 2YO in devastating fashion, before running 3rd as a short-priced favourite in the Gr1 Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield; White noted: "She had no luck in that race from a wide barrier & later went on to run another Gr1 3rd in a Newmarket Handicap, so you know she was top class." Mannington's 1st foal, the promising More Than Ready 2YO Benicio (a $525,000 yearling at last year's Inglis Easter Sale), recently opened his winning account with a 4-length romp at Bendigo. White added Mannington's current weanling is "a strong precocious filly by Fusaichi Pegasus". And with Mannington's Gr1-winning half-sister Bollinger at stud in the North America (where she recently produced a filly by champion US sire Gone West), White noted: "With Bollinger & Bint Marscay both based in the US, there is real potential for this great Australian family to gain international recognition."

Today may be the first time in 11 years that a son or daughter of the mighty Danehill hasn't lined up to contest the Golden Slipper (the stallion having provided five winners during that period - and only missing a place four times since 1994) but today's Stallions Daily Bulletin reported a major statistic concerning the stallion's progeny that went unreported by other media this week:

An unreported fact in the wake of Al Maher's excellent Australian Guineas-Gr.1 win last Saturday (March 12) is that the media missed what a milestone success it was. The Emirates Park-bred and owned colt* became Danehill's 67th individual Gr.1 winner worldwide.

What is significant is that it places him one ahead of Sadler's Wells.

Coolmore-Australia's Brett Howard pointed out that the significance of Al Maher's win was more than most realised.

The total for Sadler's Wells includes a lone southern Gr.1 success, by Darazari in a controversial Rawson [Ranvet] Stakes-Gr.1 in 1999. The Irish-bred Darazari, one of the precious few runners by Sadler's Wells to grace an Australian track, gained the race in the stewards' room at the expense of first-past-the-post Tie the Knot.

The Australian Guineas occasion was almost signposted by a trifecta of runners by the deceased Dane. Danehill Express overcame traffic problems for second and Shinzig, was just nosed out of third by Econsul after supplying the speed.

Danehill's 43 southern-breds to achieve Gr.1 success have won 75 such races.
Five of the 41 Australian-bred Danehills collected their Gr.1 podium finish in the north, led by Fairy King Prawn in the 2000 Yasuda Kinen in Tokyo and four Hong Kong Gr.Is. The other HK-1 winners are Jeune King Prawn, King of Danes, Lucky Owners and Scintillation. The Danehill pair bred in New Zealand are Danske and Camarena.

That Danehill's platoon of Gr.1 winners in the south have enabled him to leapfrog Sadler's Wells, Northern Dancer, et al, will no doubt raise the argument about Gr.I races in the south, and in Asia, having a lesser value as those in North America and Europe.

Be that as it may, the figures say the Great Dane is the Gr.1 King.

- Peter Tonkes.

*Al Maher is closely related to sire sensation Redoute's Choice and his win for owner Nasser Lootah of Emirates Park is by far the most important result achieved by him since Secret Saving's win in the Doncaster. The stud potential of Al Maher is considerable not only monetarily but because he carries some of the finest bloodlines currently available

The Central Queensland Thoroughbred Breeders Association have launched a new website. The site includes recent news, member details, details of the 2006 Classic Race Series, Capricorn Yearling Sale catalogue for the upcoming early April sale (pedigrees, link to vendor websites [where available], and some yearling photos included), classifieds and a racing calendar.

Whilst we are on the subject of web marketing, HITWISE has also released a Whitepaper titled "Search Marketing Campaign Strategy".

Search engine marketing is perceived as one of the most cost effective marketing vehicles used by online marketers to drive qualified traffic to their online businesses. Search marketers are experts on such things as the best search terms to attract customers (and what the competition are using), which search engines perform best in your specific industry, and cost per click. Some companies do search marketing inhouse but increasingly (as the market heats up) people are outsourcing the service to qualified experts.

The search industry has experienced explosive growth in recent years and search marketers have become increasingly sophisticated in their skill-base in order to maintain their competitive position. If you're interested in the subject I'd recommend the Hitwise Search Marketing Whitepaper which includes:

- processes and strategies to design effective search marketing
- the art of search term selection
- how top analyze your search term successes against competitive web sites
- step-by-step guide in planning a search marketing campaign

Hitwise offers a complimentary copy of the Search Marketing Whitepaper on their site but please be aware that they do request name/business details as the 'trade'. To download a copy click here.

Those of you who play the email marketing game may well be interested in a recent report from US company DOUBLE CLICK. They completed analysis of more than 2 billion email marketing messages for 2004 and have compiled useful statistics in delivery, open and click through rates.

In summary, delivery rates have gradually increased since 2002, while open rates have declined and click-through rates have wavered but generally held steady. At the end of 2004, delivery rates stood at 90.6%, up from 87.3% at the end of 2003. Open rates were down from 36.8% in 2003 to 32.6% in 2004. Click-through rates declined slightly, falling from 8.4% at the end of 2003 to 8.0% at year-end 2004. Of interest, the researchers state that the lower open rates may have more to do with new anti-spam filtering software adopted by users which selectively quarantines messages with html or pictures.

For a copy of the full report click here.

Reavill Farm has adopted a polished approach to web advertising for their Easter yearling draft. Ads on Racenet link to the stud's website which, in addition to a good sales section (in terms of photographs and pedigrees), also contains a video of their sole Danehill offering (the first foal from unraced Sadler's Wells mare Passing Hope). If you haven't looked at their website it's worth doing so.

The Reavill site adopts a clean approach, information is well laid out and a large number of photos and a regularly updated news page make it visually appealing. A differentiator for their sales page is also the simple (yet invaluable) indicator of when the yearling photograph was actually taken.

One thing that did take my eye was the partnership between the stud and World Breed to provide acceptors and race results of horses bred, sold or raced by Reavill. It's certainly a novel addition to a links page - and a great way to encourage ongoing client interaction with your site.

This story from Racing Editor Chris Scholtz at AAP Racing and Sports (16/3/05).

A Sporting Slipper Bet On Redoutes Choice

Corporate bookmaker Sportingbet Australia has offered odds about a two-year-old by Redoute's Choice winning the $3 million Golden Slipper Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday.

The Darwin-based firm has responded to the apparent dominance progeny by Redoute's Choice hold over this year's Slipper by framing a market on the outcome of the race.

Sportingbet is offering odds of $1.45 about one of the six two-year-olds by Redoute's Choice winning the Golden Slipper.

Punters who want to back the rest of the filed - 10 runners by eight different sires - against one of the super six by Redoute's Choice can get on at odds of $2.55.

Never has a bookmaker in Australia offered odds about progeny by a sire winning a Group One race, not even in years when Danehill - the sire of five Slipper winners since 1994 - has seemingly had the race there for the taking.

It is ironic that no Danehill two-year-old has made this year's Slipper field while his son Redoute's Choice, with only two crops of racing, has usurped his dominance with six outstanding contenders that dominate the betting markets.

Redoute's Choice will be represented by ruling favourite Snitzel, second favourite Fashions Afield with Stratum and Undoubtedly also under double figures in revised markets after the barrier draw.

Al Samer is at $13 while the Melbourne filly Opportunity has drifted to $17 to be the longest priced of the Redoute's Choice six after drawing the outside gate.

The market clearly indicates that Redoute's Choice may do the unthinkable and sire the trifecta in the world's richest two-year-old race.

Redoute's Choice was hot favourite for the Golden Slipper in 1999 but was a shock scratching on race morning when he was struck down by a severe virus.

The only runner not by Redoute's Choice under double figures is the Encosta De Lago filly Mnemosyne.

This year's Slipper will provide a first as none of the stallions represented has previously sired the race winner.

They include thew 1985 Slipper winner Rory's Jester, sire of Seidnazar.

Kentucky Derby winner Fusaichi Pegasus has his chance to make his mark on the race with three first crop runners - the outsiders Flying Pegasus, Dr Green and Poetic Genius.

It's a year for the new sires as More Than Ready and Iglesia are other first season stallions with Slipper runners.

The others sires represented are Snippets, Red Ransom and Gilded Time.

If you wish to market a sport the following statistics are certainly not ones to assist you:

The deaths of jockeys Gavin Lisk (23 y.o) and Adrian Ledger (25 y.o) within the space of 24 hrs now brings to 300 the number of jockeys who have lost their lives in racing-related accidents since 1847.

Meanwhile Canberra Racing Club CEO Damien Foley has announced the Club has launched three initiatives to aid Silburn's wife and two children; Slburn suffered a ruptured spine in a race fall at Canberra on Friday February 25th.

"I'd say John Messara would be feeling sick after paying the $135,000 late entry fee [for filly OPPORTUNITY] and drawing the outside alley".

Glenn Munsie TAB Fixed Odds - when reviewing the horses for Saturday's $3M G1 AAMI Golden Slipper Stakes 1200m at Rosehill for Racenet.

Encosta de Lago filly Brockman's Lass scored a fairytale debut win in Melbourne today when she scored a fighting win in the Bint Marscay Handicap for two-year-olds (1000m) at Sandown.

The filly, who was responsible for raising $75,000 for the rehabilitation of an injured motocross rider, made the best possible start to her racing career with her impressive victory.

Brockman's Lass ($4-$5) finished too well on the line to beat the warm favourite Luminary ($2-$2.50-$2.35 fav) by a head, while Ablazing ($5-$9) was a further one and three quarter lengths back third.

A daughter of Coolmore Stud based sire Encosta de Lago, Brockman's Lass was donated by her breeders, Joe Throsby and Debbie Evans, to be auctioned with all proceeds going to Jamie Brockman Foundation at last year's Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale. Throsby wanted to retain an interest in the filly - so he purchased a share after the sale.

Brockman, the son of leading Perth trainer Vern and wife Jenny, was left a quadriplegic after a race fall in a motocross event in the United States seven months before the auction, where the filly was sold with no reserve.

There was strong interest on the filly when she entered the ring last year. Slade Bloodstock, the syndication company owned by Rob and Corinna Slade, outbid Lindsay Park bloodstock agent Mark Pilkington to secure the youngster for $75,000.

The Slades were on hand with trainer Lee Freedman to cheer home Brockman's Lass for her debut victory this afternoon.

"There's a great mix of owners in the filly," Corinna Slade said. "There are first timers as well as others who've raced some very good horses including our star filly Alinghi."

Slade said Brockman's Lass would most probably be given her chance at black type before being sent for a break.

"Lee will look at a listed race at Moonee Valley for her," she added.

The filly is raced by Jill Jarvis' Real Deal Syndicate, Bill Rigg, Joe Throsby, Richie Ramsahoye, John Manning, Tony Wilkinson, Brad Stewart, John Bolcheski and Grant Maroun. The owners are spread around Australia and also the world with Rigg and Throsby from Perth, while Maroun resides in South Africa.

Some of the owners will be hoping their luck with previous outstanding gallopers carries through with Brockman's Lass. Jarvis' Real Deal Syndicate has a share in Alinghi, Rigg has raced a number of Group One winners including champion Dulcify and Throsby successfully raced her sire Encosta de Lago and also bred Alinghi.

The filly was sold at the auction by Dawson Stud, who prepared the filly for the sale at no cost on behalf of the foundation.

Deal Me Out, the dam of Brockman's Lass, is a winning half sister to Group One AJC Epsom Handicap winner Regal Native as well as the unraced dam of Modern General.

Source: Magic Millions media release

I'll leave the analysis of form, ratings, barriers, trainer %'s, track bias, weight differentiators between fillies and colts ... and everything else ... to the mainstream media.

Instead I will point any would-be researchers to the comprehensive history of the Slipper at the following site. Racenet also provide a Golden Slipper history page as do AAP.

It's going to be a capacity crowd on the day. In terms of dining packages at Rosehill Gardens, the following are already sold out: Winning Post Restaurant, TJ's, Champagne Bar, Slipper Pavilion, Open Terraces, Private Suites, Ascot Club, Infield Marquee, VIP Celebrity Marquee, Corporate Marquees, Village Pagodas, Lawn Marquee Suites, The Lonhro Lawn, Trackside Marquee Suites and the Balcony Suite.

For those who are just looking for some simple facts - well, here are just a few for you:

The X or Y chromosome

The split between colts and fillies -

Colts: 9
Fillies: 7

It's all in the genes

Sire stats for the runners -

Redoute's Choice: 6 runners
Fusaichi Pegasus: 3
Iglesia: 1
Red Ransom: 1
Rory's Jester: 1
Gilded Time: 1
Encosta de Lago: 1
Snippets: 1
More than Ready: 1

Strength in numbers

Trainer of the highest number of entries -

Gai Waterhouse: 3 runners
John Hawkes: 2

Most media mentions

An exact number is difficult to provide but Seidnazar and Blizzardly have approximately 23 individual mentions across all media in recent weeks whilst at the other end of the scale Written Tycoon, Stratum and Snitzel have attracted the most attention with upwards of 120 individual mentions.

All that glitters is (actually) gold

Best record going into the event: Fashions Afield (3 starts - 3 wins)

Hardly disgraced in the 'achievements' category however ... Snitzel, Written Tycoon, Domesday, Al Samer, Flying Pegasus, Opportunity and Blizzardly.

First trainer to produce a Slipper trifecta

Gai Waterhouse: Ha Ha, Excellerator and Red Hannigan in 2001

And for the record

No Slipper winner since Bint Marscay in 1993 has had their first start after Christmas and gone on to Slipper success. This statistic, of course, raises a question mark over Fashions Afield. But then again ... there is always a first time for everything ....

I'm sure someone else has already picked up on the following (in an ideal world one [i.e. "me"] should, of course, research such things PRIOR to writing a post) but in case someone missed it - it would seem that Vinery stallions scored the trifecta in last Saturday's G2 Magic Night Stakes at Rosehill.

First across the line was Media, a 2 yo filly by former Vinery shuttler Gilded Time. More than Ready sired both place getters: Carry on Cutie (b f 2 More Than Ready (USA) - Rose of Latakia (NZ) by Conquistarose (USA)) and Blizzardly (b f 2 More Than Ready (USA) - Concise by Marscay).

The race was run in 1m 9.38s, a new race record.

Speaking of a stud farm reveling in a race result, Mungrup Stud in Western Australia had good reason to celebrate earlier this month as well when Lock the Vault won the $150,000 Malaysia Airlines Magic Millions Perth 2YO Classic (1200m) at Belmont. A $45,000 graduate from last year's Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale, Lock the Vault was yet another Magic Millions triumph for Mungrup Stud; Mungrup having now sold three of the past four Magic Millions Perth 2YO Classic winners. They also offered and sold this year's third placegetter Torrid Affair. The previous Magic Millions Perth 2YO Classic winners for Mungrup Stud were Scottish Storm and Rose of Thunder.

Planning on buying a Redoute's Choice yearling at a future sale? A famous quote from John Sladek may well come to mind if you do: "The future, according to some scientists, will be exactly like the past, only far more expensive" - which in this context equates to: this dynamic young sire has been posting results that are fast putting his 2003/4 sales average in the 'wishful thinking' category for most buyers.

If you were in any doubt just how good the Redoute's Choice progeny are (or someone nearby is STILL muttering about the cost of his sire's stock over the past decade) just check out the last two weekend's stakes results on AAP.

There is a reason the Danehill and now the Redoute's Choice progeny cost so much as yearlings. Just look how many times you see either name appear in the stakes results pages. OF COURSE some of them can't run - but the % theory shows that a significant number of them can ... and well above the average.

When you consider that Australians love their 2yo results - you don't have to be Einstein to figure out how a stallion who has just produced his 10th individual 2YO stakes-winner this season will be embraced by the market.

I'll say this much - I wouldn't mind having a mare (or 3) in foal to him!!

Clear race favorite Vengeance Of Rain triumphed in today's HK$14 Million Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby (2000m). The 4 yo NZ-bred bay gelding beat home another kiwi - Russian Pearl (who incidentally strained a suspensory ligament in his right front leg when finishing fourth at Happy Valley on November 4th last year so his return to form, particularly at this level, is extraordinary in its own right) - by a margin of 2 and 3/4 lengths.

Vengeance of Rain may have been bred in NZ but he has strong connections across the Tasman as well. The son of Zabeel (out of the G1 winning Danehill mare Danelagh) formerly raced in Australia as Subscribe in the familiar navy blue and white silks of former Crown Casino boss Lloyd Williams.

One wonders which side of the Tasman will be be jumping on this marketing opportunity ... personally I think the New Zealanders deserve the rights (I accept that others' opinions may differ!)

The Australians can take heart from another Shatin result however - Silent Witness' half brother (by Woodman) - Very Fit - gave his trainer Tony Cruz his 60th win for the season and led almost all the way in the Class 3 Johann Cruyff Handicap over 1600 metres. It was the geldings third win in just five starts ensuring the pedigree page continues to bubble along and both Edinburgh Park (vendor) and Inglis (auctioneer) will have high hopes for the yearling half sister to be offered at this year's Easter sale.

It was all about the fairer sex and enviable G1 talent this weekend:

The Lee Freedman trained duo of Makybe Diva and Alinghi stole the show at Flemington yesterday. Dual Melbourne Cup winning mare Makybe Diva scorched the turf winning the Australian Cup in a track record run of 1min 58.73sec while only one race earlier, Alinghi took out the Newmarket Handicap with her customary finishing burst to down Fastnet Rock in their battle of the sexes.

Source: Ozeform

Flemington reportedly scored a crowd that was a whisker under 30,000 (about 70,000 less than the Spring Carnival) on Saturday - some commentators have queried how the VRC marketing department will be feeling as a result of those numbers.

Max Presnell in this evening's SMH writes "The VRC threw all its marketing firepower at last Saturday with the greats Makybe Diva and Alinghi, supported by Fastnet Rock and Elvstroem, as ammunition. None was disappointing. Sure, Alinghi put away Fastnet Rock in the dash of a lifetime, the Newmarket, and the battle between Makybe Diva and Elvstroem didn't eventuate in the Australian Cup, but Winning Belle proved a worthy substitute.

Possibly it will be deduced that autumn racing just doesn't have the appeal of the spring but on March 12, 1960, Tulloch made a comeback after nearly two years, in the Queen's Plate on Newmarket day. Trainer Tommy Smith had chosen the mile-and-a-quarter event, regarded by most as too tough at his first start after the long spell, against the local top-liner Lord. After a head-and-head battle with Lord down the straight, Tulloch triumphed. Before more than 90,000. On Saturday, veteran racing writer Tony Bourke recalled: "Racegoers actually threw their hats in the air."

These days it's a journalists' joke about the hats because, compared to Tulloch's era, so few are worn. But Alinghi and Makybe Diva were worth a hurl, too. Unlike in Tulloch's day, you had a good chance of getting the hat back."

Those of you with children will appreciate their innate skill in endlessly repeating a request when they want something, to the point where you sometimes have no choice but to tune in to the mantra (paradoxically adult 'nagging' does not always work so well in reverse ... go figure!).

Advertising is no different to the skill of a determined child. There's an old newspaperman's joke that dates back more than 100 years that illustrates how ads work.

1. The first time a man looks at an ad, he doesn't see it.
2. The second time, he doesn't notice it.
3. The third time, he is conscious of its existence.
4. The fourth time, he faintly remembers having seen it.

The joke continues on until the sixteenth time has him thinking he'll buy some day and the twentieth time he sees the ad he instructs his wife to go out and buy the product.

Moral of this story: one off ads simply do NOT work. You have to commit to a medium-term investment strategy when using advertising as part of your brand building exercise.

I love these news stories which are - if the truth be known - barely disguised pieces of PR, both in terms of subtly hyping a horse's value, and usually giving the original purchaser a congratulatory pat on the back in the same instance. For anyone who missed it - the following is a good plug for Santry's bloodstock business (which runs alongside his employment contract with Coolmore) and Coolmore itself.

These sort of 'news' items are gems for anyone who wants the publicity as they do not technically fall within the 'media release' category so will be printed with the main news section. They're great for credibility; even better for free advertising. Now, when were the Easter sales again ... ah yes, in 3 weeks!

Stallions Daily Bulletin ran with the 'news' yesterday:

$1M PLUS OFFER REJECTED

Shania Dane, impressive winner of the Phar Lap Stakes-Gr.2, has already been the subject of a seven-figure offer. The good-looking daughter of Danehill had barely been unsaddled when bloodstock agent James Bester approached owners Michael Crismale and Colm Santry with an enquiry as to whether they would sell.

"James approached us, on behalf of an American client, with an offer well in excess of $1m," explained Colm Santry, who had purchased the filly at the 2003 Easter yearling sales for happy client Michael Crismale. "Michael was adamant that she will never be sold; he and wife Gail really love their horses and Shania Dane will be living at Coolmore after her racing days are over. She's a Gr.2 winner herself now, with Gr.1 potential. And her full brother, Scintillation, recently won the Mercedes Benz Hong Kong Mile-HKGr.1, so her residual value is enormous."

Spotted in Breeding & Racing's Daily Update last week was the following news from the UK.

English Races To Fit Demand
“A system that would enable racecourses to determine what part of their local horse population most needs a run & then card that race at a scheduled fixture” is being planned for England this (northern) autumn, reported thoroughbredtimes.com. Currently races in England “are centrally framed in advance by the British Horseracing Board in conjunction with the tracks”; under the proposed “responsive race planning system, 1 race at each meeting could be left open until the week of the meeting” & “officials would then establish the race type for which there was the greatest need in the vicinity & conditions would be framed to meet this specific demand”. BHB racing director Ruth Quinn explained “trainers would indicate their preference through the websites of the BHB & Weatherbys (English racing's
secretary) which would be assessed on a daily basis. We are aiming for the autumn & I'm confident this is something we'll have in place by then."

It's a brilliant idea and no doubt one that many trainers in Australia would love to see introduced 'Down Under'.

The Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association spoke up about the threatened loss of the country's tax incentives this week. Speaking at the ITBA awards, chairman Dermot Cantillon called on the government to retain the stallion tax exemption currently under review by the EU Commission & the Department of Finance.

His argument focused on the benefits of the current system to the industry (and its much coveted bloodlines). He was candid about the estimated cost of the incentives to the exchequer - the equivalent of AUD$5.1m but argued that the breeding industry contributed AUD$63.75m in return.

If you're interested in this subject you might wish to read the article in the Sunday Times Business Section a few weeks back titled Rock and a Hard Place. Reporter Douglas Dalby wrote:

When John Magnier forced Alex Ferguson into a humiliating climbdown on his €58m claim to half-ownership of Rock of Gibraltar it was widely regarded as a resounding victory for Ireland's wealthiest bloodstock breeder. The Manchester United manager had to accept a mere €3.6m but a year later Magnier may be ruing the saga that pushed him - and the Irish Stallion Tax Exemption Scheme that has helped him to amass a €750m fortune - into the full glare of public opprobrium.

"I believe the spat has brought this down on his (Magnier's) own head, to be honest," said one government TD, speaking on the basis of uncharacteristic anonymity. "The one thing that dispute brought home to every man on every barstool up and down the country was the fact that the Rock was making a tax-free fortune."

[click here for the full article]

Meanwhile the Irish have received some support from a (potentially) unlikely source -the Scots. In an article in last week's Scotsman, reporter Martin Hannan wrote:

"It amazes me that several Irish politicians are queuing up to urge the EC to end the tax break scheme. These mostly left-wing eejits say that rich people like Magnier should be made to pay a proper tax on stallion fees - to finance hospitals and the like.

The Rock of Gibraltar saga apparently brought home to many people just how much cash Magnier and Co earn, and they are obscenely wealthy. But you do not make poor people richer by making rich people poorer. In any case, Ireland's wealthiest stallion owners will simply siphon money into their offshore tax havens, as they have done for years.

But the vast majority of studs in Ireland are small-scale operations, which depend on the tax break to make a profit. They will suffer most from the end of the system.

So here's a wee thought for the Irish politicians who would stop the tax break - they are attacking the stud fee exemption because it's an easy target, and they do not have the nous or guts to close all the other tax loopholes. And without any doubt, stopping the stallion fee exemption will lead to studs closing and jobs disappearing, leading in turn to a massive loss of tax income - which will far outweigh the cost of the present system."

The full text of the article is available here.

Anyone who has glanced through this year's Easter catalogue may well have paused at lot 483 (on account of Tyreel Stud). The sole entry of deceased sire Centaine is a brown colt out of the Sound Reason mare Fifteen Reasons.

Run your eye down the page. Centaine appears in the pedigree of no less than 10 winners on the page (6 of which are black type winners including the G1 performer Sixty Seconds).

It's a fitting tribute to a wonderful Australian sire.

Marketing 101 - 'Keep it short and simple'

Marketing manager Jeremy Morris from Victoria’s Chatswood Stud understands the K.I.S.S. principle all too well. In promoting the stud's new sire Niello (Octagonal-Shadea, by Straight Strike) Morris says: “There are only 4 facts you need to know: Niello is a group-winning 2YO; a triple Gr1-winning 3YO; he’s a brother to Lonhro (world champion miler); & he’s free of Danehill & therefore Danzig blood."

You can't argue with the effectiveness of the approach.

Speaking of Chatswood Stud - they have had their name in the media quite a lot of late. In addition to securing Niello earlier this year, another of their stallions -GENUINE - sired the sale topping colt ($51K) at last Friday's Magic Millions sale in Launceston [which set a new record for Tasmania's most prominent yearling sale]. Another Genuine colt sold for $32k (the third highest price on the day).

The Stallions website has apparently become so popular that it's outgrown its existing server (a 'popularity' problem many portals would love to have I suspect)! The Stallions team are therefore 'off the air' today.

In an attempt to differentiate its magazine subscription from others in the market, Australasian Turf Monthly ("ATM") established the Turf Racing Stable ("TRS") in 2002 for the benefit of its subscribers. An annual subscription to ATM includes free membership to the TRS where horses are raced at no cost to the members.

The Turf Racing Stable currently has one 4yo, two 3yos and four 2yos. Each horse is leased (from the time they turn 2) for a period of 3 years. The ultimate goal is to see between 10 and 15 horses in work. Trainers donate their time in preparing the horses and Mitavite (amongst other suppliers) provide additionals such as feed.

ATM and TRS don't charge management fees for the administration of the TRS horses. Net proceeds earned are (in theory anyway) disbursed by way of distribution at the end of each racing season according to the Terms and Conditions (although one imagines it would be a rare year when the stable made sufficient income to provide a return - however marginal - to x number of thousand magazine subscribers - particularly when ATM have to subsidise any extra expenses).

There have been a large number of people/companies behind the concept in terms of donating leases or services: Craiglea Stud, Vinery Australia, Westbury Stud, Trelawney Stud, Hampton Park Thoroughbreds, Eliza Park, Widden Stud, Windsor Park Stud, Pryde’s Feeds, Rich Hill, Fittons Insurance, Mitavite; and trainers Danny Bougoure, Alan Jones, Tim Martin, Mike Moroney, Gerald Ryan, Barbara Joseph, Mark Kavanagh, Tony Vasil (Aquanita Racing), Katrina Alexander, Jen Butler, Matthew Smith and John Symons.

TRS updates are distributed via email, the website and also in the monthly magazine (see below for example). The stable had the advantage of some early PR too when its Beautiful Crown/Just as Lovely filly - Just as Beautiful - (trained by Barbara Joseph) secured a G3 placing (and 2 wins) from just 5 starts, contributing a tidy $36,700 to the coffers.

It would be an interesting study to see how many readers actively follow the horses or purchase their annual subscription as a result of the TRS Concept. Like the example of Dream Run however (see below), ATM have certainly incorporated race horse syndication as an important differentiator in their business planning.

Ok, I'll say one thing about the following company: they're certainly innovative.

Dream Run is a home loan company that, in exchange for the right to take over your existing home loan (or grant you a new home loan), provides you with the opportunity to race a horse with them for three years at no charge.

The details are as follows:

- the syndicate will consist of only 40 members
- the filly to be raced cost $200 000 at this years Magic Million sales (She's certainly well bred: by Flying Spur ex Abonnement (by Marauding). Abonnement is a half-sister to Schubert (the wonderful River Dane/Audrey Joan family) and her 2 foals to race so far include the Singapore Guineas winner Recast and the talented Danehill 2yo Gonski who won his barrier trial in November last year by 11 lengths and his first start in town in early December by 3.8 lengths).
- Members get to choose the name of this filly
- Race day privileges are included
- There are no up front or ongoing costs for members to race the horse
- Members keep 2/3 of net prize money

Dream Run's differentiator
I certainly don't know of anyone else offering the combination of a home loan with the opportunity to take part in a racing syndicate.

Company tagline
"Get your mortgage racing"

Comment
Dream Run's marketing concept is certainly novel, but as good as it sounds I'd be encouraging people to check the fine print (and the terms of the loan) before being seduced by the offer. Remember - you don't actually get to 'own' the horse (Dream Run retain that right). There also isn't too much information about what happens if the horse never actually makes it to the race track ....

News today that Queensland's only sire son of Zabeel is changing address - and his service fee is on the climb as well.

MOON ROCKET will be standing at Craiglea Stud, located at Kenilworth in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, for the 2005 season. Craiglea Stud is one of the most respected studs in Queensland - probably best known as the birthplace of Falvelon and Calaway Gal, two of the best gallopers ever produced in Queensland.

MOON ROCKET will stand the 2005 season at a service fee of $5,500 (inc. GST). This represents a slight increase on his 2004 service fee (which was $4,400 inc. GST). This decision has been based on the quality of the MOON ROCKET foals. The response from happy breeders has been simply overwhelming, and if the outstanding types from his initial crop are anything to go by, it appears that this service fee increase will be just the first of many to come.

Discounts will continued to be offered to both well performed race mares, and proven broodmares. In addition, in appreciation to those breeders who chose MOON ROCKET for their mares in his first two seasons mare owners who have sent mares to Moon Rocket in the past will be guaranteed access to him at the service fee they paid in the past.

The $5,500 fee will not only include GST, but also a standard veterinarian charge, and typical service & handling charges, so that the only other costs to be borne by breeders will be agistment fees (which are extremely reasonable at Craiglea Stud), and extraordinary veterinarian expenses.

Moon Rocket's family continues to enjoy great success in Australia. Close relatives Dance Hero and Grand Armee continue to add to their impressive tally of Group races, Zabeel (the sire of MOON ROCKET) continues to produce stars like Savabeel, with his number of G1 winning progeny now up to 30, and Danehill (the sire of MOON ROCKET's dam) is represented (among many others) by the new sprinting star Fastnet Rock, and the soon-to-be sire Elvestroem.

The Zabeel-Danehill cross (provided by MOON ROCKET) continues to produce class performers with the John Hawkes trained Dizelle proving she is equal to the top clas Australian 3yos by winning the Group 2 Woodstock Mile, and the Australian-bred galloper Vengeance Of Rain (formerly Subscribe) recently took out the Group 3 Centenary Vase in Hong Kong to stake his claim as one of the top chances for this year's Hong Kong Derby.

There's nothing like admitting a research-error first thing on a Monday morning ... but nevertheless I must. Jo Adams from Cyberhorse deserves the credit for spotting the error (and alerting me to it as well).

It would appear that my post concerning eJockey was incorrect in terms of its launch date. Far from being new, the portal has apparently been in existence for "about two years" according to Jo. One of the jockeys used to advertise the site's services, Craig Newitt, is also currently under disqualification (June 04) as a result of the Leone Chiara inquiry.

Jo reports that Racenet apparently tried something a little similar to eJockey a couple of years ago "although it was nowhere near as detailed and it wasn't overly successful either. I would say it's because the managers have to do the managing of the site and most don't have the time".

Jo mentioned a very good jockey site designed and managed by Heath Cram (Chris Munce's manager). That site can be viewed at the following URL.

Many thanks to Jo - and apologies for the error!

For those interested in the top 100 leading sires of sale yearlings (and also broodmares) in the US last year, the Bloodhorse.com has the lists for you.

This story from The Racing Post.

Mugabe regime has had a catastrophic effect - by Bessie Gregory.

BIRTH is always a small miracle, but the birth of a Sadler’s Wells foal to multiple Group 1 winner Ipi Tombe at Highclere Stud in Berkshire this week bore a special ring of improbable good fortune.

Ipi Tombe – whose name means ‘where are the girls’ in Xsosa – is the best racehorse to ever come out of Zimbabwe. Her natural talents assured her export, first to South Africa, then to North America, and finally to Britain. Had she stayed in Zimbabwe, however, she might have suffered the fate of her dam, who was rounded up in a government land grab in 2002 and aborted a full-sibling to Ipi Tombe while packed into a single acre with 160 other horses.

Bernice Robertson-Dyer, chair of the Zimbabwe National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, says that Ipi Tombe’s birthplace, Golden Acres, escaped lightly compared to the horror her team witnessed on some breeding farms.

“Back then we were dealing with rescuing and moving animals who had to be left after occupationn,” she says. “We saw beatings, mutilation and slaughter among all animals, not just horses.

“Now we are dealing more with starvation. There is no grazing and the people are not experienced or equipped enough to deal with livestock. We have had thoroughbreds used for ploughing.”

Ipi Tombe is a product of Zimbabwe’s once flourishing young breeding industry, which, like many of the nation’s businesses, is largely ruined.

Since February 2000 around 350-large scale commercial farms have been shut down, crippling the economy, leading to unemployment of more than 70 per cent, along with poverty and malnutrition. The World Health Organisation estimates that nearly half of the country’s population of 11 million are unable to meet their minimum food requirements.

The story of Ipi Tombe’s breeder, Peter Moor, provides an insight into what has happened to those able to stay and fight on.

The Harare-based lawyer and former commercial farmer was the most important breeder in Zimbabwe. Consistently atop consignor at the annual National Yearling sales, he had a 90-strong broodmare band before his farm was seized.

His 2,000-acre Golden Acres Stud, founded 15 years ago near Marondera, south-east of Harare, was listed for compulsory acquisition in 2002 and occupied shortly afterwards. After nearly two years of petitioning, he is fortunate to have won back part of the estate and is working to salvage a semblance of normality.

While Zimbabwe’s most famous graduate was gaining worldwide fame,Moor, his staff and breeding stock were dealing with occupation. He says: “After it was put on the designated list they moved into the homestead and booted out the manager.

“At one stage they rounded up all the horses, 160 of them, on to the homestead – the whole farm was in one acre.

Ipi Tombe’s dam Carnet de Danse was in foal to Manshood but the trauma caused her to abort. The grooms did the best they could but they were living in fear.”

With the aid of negotiators from the ZNSPCA,the mares and resident stallion, Pollen Count – a son of Diesis – were rescued and relocated for a couple of months until it was safer for them to return.

Robertson-Dyer says: “Golden Acres was a particularly difficult situation, especially when the horses were all contained – mares were giving birth in the faeces and mud.

“After negotiating with interested parties we were able to ensure the animals were fed and watered. Very often in these situations the animals are used as a bargaining tool; we were there to assist with the rescue and moving of the animals.”

Moor adds: “It was a disaster for me for a couple of years after, with the war veterans occupying the farm. I repeatedly applied to get it back by speaking to various people. Iam the largest breeder here and if I didn’t keep going, then racing would stop.

“About six or seven months ago I received a letter from the governor, allowing me to continue in the interests of breeding and racing in the country. In the last few months they have moved everyone off the area and I have been allowed back.”

His plight could have been worse; with unemployment so high it was easy for him to get staff, and he is able to obtain veterinary, farriery andsupplement supplies, the shortage and cost of which is at the root of many current welfare problems seen by the ZNSPCA.

British-bred Carnet de Danse is now back at the farm along with 60-odd mares. At 23, she is nearing the end of her productive life and has been barren for the last couple of seasons. In the years the farm was occupied she was sent for covering by Manshood in South Africa but with no luck. This week, however, Moor received news from his vet that she had been tested in foal to Pollen Count.

That good news aside, however, Moor foresees a bleak future for the industry. He says: “It’s a disaster and I don’t think the future looks too good. There are three of us who breed more than 90 per cent of the horses here.

“It is aparticularly big blow that Chris Peech is dispersing the majority of his stock and relocating. It was especially painful it all happened when the Zimbabwean-bred horses were doing so well in South Africa, winning Group 1 races.”

Golden Acres, Sandown Farm and Rumbavu Park Stud are the nurseries producing the bulk of Zimbabwe’s foal crop. The last-named is owned by Peech, who announced recently that he will be drastically reducing his stock at a dispersal on April 2.

Industry expert and former auctioneer Peter Lovemore says: “The effect of the Mugabe regime has been catastrophic and impacted severely on the breeding industry. Ninety per cent of breeders are off their farms and those who are left are subjected to unimaginable horrors. It would be impossible for you to understand in Britain.

“There are no title deeds, they are surrounded by squatters and thieves, their fences are stolen, fields ploughed up without warning. It’s chaotic, beyond comprehension.

“During and after seizures, terrible things happened to the horses, though extreme cruelty was, fortunately, only in a minority of cases. The occupations are no longer so violent but they are ongoing and destructive. It is a slow, steady and sure attrition.”

Source: Racing Post

Inglis may have a dedicated Japanese web page on their website and be heavily courting the Japanese market but the fact remains that in terms of Asia, Hong Kong is where much of Inglis' success still centres. Not a week goes by when we don't see a report of another Inglis graduate winning at Happy Valley or Shatin. Last weekend's Gr1 Centenary Sprint Cup provides a perfect example of just how dominant the sale company is in this part of the world: of the first three horses across the line all were sold by Inglis - undefeated 5YO gelding Silent Witness (El Moxie-Jade Tiara, by Bureaucracy - a $55,000 buy at the 2001 Inglis Classic Sale) now has 15 straight wins [7 Gr1 victories] & HK$40 million (A$6.6m) prize-money, runner-up 4YO gelding Country Music (Danzero-Paris Nights, by Le Grand Seigneur) was a $50,000 buy at the 2002 Inglis Scone Sale and 3rd-placed 6YO gelding Multidandy (Danehill-New Acquaintance, by Kings Island) was a $200,000 buy at the 2000 Inglis Easter Sale.

Apart from Inglis, Coolmore has also been doing some local brand building. In yesterday's Racing Post I spotted the following ad ...

For those who despair that they will never have the funds to play at the top end of the game... don't despair - the most expensive yearlings (on pedigree or auction value) and the ones that attract the ever-frequent media write-ups from their enthusiastic buyers - usually along the lines of "the best I've ever seen!/absolutely had to have him/her/an extraordinarily well put together horse/at the top of our 'must have' list" - don't necessarily support their buyers with an ability to gallop.

A couple were on show this weekend (and for the two I noticed there were probably 102 others I didn't). The first was Rasasa - a beautifully bred filly by Zabeel out of Fleur de Chine who was purchased by Gai Waterhouse at the 2003 NZ Premier Sale for the not insubstantial amount of $375,000. Her owner? None other than Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum.

Rasasa hasn't exactly set the world on fire. She ran at Terang today. Not overly au fait with that part of the world? Fair enough. Terang is in the Corangamite Shire in Victoria, a few hours drive from Melbourne. Race 5 at 2.20pm - the Terang Vet Clinic Fillies and Mares Maiden Plate over 1400m - saw the appearance of this regally bred filly. But even this far from the city her pedigree didn't provide much assistance and despite starting 5/2 favorite she ran 12th of 14 and 8.5 lengths from the winner. Ironically perhaps, there was a genetic link between the winner, Manhattan Treasure, and Rasasa - both have Zabeel in the first 2 removes of their pedigree. The service fee is somewhat different perhaps - Portland Pirate (sire of Manhattan Treasure) stands for just AUD$3,850 compared to the NZ$85,000 commandeered by his sire.

Rasasa may have had the media in a flurry of excitement 2 years ago and she may be owned by one of racing's 'elite' but in 3 starts she has accrued just $500 and a 4th placing in a Bendigo maiden in September 2004 (she has also been 'sacked' by Gai Waterhouse and is now in the hands of Flemington trainer John Sadler).

The other starter that caught my eye this weekend was Love Diamonds - the 2yo filly by Danehill out of Tristalove (a mare whose yearlings have sold up to AUD$1.5M in recent years). Love Diamonds (sister to G1 winner Viking Ruler, G2 winner Kempinsky and listed winner Diamond Like) is a home-bred raced by her owners Lady & Sir Patrick Hogan as well as Mrs N K & P J Hunt. Despite her bloodlines this filly is also struggling to live up to her illustrious pedigree. After winning her maiden at Trentham on 29 January by 1.5 lengths she finished 11th of 15 today (and 14.6 lengths behind the winner) in the G2 Breeders Stakes over 1200 metres. She is still young, but even so ...

So, if you're cursing the fact that your investments are limited to $10K horses - don't despair - it's not always champagne and roses for the industry's 'top guns' either!