Craig Young wrote an interesting piece in last week's Sun Herald about the first crop of microchipped two-year-olds (the first of which - Super Savings - won last Saturday's Breeders Plate).

In terms of analysing the information the microchips store - and the potential benefits to the industry that this technology provides - it's an interesting article.

Story at following URL.

Take a look at the names of the owners of this filly who is having her first start in the Maribynong Trial (L/R) at Flemington this Saturday. Whilst a couple of the owner names look familiar - Victoria Samba for example is Danny Nikolic's fiancée (she is also the owner of Thorn Park and Flying Pegasus), and Jo McKinnon is the TVN/Moonee Valley spokesperson ... I am less sure about some of the others!

PERMAISCUOUS
2yo b f Danzero - Permai (by Rory's Jester)
Trainer: D A Hayes (Flemington)
Owners: Ggees, Everygirlwantsapony, Poniesareagirlsbestfriend, N Whelen, S Lloyd-Williams, V Samba, J McKinnon, A Pippos, T Oliver & S Crawford

Back in early June I wrote a post titled "Jockey Club grapples with meaning of offensive" that reported on a Kentucky thoroughbred owner (who also happened to be a historian) appealing a Jockey Club ruling that said he could not name a horse after a slave of President Thomas Jefferson.

Today's Las Vegas Sun reports that on September 16 a Kentucky judge dismissed the lawsuit, denying owner - Redmond - the right to name the filly after the slave.

Redmond obviously feels quite strongly about the issue. He plans to lodge an appeal next week.

With top Hong Kong contenders Cape of Good Hope and Silent Witness in Japan for this weekend's Sprinters Stakes at Nakayama, Champion Australian mare Alinghi set for the G1 Shadwell Mile at Keeneland (Kentucky) on October 8, plus the Arc, Breeders' Cup Turf, Japan Cup and Melbourne's Spring Carnival all on the horizon - it's sometimes easy to lose sight of the fact that all too soon a season starts afresh in yet another distant country. A date fast approaching, but well worth diarising however, is December 1 when Dubai will again be welcoming horses for the 2006 Dubai International Racing Carnival, which climaxes with the Dubai World Cup meeting, the world's richest.

As an extension of their passion for international competition, Sheikh Mohammed developed the idea of the Dubai International Racing Carnival - 10 weeks of racing -that allows owners, trainers and jockeys from around the world to come to Dubai to compete.

The first race of the Dubai International Racing Carnival ("DIRC") commences on January 19 2006 and concludes on March 25 when three of the world's richest races will take place.

The 2006 brochure arrived late last week and is its usual polished product. In terms of the generous incentives to owners and trainers it reminds me of one of those high-end showbags at the Royal Easter Show Pavillion (or these days, expensive yearlings at all number of premier sales) - you know the ones - you spent hours standing around dreaming of owning them only to find that they were always slightly out of your price bracket.

Martin Talty, Manager of the International Department at the DRC disagrees. "[The Carnival] allows all to participate, not just those lucky enough to have a Group One horse. The Dubai International Racing Carnival is achievable to all those who want to race their horse internationally and with the generous incentives the Maktoum Family provide, it makes it a realistic goal for everyone, proven by the 170 horses that arrived for last year's carnival from 21 different countries.

"Winners came from England, Ireland, France, South Africa, Brazil, Macau, Singapore, Norway, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Australia and the United States so the proof is there that international success is now within the grasp of everyone."

The lead-in Carnival provides an opportunity for horses to gain valuable international experience - and, as some have ably demonstrated, propel their careers to new heights.

"Without the Dubai International racing Carnival would a horse like Collier Hill have traveled outside the UK?" asks Talty. "He came here in 2005, won a race worth US$120,000, finished third in the Dubai Sheema Classic, then went on to win the Irish St Leger".

In 2006 the number of turf races has increased to 36 (outnumbering the dirt races - 30) and prize money has (yet again) escalated. The 11 race meetings that constitute the Carnival will offer prize-money of US$30 million. The Group 1 Dubai Duty Free (which Australia's Elvstroem won in 2005) as well as the Dubai Sheema Classic will both carry prize money of US$5million in 2006; the Flag Ship event - the Dubai World Cup - carrying US$6million.



Dubai International Racing Carnival website at following URL.

(Note: images from DRC brochure - Elvstroem pictured [top] and Lim's Classic, the first Singapore representative to win in Dubai [below]).

Keeneland's September Yearling Sale ended Monday afternoon as the highest grossing Thoroughbred auction in the world. Numerous other industry and sale records also fell during the 14-day auction.

Buyers from the United States and throughout the world traveled to Lexington and spent $384,349,900 during the last two weeks, far eclipsing the previous record of $324,904,300 set last year in September.

The long list of records spanned many categories.

* Number of horses sold, 3,545, set an industry record, topping the 3,461 horses sold at the 1999 November Breeding Stock Sale. The previous September Sale record was 3,370, set last year.

* Average price, $108,420, was a sale record, bettering the $96,411 in 2004.

* Median price, $40,000, was a sale record, surpassing $37,000 in 2004.

* Number of $1 million or more purchases, 40, set an industry record, bettering the 33 sold during the 1984 July Selected Yearling Sale, 28 sold during the 2000 September Sale and 39 sold during the 2000 November Sale.

* Highest price, $9.7 million, paid by John Ferguson on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum for a colt by Storm Cat out of Tranquility Lake, set a sale record. It was the third highest price ever paid for a horse at auction. Mill Ridge Sales, agent for Mr. and Mrs. Martin J. Wygod, sold the colt. The previous record in September was $8 million paid last year for a colt by Storm Cat out of Welcome Surprise.

* Sire average, $1,766,731 for 26 horses by Storm Cat, set a sale record. The previous mark was $1,756,538 for 13 sons and daughters of Storm Cat in 2001.

* Consignor gross, $60,997,400 for 360 horses by Taylor Made Sales Agency, set an industry record.

* Buyer gross, $41,875,000 by John Ferguson, set a sale record, topping the $33,930,000 he spent in 2004. Ferguson has been the leading buyer in September for seven consecutive years, dating to 1999.

The September Sale started strong on Monday, September 13, picked up added momentum on Tuesday and remained strong throughout the middle sessions.

Both the gross, $98,502,000, an average, $535,337, on Tuesday, September 14, were session records for the sale.

"The records have fallen one after the other", said Director of Sales Geoffrey Russell. "With buyers here from all parts of the United States and every corner of the world, Keeneland September has firmly established itself as truly the global marketplace of Thoroughbred sales".

Russell was particularly pleased by the strength of catalogs 3, 4, 5-comprising days 5 through 10 of the sale. During that period Keeneland sold 1,723 horses for $99,472,200.

"Books 3, 4 and 5, which previously had their largest increase in 2004, were up another 23.3 percent this year", Russell continued.

The September Sale was the first held in the newly expanded and renovated sales pavilion, which drew compliments from all participants in the auction.

During Monday's final session, Keeneland sold 154 horses for $1,325,300, an average of $8,606 and a median of $5,850. Last year on the final day, 136 horses brought $1,160,500, an average of $8,533 and a median of $6,000.

Source: Keeneland Media release [distributed by Vin Cox Bloodstock (Australia)]

I live in a country that disallows children attending the races (yes, yes, appreciate the anti-gambling angle) but in a city of skyscrapers that ensures horse-riding is limited to a financially elite circle at downtown Pokfulham riding school [don't forget your white breeches and high top Aigle boots], allowing Hong Kong children access to race courses is probably the closest most will ever come to a horse.

One of Australia's finest racing journalists - The Sydney Morning Herald's Max Presnell - has similar comments regarding last Saturday's Randwick's meeting. Titled 'Heavy Handed Dinosaurs Have Forgotten Past' Presnell's column asks a few pointed questions of a department whose objective is to INCREASE patronage of race courses:

"Toss potting and bird watching, supplemented with a little equine action, are obviously the focus of the Australian Jockey Club marketing for Royal Randwick on Saturday. Children are being discouraged. Well, that's the impression received from the $10 admission fee for those aged five to 17. Surprisingly, AJC chief executive Tony King and at least one committee person were unaware of the situation when alerted to the slug on Saturday. Perhaps those responsible figure the race course is no place for youngsters. However, some of the fondest memories of the dinosaurs who still get a buzz at headquarters were of being taken to the hallowed turf by their fathers to experience magic moments in the company of great horses and jockeys. As emphasised on Saturday, the "product" is still good. Sure, small fields but great contests".

I couldn't agree more.

Presnell's full column is at the following URL.

Many of you will know Byron Rogers from his 8 years as Stallion Nominations Manager at Arrowfield Stud in the Hunter Valley (or if you missed him there you may have come across him during his various stints in the UK, HK, Ireland - or even a short period at Richmond whilst he worked at The Australian Bloodhorse Review.) Byron and his family now call the USA home after he accepted the role of Director of Stallion Operations at Taylor Made in 2004. Apart from his day job he continues to write for a number of leading thoroughbred publications and as if he didn’t have enough on his plate he recently decided to dip his toe into the blogging waters – the results of which can be seen at the The Pedigree Guru site.

Like Athlone, Pedigree Guru does not allow advertising or accept ‘cash for comment’ (we appear to have started a useful trend). Amusingly perhaps, Byron did hint at the risks of embarking of a project of this nature in an introductory email he sent to readers: “After some consternation regarding the possibility that my ego would be damaged beyond repair if nobody cared to read what I wrote, and some advice from friends and colleagues to the contrary, I have decided to create a weblog, or blog, to discuss my ongoing thoughts on modern thoroughbred pedigrees and other thoroughbred matters”.

Having someone of Byron’s caliber writing a blog will, I expect, do a lot to increase familiarity with this new media medium (most people still look suspicious when the word is mentioned!). I have no doubt that Byron has a filofax that the rest of us would die for, his posts canvass a number of topics that will appeal to a wide audience … and ok, he was also kind enough to throw Athlone a link in his blogroll which was very much appreciated.

Here's a well-named horse considering the press coverage he is currently attracting courtesy of an injury-prone career, a couple of rare (ie. patient) owners, and victory in Saturday's G1 George Main Stakes (which, interestingly enough, occurred on the first anniversary of his first race start, which he also won): Mr Celebrity.

How would you define large-scale breeding success?

Sheikh Mohammed’s breeder adviser John Ferguson seems to have some idea. Last Thursday he quoted some very interesting statistics: “Darley has more than 50 stallions who this year will cover 6,000 mares worldwide".

And people wonder why small breeders have insomnia these days?!

I'd be interested in seeing the Coolmore stats if anyone has them.

We may have had to bear the brunt of British jokes over the Ashes result but never fear, there's always Starcraft as an example of what's great about 'Down Under' sporting performances.

In Australia, Starcraft was crowned Australia’s Champion Three-Year-Old after Group 1 wins in both the AJC Australian Derby, AJC Chipping Norton Stakes, and Hawke’s Bay Mudgway Stakes.

In Europe overnight, Starcraft secured his second European Group 1 victory in just 3 weeks when he beat the fast finishing Dubawi in one of Europe’s top mile races, the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. His win followed his success in the Group 1 Prix Du Moulin at Longchamp on the 4 September.

As the European Bloodstock News stated today:

"Asleep in the pre-parade, jig jogging in the paddock, the gleaming golden ball of muscle that is Starcraft was all action in the race itself, the perfect advertisement for the Antipodean thoroughbred."

The latest win not only places Starcraft in winning contention for the title of Champion European Miler, it also subtly underlines the versatility and global make-up of many of today's modern thoroughbreds:

"Foaled in New Zealand by an Irish-based American-bred sire, owned by Australians, trained in England by an Italian and ridden by a Frenchman, Starcraft showed how international racing has become."

Great for Singapore racing but less so for Australia - the vastly experienced senior handicapper Mark Webbey (currently at Racing NSW) is off to start a new career at the Singapore Turf Club later this month.

You have to wonder whether these stories are based on truth, innuendo, or something else entirely, but they do however make for interesting reading:

The stories to which I refer appeared in yesterday's UK Daily Telegraph (Magnier stallions are hit by sales ban and Breeders to bear the brunt) and have spurned a rash of comment around the world.

The original article states "A sensational bust-up between the world's two biggest owners and breeders of racehorses, Sheikh Mohammed and Coolmore boss John Magnier, is threatening to destabilise the billion-dollar bloodstock industry.

"Sheikh Mohammed has ordered his advisers to stop buying any yearlings sired by Coolmore stallions.

"The ban, confirmed to The Daily Telegraph yesterday, is also being followed by Sheikh Mohammed's brothers - Hamdan, Maktoum and Ahmed - who are all major owners and party to the decision.

The Maktoum snub came into effect 10 days ago at Keeneland Sales. Although the Maktoums splashed out some $57 million, they did not spent a cent on any yearlings sired by Coolmore stallions."

Personally I think it is a tad sensationalist to say that an entire Industry threatens to be de-stabalised as a result of two groups having a difference of opinion (if that's what it is). Coolmore stand a large number of well-performed stallions, they sell a huge number of horses to a huge number of people and whilst they have no doubt historically benefited from the Sheikh's expansive spending habits, it would be foolhardy to suggest that the company would suddenly develop cracks in its foundations if such money was no longer forthcoming. If you do claim that you may as well stand up now and say that the Industry we have only exists because of the Coolmore and Darleys of this world (then duck). People seem to be overlooking the fact that the Sheikh DID spend US$57 million at Keeneland. Some vendors would therefore appear to have done EXTREMELY well as a result of the "falling out". If he had chosen to not buy Coolmore horses AND ignore everyone else's horses as well ... then I can see cause for the words 'threatens/destabalise'.

Locally I guess it may have a few people eyeing their Giants Causeway/Rock of Gibraltar investments and feeling momentarily anxious - but the local industry is bigger than 2 people. So don't start burning the sales entry forms and weeping into your mugs of coffee just yet. As a (somewhat remote but useful) comparative example - we have been threatened with bird flu pandemics in Asia for all number of years (there was another headline on the front of the South China Morning Post yesterday actually). If you believed the press we should all have died by now (and in a rather unpleasant manner let me tell you). I finally gave up worrying about it 5 years ago.

Don't forget that fear is a very powerful tool to inflame the public - or investors -and influence prices.

A South African press release hit my desk yesterday - thought it was probably worth mentioning. A number of companies track black type performers - not all follow the Part Two of the International Cataloguing Standards as well as Part One, so this may be of interest to some people.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

‘Black Type’ has become the measure of bloodstock value in the bloodstock breeding industry. A new service called ‘BLACK TYPE TRACKER’ offers thoroughbred owners the opportunity to be kept informed of global black type performers/performances that feature in their mares/horses damlines.

The service monitors the damlines of clients’ horses on a daily basis and compares them with the damlines of the Stakes performers that become eligible for the approximately 13,000 awards of ‘Black Type’ that are listed in Part One of the annual International Cataloguing Standards. Countries qualifying for inclusion in Part One of the I.C.S. are: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Peru, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, the U.S.A., plus, there are specific races from other countries such as Japan, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Scandinavia and Singapore which entitle them to Black Type according to the Part One criteria of the I.C.S.

Additionally, in light of the growing internationalism of racing ‘BLACK TYPE TRACKER’ will also monitor the Stakes races covered in Part Two of the International Cataloguing Standards – specifically for the countries Hong Kong, India, Japan, Macau, Puerto Rico, Scandanavia. Singapore, Malaysia, Turkey, Uruguay and Venezuela. Even though the Stakes races from Part Two of the I.C.S. do not qualify for Black Type at major international sales, the knowledge that a damline is producing Stakes performers in those countries can prove an extremely valuable marketing tool for sellers of youngstock, horses in training, and breeding stock from all major bloodstock breeding nations whose bloodlines are now spread throughout the racing world.

Full details can be found at the Black Type Tracker website.

(Of note: Elvstroem got some free promotion - his photo appears on the website under the heading 'Product Sample')

Sounds like a few Australian studs will be including the NZ media on this year's Christmas card list. New Zealand Thoroughbred News reported earlier this week that "some of Australia’s most prominent stallions will be appearing on New Zealand television in the near future thanks to a new initiative by the producer of The Ford Report to widen the base of coverage for the breeding industry programme."

Full story at the following URL

[Today's post contributed by Helen McDonald]

T'is The Season For ... Stomach Watching.

No, not human stomach watching but for the little unborn foals to start moving rapidly in mum's belly and ultimately presenting themselves to the outside world, where many anxious owners are waiting with baited to breath to make sure that their $20,000+ investment has come safely in to the world and is standing nice and tall next to mum.

We have our own version of this happening here at Massie Lodge at the moment where we are gearing up for the first of 5 to present themselves. Many minutes are spent watching the mares to make sure that bubs is creating havoc in mum's tummy, with the look on the expectant mum's face tantamount to a union walkout! Evan and I have started "shift work" to make sure that the mares won't be alone during this most important time of the year and being a two-man team, this can make for a long night.

Our Air de France mare, who was last year elected President of the local branch of "Broodmares Inc." even though she only held maiden status, insisted that all Massie Lodge mares cross their legs and say a flat "NO" to on time delivery. So that was it. Last year, all Massie Lodge mares worked to rule and delivered late. The later the better according to our 20 year old Luskin Star mare, who was the champion at 4 weeks over due. Ophira, our 18 year old Prego mare ran a very nice second place with 28 days late. Miss Independence, a tidy 3 weeks late. Zandrea, 2 weeks late. Havachat brought up the rear by being 1 week over and sneakily having her foal while no one was looking!

Do you sense a conspiracy here?

This year, we are hoping that "Broodmares Inc" will be honouring their decree of on- time delivery. However, in saying that, our Air de France mare, who believes she is the control force behind "Broodmares Inc" and has the last say on everything, thinks she will control all delivery times and dates. I don't have the heart to tell her that Mother Nature, in her own wisdom, sorts out these bossy mares by doing it her way...which in turn creates havoc for all the humans involved on "Mare Watch".

"Mare Watch" ... endless late night movies, copious cups of tea, coffee and milo until my shift ends at 2.00am (I am yawning just thinking about it) and then there is Evan who will probably play poker or chess online to keep himself awake till dawn. Not to mention the endless walking back and forwards to the stableyards with the torch and Bessie Merle, (the dog) as protector.

You know, it really is a labour of love to be part of this but the resultant miracle is beyond anything that words can express. The joy that comes with the new birth of a foal cetainly makes you forget the disappointments of a 4yo mare in work doing something unspeakable to a tendon on the eve of a race where she had an even chance, or one of the yearlings developing a nasty habit of windsucking.

The highs and lows of owning a thoroughbred. Is there anything like it?

Helen

Thoroughbred Blog: http://massielodgejournal.blogspot.com/

I was reflecting on ownership and empty wallets yesterday (yes, yes, I agree - not the most heartening of images). It did however make me consider some words of wisdom passed on by former champion trainer (in both Hong Kong & Singapore) Ivan Allan. Ivan was responding to a series of questions for a research project I have been involved in. During the interview he said that, in his opinion, "owners should be spotlighted to encourage horse ownership".

An example of one stud farm who understands the concept is Erinvale Thoroughbreds. If you didn't receive their calendar this year then you should try and get hold of one. They have used a very simple layout, great photos, and on every page the buyers (and sellers if the stud acted as agent) are there in black and white for 30 (or 31) days of quiet contemplation.

It's a nice touch.

Anyone notice the following feature on the Magic Millions online searchable catalogue: You can search by what bonus scheme the horse is eligible for. A sign of the times perhaps.

Owners are the quintessential engine that drives the racing industry. Without them, well, it just wouldn't exist. Whilst the media flaunt glamorous tales of stakes winners, million dollar yearlings, and the best pedigrees, equally there are the much lauded stories of those who purchase horses for $1,000+ that defy probability and gallop on to win a king's ransom. In combination it's a glorious blend of wealth and privilege ... with your average horse player and a $2 lottery ticket thrown in for good measure.

Given the connotations that attach to the racing game, it's (not surprisingly) quite difficult to come across stories of the losses that are borne by the average investor. Sure there are some hard statistics to sober the inebriated - properties being sold by 'disillusioned' investors, horses breaking down before they get to the track, and reports by Racing NSW chief executive Peter V'Landys in 2004 that stated that "the costs to owners are $200 million a year and they have $85 million returned to them so there is a $125 million deficit" - but despite such numbers there seems to be an accepted code of silence (stoicism?!) that we all abide by.

I heard a lovely quote from a stud proprietor over the weekend who told me that she had been taught that the money we lose in this business is merely tuition fees. Her words were worthy of contemplation. I had just sold a filly the previous day - the first thoroughbred I had owned outright, and without putting too fine a point on it she was my pride and joy. She was beautifully bred but alas she (literally) never grew into either the black type on her page or the shoes I had planned for her (she probably managed 14hh with the assistance of some platform shoes) plus to add insult to injury she was also a chronic windsucker. From purchase price through to date of sale I lost more than $50,000 - the weight of which still sits heavily with me. The 'experts' would say "well, that's life". I can't argue with the cool brevity of logic but if this is about lessons - then I have obviously enrolled myself in an extremely expensive private school and I'm starting to wonder if I've been held back a year.

At the point of sale "Suzie" wasn't the only horse I owned and despite the stinging reminder of just how harsh the reality of horse ownership can be, her inglorious sale result isn't enough to put me off selling the remaining "investments"... just yet anyway.

Whilst others would shy from mentioning that they made such a loss (heaven forbid - you only talk about the wins!) I felt I might just say something as I know there are thousands of other owners in the same predicament. All number of us dig deep in our pockets every month, play the under $100,000 market and have horses that don't always (usually?) pay for themselves - and yet, for some bizarre reason (best known only to ourselves) keep coming back for more.

But we also assist in keeping the Industry going and the losses we sustain make the victories, paradoxically, even sweeter. Perhaps I'll take some comfort from that as I try and avoid thinking about what that $50,000 could have bought me ...

The Breeze-Up sales start in a few short weeks - October 3-5 for Magic Millions (catalogue at the following - URL and Inglis at the end of October (catalogue at following URL).

Some vendors have sizeable drafts and have adopted some unique marketing tactics to make their horses stand out. One example is Wadham Park (Canungra, Queensland). Wadham will be offering 41 horses (including colts by Danehill, Redoute's Choice, Viscount, Show a Heart and Thunder Gulch) and have chosen to produce their own sales catalogue to supplement the one produced by the auction house.

Malaysian racing is, in many ways, unique in Asia. It is a predominantly Muslim country (60% of the population ethnic Malay Muslims. Ethnic Chinese and Indian Buddhists, Christians and Hindus constitute the remainder). Islam, which forbids gambling, provides the political backdrop. Only non Muslims can gamble, and then only on horse racing and lotteries. Although the Malaysian Racing Authority (“MRA”) has an office in Kuala Lumpur, the head office is in a separate country (Singapore).

The MRA consists of four clubs: the Singapore Turf Club (“STC”), and three Malaysian turf clubs (Selangor Turf Club, Perak Turf Club, and Penang Turf Club.) Races are conducted on Friday evenings in Singapore and both weekend afternoons in both Singapore and Malaysia. Historically racing in Singapore and Malaysia rotated between the 4 clubs: Penang, Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur, and Singapore. Unlike the STC which is owned by the Singapore Totalisator Board (a statutory board controlled by the Ministry for Finance), due to various religious and socio-political reasons the four clubs in Malaysia are private members’ associations.

Malaysia’s distinct religious and cultural differentiators have greatly impacted the public positioning of the sport, and the industry has also struggled in recent years with problems associated with illegal bookmaking and reduced public confidence in the sport’s integrity. The issues have been compounded by Singapore raising average stakes money which has allowed it to attract a higher quality of horse. As a result it has been some years since a Malaysian horse has been invited to compete in a major race outside the MRA circuit.

It has been disease that has posed some of the biggest challenges to the country’s racing however. Singapore imposed a ban on the movement of horses from Malaysia to Singapore following the outbreak of the Nipah virus in Malaysia in 1999. There have also been more recent issues with strangles. Malaysia has therefore largely been left on its own.

In an attempt to rebuild the cross-Straits races, the Totalisator Board of Malaysia has recently granted RM$4.2million to the three Malaysian clubs to assist them in building the Singapore government mandated isolation stables that will allow cross-border racing to recommence.

Dato Teh Choon Beng (recently conferred the title of Dato Seri for his contributions to the racing and tourism industry) is considered a legend in Malaysian racing having being crowned champion trainer 13 times, and earning the world record for the greatest number of winners saddled on one day for the same owner (7). He is also a prominent committee man of the Penang Turf Club and has worked tirelessly to attract new owners to the sport and to raise the profile of Malaysian racing internationally.

I was fortunate enough to be an invited guest of Dato Seri Teh Choon Beng and the Penang Turf Committee at Penang Turf Club’s recent Sprint Trophy Meeting.

The Meeting was significant well beyond its blue ribbon event – the (Malaysian Group 1) RM$1,000,000 Sprint Trophy: the weekend celebrated the resumption of cross-border racing with Singapore; the racing was televised; a large number of international guests from as far as Australia, South Africa and the United Kingdom were in attendance, and an impressive number of international sponsors supported the races.

“Penang Turf Club is the first among the three Malaysian clubs to resume limited cross border racing with Singapore during the September Sprint Trophy Meeting 2005,” Teh said. “Hopefully, this will be the beginning of more cross border races to follow so that our races can be more exciting, competitive and colourful.”

Australia’s historical relationship with Malaysia was no more evident than in the sheer number of Australian horses that constituted the fields. Of the 10 races on Saturday 10 September Australian-bred horses won 6 of them; on Sunday 11/9 Australian-bred horses won 8 of the 10 races (and scooped the trifecta in 6 of them!).

Australian race sponsors included Dawson Stud, Clear Mountain Fairview, William Inglis & Son, Magic Millions, Mitavite, Western Australian Turf Club and Wadham Park.

I allowed my camera to tell the story on this occasion. The photos can be viewed in the Athlone Gallery at the following URL.

It seems the blogging craze is catching on - even horses have hooves to keyboards these days ...

Saratoga Horses Notes is a blog that follows Elliott & Cathy Masie's Horses during a summer of racing in Saratoga.

Big deal? Well, this isn't written from the perspective of the OWNERS - this is from the perspective of the HORSES:

"I lost. I didn't just lose, I came in last. I was saving my energy for the last half of the race, and the race was...over. I wasn't tired at all, and I could've gone alot further...I really had every intention of passing those other horses. I think I looked pretty, anyway, which is important to a filly, and I threw an absolute fit when I found out I was running on the dirt again. (I look really good against green, and I DO think I'm at my best surrounded by grass.)

My jockey was great, but I got the sense that Stephanie and Morris and Wendy were not pleased with me- they all huddled with Barclay after I lost, and Wendy isn't here today with carrots. Hmmm. I'm going to discuss this with Funny Cide....I wish Matzoh Toga was around, I think he'd know whether there is a correlation between carrots and winning.... A horse like me doesn't apologize for much, but if you lost money on me yesterday...I'm sorry. H.M."

It's certainly a novel approach to writing, marketing, and also to blogging. Damn clever, in my humble opinion.

[Post courtesy of John Baxter, Australia]

A foal is born. He starts growing and maturing. He continues growing and maturing until he turns 4 or 5. He then stops growing and maturing.

Thats about as basic as equine biology gets. And of course all horses are subject to it. Well, all but a select few it would seem.

Take Overlord, Lee Freedmans $2.2m purchase at the 2004 Easter Yearling sale. Shortly after registering the successful bid, Freedman was quoted as saying:

"He's a magnificent horse"

"He is a great type and the best international pedigree of any horse here"

"He is a lovely horse to have in the stable"

Overlord scraped home in a $7,000 2yo maiden on debut at the Sunshine Coast (a charming area, but hardly the SW1 of racetracks) on debut in May. He resumed from a spell with a distant 3rd in a Class 1 at Werribee the other day.

When Freedman was asked in a TV interview last week if he considered the colt to be worth $2.2m, he was not quite as upbeat as he had been at the Inglis saleyard. He responded perhaps with his tongue only partly in his cheek, "I'm sure he is to his owners".

Other recent descriptions of the $2.2m wonderhorse include "slow maturing".

What happened to the lovely, magnificent, great type ?

Similar puffery attended the purchase last year by Hideyuki Mori on behalf of Fusao Sekiguchi of the Storm Cat ex Welcome Surprise colt, who made US$8m at Keeneland.

Fusaichi Big Bucks as he has been christened by trainer Bob Baffert, remains unraced - he hasn't even been officially named. He is apparently 'immature'.

Musket, the $2.5m Woodlands Stud purchase at Easter this year is another 'tremendous athlete' who is nevertheless a slow maturer. He probably wont race until the back end of the season, if he races at all as a 2yo.

What is it with these extravagantly priced yearlings ? Do they defy basic equine biology ? Could it be that these horses have reached a level of maturity at sale time, only to regress subsequently ? Of course not. They were not great athletes at sale time. They were mere yearlings; callow youngsters.

So, at sale time, why talk about a high priced yearlings as if he were Pegasus himself ? My guess ? Self justification provides a healthy impetus if you've just spent several millions - or more likely, the millions of your patron, for it's usually the agents and trainers who do the spruiking - on an untried young horse in what can best be described as an economically imprudent investment.

Let's face it, no-one wants to blow millions at a yearling sale and then say to the media throng "I've deliberately bought a very backward, slow maturing nag".  

And what did John Ferguson, Sheikh Mohammed's consigliere, have to say about Storm Cat's latest magnum opus the US$9.7m colt ex Tranquility Lake ?

"This was a horse Sheikh Mohammed felt was the best Storm Cat he had seen"

"He was an outstanding athlete from a very good family and has the same (genetic) cross as (sire) Giants Causeway. From the moment Sheikh Mohammed laid eyes on this horse, he felt it was very important that he and his brothers race him in the Godolphin name. (We were) very keen to get him".

Gee that's a surprise.

I preferred consignor Alice Chandler's rather more enigmatic description:

"He's a colt with a lot of qualities"

For US$9.7m, he'd want to !

Let's see where this outstanding athlete is in 12 months time.

I reckon he'll be in a paddock.

Maturing.

Slowly.

Following the major increase in prize money, the Dubai Duty Free (Gr.I) received further recognition yesterday with the announcement that the race, now worth US$5,000,000, is to be included in the 2006 Asian Mile Challenge.

The Dubai Duty Free, sponsored by Dubai Duty Free, which is to be run on Dubai World Cup day at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse on Saturday, 25th March, will be the second leg of the four race Asian Mile Challenge.

The Hong Kong Jockey Club and the Japan Racing Association established the Asian Mile Challenge in 2005 and due to the initial success of the Series invited the Dubai Racing Club to join the Challenge with its prestigious Dubai Duty Free.

Dubai’s inclusion in the Asian Mile Challenge was announced by Mr. Saeed H. Al-Tayer, Chairman of the Dubai Racing Club, “I am very excited to announce that the Dubai Duty Free, one of the highlights of the Dubai racing calendar, is now part of the Asian Mile Challenge. The Challenge brings together four of Asia’s leading racing nations and is the perfect vehicle to showcase the quality of racing in this part of the world.”

Australia’s Group One Futurity Stakes run on March 7th at Caulfield Racecourse will be the opening leg of the Asian Mile Challenge, followed by the Dubai Duty Free on March 25th. The Challenge then takes in the Champions Mile in Hong Kong on May 7th before Japan hosts the final leg – the Yasuda Kinen on June 4th.

Colm McLoughlin, Managing Director of Dubai Duty Free said: “We are delighted that our US$5,000,000 Group One race on the Dubai World Cup night is to be part of the Asian Mile Challenge. This race always produces an outstanding field and with this new development, we expect that the standard of entries will be even higher for next year.”

It's been a busy week for the Dubai Racing Club. They have also just announced the appointment of a new CEO - Mr. Frank Gabriel Jr.

Gabriel joins the Dubai Racing Club with over 30 years experience in the racing industry; the last 16 years being spent at Arlington Park in Chicago, USA, where he was Executive Vice President of Racing and Racing Secretary.

From 1998 – 1999 Gabriel was the Director of Racing for the New York Racing Association; after having risen through the ranks at a number of America’s racecourses.

Commenting on the appointment, Mr. Saeed H. Al-Tayer said, “It is with great pleasure that I welcome Frank Gabriel to the Dubai Racing Club as its Chief Executive Officer. We are very fortunate to be able to secure the services of such an experienced operator who has the knowledge and the leadership capabilities to continue the expansion of the Dubai Racing Club.”

“It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to join the Dubai Racing Club.” said Gabriel, “I have watched with interest the speed at which the Club has grown. I remember watching the first Dubai World Cup in 1996 and it is incredible just how far that event has come in 10 short years.

“It is a very exciting time to join the Dubai Racing Club, following last week’s announcement of the increased prize money for the Dubai World Cup racemeeting and with the start of the third Dubai International Racing Carnival only four months away. I would like to thank His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Mr Al-Tayer and the Board of Directors of the Dubai Racing Club for giving me this opportunity and I look forward to all of the challenges that lie ahead,” Gabriel concluded.

Source: DRC media release

Magic Millions was the recipient of an important award from the Queensland Government today.

For the second year running Magic Millions won the Tourism category at the Queensland Government 2005 Gold Coast Business Excellence Awards.

Check out the connections in this tale:

SPECIAL DEAL (a 4yo entire by Peintre Celebre ex Blaze the Turf) won the first race at Wangaratta yesterday by 2.5 lengths. The horse is trained by John Ledger and owned by Mrs K J Ledger & D W Strain.

Special Deal's half-sister - SOLEIL (a 3yo filly by Flying Spur ex Blaze the Turf) won the second race at Wangaratta by 2.3 lengths. Soleil is also trained by John Ledger (and is owned by D W Strain & Mrs K J Ledger!)

It was the first win for both horses.

As if there weren't enough coincidences in all that, you may be intrigued to know that the the owners bred both horses - and they also raced the dam - BLAZE THE TURF (whose 4 wins included the Autumn Stakes (G3) and Zeditave Stakes (L/R)). Ledger trained Blaze the Turf as well.

[This post contributed by John Baxter, Australia]

What do the exorbitant prices paid at the past couple of days' selling at Keeneland mean for the thoroughbred industry ?

Probably a little more than an auction of vintage Bugattis means to the automobile industry.

But not much.

That's the extent of the relevance the ego and prodigious wallets of Sheikh Mohammed and John Magnier have to the industry generally. Anyone else trying to buying at or near the top of the market will have to pay a lot more for their horses. There may be a trickle down which affects the prices of the almost elite yearlings. That's about it.

For the mainstream, a far better gauge for the state of the industry will come in a few days' time - when the Sheikhs and other high rollers have gone home and taken their fancy horses with them. The middle market will then take centre stage, and we'll see how things hold up.

Some large-scale research projects (and then another business trip) have kept the days long over the past few weeks ... and, as a result, the weblog quiet. The hours between 10pm and midnight should (hopefully) be a little less punishing in the coming month so I look forward to getting this back up to speed again. Thanks to those of you who emailed wondering what had happened (I confess I was less amused by those that politely asked if a certain Hurricane had been keeping me otherwise engaged!!)