Given the amount of money involved in racing, it can, at times, be just as easy to get lost in the hype and egos, the number of zeros at the end of a yearling sale price, the number of mares a stallion has covered, or how many millions of dollars in prize money a Group One race is offering.

It seemed fitting therefore, that for Athlone's 1000th post (a milestone I confess I never envisaged 19 months ago) I should receive an email from a friend paying tribute to those whose love of the horse is as important as the dollar signs attached to it:

On Monday 20 March in the Australian, Tony Arrold noted the deaths of two great mares - Triscay - who died at 18 in foal to Fantastic Light (colic) and the death at the grand old age of 28 of Secretamme, dam of Gone West, etc. The thing that interested us was that the story noted 'she lost her battle for life at a Kentucky Veterinary Clinic'. My husband said, 'Look at that, somebody cared enough about her to give the grand old lady one last chance at life, no matter what her age, no matter what the cost. It's very, very unusual to see - normally she would be simply put down in the paddock, and that's that, thanks for the millions, boys, etc. In today's greedy old world, it's a lovely story.

It certainly is.

World Cup Night in Dubai was beyond 'incredible' - it was about making history by being the first race club to blog "live" from the event. The blog actually collapsed under the weight of hits - the final stats report stunning in the height of that spike by midnight on the 25th March - 324,081 hits in just 24 hours and 17.98 GB (not MB ... GIGAbytes) downloaded. That's one heck of a traffic report!

Was I disappointed when 'slow' became 'stopped' and despite 2 reboots the IT managers just raised their hands in defeat and said "there was no possible way we ever imagined this many visitors?" Of course. But at the same time there was the most overwhelming delight at having been a part of it.

It was a long day - 18 hrs.

But to tell you the truth, it was one of the best days of my life.

For many, Saturday will be remembered as a day that belonged to Electrocutionist, others will relive it as one that stamped the success of the Japanese horses on the international stage, still others the wonder of the opening ceremony, or the story behind one of the many characters and horses that made the night so magical.

Selfishly perhaps, part of the memories for me will lie in what will no doubt set the trend for many race meetings to come. I'm also delighted to report that it is the third 'world first' for the Athlone cv - so the next time someone tells you you CAN'T do something ... just smile and say "oh really?"

Log-on today to ensure you are part of the world’s richest race-meeting

On a few hours time the world's richest day of racing gets underway. Television cameras will beam the races to 30 countries around the world as radio and Internet feeds carry the latest news and updates.

Following the introduction of the world's first racing carnival Weblog in January of this year, the Dubai Racing Club will conclude the much acclaimed project with another racing first on Dubai World Cup night - 8 hours of 'live blogging' from Nad Al Sheba Racecourse by a team of international writers.

For a rare insight into what it is actually like to be there amongst the action, latest race news, photographs, and comments from trainers/jockeys/owners logon to the DRC Carnival blog from 3.00pm (Dubai Time) which is 11.00am GMT.

If you are unable to make it to the Dubai World Cup the next best thing will be to log on to the Weblog and keep up to date with the news from the racecourse.

Site reports indicate that in just 11 weeks the Dubai International Racing Carnival blog has already produced more than 350 posts and attracted hundreds of thousands of hits from more than 35 countries, with an astonishing 91% of readers becoming repeat visitors.

In addition to the Weblog the Dubai World Cup website www.dubaiworldcup.com will be showing replays of all the races both in video and audio.

THE BLOG FEED IS NOW LIVE - CLICK HERE
FOR 8 HOURS OF UPDATES

I fly out for Dubai later today so thought I would put up some tips for those who are following the races (one warning though - I am an appalling punter and anything I back usually loses so please keep that in mind!):

US$6,000,000 Dubai World Cup (Gr 1)
ELECTROCUTIONIST (USA) or KANE HEKILI (JPN)

US$5,000,000 Dubai Duty Free (Gr 1)
IRRIDESCENCE (SAF)

US$5,000,000 Dubai Sheema Classic (Gr 1)
OUIJA BOARD (GB) or HEART'S CRY (JPN)

US$2,000,000 Dubai Golden Shaheen (Gr 1)
HEART ALONE (BRZ)

US$2,000,000 UAE Derby (Gr 2)
FLAMME DE PASSION (JPN)

US$1,000,000 Godolphin Mile (Gr 2)
MARBUSH (IRE)

I was recently asked what I am most looking forward to on this trip. To be honest, I'm particularly looking forward to seeing the Japanese horses as it is the strongest line-up of Japanese horses we have ever seen internationally.

I am also excited about the field for this year's Dubai Duty Free. It is not only the second leg of the Asian Mile Challenge but some of the best horses in the world (11 Group One winners) will contest it. The race will also re-write the history books as the two full sisters - the 2005 South African Champion filly Irridescence, and her Group 1 winning sister Perfect Promise (representing Australia) will contest it.

On a personal level this year's event has meant a lot because I have been involved in the 2006 Dubai International Racing Carnival Blogging Project.

The Athlone blog will remain quiet over the next week whilst I am traveling. Best of luck to everyone with their predictions on the night.

There was an interesting report in Legal Week earlier this month about an additional (and relatively unknown) beneficiary of Betfair's profits.

"[International law firm] Linklaters is sitting on a seven-figure windfall from online betting exchange Betfair’s sale of a stake to Japan’s Softbank, it has emerged, as the City giant looks set to finally reap the rewards of dotcom-era fee deals.

The magic circle firm confirmed it had accepted a stake in Betfair via an equity-for-fees arrangement, one of a number of such deals Linklaters agreed between 1998 and 2001 as part of a drive to attract growth companies.

The stake, understood to be just under 1% of the company, potentially offers by far the largest payout yet generated by a UK law firm in a share-for-fees deal, with analysts currently estimating the gaming businesses’ market capitalisation at £1.5bn".

Considering that all number of people get mutinous when the topic of "legal fees" gets raised, one can only wonder what they will say now when they learn of this strategic investment !

Speaking of Betfair, where will they go next? A few commentators are predicting Africa - IS SOUTH AFRICA BETFAIR'S NEXT TARGET MARKET? - as that market is said to have "a local gaming market bursting at the seams as the country’s consumers benefit from the lowest interest rates seen in more than 25 years and buoyant economic conditions".

The country is considered important because of its close cultural links with Europe and Australia.

With Easter on the horizon and blueblood pedigrees dominating discussions with breeding enthusiasts, it can be worthwhile taking a moment to look at how the most expensive progeny by some of the 'sexiest' stallions have matched their sale hype.

We've all heard the quotes:

"one of the most impeccable colts I have ever seen"
"the nicest colt in this year's sale"
"by far the best foal the mare has produced"
"An outstanding colt - the pick of the sale"
"When I saw him I knew I just had to buy him. Nothing was going to stop me"
"On type he is sensational. I just had to have him"
"The nicest filly in the sale"

... But how many 'impeccable and outstanding' yearlings have become 'impeccable and outstanding' racehorses? When you consider how small the sample is for horses selling at the highest levels then it's actually interesting to note that whilst the odds of winning the lottery are certainly very difficult they are not impossible. Sure the blood baths appear worse at this level (and give pause for thought in terms of the way these horses are "sold" to the media when they are knocked down for such large sums of money) but Darci Brahma's results prove that sometimes, just sometimes, the gamble pays off. Personally I think the research on the Group 1 winners who DIDN'T cost 6 or 7 figure sums is far more persuasive!

I chose to analyse the 2002 crop who sold in 2004 as it's always useful to allow the horse time to develop into its 3 year old year. I looked at the top priced yearlings from a number of well marketed commercial stallions. The horses were sold at either Easter, Magic Millions Premier, or the New Zealand Premier sale.

The stallions I chose were: Fusaichi Pegasus, Montjeu, Redoute's Choice, Danehill, Zabeel and Sunday Silence.

"The second coming of Christ" is how a non-thoroughbred fan would probably assess the hype that has attached to Coolmore's Fusaichi Pegasus. I've always found the endless glut of marketing about this horse almost embarrassing in its desire to make something it isn't. Fortunately the stallion has done well in the States (enough to warrant a US$125k service fee?) and he is starting to get some good results in Australia which is reassuring news to those who have supported him and have yearlings in the upcoming sales. Given this stallion has received an outstanding book of mares for each of the season's he has stood in Australia one can only hope he does a lot BETTER in the coming months as well.

Fusaichi Pegasus colt ex Crown Crest. Sold Easter. Consigned by Widden Stud and purchased by Magus Equine as agent for $500,000. Floral Pegasus is one of just 2 Fusaichi Pegasus' who call Hong Kong home. The 3yo has won HK$1,640,300 (AUD$294,723) this season, including wins at class 4 and class 3 level (Class 3 twice). At his last 2 starts he placed (at class 2) and he is entered in a class 2 handicap (1400m) this Sunday.

Fusaichi Pegasus colt ex Dashing Eagle. Sold Easter. Consigned by Tyreel Tbred Stud and purchased by Yoshinori Sakae for $650,000. Gaburin was purchased by Japanese connections and this Saturday the 3yo Australian-bred will take his place in the US$2m Gr 2 UAE Derby (1800m dirt) in Dubai. Gaburin was recently switched from turf to dirt and he has won his last 2 starts.

Fusaichi Pegasus colt ex Elizabeth Drake. Sold Easter. Consigned by Coolmore Australia (as agent) and purchased by Demi O'Byrne (as agent) for $775,000. Named Crackenback, the 3yo has had 3 starts for a 5th in a Mornington 3yo Maiden Plate. He has yet to return any prize money to connections and will barrier trial again on the 24th of this month.

Sir Patrick Hogan part owns 2 of the top priced Montjeu fillies from the 2004 sales. Alas, whilst the stallion's Northern Hemisphere results suggested the sky was the limit, local results required a caveat - "just not in the Southern Hemisphere".

Montjeu filly ex Greta Hall. Sold New Zealand Premier. Consigned by Windsor Park and purchased by New Zealand Bloodstock for $400,000. Names Seraphina (NZ) the best this 3yo has only beaten one horse home in her 2 starts. Currently being spelled.

Montjeu filly ex Mazarine. Sold New Zealand Premier. Consigned by Ascot Farm and purchased by Cambridge Stud for $460,000. Game Duchess has earned just $1375, her best effort a 4th in a 2yo handicap.

Montjeu filly ex Tristachine. Sold New Zealand Premier. Consigned by Windsor Park and purchased by Mark Pilkington Bloodstock for $380,000. Numero Douze has prize money to date of just NZ$550, her best effort a 4th in a Bendigo maiden in February this year.

Redoute's Choice colt ex Assertive Lass. Sold Easter. Consigned by Twin Palms Stud and purchased by Gai Waterhouse for $1,300,000. Assertive Choice was the half brother to Reset and in his 4 starts he had one win and a third (the G3 Kindergarten Stakes) for $33,300 in prize money. He broke down in the Brian Crowley Stakes (L/R) in October 2005.

Redoute's Choice colt ex Patrona. Sold Easter. Consigned by Kia Ora Stud (as agent) and purchased by Tim Martin for $750,000. Patronize won his third barrier trial on 7-Oct 05 but hasn't been seen since.

Redoute's Choice colt ex Ballroom Babe. Sold Easter. Consigned by Tyreel Thoroughbred Stud and purchased by Katsumi Yoshida for $425,000. Solo Turn races in Japan and was an impressive 7-length winner at Nakayama, Japan on 24 December 2005. He now has 4 starts for 2 wins and a 2nd.

Redoute's Choice filly ex Dashing Granada. Sold Easter. Consigned by Arrowfield Stud as agent and purchased by William Inglis as agent for $700,000. Albaicin is owned and raced by the Woodlands Syndicate and has earned $74,850. From 9 starts the 3yo has recorded 2 wins and 4 placings including a 3rd in last weekend's Eskimo Prince Stakes (L/R). She also ran 4th in the G2 Furious Stakes in September last year.

Redoute's Choice colt ex Zalinda. Sold Easter. Consigned by Twin Palms Stud and purchased by Equine & Livestock for $660,000. Fast 'N' Famous won his Wyong maiden by 3.3 lengths in December last year and has since been spelled.

Danehill colt ex Bonanova. Sold Easter. Consigned by Tyreel Thoroughbred Stud and purchased by Darley Australia for $800,000. Nova Sofala ran last in a barrier trial in November 2005 then won his next trial in early December. He has been in the paddock ever since.

Danehill colt ex Foxwood. Sold Easter. Consigned by Coolmore Australia (as agent) and purchased by David Hall for $1,100,000. Apologia has had 4 starts for no wins or placings and returned just $1,100 to connections. In his last start he ran 8th of 11 in a Kilmore Maiden.

Danehill colt ex Grand Echezeaux. Sold New Zealand Premier Sale. Consigned by Pencarrow Stud and purchased by prominent New Zealand racing identity and Te Akau Stables principal, David Ellis for $1,100,000. The colt from the family of four-time Group 1 winner Ethereal (by Rhythm) was named Darci Brahma (NZ) and he has now won $859,197 and recorded 8 wins and 3 placings from just 12 starts. The 3 time Group 1 winner is entered in this Saturday's Gr 2 Phar Lap Stks.

Danehill colt ex Kensington Gardens. Sold Easter. Consigned by Collingrove Stud and purchased by William Inglis (as agent) for $1,100,000. Manton is owned and raced by the Woodlands Syndicate. From 10 starts he has had 1 win and 3 placings (including a 2nd in the Gr 2 A A M I Vase and Gr 3 Spring Stakes and a third in the Ming Dynasty Stakes (Listed). His prize money total to date is $123,950. Of interest he is also nominated for the Phar Lap Stakes this weekend.

Danehill colt ex Marigot Bay. Sold Magic Millions Premier Sale. Consigned by Coolmore Stud (as agent) and purchased by Mark Pilkington Bloodstock for $1,050,000. The blue-blooded Prague is owned by an equal number of famous names including David Hayes, the Singletons, Adam Sangster, Susan Magnier, and Gerald Ryan. From 6 starts Prague has earned just $1,200 and in his last start he ran 5th in a 3yo maiden plate at Murray Bridge.

Danehill colt ex Mirbeck. Sold Easter. Consigned by Collingrove Stud and purchased by Tim Stakemire for $1,000,000. Owned by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, the 3yo Gelmood has never started.

Danehill colt ex Prawn Cocktail. Sold Easter for a then-Australian record of $2.2 million. Consigned by Coolmore Australia (as agent) and purchased by Freedman Bros. Overlord is owned by Coolmore interests and having won his first start (in a Sunshine Coast maiden no less) he then ran third in a Class 1 at Werribee before being shipped to the States where he registered a three-quarter length victory in his first start at Turfway Park. It's a black type page not easily replicated given its ties to Danehill, Storm Cat and Royal Academy ... But at the end of the day, has the horse shown anything on the track to justify his page/purchase price? Coolmore may well be able to answer that question when they tell us how many broodmare owners they manage to entice to the horse when they (no doubt) eventually retire him to some backwater stud.

Danehill colt ex Push A Venture. Sold New Zealand Premier. Consigned by Curraghmore Stud as agent and purchased by BBA Ireland for $1,000,000. Offenbach is owned by a number of names common to Prague. The 3yo has earned $8,080 from one win and he ran second over 1800m in a Morphetville Handicap earlier this month.

Danehill colt ex St Clemens Belle. Sold Easter. Consigned by Coolmore Australia (as agent) and purchased by Tim Stakemire for $975,000. Raced by Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, Al Miqdaam has earned $2,400 from running second in a Gosford maiden in May 2005.

Sunday Silence colt ex Bright Finish. Sold Easter. Consigned by Arrowfield Stud (as agent) and purchased by Tim Martin for $1,500,000. Goldtown has earned $32,180 and from 7 starts has recorded 2 wins and 2 thirds. He is due to run today in the Class 2 Executive Inn Handicap.

Sunday Silence colt ex Sonoray. Sold Easter. Consigned by Arrowfield Stud (as agent) and purchased by Yoshinori Sakae for $1,500,000. Zone Moment races in Japan and I have not been able to find his racing record.

Zabeel filly ex Carmel Valley. Sold Easter. Consigned by Trelawney Stud and purchased by William Inglis (as agent) for $600,000. Del Mar (NZ) is owned and raced by The Woodlands Stud Syndicate. The 3yo filly has earned $11,950 to date and has recorded one win from 6 starts. Like Bright , she is due to start in today's Executive Inn Hcp (C2).

Zabeel filly ex Waihora's Lass. Sold New Zealand Premier. Consigned by Haunui Farm and purchased by DGR Thoroughbred Services for $600,000. Zalila (NZ) was beaten 12.8 lengths in her first start earlier this month.

Zabeel colt ex Emerald Dream. Sold New Zealand Premier. Consigned by Cambridge Stud and purchased by Bruce Perry Bloodstock for $400,000. Zed (NZ) has had 2 starts and 1 win for $3,125 in prize money.

Makybe Diva's birthday 21 Mar 2006. The Keeper couldn't let the date go by without acknowledging his favourite racehorse. Makybe Diva, bred in 1999 to Northern Hemisphere time, was aged officially six months older than she actually was due to protocol for horses travelling between hemispheres. The Stud Book eagerly awaits news of her mating plans for 2006 and looks forward to being able to include her in the Australian Stud Book as a broodmare. The Diva won three Melbourne Cups, a Cox Plate, an Australian Cup, a Sydney Cup and provided one of the most scintillating runs at Rosehill ever when she gave Grand Armee 12 lengths before the turn and stormed home to win The BMW.

Source: Australian Stud Book Media Update

You could boast the title of Champion Australian Sire on 8 occasions, champion French Sire twice, champion Japan Sire (AEI) once, champion GB/Irish Sire of 2YOs 4 times, champion Australian Sire of 2YOs 6 times, champion French Sire of 2YOs once ... or you could rely on genetics and hope that the simple fact of you being a full brother to the horse in question will get you across the line with broodmare owners.

Alas it was only Danehill - and not his brothers - who could serve up statistics as impressive as the ones detailed above.

Do any of you remember when the G2 winning Eagle Eyed retired to stud at Coolmore in 1996? He sired, gee, not much of note. Coolmore pocketed many multiples of his stud fee (AUD10,000) from those who dared to hope but alas the old adage "you get what you pay for" (albeit on this occasion you were actually paying way too much to start with) came to pass and the stallion was so noteworthy he ended up being banished to Turkey ... enough said. The other to lull broodmare owners into a false sense of security (at least at a more realistic price) was the G3 placed Anziyan who retired to stud in 1999. The horse stood for USD5,000 at Creston Farms in California for a few years before being relocated to Windfall Farm in the same State where he now stands for USD1,500. Of note, Anziyan notched his first southern hemisphere stakes-winner when the 4yo Ring Of Fire (Anziyan-Setchell, by Westminster) won the $50,000 NZ Bloodstock St Leger (Listed) (2500m) for 3YOs & 4YOs at Trentham last weekend.

It's a useful lesson - not least in the weird science of genetics, but also in PR. If you're related to fame you'll still get your name in the news!

A well spotted Media Watch segment from an Australian reader:

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


Peter O'Brien from Coolmore was on Bred to Win this weekend previewing the stud's Easter crop.

Naturally, every single yearling has tremendous quality, bone, balance, shoulder, muscle, scope and so on.

Particularly interesting was his spiel about Private Steer's full brother. He says he was talking to John O'Shea the other day about Private Steer as a young horse, and it was amazing how similar the Coolmore yearling is to Private Steer as a young horse.

Trouble is - John O'Shea didn't have Private Steer as a young horse. He didn't take over her training until half way through her 3yo year !

So unless O'Shea was either at the 2001 Scone Magic Millions Sale paying particular attention to but not buying a future multiple G1 winner for $18,000 or was at her first trainer Lee Curtis' stable for a year or two early in her career, he wouldn't have had any idea of what Private Steer looked like as a young horse.

(Commenting on this post a reader from the US wrote: "Enjoyed your post on media watch. There is nothing like a little spin to make the pre-sale hype work all that much better.

The more interesting question regarding the full brother to Private Steer is how many buyers want their colts to look like fillies?")

A worthy question indeed :)

I mentioned spelling mistakes and the floodgates opened re. people conducting a 'Media Watch' role on my behalf:

First email relates to a Greg Irvine penned article "Records Rewritten as Exalted Time Scores a Local Adelaide Cup Win" that appears on the Cyberhorse site:

"Boom Victorian stayer Tubular Bells was beaten for the first time today but lost no admirers when he finished second to local stayer Exalted Time in the Group One Skycity Adelaide Cup (3200m) [...]

The three quarter length victory saw a number of new records set in front of a massive crowd. Winning rider Clare Lindop became the first Australian woman to win a Group One race. The winner's time of 3 minutes 29.15 seconds was also a new best - beating the previous course record of 3 minutes 25.89 seconds held jointly by Harlem Town and Demerger. [3:29.15 secs is actually a lot slower than 3:25.89!]

"I'm very proud to be able to be the first female to do this (win a G1), but I don't wants to wave a feminist flag," Lindop said. "I think that any horse sport is the athlete and they don't make any difference between filly or colt or gelding." [Can anyone decipher this quote?!]

The next is from Breeding & Racing's Daily News.

Domesday Retired To Woodlands

Woodlands Stud principal Bob Ingham also announced the retirement & syndication of 3YO sprinting colt (& last season's Gr2 Silver Slipper winner) Domesday (Red Ransom-In The Past, by Zafonic). Woodlands general manager Trevor Lobb commented: "Domesday was a brilliant 2YO who met & beat 8 Gr1 winners including Stratum, Snitzel & Undoubtedly ... Domesday (a $420,000 yearling at the 2005 Inglis Easter Sale in Sydney) was the highest-priced Red Ransom to be purchased through public auction ... He finished 5th in the Gr1 Golden Slipper (Australia's premier juvenile race) after beginning slowly & suffering trouble in running."

... One assumes he wasn't purchased at the 2005 Easter Yearling Sale given he was racing in the Golden Slipper in the same month!

For those who cannot be at Nad Al Sheba on World Cup Night - or who can't get live TV coverage (throw most of us in Asia into that basket) - never fear, the DRC is set to announce another "world first" in the next 7 days and it involves nothing more than a couple of writers, a desire to allow everyone to be part of the action .. and a thirst for breaking new ground.

Stay tuned.

A sign of the times perhaps; tomorrow heralds a new chapter in South Africa's racing history when the dust is brushed from the 1980's conference folders and key Industry representatives gather to discuss core elements of the sport as well as the domestic and global environment that has changed so dramatically in the past two decades.

The South African horseracing industry has arguably made significant strides in the last decade and it is from this platform of relative stability that the 2006 South African National Horseracing Convention has been called.

The theme of the Convention is to reflect on the past and consider the present in order to be able to contemplate the way forward. Issues such as the political environment which include industry's ability to align itself with Government's aims and objectives, internationalization and the setting of new standards in the face of increasing competition are some of the challenges facing South Africa's racing and breeding sectors.

In terms of the Convention format, a number of speakers have been asked to present papers on various topics after which a question and answer session will take place. A panel of industry experts will lead proceedings.

The conference agenda can be sourced at the following URL.

New Zealand bridesmaid Kristov was, until yesterday, better known for his minor placings than wins given his 18 seconds and five thirds (plus 13 wins) from his 43 starts. But labels were meant to be shrugged off and the 6yo Slavic gelding added a second group one race to his tally when he led all the way to win the NZ$150,000 weight-for-age New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellersie yesterday.

Quote of the week goes to jockey Hayden Tinsley who after the race said: "After we got back Phil thanked me for the ride and I thanked him for his training, but we should probably both be thanking the horse."

(A sideline comment - a horse in New Zealand can win 13 times (2 at Gr 1 level) and have a rating of 111 - and still have less than half a million dollars prize money. It's an appalling state of affairs.)

We talk a lot of the owners who go broke owning horses - but what of the ones whose horses allow them to fulfill dreams in other parts of their lives?

With that in mind, answer this question: is Snappy Tomato the name of a racehorse or a pizza chain?

The first Snappy Tomato opened in Northern Kentucky in 1978 - named, the legend goes, after the horse its founder bet on to win enough money to start the business. The company says it has no idea who the first owner was.

"That's the story we tell because that was the story we were told," said Bret Witte, director of marketing for the Florence-based chain.

The Jockey Club in Lexington confirms that a horse named Snappy Tomato raced from 1975 through 1979 at what was then Latonia Race Course in Northern Kentucky - now Turfway Park - and River Downs outside Cincinnati, as well as Churchill Downs. She had 13 wins in 49 starts.

Full story at the following URL.

The end of a horse's racing days is a delicate subject for many people. There are all number of well performed and/or bred mares who can happily retire to become broodmares but what of the ones that aren't? What of the geldings, or the colts whose performance/bloodlines are not suitable for breeding? There are also those horses that never make it to the track at all, or indeed the older mares who can no longer be bred.

I've owned ex racehorses as hacks in past years but last year I suddenly found myself on the opposite side of the fence. Some years earlier I had emptied the bank account to buy a beautifully bred weanling filly that not only demonstrated a remarkable talent for wind sucking when she was first put into the box during her yearling prep but who, quite simply, never grew. 2.5 years later the bills were piling up and, based overseas, I faced the horrible choice of cutting my losses and culling her - or just finding someone with a big paddock that could take her. I chose to offer her at auction with the condition that I would take her home if the doggers tried to buy her -and I'm pleased to say she was purchased as a riding hack (albeit a small one!) and the new owner has said that if she ever does grow then he will breed from her. The process did however give me pause for thought ... these horses are easy enough to buy but what happens when things don't turn out the way you want them to?

Helen McDonald writes for the Athlone blog on occasion (and keeps a blog of her own on the Massie Lodge website). She informed me today that their bloodstock arm - Gallopers - now offers a new section called Retirees which is a service that relocates retired racehorses to a loving home.

Helen says "There had to be away to connect these horses looking for a new life with an owner looking for a horse to ride/love/care for. Hence the Retirees Service was born!"

Massie Lodge is not new at helping with retirees. The farm offers special rates for long term agisters and Helen is well known for having saved the 19 year old mare Splendid Feeling for $200 from a monthly sale and letting her live out her final years on the property. Other horses Helen has helped place now "work" at bringing in the cattle, pony clubbing, or just acting as a companion. The latest retiree to find a home was Ring Cycle, a 9yo brown gelding who had raced 62 times for 13 wins and 17 placings and almost $100,000 in prize money.

"We are putting together a flyer to post, email and fax to trainers to let them know of the service," says Helen. "What we did with Ring Cycle was bring him here to Massie Lodge, give him time to let down and get the grain out of his system, get his shoes off and have his feet trimmed and then advertise him on the website. We were inundated with takers. I was stunned.

"The next step is to educate trainers and owners to think differently about their charges and to realise that the end of a horses racing career doesn't mean the end of his or her life," says Helen. "It means the start of something special afterwards and hopefully I can make a difference and find that "something special" for each him and her".

My latest postings:

Australians set for Dubai

Asia focus: Japan

Lad of the Manor uncertain after Australian Cup result

Former desk clerk proof of training success

Asia focus: Hong Kong

Japanese present formidable line-up

Singapore's UAE Derby prep.

Ready makes four

UAE results: historical

Lad of the Manor awaits Australian Cup result

Hong Kong duo prepare for Duty Free

Dubai Duty Free to make history

The Insider Files: an interview with Kevin Shea

Fields of Omagh confirmed

Gibson Carothers has written a fascinating article titled The Carrot That Can Save Racing which looks at whether racing should be promoted as a game rather than entertainment and whether current advertising campaigns (that fail to correctly define the product they are selling) are ineffective in promoting the industry.

The article was awarded an Honorable Mention in the News Commentary section of the 2005 Eclipse Awards.

"Even though the popularity of horse racing has been going south for many, many years, the recent talk of its decline seems to have escalated to new heights. From newspaper articles to speeches by top racing executives to the tearful farewells of retiring jockeys, we're hearing more and more calls to "save our great sport."

[...]

But what's odd about horse racings current situation is that prior to agreeing on whom the prime prospect is, the industry needs to determine what the product is. In all my years in advertising, I can't recall a client who was so conflicted about its own product.

What is horse racing?

AAP Racing & Sports is a leading web portal so one would assume they would make the effort to spell check all their posts. Apparently not. This isn't a one-off either - if you go and check through their archives section you will uncover (alongside some very well written posts) all number of those filled with sloppy mistakes.

The media play a vital role in the racing industry in terms of disseminating information. They also play a key role in selling the industry to the next generation of race fans.

Syndicated Domesday Goes To Woodlands

Monday, 13 March 2006: High class three-year-old Domesday has been retired and will be syndicated for stud duty.

Domesday, a son of the top intrrnational sire Rd Ransom, has been trained by John Hawkes for the Ingham family's Woodlands Stud syndicate. .

"Domesday was a brilliant twoi-year-old who met and beat eight Group 1 winners including Stratum, Snitzel and Undoubtedly," said Woodlands general manager Trevor Lobb. [...]

Careless mistakes and grade 3 spelling don't really set the standard to which the rest of us should be aspiring.

In a tax package announced in New Zealand yesterday, the depreciation period on bloodstock is being reduced which the bloodstock industry says should improve the genetic pool and also the export industry. Thoroughbred Breeders Association chief executive Michael Martin has been reported as saying this will encourage New Zealand investors to own top horses such as Zabeel, rather than leasing them from overseas.

The tax on gambling profits has also been slashed to four percent.

Meanwhile New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Inc. (NZTR) confirmed a new structure on Thursday which Chief Executive Paul Bittar states: “will ensure NZTR can deliver on our three over-riding drivers in the coming years of: increasing profitability and participation in thoroughbred racing; to improve our code’s effectiveness; and to improve NZTR’s own performance. We aim to make these changes without any material impact on operating costs. In addition to a number of new roles being created, a number of existing roles will cease.”

A reminder of the Scone & Upper Hunter Horse Festival that kicks off on May 7 2006. There is even a website for you to check out at the following URL.

I note that there will still be a B & S Ball on the 20th despite recent media reports about tougher economic times in country areas, high insurance costs and stricter alcohol laws taking their toll on the Australian institution. Not familiar with B & S balls (we do have a lot of overseas readers after all)? There was a rather amusing article that appeared in the UK Telegraph last month titled "Outback's notorious B and S Balls bite the dust" that will no doubt give you the basics.

That US$16m colt has been named. The Thoroughbred Times reports today that his name "The Green Monkey" is the same as the Barbados golf course owned by John Magnier, Derrick Smith, and Michael Tabor that was opened the year the colt was born.

Out of interest there are 233 Australian thoroughbreds with the word 'green' in their name. You could have your choice of a Green Ant/Apple/Anchor/Ballerina/Cadillac/ Coral/Jacket/Jeans/Ice/Lad/Lady/Moss/Orchid/Palm/ Paper/Ribbon/Rocket/Seal/Shoes/Twig/Vine/Yacht.

There are 32 names that include 'Monkey' ... but green isn't attached to any of them.

In times of decreasing field sizes, political fallouts between clubs, budget cutting, and an urgent need to address the needs of the next generation of punter/owner to secure the industry's future ... was I the only one who saw the irony in Thrifty being named the sponsor of the inaugural Randwick Guineas (previously the Canterbury Guineas)?!

It seems that some companies with Irish-based stallions are quite gifted when it comes to talking up the performances of their Group 1 (or otherwise) performed stock but are not quite as forthcoming when it comes to the profits they are pocketing.

A breeding industry study commissioned in 2004 reportedly estimated the loss to the Exchequer from the stud-fee exemption at €3m, yet the The Irish Exchequer's office stated this week that the figure unable to be collected was around €7m due to the controversial incentive that allows stallion owners to pay no tax on stud fees. Government figures showed that the stud-farm industry declared profits of €17m on such fees in 2004.

The Sydney Turf Club has unveiled a revamped website to coincide with the 2006 Golden Slipper Festival.

Somewhat bizarrely however there are now 2 web URL's:

(1) http://www.stc.com.au; and
(2) http://theraces.com.au (a name that I can't say in any way brands the Club).

What's new? Visitors to the site can see all the latest racing information for STC race meetings and are able to sort information such as AAMI Golden Slipper nominations by sire, colour, sex and nominator.

The site also aims to appeal to a younger audience. There is supposedly an animated section on how to dress for the races (and take out the highly coveted Fashions on the Field competitions) ... but I wasn't able to find it. There is also the ‘Punter’s Guide’ which explains horse and racing terminology along with how to bet and how to read a form guide.

A novel interactive video feature is the ‘AAMI Golden Slipper rerun’ which can be viewed on the home page by clicking on ‘A Taste of the Action’ (just wait for the rotating banner on the right hand side to bring this option up).

Members of STC can now book dining and hospitality areas online and the STC has reported that this booking system will be extended to general public areas in the near future.

International law firm Lovells has acted for SoftBank, a Japanese technology and investment company, on the acquisition of up to a 23 per cent stake in Betfair, the betting exchange operator.

SoftBank group and associated entities will buy between 18 and 23 per cent of the fully diluted share capital of Betfair.

The acquisition of the Betfair stake will take place by way of an offer to shareholders of The Sporting Exchange, Betfair's parent company, for between 15 and 20 per cent of the shares. The Sporting Exchange will then offer SoftBank group and associated entities an additional 3 per cent in the group as part of the deal.

Corporate lawyer Mark Goodrich who is based in Tokyo commented: "We are pleased to have advised SoftBank on this deal which gives them a foothold in the fast growing online gambling market with a highly reputable company. This represents the largest transaction on which Lovells has advised SoftBank to date."

Freshfields advised Betfair.

The Jockey Club Promotional Department do have some fun with these race meetings ... check out the following URL.

As an aside, if you are looking for all Derby winners from 1983 to 2005 the list can be accessed on the HKJC website at the following URL.

This year's HK$14m Audemars Piguet QEII Cup (Gr.1-2000m) on 23 April has attracted a total of 90 first nominations, including 22 individual Gr.1 winners from 14 racing jurisdictions.

Top-ranked among the early nominations is David Junior (123), the highest-rated horse in training in Britain and a horse from whom much is expected this year after a fine victory against older horses in the Champion Stakes at Newmarket last year.

Ouija Board (117), the Queen of the Turf in Britain, is also pencilled-in for a return trip to Sha Tin just months after an imperious triumph in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Vase.

Trainer Dermot Weld has engaged Grey Swallow (122), the 2004 Budweiser Irish Derby and 2005 Tattersalls Gold Cup (Gr.1) winner who is currently being prepared for the Dubai World Cup. Another Irish entrant is Alexander Goldrun (119), the former Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup heroine.

Godolphin has made four entries, principally two very smart recruits at the end of last year in multiple Gr.1 victors Electrocutionist (121) and Valixir (121).

Vengeance Of Rain, hero of this race in 2005, is being spelled but the next three past the post on that occasion - Greys Inn, Russian Pearl and Super Kid - are in line for repeat attempts.

Pride, Maraahel and Touch Of Land (victorious at Gr.2 level in Dubai last week) were all vanquished by Vengeance Of Rain in the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Cup in December but have been entered for the April 23 showpiece.

Last year a strong Australian contingent for this race went home empty-handed so Lad Of The Manor, the top-ranked horse Down Under, may attempt set the record straight. Connections of Perfect Promise, Vouvray, Calveen and New Zealand galloper Snazzy are also considering tilts at the Audemars Piguet QEII Cup.

Entries from the United States are every bit as impressive. Top-ranked of the American hopefuls is Gr.1 winner Shakespeare. Then there is Host (a former Classic winner in Chile) and the Brazilian import Einstein, also successful at the highest level in Florida on February 25. Relaxed Gesture is another candidate from the States - he won the Pattison Canadian International in 2005.

Victory in this race for Japan in 2002 and 2003 for Eishin Preston made him a national superstar. Now Cosmo Bulk (117) and Daiwa Major (117), both Gr.1 placed, are out to join that elite club of Japanese winners overseas.

South African trainer Mike de Kock, second last year with Greys Inn, is chasing his first Hong Kong success and means business again in 2006, nominating seven horses headed by Irridescence, a recent Listed winner in Dubai and one of the leading fancies for the Dubai Duty Free.

Russian Pearl heads the 23 Hong Kong entries with John Moore's in-form Super Kid also figuring prominently after his last start victory in the Hong Kong Gold Cup

The team behind River Dancer, the shock winner for Hong Kong 2004, will be hoping lightning can strike twice and look out for Viva Pataca, a strong fancy for the Mercedes-Benz Hong Kong Derby on March 26 and potentially the next superstar of Hong Kong racing.

Courtesy of HKJC.

William Inglis & Sons Ltd has concluded its 2-day Premier Sale in Victoria (Premier II to commence tomorrow), the sale prices following trends established elsewhere in the country (and world) with the news of a record-breaking average, record breaking gross and new top-price of AUD$570,000 for a half-sister to the VRC Oaks winner Serenade Rose (2004 Easter AUD$400,000).

Overall 382 lots sold for gross receipts of AUD$24,496,250, an average of AUD$64,126 and median figure of AUD$50,000. This compares to 380 lots for a total of AUD$22,385,000, average of AUD$58,908 and median of AUD$42,250 in 2005 and represents notable increases of 9 %, 8% and 18% respectively. The overall clearance rate was 82 per cent.

Top 5 prices:

Lot 324: f. King’s Best – Rose Of Tralee purchased by Rogerson B/S $570,000

Lot 259: f. Encosta De Lago – Nuclear Dance purchased by Robbie Griffiths $430,000

Lot 475: c. Encosta De Lago – Apple Danish purchased by Woodlands Stud $320,000

Lot 443: c. Encosta De Lago – Wide Screen purchased by Mick Price $310,000

Lot 483 f. Rubiton – Attire Blue Gum Farm Badgers B/S $255,000; Lot 307: f. Encosta De Lago – Rainbow Bubbles purchased by Wyadup Valley Farm $225,000

The Dubai World Cup Night is now just 2 and a half weeks away and the past 7 days has certainly solved some of the questions about final fields ... as others still remain in the balance.

Japan will field an astonishingly talented line-up this year which is a major coup for Asia; Hong Kong will also have 2 on the night and Australia currently looks as if it may have 2 representatives as well. Fingers crossed anyway.

My posts for the past week are as follows:

Fields to chase largest purse in Australian history

Freedman ponders Promise

15 will contest first leg of Asian Mile Challenge

Jebel Hatta results: historical

Dubai City of Gold results: historical

Mahab Al Shimaal results: historical

Burj Nahaar results: historical

One for the Trivial Pursuit fans

The Insider Files: Fiona Walker

Sole Asian entry for Super Thursday

Maktoum Challenge Round III results: historical

The Insider Files: The DRC PR Department

Freedman's Promise for Asian Mile Challenge

The Insider Files: An interview with Wally Wharton

Cape in doubt as Bullish Luck secures his ticket

Post contributed by Helen McDonald

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Euclase (Century/Ruby) has made the trip from Western Australia to Queensland to find a new home with Jeff Marlow at Alton Downs - about a 15 minutes drive from Rockhampton.

A grandson of famous sire and broodmare sire Better Boy, and son of Century, Euclase is a full brother to champion sire Rubiton, who passed away in November, 2005.

Euclase, with a race record of 20 starts for 10 wins, 1 second and 2 thirds and prizemoney of $489,768, was a winner of no fewer than six Group or Listed races including the 1991 VATC Caulfield Sprint, the 1991 AJC Shorts, the 1991 AJC Hall Mark Stakes, the 1991 SAJC D.C. Mackay Stakes, the 1991 SAJC Angus Brut Classic and the 1992 SAJC Goodwood Hcp and had nothing to prove to his older brother, Rubiton.

Jeff Marlow, a local trainer and fan of Euclase for many years, was very happy to announce his plans to stand Euclase for the 2006 breeding season to a limited book of mares. Jeff currently has a couple of Euclase youngsters that he is bringing on; however, he has always believed in Euclase as a quality stallion who throws good racing types – Australian horses for Australian conditions. Jeff was the owner and trainer of Chief Flying Horse (by Euclase out of Native Paradise) who was purchased as a weanling and won three races in a row in 2004 until a paddock accident cut short a very promising career. Euclase will be standing for $2,500 plus GST and Jeff Marlow can be contacted on (07) 49341697 for any further enquiries.

Along with Euclase, there are currently four other Century stallions listed in the Australian Stud Book as active – Centaza, Centro, Flamingo Cloud and Taos. Euclase now joins Centro (winner of the Caulfied Guineas in 1990 and the AJC Fernhill in 1990), another son of the mighty Century, standing in Queensland.

Cumulatively, Better Boy is well represented in Queensland with also Dantibes (by Danehill out of stakes winning mare, Cap D'Antibes, a winner of 5 stakes races) and Kinjite (a sire son of Centaine) who himself was a six-times stakes winner that amassed over $2 million in prizemoney.

Although not commercially fashionable these days, Better Boy, who was originally imported to Australia as a racing and breeding prospect, certainly leaves a great legacy to the Australian breeding industry through Century and his sons, Rubiton, Centro, Taos, Centaza, Flamingo Cloud, Euclase, and Centaine (passed away in New Zealand in 2004) via his sire son, Kinjite, who stands at Dalby outside of Toowoomba.

http://massielodgejournal.blogspot.com/

The Jockey Club’s 2006 Online Fact Book has been released on the organization’s website.

The Jockey Club Fact Book is published annually as a statistical and informational guide to the North American Thoroughbred industry; the 16th edition of the printed version will once again be published and distributed in early May.

Available purse money in the U.S. in 2005 declined 0.7% to $1,085,005,415, with the steepest declines in West Virginia and Kentucky. In West Virginia, where purses in 2004 were boosted by the distribution of an approximate $10 million purse underpayment at Charles Town Races, gross purses in 2005 dropped by more than $16.3 million. The West Virginia legislature’s decision to divert revenue from track purses to the state workers’ compensation fund also contributed to the state’s 18.2% decline in purses last year. Meanwhile, gross purses in Kentucky in 2005 dropped by nearly $7 million against 2004 purses, which included the $5 million bonus paid to Smarty Jones after his victory in the Kentucky Derby.

Total handle on U.S. Thoroughbred races in 2005 declined for the second consecutive year, falling 3.6% to $14,561,288,951. This two-year downturn coincides with the continuing and well-documented growth of off-shore wagering through unregulated outlets, whereby wagers do not reach host track pools. Also contributing to the decline in 2005 was the loss of 147 racing days, a number of which occurred at racetracks located in or near communities befallen by natural disasters.

Statistics in the “Breeding” section continue to affirm the beneficial effect of alternative gaming at racetracks on state breeding industries. Among the top 15 states by breeding activity in 2005, those showing the largest percentage gain in number of mares bred since 2003 were Louisiana, New Mexico, West Virginia and Pennsylvania. From 2003-2005, the number of mares bred to Louisiana stallions increased 23.3%; mares bred to New Mexico stallions grew 14.0%; and mares bred to West Virginia stallions jumped 13.2%. In Pennsylvania, which passed racino-enabling legislation in 2004, the number of mares bred to state stallions in 2005 increased 15.6% over 2003. (A “racino” is a racetrack that also offers alternative gaming.)

Statistics in the “Sales” section underscore the favorable auction sales market conditions of recent years, as gross sales in 2005 increased 8.0% to a record $1,139,290,425. Gross sales and average price for weanlings, yearlings and two year olds increased against 2004 returns while gross sales and average price for broodmares dipped marginally after healthy gains in 2004.

In the Online Fact Book, some tables have been expanded to include multi-year reports; others include state-by-state analysis. Statistics in the Breeding section, which by their very nature change constantly, are updated regularly.

The “Breeding” section includes Annual Foal Crop and its Distribution by State; and Distribution of Stallions and Mares Bred by State.

The “Racing” section includes Number of Races; Gross Purses; Pari-Mutuel Handle; Distribution of Races by Purses and Distances; Size of Field and Starts per Horse; Two-Year-Old Racing; and the Relationship of U.S. Races, Purses and Foal Crops.

The “Sales” section includes Gross Sales in All Categories; Average and Median Price per Yearling; and the Foal Crop/Auction Yearling Percentage.

The following section of the Online Fact Book have also been updated: Thoroughbred Racing and Breeding Worldwide in 2004; the International Calendar of Events, which includes all Grade 1 races for which dates are known; and the Directory of National, State, Canadian and International Organizations, which includes phone numbers for all organizations and website links where known.

The Jockey Club, founded in 1894 and dedicated to the improvement of Thoroughbred breeding and racing, is the breed registry for North American Thoroughbreds.

The fact book can be accessed at the following URL.

TVN will broadcast live from the 2006 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale in Melbourne this weekend.

In what is a ‘first’ for both the sale and the Victorian breeding industry, racing’s premium sports and interactive channel will telecast live from Inglis’s Oaklands sale complex throughout the two-day Premier I sale, providing comprehensive coverage and commentary on the auction shouldered by racing from Bendigo and Terang on Sunday and Sale on Monday.

William Inglis are delighted to be working in association with TVN, a partnership that will be renewed again next month to showcase the Easter Sale live from Sydney.

Managing Director Reg Inglis said: “Inglis yearling sales create a unique atmosphere that hold a particular fascination for many people, and we are delighted TVN viewers all over Australia will be able to share that experience with us in Melbourne this weekend."

Selling kicks-off at 10.30am on both days.

Source: Inglis media release

Tattersall's Limited CEO / Managing Director Duncan Fischer and MVRC Chairman Don Abell celebrate today's announcement of Tattersall’s six-year sponsorship deal with the W.S. Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.

Tattersalls is a leading Australian lottery and gaming company. The W.S. Cox Plate will also continue its partnership with Foster’s Australia who will retain exclusive alcohol rights.

Photo courtesy MVRC

Your task: you will analyse the sport of racing and wave a magic wand over one part of it that you believe would most benefit from additional funding.

You may choose from any of the following: track repairs, backstretch education programmes, veterinary research, concessions for those who need financial relief or incentive to stay in the Industry, drug testing, retirement programmes for racehorses etc etc etc.

You have US$16 million to spend.

There has been an interesting debate unfolding in America lately about attracting new players to racing and how sources of racing information will support these "new" fans.

It is widely accepted that the next generation of IT savvy users will be accustomed to dealing with information presented to them in non-traditional formats, and the style and content served up by traditional media channels may not meet the reading/research/interactivity requirements of this new owner/punter/breeder.

My experience over the past 2 years has certainly (sometimes amusingly) been that blogging remains a muttered swear word amongst the die-hard racing press who see horse racing bloggers as either "competition", "pyjama wearing journalist-wannabes" or just "wild cards". The reasons for this perhaps stem from the nature of blogging itself: Many bloggers don't blog full-time (most of us have professional careers alongside racing, or our blogs support our Industry positions), some of us have used blogs as a PR tool to build brand awareness for our companies (that is certainly how Athlone started out), most (if not all) are not journalists (can't speak for everyone, alas, on the "wears or doesn't wear pyjamas whilst blogging" idea) and the majority of us blog for the love of it so it's our own money and we don't rely on advertisers (therefore we can state our opinions quite openly and are happy to state our conflicts where they exist).

In non-racing circles blogs began to gain more widespread acceptance after a US blogger received a media pass for a White House press conference during the last presidential campaign. Since then a number of mainstream news portals (egs. include The Sydney Morning Herald and The BBC) have included blogs on their homepages, an acceptance that blogs are a new form of media that audiences enjoy interacting with (like anything there are good blogs and bad. The market - via the number of loyal readers that a site will attract - sorts the wheat from the chaff quite quickly I've found).

I've been very fortunate with Athlone. I've hardly ever encountered a problem getting media accreditation even though I'm considered, first and foremost, as "just a blogger", and whilst some of the larger racing sites still steadfastly refuse to look beyond the immediate horizons, the Dubai Racing Club's decision to incorporate a blog on its website leading up to this year's Dubai World Cup has seen hundreds of thousands of hits on their site since it went 'live', a new awareness of the Carnival and the Cup amongst a whole new audience, and (for the Club itself) it has resulted in an increased awareness of the true benefits of this form of technology.

A fascinating article appeared on The Bloodhorse website today. Titled "Read All About It - Or Not" the author takes an in-depth look at the challenges of shifting an Industry as strongly tied to history as racing is, to new ways of accessing and delivering information. It is EXTREMELY rare for a racing writer to mention blogs but the author (refreshingly) accepts the challenge face-on:

"Take Weblogs, which are self-published online journals that offer personalized, offbeat commentary on any subject the writer chooses. Anyone can post one. Type "baseball blogs" into the search engine Google, and you'll see references to some 606,000 Web pages. Key in "horse racing blogs" and the number drops to 582. Is the national pastime really more popular than playing the ponies by a magnitude greater than 1,000? Or is it because there are so few online resources for horseplayers? Major League Baseball devotes an entire section of its Web site to hosting blogs. Similar interactive features are absent from the sites of racing's highest-profile entities-the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, the Kentucky Derby, and the Breeders' Cup.

"Today's most engaging conversations about racing's most searing issues are all happening online, and, for the most part, under the radar in loosely structured groups and forums. Traditional media gatekeepers are no longer the only trusted authority, and fans are becoming more comfortable with looking outside conventional sources for the real story.

"Like it or not, horse racing was last truly in sync with cutting-edge media during the golden age of the newspaper, way back when broadsheets were hawked on city street corners. Those days are long gone, and it's OK to feel a wistful twinge of loss for a bygone era. But it's off the mark to view the decisions of the Globe and Post through the haze of nostalgia and leap to the conclusion that racing media is dying.

"Perhaps the better way to put it is that racing media isn't dying, it's changing.

"It's those industry entities who refuse to change who will, inevitably, perish."

Full article at the following URL (and many thanks to the people at The Thoroughbred Bloggers Alliance for pointing out the article earlier today).

I've already raised the "lunacy" comment about the cost of yesterday's record breaking colt (see below) but a couple of other things have since occurred to me:

1. Which race does this horse now have to win to justify this price?

2. Is this really about a 4-legged animal untested in race conditions? If it is, then at what stage did the underbidder decide the colt was too expensive? Does anyone really believe that there was a note in a catalogue saying "This colt is definitely worth $16m so we will just keep bidding on him until we buy him?" (Just as the underbidder's catalogue had the same note but the figure was US$15.8m?)

3. Let's just say this colt was retired to stud today (as in right now, this minute, unraced). How much would his service fee have to be?

I know one thing: a price at this level is nothing more than a demonstration of egos completely out of sync with reality. Whilst the sales company will be celebrating and there is now one VERY wealthy pinhooker who must be wondering what lottery ticket he stumbled across 12 months ago, it is worth remembering that the only thing that prices like these actually do is threaten the very stability of the Industry.

... Perhaps it's time that a couple of well known bidders had another meeting to discuss their 'strategy' in the ring. It seemed to work some years ago.

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Postcript 2/3/06- Bob Neumeier's column on NBC Sports that looks at the 'insanity' vs 'calculated risk' argument is worth a read.

I received a very strongly worded email from a freelance Sydney journalist - Mal Hayes - on Sunday, commenting on John Messara's media release that appeared on a number of thoroughbred portals - including this one - last week.

His email raised some thought provoking questions so in the interests of opening it to wider debate I will pose a few questions of my own (and include his email in full as the post following this one):

1. Should all Australian Group One races be run at weight for age/set weights as they are in the UK, Ireland and Europe?

2. In an ideal world what should the breeding industry give back to racing? Full disclosure? A percentage of profits? Increased sponsorship? More regulation? A more open market where commercial interests are labeled as such by the media (perhaps as advertorial rather than copy)?

Hayes states: "In no way does the breeding business support the racing industry beyond token sponsorship, yet it continually rides on the back of the skills and accomplishments of trainers, owners, breakers, riders, veterinarians and all the other auxiliary industry participants who ensure the 'show goes on'. Many breeders take the money and run when it comes to sale time, then, when the ability (but usually lack thereof) of their untested, unguaranteed, but highly touted, irrationally priced produce is confirmed on the track, they buy back in, sans risk and with post hoc wisdom displayed for all to see."

'Post hoc wisdom' is indeed an interesting concept given the rank failure of so many well marketed 'sure things' in the breeding shed. In terms of those breeders that can buy back in on the ones that do succeed however, there are probably only a limited number of breeders in a suitable financial position to do so.

In the past decade we have seen a shift in power away from the locally owned studs (Arrowfield being one exception) to the global studs who have significant financial reserves at their disposal courtesy of service fees and bloodstock prices working to the US and European models; equally recent hikes in global bloodstock prices (and at home) has had a major effect on the cost of stakes performed colonial stallions and mares ensuring that only the deepest pockets have any hope of competing. I do believe however that service fees for some stallions, and yearling prices generally, remain out of step with reality in terms of return on investment for the average player. Despite the ongoing bullish market conditions the market surely has to readjust in future years and, as always, it will be the small owner who will bear the greatest loss when that happens.

I'd like to moot a wonderfully controversial suggestion: why can't some system be developed where the auction houses and other industry participants who live off racing (this includes everyone who assesses them, sells them, writes about them, and generally make an income from the sport) be 'taxed' (by the industry not the government) in such a way to force some return of funds to the sport? Needless to say, these groups could of course independently take the initiative to establish such projects and in doing so voluntarily adopt a number of practices that large scale corporations have adhered to for years.

3. What of marketing and the high level spin that people such as myself can churn out with ease? Should this be monitored in some way (even though the law already plays some role). The public is deemed sophisticated enough to see the spin for what it is but perhaps it is what ISN'T said that becomes such an issue in this industry of ours. Case in point: Whilst Redoute's Choice progeny quinellad last weekend's Blue Diamond will it also be acknowledged that a Redoute's Choice 2yo finished 28 lengths last in the same race; what about the yearling that was sold for $18,000 at the Classic Sale last month, or the sheer number of them that toil away at the provincials - or those who don't make it to the track at all? Hayes' comment "I doubt it - that would serve no useful purpose, and may even be construed to be against the best interests of Australian racing..." is frightening in the question it ultimately poses about 'truth' in advertising and service fees that are pitched at average sales figures rather than average sire earnings. As I have mentioned in previous posts, such 'facts' also cast a weighty spotlight on the role of the media in this equation as well as ask what standards we should be striving to achieve.

Racing is a business. Accepting that, here are a few questions to leave you with:

Is the current level of disclosure in this Industry acceptable?

Is the breeding industry (and those who work alongside it - in particular the auction houses) giving enough back to the racehorse owners and punters that provide their income? If not, what else can and should be done?

And finally, horses haven't actually got significantly faster in the past 50 years. Despite the endless millions of dollars spent on marketing and pedigrees (and on yearlings in the ring), we are not actually producing a superior animal (some would say, in terms of the fact that most horses do not run as often or for as long these days that we are actually producing an INFERIOR animal). Is it time we therefore asked - and addressed - the thorny question of whether we are subsuming the Industry's greater good to commercial motives that do not benefit all players longer term?

The following post was written by Mal Hayes, a freelance Australian journalist

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I am astonished at the continued and unashamedly self-serving machinations of John Messara. The tirade against Racing Victoria's Handicapping Policy regarding the weights allotted to the Oakleigh Plate field constitutes another petulant assault on those who work tirelessly and conscientiously to ensure the best and fairest outcomes for everyone involved in the racing industry.

This magnanimous offering from the Arrowfield media release: "Alternatively, if handicappers are not willing or able to properly assign weights to horses according to their ability so as to equalise the chances of all horses to win a race, then why don't we just abolish handicaps & run all stakes races in Australia at either set weights or weight-for-age?"

Whether intentionally sarcastic or not, this serves no purpose other than to malign the efforts of the handicappers (who again are working to the directives of Australian racing authorities), and to brazenly "carry the spears" of Arrowfield's interests under the pretext of defending the "chances of all horses".

Believe it or not, our Group One races should be handicapped at weight-for-age. The zenith of racing should be reached by those horses with the greatest ability, those possessing the attributes best suited to success in the "arena" for which they are bred, and, in turn, those horses should eventually have the opportunity to be represented in the pedigrees of future equine generations. Is it not the ultimate goal of the commercial breeder to produce raw material that is better genetically adapted to the physical demands of the sport (or should it not at least be the motivation of the Chairman of Aushorse)? If the quality of Australian thoroughbreds is to be enhanced, and if they are to remain in step with their international counterparts, this genetic pool must be tested and proven in the cauldron of level competition, not contrived or manipulated to suit the whims of those whose incentive is thinly veiled commercial opportunism. Had the Oakleigh Plate been handicapped at weight-for-age, Snitzel would have been asked to carry an extra 3 kilos - perhaps enough to "equalise the chances" of Takeover Target and Virage de Fortune, who would each have carried only an additional half-kilo.

And this: ". . . the results that such protocols throw up are simply inequitable."

That the racing industry should suffer such insults from those who merely wish to tailor results to their own ends is deplorable. In no way does the breeding business support the racing industry beyond token sponsorship, yet it continually rides on the back of the skills and accomplishments of trainers, owners, breakers, riders, veterinarians and all the other auxiliary industry participants who ensure the "show goes on". How much longer will the breeding arm of the nation's thoroughbred enterprise feed on the racing industry with such ravenous impunity? Many breeders take the money and run when it comes to sale time, then, when the ability (but usually lack thereof) of their untested, unguaranteed, but highly touted, irrationally priced produce is confirmed on the track, they buy back in, sans risk and with post hoc wisdom displayed for all to see.

Of course now that Snitzel (part-owned by Arrowfield) has won the Oakleigh Plate, that result is no longer quite so "inequitable" It is suddenly a triumph for Mr. Messara and his exhorbitantly priced stallion, Redoute's Choice - and will no doubt be highlighted as such in the imaginative blurb churned out in a later media release when Snitzel eventually stands beside his sire.

While on the subject of inequities, will it also be acknowledged that another of the "super-stallion's" offspring ran 28 lengths last under the set-weight conditions of the Blue Diamond? I doubt it - that would serve no useful purpose, and may even be construed to be against the best interests of Australian racing . . .

Racing's soubriquet "Sport of Kings" has long been a dubious one, and perhaps requires amendment. The "sport of selfish, little-minded kings" oft-times would seem to be more apt . . .

Australia’s racing broadcaster Radio Sport 927 has been invited to showcase its racing radio expertise at the Asian Racing Conference in Dubai in January 2007.

The station also hopes to present its mid-morning Racing Central program live from the conference and operate a fully functional broadcast and edit suite for delegates to provide content to their own media agencies.

The ARC organisers have invited Radio Sport 927 to advise international racing delegates on Australasia’s unique free to air racing broadcasts, which are non-existent in most world markets outside of some betting shops.

Demonstrating the power of radio, Radio Sport 927 general manager Noel Crowe said that in a survey of regular Victorian punters, 44 per cent indicated they would reduce their weekly wagering by 51 per cent without radio coverage.

“In a state of less than four million people, that equates to around $600 million in reduced betting turnover - a staggering amount,” Mr Crowe said.

“Astute racing followers recognise the tested adage of ‘no coverage, no interest, no wagering’.”

Mr Crowe said racing radio takes the product into people’s homes, cars, to the beach and anywhere punters can enjoy racing broadcasts.

“You can’t watch racing on television when you are out in your car or in the garden, but radio is a truly mobile medium,” he said.

“The benefits of racing radio are not confined to racing enthusiasts with betting operators and the racing industries being beneficiaries of the promotional and economic outcomes of a racing radio service.”

Mr Crowe said overseas racing bodies should be buying up local AM broadcasting frequencies, which are generally tradeable commodities and are available in most countries at realistic and affordable prices.

He said digital radios are today’s hottest selling product and represent a powerful option ahead of the more advanced satellite services, which have already started in the US and will roll out around the globe.

“Digital radio, with its multi-channels, enables the broadcaster to present several choices to the listener,” Mr Crowe said. “There is a separate channel for racing, others for different sports or sports betting, all under the one frequency or call sign.

“This is radio with text and pictures, showing TAB odds, race fields, race tips, even ‘real time’ race vision, all on the one screen.

“At the conference, we would outline our commercial and promotional idea of how Radio Sport 927 could team with overseas authorities to take racing to international audiences. A dedicated audio channel could take racing at Happy Valley and Sha Tin in Hong Kong to world listeners, the Cox Plate could be heard from your car in Yorkshire or Lexington, the Dubai Duty Free in your restaurant in Bangkok.

“Satellite radio has begun in the US with two services, XM and Sirius, each offering a range of more than 100 formats. There’s commercial free music genres from hip hop to classical, sports such as gridiron and basketball, and virtually anything of interest.

“That’s the next step in utilising better technology, but first we need to convince overseas racing administrators to take advantage of the radio airwaves in promoting their racing.”

Radio Sport 927 is looking to gain a temporary AM broadcasting licence for the duration of next year’s conference from January 19 to 26. The station would package an edited one-hour conference program each day that would be broadcast on the AM frequency and be made available to delegates through the issue of pocket-sized radios with the frequency either clearly indicated or locked on.

It would plan to broadcast the Racing Central program, which airs from 9am to Noon on weekdays, from a fully operational studio at the conference and focus on interviews with international and Australian racing leaders.

Radio Sport 927 is investigating the location of a suitable broadcast and edit suite in Dubai so that international racing delegates could record, edit and forward audio interview content to their relevant media outlets or websites.

Source: Sport 927

And so it continues ... although the Bloodhorse article which discusses the most expensive Thoroughbred ever sold at public auction (a US$16m Forestry colt sold at yesterday's Fasig-Tipton Florida select sale of 2-year-olds) doesn't mention 'lunacy'.

Biles' article states that Fasig-Tipton's director of marketing - Terence Collier - puts the overall sales success (increases of 24.0% in gross and 18.4% in average from 2005) down to marketing efforts:

"We worked harder in virtually every part of the world to get buyers here this year," Collier said. "We sent more people on more trips. We spent more effort finding out how convenient it was for the buyers to come here. And we sent out a promotional DVD with a review of some of the big stakes winners we had sold in the past. We went all over the world literally, pulling people here, and it really worked."

Quote of the week has to go to buyer Demi O'Byrne acting on behalf of Coolmore managing partner John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derek Smith. "He'd better be good" O'Byrne was said to have joked.

At that price I'd be pretty much requiring a guarantee.