In today's Straight Shorts, a spring mating plan for Winx has been revealed, an Extreme Choice colt tops first day of Magic Millions' Gold Coast National Yearling Sale, major Picklebet appointment, New Zealand's Catriona Williams honoured.
Winx to be served by Too Darn Hot
Champion mare Winx’s latest suitor has been chosen, with Darley’s phenomenal shuttler Too Darn Hot to be her next mating.
The remarkable mare, who won 33 consecutive races including four Cox Plates, has experienced a chequered breeding career since retiring to stud in 2019.
Her first living foal, a filly by Pierro named Quinceanera who is in training with Chris Waller, was bought by her co-breeder Debbie Kepitis for a world record $10 million at last year’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale while she produced a colt by Snitzel last season.
Winx was not served in 2024, with her owners electing to give her another season off, having done the same after her first foal died in 2020.
Too Darn Hot, who was rested from shuttle duties last year, will stand for an increased $275,000 (inc GST) this year on the back of his first southern hemisphere crop producing four-time Group 1 winner Broadsiding and another eight stakes winners.
Too Darn Hot is also the sire of second-crop two-year-old Rivellino, who won the Group 2 Skyline and Inglis Millennium during the autumn.
An Extreme day as record matched on the Gold Coast
An Extreme Choice half-brother to Group 2-winning juvenile Prost from the family of Golden Slipper winner Shinzo equalled the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale record on Monday.
Perennial force Yulong won the bidding duel for the Gerry Harvey-bred and sold colt, a December 19-born foal, who made $850,000 at the Gold Coast sale. It matches the figure paid for a Dundeel colt at the 2019 National sale.
Yulong’s Zhang Yuesheng won this year’s Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes with Extreme Choice colt Devil Night.
“He was an outstanding horse and I'm pleased that the project of sending mares to Extreme Choice both to northern hemisphere time and late in the season has worked out very well at this sale,” Magic Millions managing director Barry Bowditch said.
Harvey’s Baramul Stud was also the breeder and seller of day one’s second highest-priced yearling, a filly by Extreme Choice who was bought by Springwood for $240,000.
Another filly by the fertility-challenged Newgate Farm stallion, bred to northern hemisphere time and born on February 23 last year, sold for $160,000 to syndicator First Light Racing, Kestrel Thoroughbreds and trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
A Nicconi colt was bought by Gold Coast trainer Peter Robl for $190,000.
With Tuesday’s session to bring the National Sale to a close, Bowditch was pleased with Monday’s trade, which generated $5.8 million in turnover at an average of $44,961, a median of $28,000 and a clearance rate of 70 per cent.
Picklebet return for Ben Hawes
Experienced wagering executive Ben Hawes has returned to the industry, taking up a position as head of sponsorships and partnerships at Picklebet.
Hawes previously worked at Sportsbet for nine years from 2011 until 2020, before fulfilling the head of content and partnerships role at BlueBet for two years.
He then spent a year in charge of content at the National Rugby League before another year as general manager - commercial, digital and marketing at A-League club Newcastle Jets.
Hawes’ return was confirmed via a LinkedIn post on Monday. He comes back to the wagering industry at Picklebet, an Australian-owned platform based in Brisbane and co-founded in 2020 by Damon Oudejans, currently chief marketing officer, and Nick Heaney, the current CEO.
Catriona Williams honoured in New Zealand King’s Birthday awards
Little Avondale Stud’s Catriona Williams has been appointed a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the King’s Birthday honours list for her services to spinal cord injury research and equestrian sport.
Williams, the founder and driving force behind the CatWalk Spinal Cord Injury Trust, has been a pillar of the worldwide effort into spinal cord injury research over the last two decades, and her efforts were recognised on Monday.
She was one of New Zealand’s leading international equestrian riders but following a riding accident more than 20 years ago, which damaged her spinal cord, resulting in Williams becoming a C6/C7 tetraplegic, she is now confined to a wheelchair.
Her determined nature, which led to her becoming a top rider, was then harnessed to help researchers find a cure for spinal cord injuries, and as a result, the CatWalk Spinal Cord Injury Trust was formed in 2005.
It was apt that Williams was honoured on the 20th anniversary of the Trust, but she said the accolade won’t dampen her resolve to find a cure.
“CatWalk was originally started by a group of friends who wanted to help me,” said Williams, who operates Little Avondale Stud with her husband, Sam.
The Cambridge Stud legacy continues to grow, with current co-principal Brendan Lindsay appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services to business and philanthropy.
Lindsay purchased the renowned operation from founder Sir Patrick Hogan, who received the same honour 25 years ago for services to the thoroughbred industry.
Online bookmaker Dabble steps into UK market
Australian social media betting firm Dabble has launched in the UK.
After the UK Gambling Commission approved a licence in April, Dabble went live at the weekend.
Dabble also operates in the US, making inroads with a social betting model that allows users to follow and replicate the bets of friends and influencers.
It has been targeted at a younger generation of gamblers.
Dabble was founded in 2020 and includes ASX-listed wagering firm Tabcorp among its major investors.
In 2022, Tabcorp took a 20 per cent equity stake in Dabble, investing $33 million to value the business at $165 million.
Inglis calling for internship applications
An opportunity to work with Inglis has become available through the auction house’s renowned internship program.
The full-time role will provide the successful candidate the chance to gain an in-depth insight and understanding of all facets of the Inglis business, which has been in operation since 1867.
The successful applicant’s time will be predominantly spent within the bloodstock division.
But they will also be exposed to the company’s marketing, insurance, digital and rural property divisions in the Sydney and Melbourne offices.
New chair for European and Mediterranean Horseracing Federation
Brian Kavanagh, the chief executive of Curragh Racecourse, has stepped down as chair of the European and Mediterranean Horseracing Federation (EMHF) after 15 years at the helm.
Kavanagh chaired the founding meeting of the Federation in Stockholm in 2010.
He presided over his last EMHF meeting at this year’s general assembly in Merano, Italy.
For most of his tenure, Kavanagh was chief executive officer of Horse Racing Ireland, and also held high office in the global body, the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA).
The EMHF’s chairmanship passes from Ireland to France, with France Galop’s chief operating officer and deputy chief executive officer Henri Pouret taking over.
Private Eye to skip rescheduled Kingsford Smith Cup
Sydney sprinter Private Eye will attempt a first-up win in the $3 million Stradbroke Handicap.
Private Eye was due to run in the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup at the weekend before the Eagle Farm meeting was called off after five races.
The Cup has been rescheduled and added to Saturday’s Queensland Oaks card but Private Eye will bypass the weight-for-age.
Instead, Private Eye will contest a barrier trial on Friday.
Veteran jockey Nash Rawiller will ride Private Eye in the Stradbroke.
