In today's Straight Shorts, Zougotcha headlines 11 Group 1 winners to be auctioned at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, extraordinary general meeting to decide Rosehill fate, Rosemont Stud offers Schwarz deal, Belmont track puts Perth officials on the back foot.
Prized mares’ time to shine in Magic Millions sales ring
Eleven Group 1-winning mares are set to go under the hammer this week at the Magic Millions on the Gold Coast, with the confidence of the company’s managing director boosted by Sunday’s "buoyant" weanling market.
Magic Millions managing director Barry Bowditch believes the tone is set for a strong two days of mares’ trade, starting with Tuesday’s race fillies and mares session.
As well as Zougotcha, the three-time Group 1-winning mare who was trained by Chris Waller who is expected to top the sale at over $4 million, her former stablemate Atishu, Lady Laguna and Climbing Star will also be offered as premium breeding propositions on Tuesday afternoon.
Bowditch highlighted that it wasn’t just the headline acts that would underpin the National Broodmare Sale, pointing to Sunday’s weanling sale where a foal by Anamoe sold for $300,000.
“You've only got to look at something like the Anamoe filly out of Secret Doubt. Those guys bought the mare in foal to Anamoe here for $170,000 last year, and they (almost) doubled their money, and they’ve still got the mare,” Bowditch said.
“That's what can be done here over the next few days, and we're hopeful that, whether it be the all-important race fillies section or the international section or the broodmares in foal, I think (the weanling market) has set us up for what will be a successful week for our vendors.”
The Australasian record price of $6.6 million was set during last year’s race fillies and mares session when 10-time Group 1 winner Imperatriz was bought by Yulong.
The sale will start at midday AEST on Tuesday.
D-Day for Rosehill decision
An Australian Turf Club members’ extraordinary general meeting on Tuesday will decide the fate of the ATC’s proposal to sell off Rosehill racecourse.
The meeting, to be held at 2pm at Randwick in the Ballroom, Level 2 of the QEII Stand, will be restricted to members only.
The resolution to sell Rosehill will be presented to a member vote, with a majority required - 50 per cent plus one vote - if it is to be approved.
The sale carries seven key contingencies, including a $5 billion payment from the NSW government, spread out over the next 15 years.
Postal and online proxy voting closed on Sunday, with in-person voting and proxy voting to take place in what is tipped to be a robust meeting.
The outcome is expected around 4pm (AEST) on Tuesday.
Thirty for Thirty: Mithen gets creative with Schwarz promotion
The first 30 breeders to book a mare to the Group 1-winning sprinter Schwarz will receive a discounted service fee in a promotional deal launched by Rosemont Stud.
In announcing the recently retired William Reid Stakes winner’s service fee, Rosemont’s Anthony Mithen also gave rise to the “Thirty for Thirty” campaign to promote the son of Zoustar’s maiden season at the Victorian stud.
Schwarz will stand for an advertised service fee of $38,500 (inc GST), but those early shoppers will receive the discounted $33,000 nomination.
“The Thirty for Thirty incentive is ultimately our way of reinforcing the Rosemont message of providing real, tangible value for willing breeders and not just ‘saying’ it,” Mithen said.
“Outside of shareholder entitlements, Schwarz won’t be asked to cover a huge amount of external mares.
“Strong breeder feedback has been to keep stallion numbers at respectable levels, so with this in mind we certainly encourage breeders to be proactive.
“Additionally, we want to celebrate the pending arrival of such a magnificent prospect.
“Interestingly, looking back at breed-shapers Northern Meteor and Redoute’s Choice - two stallions who heavily influence the pedigree of Schwarz - both retired at $30,000 so this incentive is also a nod to their enduring legacies.”
Mystery surrounds Belmont track problem after racing abandoned
West Australian officials concede they are none the wiser about an issue with the Belmont track that brought racing to a halt on Saturday.
The Belmont Sprint meeting was called off after five races when jockeys became concerned about a section of the track about 150m from the winning post.
“Normally, if you've got an issue with the track, you can clearly walk to it and point it out and it's there for everyone to see,” Perth Racing’s racecourse manager Brock Neeling told SEN.
“This is the complete opposite to that … which made it extremely difficult.”
Perth Racing and Racing and Wagering Western Australia officials were due to meet late on Monday to discuss a contingency plan in case the problem isn’t resolved before a scheduled meeting on Saturday.
A midweek meeting on Wednesday has been transferred to Pinjarra with 12 races programmed to include the four that couldn’t be run on Saturday.
Belmont shoulders the load for winter racing in Perth between May and October.
A return to racing at Ascot is not an option with Perth’s premier racecourse under renovation since its season closed for the winter on May 10.
Reid and Comerford among Stud and Stable Staff Awards winners
Godolphin’s Paul Reid and Widden's Matt Comerford are among those to have been honoured at the Stud and Stable Staff Awards on the Gold Coast on Monday.
Reid, who has been assistant trainer at Osborne Park since 2012, received the Leadership Award and subsequently the coveted Thoroughbred Excellence Award.
Comerford, who has been at Widden in sales and nominations roles since 2012, took home the Dedication to Breeding Award.
Tracy O’Hara, track rider, jockey and now mentor to the children of Thoroughbred Industry Careers National Pony Racing Series. received the Dedication to Racing Award, while Julie Bramucci was honoured for her work with Off the Track (OTT) thoroughbreds, with the Thoroughbred Care and Welfare Award.
Ellen Hodge from McEvoy Mitchell Racing won the Administration and Ancillary Services Award while Denis Gilmanov of Segenhoe Stud NSW won the Horsemanship Award.
The Newcomer Award category was taken out by Olivia Klug of Michael Kent Racing.
US racing mourns Belmont Stakes-winning trainer Clement
Christophe Clement, who trained Tonalist to win the 2014 Belmont Stakes and thwart California Chrome’s Triple Crown bid, has died at the age of 59.
Clement announced his own death in a prepared social media statement that was posted to his stable’s X account.
“Unfortunately, if you are reading this, it means I was unable to beat my cancer,” it said. “As many of you know, I have been fighting an incurable disease, metastatic uveal melanoma.
“As I reflect on my journey, I realise I never worked a day in my life. Every morning, I woke up and did what I loved most surrounded by so much love."
With a record of 2576 career wins and stable earnings of more than $285 million, Clement has been a prominent trainer in the US for more than three decades since moving from France and first working for Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey.
He trained Gio Ponti, the champion male turf horse in 2009 and 2010 who finished second to Zenyatta in the 2009 Breeders' Cup Classic.
Clement’s statement said his stable would now be run by his son Miguel.
Royal Ascot first, Cox Plate long-term aim for Carl Spackler
Ciaron Maher and powerhouse Yulong’s Cox Plate stocks have been boosted by the acquisition of international miler Carl Spackler.
But first the new connections of the five-year-old Lope De Vega entire are eyeing off the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot in June before importing him to Australia.
Carl Spackler has raced exclusively in the US, winning eight of his 12 starts including three Grade 1s for trainer Chad Brown and owner E Five Racing.
“I feel very privileged and honoured to be given the opportunity to train a horse of this calibre for Mr Zhang and Yulong,” Maher said.
“Myself and the team are incredibly excited to race a genuine world class horse and three-time Group 1 winner on the world’s biggest stage and represent Australian racing in the Queen Anne Stakes.
“We’re equally as excited to have him travel to Australia after Ascot with the Cox Plate as the ultimate target, where we hope to continue Yulong’s success in the race.”
Yulong won last year’s Cox Plate in record time with imported mare Via Sistina.
US racing mourns Belmont Stakes-winning trainer Clement
Christophe Clement, who trained Tonalist to win the 2014 Belmont Stakes and thwart California Chrome’s Triple Crown bid, has died at the age of 59.
Clement announced his own death in a prepared social media statement that was posted to his stable’s X account.
“Unfortunately, if you are reading this, it means I was unable to beat my cancer,” it said. “As many of you know, I have been fighting an incurable disease, metastatic uveal melanoma.
“As I reflect on my journey, I realise I never worked a day in my life. Every morning, I woke up and did what I loved most surrounded by so much love."
With a record of 2576 career wins and stable earnings of more than $285 million, Clement has been a prominent trainer in the US for more than three decades since moving from France and first working for Hall of Famer Shug McGaughey.
He trained Gio Ponti, the champion male turf horse in 2009 and 2010 who finished second to Zenyatta in the 2009 Breeders' Cup Classic.
Clement’s statement said his stable would now be run by his son Miguel.
Greyhound Racing NZ launches High Court action over ban
The New Zealand greyhound industry is taking its case to the High Court in a bid to overturn a decision to ban the racing code.
Greyhound Racing NZ (GRNZ) has applied for a judicial review of the government's move to ban greyhound racing.
New Zealand Racing Minister Winston Peters sent shockwaves through the sport when he announced in December that greyhound racing would be banned from July 31 next year.
While acknowledging the industry had made progress in recent years, Peters said the ban would be introduced to protect the welfare of racing dogs because injury rates remained too high.
Legislation to prevent the destruction of dogs while the industry was wound down passed with the support of all parties in the House.
But GRNZ chief executive Edward Rennell told New Zealand media outlets the review would "expose the government's cavalier attitude to policymaking adversely impacting the livelihoods of thousands".
Its application says the government ignored a duty to consult with the industry on the ban.
More than 1000 people will be affected, with around 3000 greyhounds expected to need to be rehomed.
TBA opens applications for Stud Start program
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) has officially opened applications for its Stud Start program, a training initiative tailored for individuals with limited or no background in the thoroughbred breeding industry.
The program is part of TBA’s ongoing commitment to attracting talent to the sector, particularly from rural and regional communities.
Launched in 2023 and fully funded by TBA, Stud Start targets those considering a career change or looking to re-enter the workforce.
The program offers a comprehensive introduction to the breeding industry, with a focus on practical skills and real-world experience.
The six-week course combines online learning with an intensive, hands-on training week in Scone.
Participants will engage in classroom-based education, horse handling, farm tours, and networking events with industry professionals, providing a well-rounded introduction to life in the thoroughbred breeding world.
According to Madison Tims, TBA’s education and projects manager, around 70 per cent of past graduates have secured roles in the industry.
Applications for Stud Start are open until Friday, June 13, with online coursework commencing on Monday, June 30 and running through to July 28.
