In today's Straight Shorts, Coolmore confirms a massive fee jump for Wootton Bassett, Racing NSW outs a Wyong trainer for two years, an asset management company takes a substantial share in betr and a New Zealand focus for MyRacehorse.
Wootton Bassett to stand for $385,000
Coolmore principal Tom Magnier has confirmed the star shuttler Wootton Bassett will stand for an Australian record fee in 2025.
Wootton Bassett, who has had eight winners to date from his first Australian crop, and four Group 1 winners for the first Northern Hemisphere crop conceived at Coolmore, will stand for $385,000 (inc GST).
“He's standing at 350,000 dollars this year, and we're hoping now to send our best mares to him,” Magnier said at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale.
"It's great that we can get him back. Having a stallion like that gives you the confidence to go out with our partners and try and find the best mares for him now,
“We're very fortunate to have a stallion like him. There's been some great inquiries from the best mare owners in the country.”
Magnier paid $2.8 million for Tiz Invincible at the Chairman’s Sale and will send that mare to Wootton Bassett this year.
Wootton Bassett stood for an undisclosed fee last year and before that stood for $93,500.
The fee eclipses the record of $330,000 jointly held by Extreme Choice and Redoute's Choice.
Trainer outed for two years over integrity officer clash
Wyong-based trainer Craig Roberts has been disqualified for two years over an altercation with a Racing NSW integrity officer.
Roberts was found guilty of four charges over the incident at Newcastle racecourse in April, two of them relating to Australian Rules Of Racing AR228(c) and two relating to AR232(d)(ii).
The first two charges concern improper behaviour. In the first instance it involved Roberts directing improper and aggressive language towards Racing NSW Investigator Nikki Burke.
“Additionally, while Ms Burke was conducting a float inspection, he pushed the door of the vehicle onto Ms Burke and applied pressure, preventing her from removing herself,” the Racing NSW charge sheet said.
The second improper behaviour charge involved Robers making contact with Burke “causing immediate pain to her right wrist.”
The other two charges involved obstructing, hindering or delaying an investigator in exercising their powers and refusal to obey a reasonable direction.
In the third charge, it concerned Roberts’ conduct in closing the door of the truck and also pushing past Burke to leave the racecourse.
The final charge was that, on four separate occasions, he refused directions by Burke to attend the Newcastle Racecourse stewards’ room.
The first charge saw a three-month disqualification, the second 12 months and the third and fourth nine months apiece.
“Having regard to the principles of totality of penalty, the Stewards ruled that the total period of disqualification is 24 months to commence on 29 April 2025 being the date Mr Roberts’ licence was suspended under the provisions of AR23, and to expire on 29 April 2027 at which time he may reapply for a licence,” a Racing NSW statement said.
Roberts can appeal the decision.
The incident was the subject of a NSW police report after allegations raised by Roberts’ wife Carolyn.
Tanarra takes $25 million chunk of betr
Asset manager Tanarra Capital has secured an eight per cent share of betr, as that company pursues an acquisition of rival PointsBet.
Betr is currently going through a $130 million equity raising program to help finance the $360 million deal to secure PointsBet from the clutches of Japanese company Mixi.
The ASX reported on Thursday that Australian firm Tannara Capital purchased 78,125,000 shares in betr, an overall investment of $25 million.
Betr announced late last month it had purchased 66 million shares in PointsBet, bringing it up to 19.9 per cent.
MyRacehorse eyes New Zealand expansion
Off the back of Group 1 winner Willydoit, micro-syndicator MyRacehorse is keen to build its New Zealand profile.
Australasian managing director Ben Willis said plans were advancing to ramp up MyRacehorse’s involvement across the Tasman.
“It’s definitely an industry that we are looking to invest more and more into and the way you guys breed horses, educate and prep them, especially when they get out over a bit of ground, is a huge advantage,” Willis told the NZ Racing Desk.
“We bought a Contributor colt out of Sharp Proposition at Karaka this year … and he’s staying in New Zealand.
“We’re starting to look at how we can expand the company and have a permanent base so we can buy more horses in New Zealand and continue to keep them there to race.
“We will be looking for more trainers, owners and partners very shortly.”
Willydoit romped to victory in the New Zealand Derby for trainers
Shaun and Emma Clotworthy but has since been transferred to leading Australian trainer Ciaron Maher.
Promising Kiwi juvenile Engine Of War has joined the MyRacehorse stable.
The son of Circus Maximus was purchased after finishing third on debut for trans-Tasman Andrew Forsman.
Engine Of War will be raced by the company with the youngster’s new Victorian trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr.
“We’re going to transfer him over to Australia as soon as possible to have a crack at the spring carnival,” Willis said.
‘Fantastic time to breed to him’ - NZ$10,000 fee for Armory
Mapperley Stud stallion Armory, a son of champion sire Galileo, will enter his fourth season at Simms Davison’s New Zealand breeding farm at a fee of NZ$10,000 (plus GST).
The Group 2-winning two-year-old, who was also runner-up to Darley shuttler Pinatubo in the 2019 Group 1 National Stakes at The Curragh in Ireland, also raced in Australia when second to Sir Dragonet in the 2020 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.
Armory, who won five of his 16 starts for trainer Aidan O’Brien, has covered 350 mares in his first three seasons at Mapperley Stud.
“We have been thrilled with the level of support shown by New Zealand breeders, he’s got great numbers on the ground and it was really encouraging to see that his first crop have found good homes and he will have a good representation in both New Zealand and Australia” Davison said.
“There is a fantastic opportunity to breed to him this year, with a big crop of two-year-olds to run next season, he could be on the upward spiral by the time your foal arrives next year.”
White Robe keep it simple with three-strong stallion roster
Ancient Spirit, Ghibellines and New Zealand South Island stud White Robe Lodge newcomer Alflaila will all stand for a fee of NZ$7000 (plus GST) in 2025.
A son of the influential Dark Angel, Group 2 winner Alflaila has been well received since his announcement earlier this year.
“It’s great timing with Dark Angel being the Champion Sire of Britain and Ireland last year and with his sire-son Harry Angel being one of the most exciting stallions across the Tasman,” White Robe Lodge’s Jack Stewart said.
“We have had a very good initial response to breeding rights and also early bookings.”
The Taieri Plains stud farm has been buoyed by the early feedback on the stock of Ancient Spirit, with the eldest by the dual Group 2-winning son of Invincible Spirit just two-year-olds.
“He’s had a few trial winners and we have had great reports from trainers from the ones that are in work, so it’s a case of so far so good,” Stewart said.
Proven sire Ghibellines completes the roster, best represented by Group 1 winner Smokin’ Romans, who has added the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) and last week’s Listed Warrnambool Cup (2350m) to his tally this season.
QOTT Grant Program applications open
Racing Queensland has opened applications for the 2025 Queensland Off-The-Track Grants Program.
The QOTT Grants Program has $350,000 on offer across three initiatives to provide support to not-for-profit organisations, charities and QOTT Acknowledged Retrainers that provide equine retraining or rehabilitation services, or second careers for retired racehorses, including as therapy horses.
Racing Minister Tim Mander said the QOTT Grants Program was crucial in providing improving outcomes for retired racehorses in Queensland as well as facilitating the growth of equine operators.
“The Crisafulli Government is committed to working collaboratively with stakeholders to further the lifelong care and welfare of racing animals,” MMander said.
“The QOTT Grants Program is designed to provide vital support to grassroots community organisations that make a significant impact on the wellbeing of retired racehorses.”
Racing Queensland’s Senior Animal Care Manager Kim Duffy said the QOTT Program worked with organisations who act as a safety net for retired racehorses.
“The aim of QOTT’s financial support is to empower not-for-profit organisations and charities to provide exceptional care for retired racehorses,” Duffy said.
“These grants not only financially support these groups but is also an acknowledgement of the wonderful work they do for retired racehorses that become vulnerable at later stages of their lives.
“Additionally, funding provided by QOTT helps equine therapy providers carry out their important work to support local community groups and individuals who rely on equine-assisted therapy.
“It is also vital that we continue to support our statewide network of Acknowledged Retrainers who play a pivotal role in transitioning retired racehorses into their post-racing lives.”
Applications for the QOTT Grants Program close at 5pm Friday, May 30, 2025.
