Straight Up – Golden ambition and jumps’ uncertain future
From a commercial point of view, there are few races, apart from a Golden Slipper, more valuable for a stallion prospect than the Golden Rose. The past 12 winners of the race have ended up at a major stud, with an average subsequent first-season service fee for those stallions of $46,750.
Zoustar is the most significant current name among the Golden Rose alumni, but the honour board also features emerging stallions such as The Autumn Sun as well as Ole Kirk, whose first crop made a major impression at the two-year-old trials this week.
Of the 10 colts in the 2024 edition, six are already in the ownership of a major stud, but for the other four, the race shapes as a genuine stallion-maker, with major studs set to come calling should they win.
Among that group is Anode, a son of I Am Invincible bred by Evergreen Stud Farm, which is run by the family of his co-trainer Adrian Bott.
Tim Rowe caught up with Adrian’s brother Aaron to talk about the backstory to the talented colt, which includes a decision by their father Tony to buy a sister to Fastnet Rock 20 years ago.
Of course, the Golden Rose is not the only Group 1 this weekend. The Manikato Stakes takes its new timeslot on Friday night at Moonee Valley, with star three-year-olds Growing Empire and Hayasugi to tackle sprint star I Wish I Win.
Away from the track, Racing Victoria announced on Thursday it is set to undergo a major review of jumps racing, far more extensive than its usual end-of-season evaluation.
Victoria is the last state in Australia where jumps racing continues, and a spate of deaths has prompted the biggest review since the format was brought back from the brink 15 years ago.
With Racing Victoria facing a difficult balance sheet, there will be significant scrutiny placed on the commercial value of jumps racing.
‘Unacceptable’ jumps fatalities spark full-scale Racing Victoria investigation
Future under the spotlight
Meanwhile, bloodstock figure Sheamus Mills is among two new faces on the Melbourne Racing Club Committee, with the board seemingly split down the middle on a number of key issues. A new chairman is likely to be elected on Friday, which will give a fascinating insight into the future direction of the Club.
Magic Millions has confirmed it is changing up the schedule of its marquee January yearling sale, dropping the Saturday night session and instead putting in a longer session on the Friday.
Racing Queensland has registered what it says is a $37 million “book loss” in its 2023/24 annual report, thanks to a decision to end its joint venture with the Sunshine Coast Turf Club.
However, it wasn’t all bad news for the regulator which sustained prizemoney and revenue levels amid a wagering downturn.
RQ defies wagering decline and $57 million accounts hit
Sunshine State sustains prize money and revenue
WYMHM this week:
- Flutter targets massive global growth strategy in $370 billion market
- ‘I’ve really become a calmer person for having lived here’ – Donna Logan on leaving Singapore behind for her next racing challenge
- Five battle for three seats – Voting process opens as BRC announces positive financial result
- Million-dollar Angel? Australian Oaks winner to be sold online next week
- ‘A conspiratorial case’ – Government swipe can’t prevent Racing NSW submission being referred for possible contempt
- The $1.6 billion question – ATC board fractured on current and potential Rosehill valuation
- Rowe on Monday – Shuttle success and the sales conundrum
- Hitting the slot – Australasia’s pop-up race obsession
Enjoy your Group 1 racing weekend!
Bren O’Brien
Managing Editor and Founder
The Straight
Author
