Month: July 2022

Son Of Deep Field Tops HK International Sale

Courtesy TDN AusNZ

The popularity of Deep Field (Aus) in Hong Kong went to another level on Saturday, as a 2-year-old by the stallion was snapped up by Yue Yun Hing for HK$7.8 million (£825,803/€975,829/$993,744/A$1,400,000) at the Hong Kong International Sale.

The sale, which takes place in the Sha Tin parade ring, had 17 lots realise a total of HK$71 million (£7,516,925/€8,882,549/$9,045,627/A$13,190,000) and they also included a chestnut gelding by Snitzel (Aus) out of Encosta de Lago (Aus) mare Houston Benefactor (Aus), who was snapped up by Yip Wing Kui for HK$5.8 million (AU$1,078,000).

Meanwhile, a gelding by Fastnet Rock (Aus) out of Northern Meteor (Aus) mare Diana's Star (Aus)–was secured by Philip Liu Chun Hang for HK$5 million (AU$929,000).

“With significant increases in average and gross turnover, the Club is overall really happy with the outcome of the sale–the strong results are a reflection of the Hong Kong Jockey Club members' confidence in the horses that have been selected for the sale, the results of the graduates that have come out of the sale but most importantly the confidence and strength of Hong Kong racing and this is a reflection of the significant increases in prize-money for next season,” said Danny Rolston, the Hong Kong Jockey Club's executive manager, international sale/owners advisory services.

“I think the two top lots were fairly obviously going to be the highlight horses, they breezed particularly well and they're both by stallions that are very popular. Beyond that it's really hard to predict what the horses are going to sell for and just how much the turnover will be but we're very happy to see such a significant increase in gross turnover.”

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Night Of Thunder’s Isaac Shelby Prevails In Superlative Thriller

Manton Thoroughbreds' hitherto undefeated 2-year-old colt Isaac Shelby (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}–Kentucky Belle {Ire}), by Heliostatic {Ire}) registered a taking 3 1/2-length success in his May 31 unveiling going 6 1/2 furlongs at Newbury, the chestnut's only prior start, and doubled up in game fashion after a ding-dong tussle with Godolphin's Victory Dance (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) throughout the closing stages of Saturday's seven-furlong G2 bet365 Superlative S. at Newmarket. The 3-1 chance was the sharpest of five into stride and accepted a tow from Dark Thirty (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) in second after the early shuffling. Coming under pressure, as did all four rivals, passing the quarter-mile marker, he gained a narrow advantage approaching the final furlong and was driven out up the hill to withstand the persistent threat of Victory Dance by a head after a thrilling duel. Dark Thirty kept on once headed to finish 3 3/4 lengths back in third. 'TDN Rising Star' Lion Of War (GB) (Roaring Lion) was unable to feature when it mattered and finished last of the five contenders. The local stewards were back in session to conduct another official post mortem. Looking specifically at interference passing the furlong marker, where Isaac Shelby drifted across Dark Thirty's lane, the placings were allowed stand without amendment. Winning jockey Sean Levey received a two-day ban for his troubles.

“You're always tempted to make predictions, but he's very nice and really is the business I think,” commented Brian Meehan after annexing his first win in the contest. “He looks really special and could even be a [G1 2000] Guineas horse. He's got a good temperament and Sean [Levey] knows him well, so they're a good package. We'd stay at seven [furlongs] now, which I think is ideal, but we won't be in any hurry [to go up in trip]. I think we'd train him as a Guineas horse now. These horses are special and they're the reason you do it. You get the most enjoyment out of training winners of course, but when you get horses like him with serious potential it's exciting. All winter he's looked like a nice horse, he's straightforward with a lovely temperament and is very easy to deal with. We've got a great team at home with some very good judges and they've always liked him. It's easy to think that he was going to be nice, but this is high-end stuff and he's really proven himself. We'll take it step by step and won't rush into things, but he's a horse that we think is going to improve and physically there's still massive improvement there. We'll get him back and sit round the table and make a little plan after a week or so. Goodwood would come too soon, but the [G2] Champagne [at Doncaster in September] is a race I've thought about. I love the Breeders' Cup so the [GI] Juvenile Turf is one we'll definitely factor into our thoughts as well. I'm so pleased for Sam [Sangster], we do a lot together. He buys horses for me and my clients as a bloodstock agent and he runs these partnerships as well. It keeps the [Robert Sangster] colours alive which is really cool, he's a great guy and I can't thank him enough for his support.”

Charlie Appleby was not downcast after the narrow defeat of Victory Dance, who remains on target for the Curragh's G1 Vincent O'Brien National S., according to the trainer, despite the reversal. “The winner is a nice horse as he won that maiden at Newbury nicely and I feel we have more to go forward with as well,” he said. “We saw him there on his first start only just getting the hang of it and, when he got into a battle, he did well for his inexperience. I think going forward we have got all the options now, but I won't take him to somewhere like the [G2] Vintage [at Goodwood]. If we seek significant improvement at home we will carry on with Plan A and head to the [G1 Vincent O'Brien] National.”

Richard Hannon, a dual winner of this contest, was satisfied with the display of Dark Thirty and reflected, “It was a step up from his [Listed] Chesham run and I'm very happy with it. The interference wasn't ideal, but the best horse has won. We are delighted with our fellow as he has got home very well and he will get further in time. He would have finished closer, but I don't think he would have finished a position closer. He is a very nice horse and a class horse to look forward to the rest of the year. We wouldn't be far away in some of those seven-furlong Group 3s and he is definitely not average. There is the [G3] Prix Francois Boutin at Deauville, which would be ideal.”

Isaac Shelby, who becomes the 17th pattern-race scorer for his sire (by Dubawi {Ire}), is the third of four foals and one of two winners produced by an unraced half-sister to GII Mac Diarmida H. victor Ramazotti (Honor Grades) and to the dam of dual stakes winner Vow To Recover (Broken Vow). The April-foaled chestnut is a half-brother to a yearling colt by Al Kazeem (GB). The April-foaled chestnut's dam Kentucky Belle (Ire) (Heliostatic {Ire}) is a daughter of Listed Prom S. placegetter Mine Inning (Mining), herself out of Listed Revidere S. runner-up Weed It Out (Clever Trick). Descendants of Weed It Out also include Listed Debutante S. victrix She's My Warrior (Warrior's Reward), Listed Minnesota Derby scorer Thealligatorhunter (Overanalyze), Listed Oak Tree Sprint S. heroine Annie's Candy (Twirling Candy) and the Puerto Rican champion juvenile Wicked Runner (Wicked Strong). Weed It Out's siblings include GI American Derby hero Pocket Zipper (Full Pocket).

Saturday, Newmarket, Britain
BET365 SUPERLATIVE S.-G2, £100,000, Newmarket, 7-9, 2yo, 7fT, 1:25.13, g/f.
1–ISAAC SHELBY (GB), 129, c, 2, by Night Of Thunder (Ire)
1st Dam: Kentucky Belle (Ire), by Heliostatic (Ire)
2nd Dam: Mine Inning, by Mining
3rd Dam: Weed It Out, by Clever Trick
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (£92,000 Ylg '21 GOFFUK). O-Manton Thoroughbreds VII; B-Elaine Chivers (GB); T-Brian Meehan; J-Sean Levey. £56,710. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0, $72,686. Werk Nick Rating: B. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Victory Dance (Ire), 129, c, 2, Dubawi (Ire)–Dane Street, by Street Cry (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (700,000gns Wlg '20 TATFOA). O-Godolphin; B-Airlie Stud & Mrs S Rogers (IRE); T-Charlie Appleby. £21,500.
3–Dark Thirty (Ire), 129, c, 2, Starspangledbanner (Aus)–Beach Wedding (Ire), by Footstepsinthesand (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (£90,000 Ylg '21 GOFFUK). O-Martin Hughes & Michael Kerr-Dineen; B-Lynn Lodge Stud (IRE); T-Richard Hannon. £10,760.
Margins: HD, 3 3/4, 1 1/4. Odds: 3.00, 1.25, 10.00.
Also Ran: For A Laugh (Ire), Lion of War (GB). Click for the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

 

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Dew Sweepers On Track For July Sale

When Jack Goldthorpe and Ciaran Dunne came up with the Dew Sweepers partnership, the plan was always to buy yearlings, try and get them to Royal Ascot, and then sell them all in the Fasig-Tipton July Horses of All Ages Sale. On Monday, the final step of their plan will go into action when seven juveniles go through the ring in a complete dispersal through the Grovendale Sales consignment.

“Ciaran went to Royal Ascot last year and said, 'Goldie, this was some sort of fun. We've got to do it.' I said, 'Sounds good. How are we gonna do it,” Goldthorpe said. “The plan was to buy yearlings and try our damnedest to get one to Royal Ascot and, at the end of Royal Ascot, take these horses to the sale. It was a different style pinhook. We were going to race them as opposed to blowing them down the lane [in a 2-year-old sale]. We were going to race them, show what we have and give them to a trainer that doesn't beat them up, Rusty Arnold. That way, there's a lot of meat left on the bones when somebody else wants to come by them.”

Dew Sweepers not only got one horse to Royal Ascot, they got two, Late September (Munnings) (Hip 550) and Grand Oak (Ire) (Speightstown) (Hip 521). A well-beaten fourth after hopping at the start of his main track debut at Keeneland Apr. 20, Late September earned his diploma next out on dirt at Churchill exactly one month later. Sent across the pond, the $60,000 KEESEP buy failed to fire when trying the grass at Royal Ascot, finishing 17th in the G2 Coventry S. June 14.

Grand Oak checked in second when unveiled on the dirt at Keeneland Apr. 21 and wired the field for a 4 1/4-length graduation when switched to the lawn at Churchill May 20, the same day Late September broke his maiden. Unfortunately, the $105,000 KEESEP purchase did not fair much better than her stablemate at the Royal meeting, checking in 18th in the G2 Queen Mary S. June 15.

Despite those poor finishes, the Dew Sweepers thoroughly enjoyed their Royal Ascot experience, according to Goldthorpe.

“It was awesome, even though the horses ran like shit,” the founder of Lexington Equine Insurance said. “We had a blast and we checked the box. The partners were like, 'Wow, what an experience.' We have to give a lot of credit to Royal Ascot. They treated us like we brought Secretariat over there. They rolled out to red carpet. They are so happy to have the Americans come over there and participate in their greatest show on Earth. It made us feel great.”

The Dew Sweepers is comprised of six partners and they made a total investment of around $700,000. They acquired seven yearlings, four fillies and three colts, shopping at both Keeneland and Tattersalls.

In addition to Late September and Grand Oak, their dispersal includes:

  • Tituba (Good Magic) (Hip 437), filly, $125,000 KEESEP yrl, unraced
  • Alcazaba (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}) (Hip 455), colt, 40,000 gns TATOCT yrl, a maiden of two starts
  • Buttons (Twirling Candy) (Hip 474), filly, $110,000 KEESEP yrl, won on debut on grass at Indiana June 28
  • Castle Rising (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) (Hip 480), colt, 58,000 gns TATOCT yrl, unraced
  • Just a Care (Ire) (Australia {GB}) (Hip 542), filly, 105,000 gns TATOCT yrl, fifth in lone start on turf at Belmont June 30

“These horse can take the new owner to Royal Ascot next year; to Kentucky Downs and run for all that money; or they can take them to the Breeders Cup,” Goldthorpe said. “That gives them an opportunity and I think they will bring a pretty good bunch of money because of that.”

As a complete dispersal, all seven juveniles will be there to sell, as per the partnership's contract.

“This was in a contract, that they will all disperse in July,” Goldthrope said. “This was the first time trying it. Some are regretting that we have the July end date and some are happy that we do and we completed the task as the contract set. Now will we adjust it for next year? We will probably tweak it a little bit. The success was giving us second thought. There are more races left in these horses and we knew there would be. I didn't know what kind of quality we would have, but we've got a quality bunch of horses going over there.”

Just because this first class of purchases is set to sell, does not mean the Dew Sweepers are done. They plan to be active at the yearling sales again this fall.

“We will be buying horses, absolutely,” said Goldthorpe. “Whether we buy them and point towards Ascot or something else. Maybe a few bottles of wine and a dinner will decide that. We're going to be invested in the game. The partners had so much fun. This not their last venture. There were some veterans in there that had to share, but for the most part, these were new people in an effort to get them excited about the game. And let me tell you, they are excited! We're not going to let them go. We're going to buy horses. We're going to sell horses. We're going to race horses, even may venture into a mare or two for the guys whose wives want to see babies being born. So it's just a very close-knit group of guys that are financially stable enough to play the game. We got lucky to put them all together and have success the first year. You won't see the end of the Dew Sweepers!”

The Fasig-Tipton Horses of All Ages Sale kicks off Monday at 3 p.m. and will include both racehorses and broodmares. It will be followed by the Fasig-Tipton July Yearling Sale Tuesday.

The post Dew Sweepers On Track For July Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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No Deep Impact But JRHA Select Sale Still Set To Make Its Mark

There are bloodstock sales and then there's the JRHA Select Sale. The premier sale for Thoroughbreds in Japan, held at Hokkaido's Northern Horse Park, is truly out of the ordinary as far as these events go.

The yearling section of the sale, which this year features 234 entries taking into account withdrawals at the time of writing, follows a fairly traditional format (though the sale's website does include a document noting the yearlings' heights, girth and cannon bone measurements, vices, and any surgical intervention), but it is the following day's session of foals that gives the JRHA Select Sale its unique feel. The foals arrive with their dams at Northern Horse Park early on the morning of the sale, though potential buyers have already visited the individual consigning farms for yearling and foal shows prior to auction. On sale morning, there is a two-hour window for further viewing, with several hundred foals and their usually fairly illustrious mothers standing in lot order among the trees in the park for the fanciest mass line-up of Thoroughbred stock in the world. They then proceed to the ring in tandem, and the foals, once sold, return to their original farm until they are weaned.

During the first year of the pandemic, figures dipped slightly from the then-record-breaking year of 2019, but by 2021, more records were set, with the highest turnover ever seen across the two-day sale of ¥22.5 billion (€163m/£138m) for 226 yearlings and 213 foals sold. Covid restrictions are now more relaxed in Japan and the JRHA's international representative Naohiro Goda says they they expect to have more trainers, owners, agents and media returning to the sale this year, with some American and Australian agents having already arrived in Hokkaido.

For the first time, and in a move which has proved highly effective in other jurisdictions, the JRHA will be accepting online bidding from international buyers.

Japanese bloodstock continues to advertise its merit on racecourses around the world, and inspection of the Select Sale catalogue demonstrates just how highly prized top-class international form is for Japanese breeders when it comes to assembling broodmare bands. Whatever your nationality, there will be mares throughout the pages who are instantly memorable, usually because of their Group/Grade 1 racing form.

For the first time since he arrived on the scene as a stallion of note, there will be no Deep Impact (Jpn) yearlings on offer in Hokkaido, the great sire having died in 2019, leaving a small final crop born in 2020. Poignantly, his 31-year-old dam Wind In Her Hair (Ire) (Alzao) still resides within sight of the sale at the Northern Horse Park with her pony companions.

Deep Impact does still have the edge in Japan's leading sires' table so far this season, but his lead over the former leading first-crop sire Lord Kanaloa (Jpn) is slim. The latter, also a Shadai stallion, is represented by 11 yearlings and nine foals in the JRHA Select catalogue, including a yearling filly (lot 14) out of the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac winner Lily's Candle (Fr) (Style Vendome {Fr}), who was bred in Normandy by Monique Lepeudry at Elevage de Tourgeville. Her close family also includes the former Japanese Horse of the Year and G1 Cox Plate winner Lys Gracieux (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}).

Homecoming Queen (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) and Jet Setting (Ire) (Fast Company {Ire}), 1000 Guineas winners in England and Ireland respectively, are each represented by yearlings in the sale. The former, a half-sister to Arc winner Dylan Thomas (Ire) and champion 2-year-old filly Queen's Logic (Ire) (Grand Lodge), has a colt by Maurice (Jpn) catalogued as lot 55, while Jet Setting's Frankel (GB) colt is slated as lot 23.

Another close relation to a European Classic winner can be found as lot 16, who is the half-brother to Irish Oaks winner Covert Love (Ire) (Azamour {Ire}) and by the current first-crop sire Satono Diamond (Jpn).

G1 VRC Oaks winner Mosheen (Aus) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), whose other top-class victories included the G1 Australian Guineas and G1 Royal Randwick Guineas, is another to have visited Maurice in 2020, and her yearling colt is consigned by Northern Farm as lot 76. The 14-year-old mare is already the dam of treble Group 3 winner Primo Scene (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and she is doubly represented in the sale as her Epiphaneia (Jpn) colt foal is due to sell on Tuesday as lot 367.

Yoshida is a name which will be oft-heard through the sale: the brothers Teruya and Katsumi are the most dominant breeders and consignors represented, each with sizeable drafts in both sectors, while another brother, Haruya, will also play a part via his Oiwake Farm. But Yoshida (Jpn) also appears on the sires' list through one of his first crop of American-conceived yearlings. The son of Hearts's Cry (Jpn) stands at Winstar Farm and is the sire of lot 77, a granddaughter of the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies and GI Matron S. winner Folklore (Tiznow).

The dual Dubai World Cup winner Thunder Snow (Ire) is another with first yearlings and he has two catalogued, lots 192 and 203.

The foal section includes lot 314, an Epiphaneia half-brother to Japanese Derby winner Roger Barows (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), whose dam Little Book (GB) (Librettist) is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Donna Blini (GB) (Bertolini), later better known as the dam of dual Japanese Horse of the Year Gentildonna (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}). Three of the first crop of foals of Juddmonte's G1 Irish 2000 Guineas winner Siskin will also make an appearance.

Looking ahead to the start of the sale on Monday, Naohiro Goda said, “The quality of the catalogue this year is the best I have seen. This is first JRHA catalogue which does not include Deep Impact, and we understand that it is impossible that one single stallion plays his role. Instead, however, the variation and depth of stallions we have in this year's catalogue is amazing, as there are so many young proven stallions, such as Lord Kanaloa, Epiphaneia, Duramente (Jpn), Maurice, Kizuna (Jpn), Drefong, and so on. In addition, hugely exciting unproven stallions will be represented by their young crops, such as Rey De Oro (Jpn), whose first foals made such a big splash last year, Bricks And Mortar, Suave Richard (Jpn), New Year's Day, Siskin, Nadal, Admire Mars (Jpn), Le Vent Se Leve (Jpn), and Saturnalia (Jpn).”

Goda added, “It will not be easy to break last year's new record but we hope the market at the 2022 Select Sale is as active as it was last year.”

The JRHA Select Sale starts on Monday with the yearling session, followed on Tuesday by the foals.

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