With its traditional Winter/Spring Meeting set to begin Saturday, Dec. 26, Santa Anita Park has announced a lucrative Sunshine Bonus, which is intended to attract out-of-state horses throughout the meet, which concludes on June 20.
“Along with the 10 percent raise in our average daily purse distribution which now totals $533,000, we're hopeful this new Sunshine Bonus program will help to attract horses that have not run in California over the past 12 months,” said Chris Merz, Santa Anita's Director of Racing. “With a guaranteed bonus of $3,000 to be paid to the owners of any eligible horse making their first start here, excluding stakes races and first-time starters, this is a very significant enticement to train and race at what we believe is a magnificent year-round facility.”
In addition to the initial $3,000 starter's bonus, Merz pointed out that sizable bonuses will be paid to those same horses predicated upon where they finish in their Santa Anita debuts.
“Excluding stakes and first-time starters, the Sunshine Bonus will also offer a 35 percent bonus to the owners of those horses finishing first through fifth in their first starts here. So for instance, if a horse ships in and wins a $61,000 maiden special weight race, the owner will not only receive the standard winner's share of $36,600, he'll get the first time Santa Anita starter bonus of $3,000 as well as the 35 percent bonus of $12,810.
“This adds up to total money-won of $52,410 in a $61,000 race. The numbers speak for themselves and we're hoping horsemen nationwide will take this into account when they consider sending horses here this winter and spring.”
Prepping for his Group 1 debut in the Longines Hong Kong Mile in three weeks’ time, Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d’Oro) confirmed his status as the top horse in Hong Kong with yet another breathtaking victory–his 13th from 14 career runs–in Sunday’s G2 Jockey Club Mile at Sha Tin Racecourse. Last year’s Classic Series sweeper was simultaneously winning his 10th race on the hop, joining the likes of his contemporary Beauty Generation (NZ), Co-Tack (Aus) and Silent Witness (Aus) to take as many consecutive races. In the day’s other main events, fellow Hong Kong Derby winner Furore (NZ) (Pierro {Aus}) defeated Exultant (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) in the G2 Jockey Club Cup (2000m) and Hot King Prawn (Aus) (Denman {Aus}), another paternal grandson of the legendary Lonhro (Aus), returned to winning ways in the G2 Jockey Club Sprint (1200m).
Miles The Best…
Sent off the $1.15 mortal in the Jockey Club Mile, Golden Sixty landed in midfield and switched off beautifully for his jockey Vincent Ho, as Ka Ying Star (GB) (Cityscape {GB}) galloped them along at a fairly leisurely clip for the opening 800 metres. Patiently handled on the circle, Golden Sixty was produced four wide off the home corner, split Mighty Giant (NZ) (Power {GB}) to his inside and Champion’s Way (Aus) (Hinchinbrook {Aus}) to his outside and flew his final quarter mile in :21.89 to score with a fair bit of authority. Ka Ying Star held for second over the 8-year-old Southern Legend (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}).
Ho believes Golden Sixty is still a horse on the rise–a scary proposition, to be sure.
“He felt really good and sprinted home really well,” the homegrown rider told HKJC’s Steve Moran, “The main goal was to settle him as normal and to relax him and he hit the line strongly. He will always produce a really good last quarter. I was happy with how he raced, he’s getting quieter and he knows what’s going on now.”
Though he holds an entry for the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup, Golden Sixty will remain at the mile for International Day Dec. 13.
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong JOCKEY CLUB MILE-G2, HK$4,500,000 (£436,925/€489,493/ A$794,645/US$580,459), Sha Tin, 11-21, 3yo/up, 1600mT, 1:32.91, gd.
1–GOLDEN SIXTY (AUS), 123, g, 5, by Medaglia d’Oro 1st Dam: Gaudeamus (GSW-Ire, $179,846), by Distorted Humor 2nd Dam: Leo’s Lucky Lady, by Seattle Slew 3rd Dam: Konafa, by Damascus
(A$120,000 Ylg ’17 MMGCYS; NZ$300,000 2yo ’17 NZBRTR).
O-Stanley Chan Ka Leung; B-Asco International Pty Ltd (Qld);
T-Francis Lui; J-Vincent Ho; HK$2,565,000. Lifetime Record:
Ch. 4yo-HK, 14-13-0-0, HK$38,695,600. *1/2 to Igitur (Aus)
(Helmet {Aus}), SP-Aus, $120,093. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Ka Ying Star (GB), 123, g, 5, Cityscape (GB)–Casual Glance
(GB), by Sinndar (Ire). O-Leung Shek Kong; B-Kingsclere Stud;
T-Tony Cruz; J-Chad Schofield; HK$990,000.
3–Southern Legend (Aus), 128, g, 8, Not A Single Doubt (Aus)–
Donna’s Appeal (Aus), by Carnegie (Ire). (A$280,000 Ylg ’14
INGEAS). O-Boniface Ho Ka Kui; B-Corumbene Stud (NSW);
T-Caspar Fownes; J-Karis Teetan; HK$517,500.
Margins: 1HF, NK, 2. Odds: 15-100, 89-10, 17-1.
Also Ran: Mighty Giant (NZ), Champion’s Way (Aus), Harmony Victory (Brz), Simply Brilliant (GB). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
WATCH: Golden Sixty imperious in the Jockey Club Mile
Hot King Prawn Doubles Up in JC Sprint…
The likeable Hot King Prawn (Aus) (Denman {Aus}) won the 2018 G2 Jockey Club Sprint and was heavily favoured to take the next step in the International Sprint, only to fade tamely into ninth. Second to his now-retired stablemate Beat The Clock (Aus) (Hinchinbrook {Aus}) in last year’s Sprint, the 6-year-old will look to go one better next month following a tough-as-teak performance Sunday.
Ridden for at least a bit of pace by Joao Moreira, Hot King Prawn was in the firing line early but ultimately eased back to sit fourth, as Big Time Baby (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) cut out the running outside favoured Computer Patch (Aus) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}). Three deep and without the benefit of cover rounding the bend, Hot King Prawn went on the attack four off the inside at the 400m, grinded his way to the front with less than a furlong to race and gutted it out. Computer Patch stayed on from second ahead of Rattan (NZ) (Savabeel {Aus}), who missed the break and hit the line strongly.
“He’s six years old this season, but sometimes our good horses can be that age and still do their best,” winning conditioner John Size told HKJC’s David Morgan. “Hong Kong is a place where mature horses can have an advantage sometimes. He had one start before the Hong Kong Sprint last season because he was coming back off a colic operation, so he was a little bit disadvantaged, so this time he’s probably had a more comfortable preparation.”
Hot King Prawn faces a clash with The Everest hero and recent Hong Kong import Classique Legend (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}) in the Hong Kong Sprint.
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong JOCKEY CLUB SPRINT-G2, HK$4,500,000 (£436,925/€489,493/ A$794,645/US$580,459), Sha Tin, 11-21, 3yo/up, 1200mT, 1:08, gd.
1–HOT KING PRAWN (AUS), 123, g, 6, by Denman (Aus) 1st Dam: De Chorus (Aus), by Unbridled’s Song 2nd Dam: Val de Grace (Aus), by Centaine (Aus) 3rd Dam: Renasans (NZ), by Ashabit (GB)
(A$90,000 Ylg ’16 INGFEB). O-Lau Sak Hong; B-Torryburn Stud
(NSW); T-John Size; J-Joao Moreira; HK$2,565,000. Lifetime
Record: MG1SP-HK, 21-11-5-2, HK$27,247,300. *1/2 to Siren’s
Fury (Aus) (Myboycharlie {Ire}), MGSW-Aus, $379,420. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.Werk Nick Rating: D+.
2–Computer Patch (Aus), 123, r, 4, Exceed and Excel (Aus)–Girl
Hussler (Aus), by Hussonet. (A$800,000 Ylg ’18 INGEAS).
O-Yeung Kin Man; B-Segenhoe Thoroughbreds Australia Pty
Ltd (NSW); T-Tony Cruz; J-Karis Teetan; HK$990,000.
3–Rattan (NZ), 123, g, 7, Savabeel (Aus)–Grand Princess (Aus),
by Last Tycoon (Ire). (NZ$150,000 Ylg ’15 NZBJAN). O-Wong
Ting Bor; B-M H S & S H R Davison & Mrs M P Schick; T-Richard
Gibson; J-Antoine Hamelin; HK$517,500.
Margins: 3/4, NK, NK. Odds: 29-10, 13-10, 49-1.
WATCH: Hot King Prawn wins a second Jockey Club Sprint
Furore Gets Ideal Set-Up in Jockey Club Cup…
Furore (NZ) (Pierro {Aus}) became the second Hong Kong Derby winner to score on Jockey Club day, taking advantage of a perfect trip to best Exultant (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) in the G2 Jockey Club Cup.
The mount of Moreira, Furore landed in the box seat and was happy to monitor things from there, as the comebacking Time Warp (GB) (Archipenko) was pressed through a lively early tempo by Exultant. For a handful of strides approaching the entrance to the final 600 metres, Time Warp looked as if he might be able to pinch it, with Exultant off the bridle, but Furore got underway in earnest three abreast at the furlong grounds and edged clear. Exultant was forced to go forward from his high draw, but had to do a bit of work early to clear the positively ridden Playa del Puente (Ire) (Elzaam {Aus}), the near-upsetter in last year’s Derby. The pace appeared to take its toll on Exultant, but to his credit, he was gaining inches on the winner at the finish and will be suited by the step up to the 2400 metres for the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase, which he annexed in 2018.
Columbus County (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) ran on nicely for third.
“He travelled very kind, he had the cover that we were hoping for and the pace was quite genuine and when I gave him a clear run, they started to come back and he just kept running and showing his quality,” the ‘Magic Man’ told HKJC’s Declan Schuster of the winner, who remains at the 2000 metres for the Cup.
Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong JOCKEY CLUB CUP-G2, HK$4,500,000 (£436,925/€489,493/ A$794,645/US$580,459), Sha Tin, 11-21, 3yo/up, 2000mT, 1:59.32, gd.
1–FURORE (NZ), 123, g, 6, by Pierro (Aus) 1st Dam: Stormy Choice (Aus), by Redoute’s Choice 2nd Dam: Shalbourne, by Nureyev 3rd Dam: Copperama (Aus), by *Comeram
(NZ$210,000 Ylg ’16 NZBJAN). O-Lee Sheung Chau; B-G S A
Bloodstock Pty Ltd; T-Tony Cruz; J-Joao Moreira;
HK$2,565,000. Lifetime Record: MG1SP-HK, G1SP-Aus,
25-8-2-4, HK$33,214,600. *1/2 to Blizzard (Aus) (Starcraft
{NZ}), Ch. Miler & SW-Sin, GSW & G1SP-HK, $2,375,496. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*.
2–Exultant (Ire), 128, g, 6, Teofilo (Ire)–Contrary (Ire), by Mark
of Esteem (Ire). O-Eddie Wong Ming Chak & Wong Leung Sau
Hing; B-Ballygallon Stud; T-Tony Cruz; J-Zac Purton;
HK$990,000.
3–Columbus County (NZ), 123, g, 5, Redwood (GB)–Spirit of
Sandford (NZ), by Kilimanjaro (GB). (NZ$33,000 Ylg ’17
NZBFEB). O-Mr & Mrs Hamen Fan Shi Hoo, Alex Fan Chen Yen
& Christina Fan Chen Mun; B-D W Mayers & Mrs S J Taylor;
T-Caspar Fownes; J-Vincent Ho; HK$517,500.
Margins: 3/4, 1 1/4, 1. Odds: 7-5, 9-10, 9-1.
Also Ran: Dances With Dragon (NZ), Ho Ho Khan (NZ), Singapore Sling (SAf), Playa del Puente (Ire), Chefano (SAf), Time Warp (GB). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing. Click for the free Equineline.com catalog-style pedigree.
WATCH: Furore defeats Exultant in the Jockey Club Cup
Caracaro, a Grade 1-placed 3-year old by top-class sire Uncle Mo, out of a daughter of War Front, will enter stud at Pope McLean's Crestwood Farm in 2021.
He will stand his first year at stud for $6,500 LFSN.
Caracaro was bred by SF Bloodstock, LLC, and raised and raced by Global Thoroughbred, LLC.
“Caracaro from day one was very talented and performed brilliantly at the highest level,” said trainer Gustavo Delgado. “I consider Caracaro to be a horse in another category, and the best horse I have ever trained.”
“We are excited to stand Caracaro, a quality Grade 1 performing son of Uncle Mo, who is proving himself to be a sire of sires” said Pope McLean Sr. “Three of the top four freshman sires by earnings, are sons of Uncle Mo. Caracaro was dominant breaking his maiden at Gulfstream Park and was labeled a TDN Rising Star. He followed that up with a pair of runner-up finishes at Saratoga in the Grade 3 Peter Pan and $1-million G1 Travers Stakes. Caracaro has a lot to offer breeders as a Grade 1 performer by Uncle Mo, out of a War Front mare.”
Caracaro was a TDN Rising Star winning a one-mile maiden special weight in 1:35, the best time at a mile for a 3-year-old during the championship meeting at Gulfstream Park in 2020. After a six-month respite, Caracaro finished a determined second by a neck, battling Country Grammer to the wire in the G3 Peter Pan at Saratoga, followed by runner-up finish in the G1 Travers behind four-time Grade 1 Winner Tiz The Law.
Caracaro competed at an elite level, with improving speed figures in each race, and a top Beyer Speed Figure of 101 in the Travers.
Caracaro defeated graded stakes-quality runners including Jesus' Team who ran a terrific second in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile; Mystic Guide, winner of the G2 Jim Dandy and second in the G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup; Grade 2 winner Modernist; and Grade 3 winners Max Player, Country Grammer; and Uncle Chuck, among others.
In a year when nothing is quite normal, it's nice to have a few things you can count on. For the Keeneland auction pavilion, the switch from horses to art is as reliable as the changing of the seasons. For the eighth year, broodmares and weanlings made their annual November parade through the auction ring while paintings and sculpture decorated the pavilion's halls, awaiting their turn to change hands in the Sporting Art Auction.
While in previous years, the Sporting Art Auction sees paintings and sculpture auctioned from the iconic Keeneland ring, this year's sale will be conducted virtually. Those who were at Keeneland for the November Sale may also have noticed fewer works of art lighting their passage between the café and the back walking ring, as organizer Cross Gate Gallery sought to display this year's catalogue in smaller groups to discourage crowding from viewers.
Much like the sale that precedes it, the catalogue for the Sporting Art Auction varies a bit year by year.
“We want everyone to be able to find something that we like, so we do have 19th Century British, and we extend all the way up,” said Bill Evans Meng, gallery director for Cross Gate Gallery in Lexington, Ky. “There are a lot of contemporary painters. I'm 37 and everyone my age is buying the new things. [The catalog] is maybe is a little more contemporary this year but sometimes you have to go with what you can find.”
Meng said he aims to have a healthy mix of time periods, styles, and subjects each year. While most feature horses either in racing or foxhunting contexts, there are often a few pastoral scenes as well as a few of hunting dogs, farm creatures, or fowl.
A few works were commissioned to depict specific horses. A trio of portraits from well-known equine painter Richard Stone Reeves depict Law Society, Coup De Feu and Mr. Right, while a signed collection of 12 prints from Franklin B. Voss (no relation to the author) is a fond look back at the top runners of the 1920s and 1930s, including Man o' War, Gallant Fox, Seabiscuit, and Discovery.
For Meng, works designed to immortalize a particular subject sometimes come along with the most interesting stories.
“The ones that are specific, they have a story and people like that,” said Meng. “I feel like all three of the Reeves this year, they had real connections to the connections. The one of the Coup de Feu was a father and son story – the father owned it and got his son started racing. Law Society was a big horse for Vincent O'Brien and of course shows his incredible training facility. The third Reeves, Mr. Right, came from the trainer and I got to talk to him a lot and he really liked the horse. When you do these specific ones, there's always a story and I think people connect to that.
“Of course a lot of our clients are horsemen and they're into bloodlines. They might know this was their horse's great-great-grandsire and that means something to them.”
In a somewhat unusual twist, this year's auction also features a human portrait from German/American artist Nicola Marschall of Daniel Swigert. Swigert and his Elmendorf Farm are two of the oldest names in the Kentucky Thoroughbred business, tracing back from the 1870s.
(We wrote about Elmendorf and Swigert in our Kentucky Farm Time Capsule series. Read that profile piece here.)
“When he was young he tried to build up what became Buffalo Trace Distillery and then he went on to become a great horsemen,” he said. “I knew about him, but I didn't know enough about him to appreciate it when I saw the painting the first time [10 or 12 years ago.]”
Lot 120, Early Morning Exercise, Green Lane as painted by Peter Howell
Other pieces are looser or more interpretative, allowing an owner or fan to see their own favorite horse in the lights and shadows. Painter Peter Howell's depictions of morning training at Keeneland and Newmarket are particularly good examples of this.
Then there are pieces likely to garner attention on name recognition alone. The catalog contains a number of sketches from the well-known Sir Alfred Munnings, as well as brightly-colored scenes from popular Henry Lawrence Faulkner and a landscape from Andrew Wyeth.
There are also pieces with a sense of humor. Andrew Pater's 'The Empty Bowl' features a hound next to his empty dish wearing the dry, humorless expression all pet owners have experienced when they've dared to come home late. 'Antagonizing the Barn Cat' from George Armfield shows a faceoff between an irritated tabby and a trio of terriers poised to hop and play. Then there's Philip Eustace Stretton's 'Study of A Ginger Cat' displaying an enormous orange feline upon a regal crimson cushion.
“I've chuckled myself walking by it,” said Meng. “We don't get a lot of cat paintings, but we do have some clients that sort of got on a cat kick, so there you go. He's sort of looking majestic.
“They kind of would paint these animal genre scenes like that, where you'd see them acting out. Animals are going to be animals. I think they're something people can relate to, something lighthearted. Those do well, because people like to laugh.”
Lot 73, Study Of A Ginger Cat, 1908 by Philip Eustace Stretton
Art collectors, like breeders with an impressive base of broodmares, do not necessarily have a time clock on their investments. Some pieces may come to auction when an owner disperses their collection or as part of an estate sale. Other owners may look at the market and their particular piece's merits and try to read the tea leaves, deciding if this is the time to benefit from an increase in value. Meng tells people that their decision should ultimately come down to their relationship with a piece – and for some, that means they may decide to rebuff his overtures to selling.
“That's why we generally have 180 lots instead of 5,000 like at the Keeneland sale,” said Meng. “I tell people, you're the one who has to love it. You're the one who has to look at it every day. And if you love it, you shouldn't let it go.”
See this year's Sporting Art Auction catalog online here.
