Tag: Shared News Europe

Sodashi Will Have To Be At Her ‘Schnell’-est In Mile Championship

All eyes will be on Sodashi (Jpn) (Kurofune)–aren't they always?–as she takes on an eclectic group in Sunday's G1 Mile Championship at Hanshin Racecourse, a race that looks something other than a one-horse affair.

Named the best of her generation at two and three, the immensely popular white filly owns three top-level victories over arguably her favorite trip, having annexed the 2020 G1 Hanshin Juvenile Fillies and last year's G1 Satsuki Sho (Japanese 1000 Guineas) over course and distance and this year's sex-restricted G1 Victoria Mile at Tokyo. Fifth to Jack d'Or (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}) in defense of her title in the Aug. 21 G2 Sapporo Kinen, Sodashi exits a narrow defeat in the G2 Fuchu Himba S. at headquarters Oct. 15.

“Last week and this week, we pushed her pretty hard in her workouts,” explained trainer Naosuke Sugai. “The colder weather really brings out her best and you can see the improvement. With her last start, she was able to let off some steam and has now been calm and settled.”

 

 

 

Schnell Meister (Ger) (Kingman {GB}), runner-up to the magnificent Gran Alegria (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) in this event last fall, has had a fractionally disappointing season by his lofty standards and will be looking for his first victory from four starts. A lackluster eighth in the G1 Dubai Turf, he was unlucky in the G1 Yasuda Kinen at Tokyo in June, finishing a neck behind the victorious Songline (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) and a head better than the reliable Salios (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}). In something of an experiment, Schnell (German for fast) Meister was ninth, but not beaten far, in the G1 Sprinters' S. over a 1200-metre trip that always threatened to be too sharp.

“He is always done well over the mile, but he's been up against one or two other very strong horses in previous races,” said trainer Takahisa Tezuka. “This year, with no one standout, I think it'll go well if things come together for him.”

 

 

 

Salios, also third to Golden Sixty (Aus) (Medaglia d'Oro) in last year's G1 Longines Hong Kong Mile, has just one start since the Yasuda Kinen, a half-length defeat of Justin Cafe (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) and Danon the Kid (Jpn) (Just a Way {Jpn}) in the Oct. 9 G2 Mainichi Okan over nine furlongs.

Soul Rush (Jpn) (Rulership {Jpn}) capped a three-race skein with a victory over Ho O Amazon (Jpn) (King Kamehameha {Jpn}) in the G2 Yomiuri Milers' Cup at this venue and going this trip in April, but finished well down the field in the Yasuda Kinen. He prepped for this with a close second to 3-year-old Serifos (Jpn) (Daiwa Major {Jpn}) in Tokyo's G2 Fuji S. Oct. 22, with Danon Scorpion (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) not far away in third.

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IHRB Apologise To Connections Of Rosscarbery Over Group 1 Disqualification

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board has issued an apology to trainer Paddy Twomey, jockey Wayne Lordan and owner Robert Moran over an error to the weighing out process of Rosscarbery (Ger) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) that led to the filly being disqualified from finishing third in the G1 Pretty Polly S. at the Curragh back in June.

Rosscarbery justified Twomey's decision to supplement at a cost of €30,000 for that Group 1 contest when running a gallant third behind stablemate La Petite Coco (Ire) (Ruler Of The World). 

However, she was later thrown out after Lordan weighed in 5lb light, after which Twomey said he was convinced the error was not the fault of his or his rider's, and went on to blame “a technical glitch with the scales”.

Rosscarbery, one of the star attractions of the Tattersalls December Mares Sale later this month, went on to achieve Group 1 black-type when beaten just a neck into second in the Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville in August. 

A statement published by Irish racing's regulator on Friday revealed that the connections of the filly have now withdrawn their appeal in light of the IHRB's apology and Twomey described himself as happy that the issue is now resolved.

He said, “It was a pity that it happened. Having a first and third in a Group 1 race is a very hard thing to do and it was unfortunate that she was disqualified. It is what it is and we're moving on. Thankfully we had a good year on the whole and we're just happy that this issue is resolved.”

An independent investigation carried out by Grant Thornton found that no blame could be attributed to Twomey or the connections of the filly, who would have bagged €30,000 in prize-money for her third-placed effort. 

The statement read, “The IHRB has established that the disqualification of Rosscarbery from the race resulted from an error in the weigh out process which it accepts was not the fault of the owner, the trainer or the rider. The IHRB very much regrets the incident and unreservedly apologises to Mr Moran, Mr Twomey and Mr Lordan.”

It added, “Following the finish of the race in question, the stewards received a report from the IHRB clerk of the scales that Wayne Lordan, rider of Rosscarbery, who had placed third, had weighed in almost 5lbs light. 

“Having considered the evidence on the day, the stewards disqualified Rosscarbery from third place in accordance with the provisions of Rule 231(i) in that he weighed in at more than 1lb light. They also referred the matter to the Chief Executive Officer of the IHRB for further investigation.

“The IHRB immediately began an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the weighing-out and weighing-in of the rider of Rosscarbery on the day. On Monday, June 27 2022, the IHRB appointed Grant Thornton to carry out an independent expert technical investigation while also carrying out an internal review of IHRB systems, processes and procedures for the weighing-out and weighing-in of riders.

“On September 6 2022, following a thorough forensic investigation, Grant Thornton issued the IHRB with their report and findings, which the IHRB shared with Mr Moran and Mr Twomey's representatives.”

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Arqana Autumn Sale Concludes With Strong Clearance Rate

The four-day Arqana Autumn Sale ended on Thursday with a session devoted to National Hunt breeding stock comprised of foals, broodmares, and fillies. Three horses broke the six-figure mark, and Grade 3 heroine La Boetie (Fr) (Saint Des Saints {Fr}) (lot 820) hammered at a session-topping €190,000 to Guy Petit, who had been active earlier in the sale. Petit signed for 17 lots on Thursday alone, which grossed €584,000. His total by the end of trade was 32 lots for a gross spend of €983,000.

Presented by David Cottin, the 4-year-old mare has won the G3 Prix Sagan and is a half-sister to Libueno (Fr) (Martaline {GB}), who is stakes-placed over jumps at Auteuil.

Petit said, “I've bought her for an Irish client, said the agent. She'll be a broodmare in France. She ticks all the boxes and she's a lovely mare–she has everything that you could look for in a broodmare.”

Thierry Cypres's Bridge Consignment, Ltd. was in action for both a €160,000 colt foal already christened Mondoctor Jem (Fr) (Doctor Dino {Fr}) and the winning €105,000 AQPS Glady (Fr) (Rail Link {GB}). Haras de Cordelles consigned the Feb. 22-born foal. His half-brother Theleme (Fr) (Sidestep {Aus}) succeeded in the G1 Prix Renaud du Vivier. The latter, from Elevage Cypres, is a half-brother to AQPS Bipolaire (Fr) (Fragrant Mix {Ire}), who won the G1 Prix la Haye Jousselin over fences. She is pregnant to Karaktar (Ire).

A total of 214 horses passed through the ring on Thursday, with 156 (73%) finding new homes for an aggregate of €3,231,000. The median was €12,500 and the average was €20,712. Overall, 515 sold of 675 offered (76%) for a gross of €14,531,500. The average was €28,217 and the median was €15,000.

Eric Hoyeau, President of Arqana and Freddy Powell, Executive Director, commented, “We would like to thank all our buyers who came to the sale at this very busy time of the year. It is difficult to draw any conclusions about the Autumn Sale as a whole, as each day had its own distinct class. The  horses-in-training at the start of the sale were marked by a buoyant market, with very strong international demand for all profiles.”

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Henry Beeby Hails “Sensational” November Foal Sale At Goffs

The Havana Grey (GB) train is showing no sign of slowing down and, after a booming debut season at stud that saw his fee at Whitsbury Manor Stud bumped up to £18,500, he supplied the sales-topping filly on the final day of what Henry Beeby described as a “sensational” November Foal Sale at Goffs.

That €68,000 filly (lot 962) was signed for by renowned judge Paul McCartan of Ballyphillip Stud, best known for breeding speedballs Harry Angel (Ire) and Tiggy Wiggy (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), and was consigned by Olive O'Connor Bloodstock.

McCartan said, “She was a beautiful filly out of a Showcasing (GB) mare and there are plenty of 2-year-old winners in the pedigree. I've been very impressed by Havana Grey. I really liked his foals from his first crop as well.”

He added, “I thought there were some lovely foals here this year but they were hard bought. We didn't get all that we wanted. There was great trade here but I am happy with what we have bought.”

It was the younger sires who came up trumps on Thursday where 176 of the 235 foals were sold which equates to a 75% clearance rate in a week where the overall turnover rose 16% to €29,561,000.

The strong figures didn't stop there. The average rose 15% to €40,110 while the median climbed 9% to €24,000. All told, 737 of the 917 lots offered were sold, translating to a 80% clearance rate.

Goffs chief Henry Beeby said, “Sensational. That is the only description of the amazing trade this week headed by an especially vibrant day of sustained demand at the top of the market yesterday.

“As ever we extend our sincere thanks to every vendor as we know we are nothing without their wonderful horses and we are so grateful for the huge support from so many vendors who choose the Irish National Foal Sale for their best foals. That allows us to credibly promote the sale as featuring the cream of the Irish foal crop which drives every serious buyer of foals to Kildare Paddocks.”

He added, “Indeed, we have welcomed a huge group of purchasers headed, of course, by the mighty Irish pinhookers who have been taken on by bidders from the UK and across Europe. They were joined by several significant end-users, not least from Japan, who bought to race all of which led to a trade of strength, depth and vibrancy from start to finish.

“As was very clear at an excellent renewal of the Orby Sale, quality is what is selling best and that was illustrated by the strongest clearance rate of 85% coming on Wednesday and we look forward to offering many of those top foals at the Orby next year following so many great pinhooking successes here in September.

“The unique Goffs Customer Loyalty Scheme makes that option especially appealing as does the depth and diversity of our international buying bench this year. In fact the only real complaint from several overseas buyers at Orby this year was that we ran out of top tier yearlings so that is the target next year. We now turn our attention to our two-day Breeding Stock catalogue which continues to be so well supported by leading breeders and enjoys such a superb record with its graduates' progeny at the highest level.”

Along with the sales-topping Havana Grey, a filly by the Ballyhane-based Soldier's Call (lot 869) sold similarly well at €65,000 from Monanny Farm to Bitzen Bloodstock while the Aga Khan's emerging force Zarak (Fr) enjoyed a good afternoon when lot 843 was knocked down to Fort Middle Stud for €60,000.

That filly, consigned by Browne Brothers Bloodstock, was just the second by the sire to go through the ring at Goffs; the other (lot 283) sold earlier in the week for €52,000 to Guy Pariente Holding from Baroda Stud.

Not only did Far Above (Ire) win the prize for the best promoted stallion on the sales ground at Goffs this week, with shareholder Jack Cantillon and Starfield Stud boss Micheal Orlandi hard to miss in their yellow jackets, but he also posted some solid results in the ring.

The best of which was lot 834, a colt who sold from the Cantillon's family-run operation, Tinnakill House, to Richard Brown of Blandford Bloodstock for €48,000.

Brown is an advisor for Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum, whose familiar yellow silks were carried by Far Above to Group 3 success on the racetrack, and the leading bloodstock agent revealed how connections were keen to support the horse at stud.

Brown said, “He is a smashing colt by Far Above, who Sheikh Rashid raced, and is from a  family we know well; out of a sister to Perfect Power (Ire). Sheikh Rashid said to me when I was coming over here to let him know that, if I saw a nice Far Above to let him know, which I did. I saw him last night and was keen to have a go. I want to support the stallion as he gave us a lot of pleasure. He was a very good horse, very fast, and we wanted to buy this lad to race. We'll go on to Newmarket and see if we can buy a couple more.”

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