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Engelbrecht-Bresges Appointed New VP of IHSC

The International Horse Sports Confederation (IHSC) General Assembly has unanimously elected Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges as the new IHSC Vice-President. Engelbrecht-Bresges had previously served as the standing representative of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) in the IHSC General Assembly. Also the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC)'s Chief Executive Officer since 2007, Engelbrecht-Bresges is the Chair of the IFHA and the Chairman of the Asian Racing Federation (ARF).

“Winfried's expertise in the horse racing industry has been of great value to the work of the IHSC, as is his commitment to protecting the welfare of equine and human athletes,” IHSC President Ingmar De Vos said. “The IHSC was created to strengthen and formalise the cooperation between horse racing and equestrian sport in fields where we share common interest, and specifically to establish a partnership between horse sport and the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE).

“We have many ongoing projects in different fields and I look forward to continuing this close working relationship with Winfried and the IFHA, and I would like to extend my warm congratulations to him on his election. I also would like to convey my warmhearted thanks to his predecessor Louis Romanet for his great contribution to our organisation.”

Engelbrecht-Bresges said, “I'm extremely honoured to be elected Vice-President of the IHSC. I would like to thank our President, Ingmar De Vos, and the General Assembly for their trust and support. I would also like to thank our past President and IFHA Chairman Emeritus Louis Romanet who was instrumental in the establishment of the IHSC as the first vehicle for co-operation between the world's leading peak horse sports bodies.

“I look forward to furthering the collective objectives of the IFHA and the FEI, as well as advocating for the horse industry with the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and other international bodies.”

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Tony and Anne O’Callaghan Inducted To ITBA Hall Of Fame

The cream of Irish Thoroughbred breeding was recognised on Sunday night, with the headline act being Tally-Ho Stud's Tony and Anne O'Callaghan, who were inducted into the ITBA Hall of Fame.

Last year's ITBA National Breeding & Racing Awards provided one of the bloodstock social media events of lockdown, but after two years of virtual presentations, the prestigious awards ceremony returned to its rightful home of The Heritage hotel in Co Laois.

The O'Callaghans also took home one of the main Flat awards when being named the joint-winners of 2-year-old colt category with Ben Sangster. This was in recognition for breeding Perfect Power (Ire) (Ardad {Ire}), winner of the 2021 G1 Middle Park S. and G1 Prix Morny and the co-top-rated Irish-bred juvenile colt along with the unbeaten Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), who landed the G1 Vertem Futurity Trophy after winning the G2 Beresford S.

Tally-Ho Stud, based in Mullingar, Co Westmeath, is currently home to seven stallions, among them the much respected Kodiac (GB), as well as Mehmas (Ire) and Cotai Glory (GB), who have been the leading first-season stallions of the last two years. A video produced by the ITBA to commemorate the induction included tributes from the O'Callaghans' two sons, Roger and Henry.

“They've worked hard to get here and everything they've got they've earned,” said Roger. “Mum did the night-watching for 25 years. She did all the foaling–mum did the nights and dad did the days.”

Henry also acknowledged his mother's role is the successful business. He said, “When it's a small operation everyone does everything. My mum was up during the night and when my dad got up she would give him a hand with the feeding. Even now, when we are watching the mares, she has an innate ability to predict when they are going to foal.”

In addition to Perfect Power, who was recognised with an award on the night and is himself by Ardad, a stallion bred by the O'Callaghans, the Tally-Ho team was also responsible last year for breeding the Group 1 winner Ebro River (Ire) by another of their stallions, Galileo Gold (GB). Further success came through the G2 Gimcrack S. and G2 July S. winner Lusail (Ire) (Mehmas {Ire}), as well as Campanelle (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}), who won the G1 Commonwealth Cup in addition to her 2020 victories in the G1 Prix Morny and G2 Queen Mary S.

Patrick Burns of Newlands House Stud was recognised with the ITBA Small Breeder Award, with his crowning glory of 2021 being the G1 Nuntorpe S. victory of Winter Power (Ire), a daughter of Bungle Inthejungle (Ire) who stands at Rathasker Stud, owned by Burns's brother Maurice.

“Patrick is the epitome of a successful high-class small breeder,” said ITBA chairman Joe Foley. “From the small number of yearlings that he produces every year he seems to produce a really good horse from every crop. That success rate is really remarkable.”

Burns has never had more than six mares on his farm in Kildare, and recent graduates have included the G2 Lowther S. victrix Living In The Past (Ire), who is also a daughter of Bungle Inthejungle, as well as G2 Lanwades Stud S. winner Devonshire (Ire) (Fast Company {Ire}) and Listed winner Hurryupharriet (Ire) (Camacho {GB}).

Another hugely popular category is the Wild Geese Award, which honours Irishmen and women who have carved out successful careers in the bloodstock industry worldwide. Added to an impressive roll of honour this year are the names of Gabriel and Aisling Duignan. Based in Kentucky for more than 30 years, Gabriel 'Spider' Duignan is a founding partner of Paramount Sales, along with his fellow Irishman Pat Costello. Aisling Duignan, née Cross, is Coolmore's director of bloodstock at Ashford Stud.

Addressing the couple via the ITBA's video tribute, John Magnier said, “Spider, I knew you were clever from the time you were working and did so well for Tony Ryan, but when you got married to Aisling that confirmed how clever you were.”

He continued, “I remember Aisling from the time she was a kid really, leading out the mares in all kinds of weather and dressed up in this rain gear so you could hardly find her, but she always stood out and it's not a surprise to me that she has reached the heights that she has.

“She has been the utmost help to all of us. She keeps everybody on the straight and narrow and keeps everybody's morale up.”

The Special Recognition Award was presented to Julian Lloyd, a former trainer with rock star Eric Clapton among his owners, bloodstock agent, and, until his retirement last year, the manager of Kirsten Rausing's Staffordstown stud in Ireland.

“I think he is defined by his enthusiasm for all matters racing and breeding, and also his professionalism, attention to detail, and great horsemanship in general,” said Rausing, who met Lloyd when they both worked for Captain Tim Rogers at Airlie Stud.

“Julian, Paddy Moloney and I were the three that started up Staffordstown in early 1991, so Julian and I have been working and establishing Staffordstown with Paddy for exactly 30 years.”

The Grassick family's Newtown Stud and Tim Pabst received the award for breeding the top-rated Irish 2-year-old filly of 2021 in Flotus (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}), who is now owed by Katsumi Yoshida after selling for a million gns at the Tattersalls December Mares' Sale.

In the 3-year-old filly division, the award was also shared, this time between the Gaffney family's Churchtown Horse Stud, breeders of Alcohol Free (Ire) (No Nay Never), and Tom Cooke's Thomastown Farm, which bred French-trained sprinter Suesa (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}). Godolphin received the 3-year-old colt award for their Derby and King George winner Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}).

Brothers Michael and Laurence Gleeson, young pinhookers based at Aughamore Stud in Co Westmeath, were recognised with the Next Generation Award. Among their early successes has been Champers Elysees (Ire) (Elzaam {Aus}), who was bought by the brothers as a foal for €12,500 and sold on for €28,000 to Johnny Murtagh, who trained her to win the G1 Matron S.

ITBA Award winners for 2021

Small Breeder
Patrick Burns, Newlands House Stud

Special Recognition
Julian Lloyd

Next Generation
Michael and Laurence Gleeson

Novice Hurdler
Appreciate It
Breeder: Barmakin Ltd & South Lodge Stud

Novice Chaser
Shishkin
Breeder: C J & E B Bennett

Leading National Hunt Mare:
Colreevy
Breeder: Niall Flynn

Hurdler
Flooring Porter
Breeder: Sean Murphy

Chaser
Minella Indo
Breeder: Mrs R H Lalor

2-Year-Old Filly
Flotus
Breeder Newtown Stud & T J Pabst

2 -Year-Old Colt – Joint award
Luxembourg
Breeder: B V Sangster

Perfect Power
Breeder: Tally Ho Stud

3-Year-Old Filly – Joint award
Alcohol Free
Breeder: Churchtown House Stud

Suesa
Breeder: Thomastown Farm Ltd

3-Year-Old Colt
Adayar
Breeder: Godolphin

Wild Geese
Gabriel and Aisling Duignan

Contribution to the industry
David Minton

Hall of Fame
Tony and Anne O'Callaghan

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Pyledriver Points to Sheema Classic

Group 1 winner Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}), who finished 11th in the G3 Neom Turf Cup on the Saudi Cup undercard in Riyadh on Saturday, is in good order and remains in the mix for the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic on Dubai World Cup night on Mar. 26. Breaking widest of all from gate 14 on Saturday, the 5-year-old entire never appeared comfortable while trapped well off the fence for most of the race. He eventually tired and dropped back before being impeded by a rival that had fallen two furlongs from home.

“He was fine straight after the race, there was nothing wrong with him and he was in really good shape, we were just drawn in 14 and as soon as we'd gone 150 yards I said to the boys watching on TV 'we've got no chance',” said co-trainer William Muir, who shares the licence with Chris Grassick. “We got pushed out wide and that was where we were drawn so we have no complaints, but we were out wide and we were never into an even rhythm.

“It was not a nice race for us and then there was a bit of a bumping match and that horse [Channel Cat] came down which was sad, that bumped us too and then after that Martin [Dwyer] just looked after him.

“It was just one of those you have to put a line through, it's disappointing to go a long way to get a race like that but that happens–it's the luck of the draw.”

A winner of the G1 Coronation Cup last June, the bay added a Lingfield listed affair in November and then was a good second in the G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase on Dec. 12.

“He's fine, he didn't really have a race and he only blew for about five minutes,” the trainer, who missed traveling to Riyadh due to a COVID positive, said. “He looked fantastic this morning, they took a video for me and he's 100% sound. If he comes home fine then he'll continue on to his road to Dubai and we'll go for the Sheema Classic.

“It was just one of the things, from me testing positive and not being able to go, I was disappointed about that, then things just didn't go to plan. It wasn't meant to be.”

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California Spangle Passes Test in HK Classic Cup

by Alan Carasso

The jury was very much out on California Spangle (Ire) (Starspangledbanner {Aus}) going into Sunday's HK$12-million Hong Kong Classic Cup as to whether the speedy 4-year-old would be suited by an 1800-metre trip after just failing to see out the Hong Kong Classic Mile a month ago, albeit from a miserable draw. It took less than 107 seconds to deliver the verdict, as the joint-highest galloper in the field took command at once from a middle barrier and proved not for catching.

Away without incident from gate six, California Spangle was soon in front and was tracked by Money Catcher (NZ) (Ferlax {NZ}) as they went a decent gallop up front. Switched off nicely for Zac Purton, California Spangle lobbed along traveling very comfortably on the turn and was held together as the field turned into the straight. Felt for with about 300 metres to travel, California Spangle maintained a good margin and was kept busy through the line. Turin Redstar (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), a running-on fourth in the Classic Mile, weaved his way through and outfinished Money Catcher for second, while the previously unbeaten Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) could never get on the track, but finished very well to be fourth in a useful Derby trial.

It was a first Classic Cup win for Purton, who has won nearly everything else there is to win in Hong Kong.

“It's nice to get it [Classic Cup] on the board and on such a special horse as well,” the Australian said. “From the first time I sat on him, I could feel how much quality he had and this might not be his proper distance but because he's so good–against his own age group–he's been able to do it today. Of course, I was worried the last 200m. He was out on his feet and it was a good effort.”

And with that, it's on to the BMW Hong Kong Derby Mar. 20, the 10-furlong trip remaining a query.

“We always had confidence this horse would run the distance because his dam is by High Chaparral, a stayer who won the Irish Derby,” said trainer Tony Cruz, a four-time Derby winner as a jockey and twice as a trainer. “I'm sure he's got that sort of pedigree in him and I believe he will get the distance.

He continued, “I believe he will wait in front and I believe he will run out the distance. The plan from day one was that this horse–even though he's a real sprinter–was to wait for the straight, wait for the opposition to come and then you make a move. He was under control for the whole race.”

Pedigree Notes:

The 23rd worldwide stakes winner for his sire, California Spangle is a half-brother to Wychwood Warrior, thrice stakes placed at distances up to a mile and is one of five winners from six to race out of a half-sister to Shakespearean (Ire) (Giant's Causeway), winner of the G2 Hungerford S. and G3 Solario S. going seven furlongs. Third dam Basilea was responsible for Pont-Aven (Ire) (Try My Best), a Group 3 winner over five and placed in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches who went on to produce the likes of multiple group winner Josr Algarhound (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}), as well as the stakes-winning and multiple group-placed Traou Mad (Ire) (Barathea {Ire}) and Cap Coz (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}). Pearlitas Passion's most recent listed produce is the 2-year-old filly Alchimia (Ire) (Fast Company {Ire}).

Sunday, Sha Tin, Hong Kong
HONG KONG CLASSIC CUP-LR, HK$12,000,000 (£1,152,151/€1,379,577/A$2,157,904/US$1,536,956), 4yo, 1800mT, 1:46.98, gd.
1–CALIFORNIA SPANGLE (IRE), 126, g, 4, by Starspangledbanner (Aus)
1st Dam: Pearlitas Passion (Ire), by High Chaparral (Ire)
2nd Dam: Paimpolaise (Ire), by Priolo
3rd Dam: Basilea (Fr), by Frere Basile (Fr)
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN. (€150,000 Ylg '19 GOFORB). O-Howard Liang Yum Shing; B-M Enright; T-Tony Cruz A S; J-Zac Purton; HK$6,840,000. Lifetime Record: 8-6-2-0, HK$15,425,300. *1/2 to Wychwood Warrior (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}), MSP-Ire, SP-UAE.
2–Turin Redstar (GB), 126, g, 4, Dubawi (Ire)–Irish Rookie (Ire), by Azamour (Ire). O-Tsoi Yuk Ham, Sheldon Tse Hiu Tung & Ken Huang Jian Hua; B-Haras de Saint Pair; T-Douglas Whyte; J-Alexis Badel; HK$2,640,000.
3–Money Catcher (NZ), 126, g, 4, Ferlax (NZ)–Warren's Sister (NZ), by Savabeel (Aus). (NZ$13,000 Wlg '18 NZBMAY; NZ$60,000 2yo '19 NZBRTR). O-The Sunflower Syndicate; B-Haunui Bloodstock Ltd; T-Frankie Lor F C; J-Derek Leung K C; HK$1,380,000.
Margins: 1, 1, HF. Odds: 9-10, 20-1, 61-1.
Also Ran: Romantic Warrior (Ire), Senor Toba (Aus), The Irishman (NZ), Ima Single Man (Aus), Nordic Sky (Brz), Rocket Spade (Aus), Mr Ascendancy (Ire), Gorytus (Ire), Intrepid Winner (Aus), Hit The Shot(Aus), Fa Fa (NZ). Click for the HKJC.com chart, PPs and sectional timing. VIDEO.

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