Is The Summer Cup's Gr 1 Status Under Threat?
The Betway Summer Cup is undoubtedly one of South Africa’s most enjoyable meetings to attend and never fails to live up to expectations (Picture: The Citizen)
The handicappers have rated the Betway Summer Cup and it must be one of the few times, if not the only time, in the history of the merit rating system in South Africa that the line horse in a major race in South Africa has been deemed to be a horse that was under sufferance.
South African horseracing falls under the Asian Racing Federation and the Graded status of races is decided by the Asian Pattern Committee (APC).
If a race fails to meet the APC benchmarks for Gr 1 status on three consecutive runnings it becomes eligible for a downgrade.
The Woolavington 2000, for example, failed to meet those benchmarks on three consecutive occasions when it was a level weights race restricted to three-year-old fillies.
However, in order to not downgrade it immediately an appeal was made to the APC whereby the conditions of the race were to be changed.
The conditions of the race were therefore changed into a weight for age event for fillies and mares of all ages and the Gr 1 status remained.
However, it failed to meet the APC benchmarks for a Gr 1 in a further two renewals.
The benchmark level is based on the performance ability of the first four finishers in the race.
However, this performance is based on the first four horses’ best performances of the whole season.
So if a horse ran to a certain performance level when finishing in the first four in the Summer Cup, but then ran to a higher performance level when running in, for example, the Hollywoodbets Durban July, the July performance is the one which counts towards rating the Summer Cup’s level.
The first four past the post in the Betway Summer Cup this year were merit rated 105, 112, 111 and 112 (Mocha Blend, Olivia’s Way, The Ultimate King and Busstopinhounslow).
Last year the first four were Atticus Finch (112), Purple Pitcher (123), Rule By Force (112) and Madison Valley (110).
In 2023 it was Royal Victory (111), Safe Passage (117), Bless My Stars (119), Zeus (1111).
It is an anomaly that the country’s richest race does not attract the interest of a lot of the most powerful yards, but perhaps that will change now that a raider has won the race for the second time in the last three renewals.
There is little doubt that the Betway Summer Cup is one of the top meetings to attend in South Africa and it is always full of vibe and enjoyment and exciting racing.
The Summer Cup also matches the Hollywoodbets Durban July as a betting event, being a handicap and with every horse in the field having a win or at least a place chance.
It would be a tragedy for the meeting if the big one on the day lost its Gr 1 status.
Summerveld has been shown to be a good base from which to launch a Summer Cup bid.
The aforementioned yards who avoid the Summer Cup are generally the big Cape yards and the Kommetdieding experience could not have helped their fears of sending Summer Cup raiders.
However, perhaps some of them will keep one or two of their better older horses behind at Summerveld after the Champions Season with the Summer Cup in mind.
Summerveld not only has the advantage of proximity to Turffontein, being about a six hour drive, but it is also already at a third of the altitude of Johannesburg, meaning it is easier for a horse traveling from their to adapt to altitude than it would be for one traveling from sea level in Cape Town.
The Summer Cup might have been threatened with a demotion of status before, considering the bottom weight was recently moved upward from 52kg to 54kg.
This year’s result might prompt renewed fears that the iconic race could lose it’s Gr 1 status.
However, the best scenario would be that it keeps its Gr 1 status through the support of some big Cape Town yards, who could use Summerveld as their launching pad.
Trust Reaping Dividends Of A Long Term Plan
Larry Nestadt (dark blue suit) leads in Trust (Serino Moodley up) together with Gary Player and Lindsay and Annie Ralphs as a smiling trainer Candice Dawson walks alongside (Candiese Lenferna Photography)
The package of mares bought into South Africa by Cape Thoroughbred Sales just over ten years ago included Fastnet Rock mare Little Fastnet. who was in foal to Frankel and the resultant filly was Frankly, dam of Saturday’s Gr 2 Jackpot City Dingaans winner, the Heavenly Blue colt Trust.
The mares were looked after by Klawervlei Stud, who took the progeny to the Sales too.
Frankly fetched R4 million at the Premier Yearling Sale, purchased by an agent who must have been acting on behalf of owners Larry Nestadt, Gary Barber and the late Chris Gerber.
The small filly only won one race, but did display a nice turn of foot.
However, the purchase is now paying dividends, because Frankly is turning out to be a fine broodmare.
Larry Nestadt ended up owning Frankly on his own because Gary Barber pulled out of South African racing and Chris Gerber passed away.
However, he then brought Gary Player and Lindsay Ralphs into the partnership.
Frankly now stands at Ascot Stud in the East Cape, which is where the sire that Larry Nestadt has shares in, Heavenly Blue, stands.
Frankly’s first foal was Courageous by Canford Cliffs and she had one win and 19 places in 34 runs.
Larry raced the Australian-bred Heavenly Blue with Mike de Kock and he won the Gr 1 SA Classic over 1800m among other good performances.
It made sense from a cost point of view for him to send Frankly to Heavenly Blue and the results have been explosive.
Frankly’s second foal, the first produced by Heavenly Blue, was the colt Truth.
He has tremendous pace and has the capacity to stay further, but tends to take a bit of a hold.
He won his first two starts over 1160m and 1400m respectively by 4,25 lengths and 7,25 lengths respectively.
He has not been the luckiest of horses, but has added three more victories since, including the Gr 3 National Currency Sprint over 1100m.
Then along came the third foal, Trust.
Larry pointed out about Trust, “If you look at all of his races, his acceleration is incredible. On debut he looked like he wouldn’t run a place and won. Then in his next start in the Gr 3 Betway Graham Beck over 1400m he was taken out at the start by the eventual winner. He was knocked to the back of the field and he still finished second (with another impressive late burst taking him within 0,60 lengths of the winner). He’s a nice horse, good looking horse, and he’s got an incredible turn of foot.”
Trust showed a fine turn of foot again on Saturday. He was the only horse able to go with Jan Van Goyen when the latter burst into the lead. He then once again showed his ability to produce extra late as he got the better of the tussle for the line and was drawing away at the end, winning by 0,70 lengths with the rest of the field in a different race.
Candice Dawson has trained all of Courageous, Truth and Trust.
Trust will not be traveling to run in the Gr 1 Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas with Larry saying it came too soon after the Dingaans.
Jan Van Goyen is set to run in the Guineas and he will be a good representative of the Highveld three-year-olds.
The Cape three-year-old form has been muddled with the swapping of winners and placings and no standout performers to date.
There could still be horses who will improve and possibly stand out with one of them being the ruling Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas favourite Gimmie Rules. He might have only won a B Stakes event last time, but he was clearly still green and had to come around horses from the back on the Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Winter Course in the 1400m event and yet won effortlessly.
Horses that ran in the Gr 2 Race Coast Cape Punters Cup could still improve with one example being Happy Verse, who had no sort of luck being caught wide without cover in the running and then being squeezed out late.
However, one of the country’s guru racing analysts, Karel Miedema, has not given any three-year-olds high ratings this season.
He was not overly impressed with the Dingaans form and only awarded Trust an ability rating (AR) of 100.
However, as Ashley Parker of Ascot Stud said about Trust, “He is a nice horse who is still inexperienced, but he is learning fast.”
Not many horses can brag they have won the Dingaans on just their third career start, beating an Equus Champion in the process, so Trust looks to be an exciting prospect.
John Koster, who recalled looking after Frankly at Klawervlei, mentioned that Trust’s pedigree had the “reverse cross” of Danehill via Schnitzel on to Galileo that has done so well.
Trust’s next target will likely be the Triple Crown series of the Gr 2 Gauteng Guineas, Gr 1 SA Classic and Gr 1 SA Derby.
Ashley Parker has revealed that Frankly has a yearling full sister to Trust, who is “magnificent”, and she has a Gimmethegreenlight filly foal at foot. She was covered by Heavenly Blue again this season.
There are many examples of big spending at the Sales being worthwhile in the long run and Larry Nestadt is a deserved beneficiary of Frankly’s early success as a broodmare. Her value and the value of her progeny will be burgeoning.
Meanwhile, Little Fastnet has been standing at Advocate Nigel Riley’s Haversham Stud, having previously been with Maine Chance Farms. Her Jackson filly fetched R100,000 at the BSA National Yearling Sale this year.
Graham Motion's Updates On One Stripe, Beach Bomb, Gimme A Nother
Beach Bomb winning the Gr 3 Very One at Gulfstream Park back in March. (Ryan Thompson photo)
Graham Motion is the trainer of the SA-bred stalwarts One Stripe, Beach Bomb and Gimme A Nother.
He provided updates on their progress and targets, which can be read below.
One Stripe. After starting his career with six wins from nine starts in South Africa, the 4-year-old son of One World is 0-for-2 for Motion, finishing fifth in the Woodbine Mile (G1) and 13th in the Breeders’ Cup Mile. “Obviously his race was disappointing in California. We drew the 1 post, which I thought was probably a good thing. But in the end I think it probably worked against us because he broke quite sharp, which we thought he needed to do, and then he ended up making the running, which I don’t think is how he wants to run, and they went very quick. So we asked an awful lot of him to get him to the Breeders’ Cup. My idea with him is we’ve kind of freshened him up a little bit here at Fair Hill. He’s going to go down to Palm Meadows today, and I’ll try and pick out a spot for him at Gulfstream in January, probably.” One Stripe was nominated for the Hong Kong Mile (G1) but will not be sent there.
Beach Bomb. The 5-year-old mare by Lancaster Bomber started her year with wins in The Very One (G3) and the Orchid (G3) but hasn’t won since, though she was second three times and third last out in the Long Island (G3). “Beach Bomb ran well the other day. We haven’t actually decided if she’s going to run next year or not. I’m just waiting to make a decision with the owners.”
Gimme a Nother. The 5-year-old mare by Gimmethegreenlight also started her career in South Africa and began racing for Motion in March, compiling a 5: 1-3-0 record. In her latest start, she won the John C. Mabee (G2) in September at Del Mar and was on her way to the Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf. “She had a sore splint that we thought we’d gotten her through, but then it flared up again before the Breeders’ Cup. And she’ll have time off, and she’ll start back in January with my other grass horses up north.”
Pistol Pete Raised To 119
Pistol Pete bounced back to his best with victory in the Gr 3 New Turf Carriers Merchants over 1160m under Richard Fourie and that saw him copping a six point merit rating raise (Candiese Lenferna Photography)
NHA Press Release
The handicappers have provided their merit rating updates for the weekend.
BETWAY SUMMER CUP (Grade 1)
The lightly raced four‑year‑old filly MOCHA BLEND produced a career‑best performance to capture the Grade 1 Betway Summer Cup over 2000m on a yielding track at Turffontein Racecourse.
Following her triumph, MOCHA BLEND’S official merit rating was raised from 105 to 117. This increase reflects the minimum uplift permissible for a handicap winner for a benchmark handicap, where 127 equates to 60kg and 115 equates to 54kg. The smallest adjustment allowed in any handicap is two points, equivalent to one kilogram, and this was applied to MOCHA BLEND. Having carried 54kg (equivalent to115 at these weights) into the race, she was raised by the minimum increment to 117, which translates to 55kg for a handicap at the same benchmark.
The Handicappers used BUSSTOPINHOUNSLOW as the line horse, leaving his rating unchanged at 112. OLIVIA’S WAY, who finished runner‑up, was increased from 112 to 116, while THE ULTIMATE KING, who finished third, was upped from 111 to 113.
Other Rating Changes
• LEGEND OF ARTHUR: reduced from 117 to 112
• SPUMANTE DOLCE: reduced from 116 to 115
• ROYAL VICTORY: reduced from 125 to 124
JACKPOT CITY DINGAANS (Grade 2)
TRUST has earned a revised rating of 119, up from 92, following his victory in the Grade 2 Jackpot City Dingaans for three-year-olds over 1600m. The Handicappers unanimously agreed to use the runner-up, JAN VAN GOYEN, as the line horse in assessing the race, leaving his rating unchanged at 118.
Notably, TRUST had produced a performance figure of 108 in his previous start, but the handicappers were restricted by race conditions that capped rating adjustments at a maximum of four points. As a result, his official rating could not be raised to reflect the full merit of that effort.
In addition to the winner, the following horses also received increments in their ratings:
• ALL SYSTEMS GO went up from 96 to106
• SHADOWFAX was raised from 104 to105
• COPPER EAGLE increased from 91 to 103
• SINGLETON SAM went up from 91 to 98
TENJIKU and WHISPERING DEATH were the two horses to receive ratings drops, both going down to 101 from 104 respectively.
DUCAT AFRICA FILLIES MILE (Grade 3)
HAZY DAZY has had her rating upped from 94 to 101 after capturing the Ducat Africa Fillies Mile (Grade 3) over 1600m. The Handicappers identified the fourth-place finisher, PRETTY PERSUASIVE, as the most suitable line horse, leaving her rating unchanged on 93.
Due to the specific conditions of the race, which limit the increase of placed runners to a maximum of four points, the following adjustments were made:
• CHARGE IT (2nd place): capped at 93, up from 89
• MERRYWEATHER (3rd place): capped at 86, up from 82
The following horses received ratings reductions:
• MAMLAMBO: eased slightly from 92 to 91
• ALTA CAPITANA: reduced from 87 to 84
NEW TURF CARRIERS MERCHANTS (Grade 3)
PISTOL PETE has had his rating adjusted from 113 to 119 following his comfortable win in the Grade 3 New Turf Carriers Merchants over 1160m. QUANTUM THEORY, who finished fourth, was considered the most suitable line horse to assess the race, leaving his rating unchanged on 113.
The following horses also went up in their ratings following the running of this race:
COSMIC STAR (runner-up) went up from 100 to 106
CHARMING CHEETAH was adjusted from 107 to 110
DANTONFROMSANDTON received a slight drop in the ratings, going down to 105 from 106.
BLU VOUCHER CARRY ON ALICE STAKES (Listed)
MIA MOO’S official merit rating has been adjusted from 117 to 119 following her victory in the Listed Blu Voucher Carry On Alice Stakes for fillies and mares over 1160m. RODEO DRIVE, who finished fourth, was identified as the line horse to assess the race, and her rating remains unchanged on 107.
The specific conditions of this race limit the increase for placed runners to a maximum of three points. As a result, the runner-up, ALMOND SEA, could only be raised from 112 to 115 despite having achieved a performance that merited a slightly higher mark.
A total of three horses received ratings reductions following the running of this race:
• CHASING HAPPINESS: lowered from 115 to 114
• CHROME TOURMALINE: dropped from 106 to 104
• ELEGANTRIX: dropped from 106 to 104
Enquiries:
The Handicapping Team
False Starts - The Most Unfair Aspect Of Racing?
Tempranillo runs out an easy winner of the second race at Turffontein Inside on Tuesday, a race that was marred by a false start (JC Photos)
False starts are called as per the rules in order to provide fairness to the horse who misses the start.
However, it often has the consequence of inadvertently ruining the race for numerous other entrants, which makes the whole practice a bit contradictory.
Should the calling of false starts be scrapped?
i.e. just rather let the race run and then declare a horse a non-runner, if necessary, after the race.
Today (Tuesday) in the second race over 1000m at Turffontein Inside, the starter was effectively fair to Monkeys Wedding, but in the process inadvertently ruined the race for all of Saketini, Stoneywood and Seed Seeker.
The latter trio did not do anything wrong, whereas Monkeys Wedding had been a naughty horse as he backed out of his gate as the starter was effecting the start.
The starter called a false start as soon as possible, as per the rules of racing, but this could not prevent Saketini and Stoneywood bolting the course and having to be scratched,
Stoneywood is a full brother to Dyce and his second run was being looked forward to by more than just the connections.
In the false start the fancied Seed Seeker, who is a long-striding sort who takes a bit of a hold, had absolutely pinged the gates and that immediately put him in the driving seat against a horse he had beaten narrowly before, Tempranillo.
However, the false start was then called and Callan Murray had some difficulty pulling him up.
In the second start Seed Seeker fluffed the start completely and lost valuable ground in the 1000m contest. By the time he had chased Tempranillo down he was a spent force and faded out.
The naughty Monkeys Wedding was able to reverse form with Seed Seeker by 28,85 lengths and claimed second place behind easy 5,75 length winner Tempranillo.
The well-bred Querari filly Tempranillo is a half-sister to Barbaresco and could be called a deserved winner as the horse who handled the calamity best and he did start 83/100 favourite, so might have won anyway, although he would have had to have reversed a 1,40 length defeat by Seed Seeker over 1160m in his previous start.
However, it could have been a disaster for him too because he kicked in the pens before the second start, but fortunately did not injure himself.
Nevertheless, an overall false result was created by a false start.
In fact Monkeys Wedding might be giving lessons in the stables tonight on how to make earning cheques in racing easier!
The below stipendiary report sums up the unfortunate events:
AS THE START WAS EFFECTED, MONKEY’S WEDDING (K MATSUNYANE), IN STALL GATE 6, EXITED THE STARTING STALLS THROUGH THE BACK GATE, RESULTING IN A FALSE START BEING CALLED. THE RIDERS OF ALL THE HORSES, WITH THE EXCEPTION OF SAKETINI (M K KATJEDI) AND STONEYWOOD (C ZACKEY), WERE RESTRAINED BY THEIR RIDERS, RETURNED TO THE START, EXAMINED BY THE VETERINARY SURGEON, PASSED FIT TO RACE AND RELOADED. SAKETINI (M K KATJEDI) AND STONEYWOOD (C ZACKEY) BOLTED THE COURSE AND WERE SUBSEQUENTLY SCRATCHED. THIS CAUSED A DELAY TO THE START OF THIS RACE.
THE STARTER REPORTED:
a) TEMPRANILLO (G Lerena) kicked in the pens.
b) SEED SEEKER (C Murray) was slow losing one length.
All About Al Can Break Win Drought
All About Al has been tipped to win the last race (Picture: Wayne Marks)
Hollywoodbets Kenilworth Wednesday Formguides And Selections (Race Coast)
Race 1
3 DIGBY ran a great race behind William’s Woman at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 25th of October, he stayed on well to finish third, he easily brings in the best form to this race on Wednesday, top jockey Richard Fourie gets the ride, he will be very hard to beat. 9 WORLD CHAMPION was gelded on the 7th of October, he ran a fair race behind Caribbean Gold on the 5th of October, he ran fourth and was beaten just under three lengths by the winner, on his best form, he should be competitive. 7 MR MOUSTACHE ran a much-improved race last time, he finished five lengths behind William’s Woman on the 25th of October, in hope that he has improved further back at home, he could sneak into the places at a decent price. 4 TRAILFINDER is well-bred, watch him closely. (Brandon Bailey: 3 – 9 – 7 – 4)
Race 2
5 DIOGENES had absolutely no luck in running on the 10th of November, he finished just over six lengths behind Boundless Love at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, from a neat draw, there should be no excuses for this individual, he will run a big race. 7 IN A TIMELY MANNER stayed on really well for third last time behind Marcus Aurelius, he was drawn wide on that occasion, and he was coming back from a small break, there should be lots of improvement to come from this gelding, with some luck in running from a tricky draw, he will be right there in the finish. 8 IGNITE THE FIRE quickened up smartly to win a good race at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 29th of October, he is a young horse with a terrific turn of foot, he will be charging at them late, include him into all bets. 3 SESAME never runs a bad race, she ran fourth in her last start behind Boundless Love on the 10th of November, she can certainly earn again for the connections from a good draw. (Brandon Bailey: 5 – 7 – 8 – 3)
Race 3
4 SOMMERSTERN moved up like a winner in his last start at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, he ran a great race behind Clark Griswold, he will love the step up in trip to 1500m, from a good draw, he will be hard to beat in this field. 8 PRAIRIE DAWN must have a solid each way chance here, he stayed on well for third behind Umzingeli Wenyathi on the 10th of November, watch him late, he will be running on strongly. 1 BLUE STEEL is much better than his last run behind Smarten Up on the 18th of October, he is a lovely looking gelding with a great action, he should bounce back to his best form from a neat draw on Wednesday. 5 LARKING ABOUT has been well tried in the maiden ranks, she could sneak into the places at best. (Brandon Bailey: 4 – 8 – 1 – 5)
Race 4
8 TENPENNY quickened up in devastating fashion to win well at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 25th of October, he was given three points for that impressive win, the yard thinks highly of this individual, even though he is drawn wide, he will be storming home late. 9 MAJOR MASTER is much better than his last run, he was forced to race on speed, and then became one paced up the lane behind Chasingtherainbow on the 10th of November, in hope that he gets given a chance from a bad draw on Wednesday, he could surprise them all and win at a decent price. 2 LA PULGA ran a great race over a trip that is on the short side for him on the 29th of October, he was low flying late for third behind Powerandtheglory, with natural improvement expected on Wednesday, he could be a serious factor in the finish. 1 HANDSOME PRINCE ran his socks off behind Gimmie Rules at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 15th of November, he will run a big race again from a good draw, watch him closely. (Brandon Bailey: 8 – 9 – 2 – 1)
Race 5
8 MASTER OF PARIS ran a lovely race behind his stable companion on the 8th of November, he stayed on well for second behind Ahead Of The Facts in the Woolavington StakesListed at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, he is gutsy, he is honest, and he tries hard, even though he carries a big weight for this staying contest on Wednesday, he should be involved in the finish once again. 4 JOSHUA will love this trip of 2200m, the further they go with this individual, the better he will be, he ran a game race behind Coco’s Hero on the 15th of November, if he gets cheap sectionals in front, he will run a big race. 2 BEAUTIFUL SIDE caught the eye late for third behind Lavender Bay on the 15th of November, her chances must be respected now that she steps up in trip, and she has no weight on her back. 7 TOTHEMOONANDBACK only ran a fair race behind Wehaveasituation on the 19th of November, he was beaten just under six lengths by the winner on that occasion, he has dropped even further in the ratings, and he gets the services of Richard Fourie, watch him closely. (Brandon Bailey: 8 – 4 – 2 – 7)
Race 6
7 BOUNDLESS LOVE showed tremendous heart to win a good race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 10th of November, he was given three points for that win, if he jumps out the machine well and he gets to the front again, he will be hard to peg back, there is no doubt that he will go close to winning again at this level. 9 GIVETHATMANABELLS got caught late when running a superb race behind Marcus Aurelius on the 10th of November, he was taken to the front, and he stayed on strongly for second, unfortunately the wide draw here will make it tough for him, but if he manages to get himself into a good position, he will be right there at the finish. 5 DEVIL A SAINT has dropped even further in the ratings, there should be no excuses for this gelding on Wednesday, from a neat draw, he could be the surprise package at a decent price. 8 ISCHYRO was given a bad ride from a bad draw at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 10th of November, he is much better than that performance, he will be dropped out early from a bad draw here, and he will be doing some good work late, watch him closely. (Brandon Bailey: 7 – 9 – 5 – 8)
Race 7
1 TRUE HORIZON ran a terrific race behind Match That on the 10th of November, she was doing some good work late for second in a competitive race at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth, if she can bring that run to the track on Wednesday, with no weight on her back, she will take lots of beating. 7 LOVERS LANE stayed on well for second from a bad draw last time behind Dawn’s Early Light, he can definitely win a race like this on his best form, include him into all bets. 4 FORT RED could be the value play in this tricky race, ignore his last run, he is much better than that, he is very fast on his day, if the apprentice gets his sectionals right and gets this horse to settle in front, he could be hard to peg back. 8 BLACK PATH is as honest as they come, she was eating up the ground late when finishing third behind Palace Gift on the 15th of November, if the gaps open at the right time, she will be competitive. (Brandon Bailey: 1 – 7 – 4 – 8)
Race 8
8 ALL ABOUT AL must have a serious winning chance in this field, he ran a top race behind Demanding Dave last time, he was doing some good work late for third in a tight finish up the lane at Hollywoodbets Kenilworth on the 15th of November, if he brings that run to the track on Wednesday, he will go close to winning the lucky last. 9 BILLY COOL has run three good races in succession, he stayed on well for fourth in the same race as All About Al on the 15th of November, he has dropped further in the ratings, if the race works out for this gelding, he will be very competitive. 6 GOLD GIBOSKI could be anything, he has been rested and gelded, he quickened up like a nice horse to win his maiden in style on the 22nd of September, the blinkers stay on, and he drops in trip to 1000m, if he doesn’t need the run badly on Wednesday, he will have a serious winning chance. 3 FOLLOW YOUR HEART has been rested for 91 days, he was well beaten at Hollywoodbets Durbanville on the 3rd of September, if he puts that run behind him, and bounces back to his best form, he could sneak into the places at a big price. (Brandon Bailey: 8 – 9 – 6 – 3)
Previ
Record Turnover At Tattersalls December Mare Sale
Picture: Lot 1753: Barnavara (IRE) went for 4.8m guineas
4,800,000 & 4,500,000 Guineas Fillies Lead Record Turnover At Tattersalls December Mares Sale
World leading prices of 4,800,000 guineas and 4,500,000 guineas for fillies sold in training were realised by Group 1 winners BARNAVARA and PORTA FORTUNA at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale on a day which saw turnover of 57,695,415 guineas exceed the previous record for the highest grossing day in European auction history, set at the December Mares Sale last year. 11 lots were sold for a million guineas or more, a record equalling number for the sale.
World Leading 4.8m Guineas for Group 1 Winner Barnavara
BARNAVARA became the highest priced filly in training sold in the world this year when realising 4.8m guineas to Sugar Whiskey Trading, bidding online, who saw off a determined effort by bloodstock agent Henry Lascelles to secure the Prix de l’Opera winner.
The three-year-old was offered by Baroda Stud on behalf of trainer Jessie Harrington and owners Alpha Racing for whom the daughter of CALYX won three Group races this year, culminating in a brilliant win at Longchamp on Arc day.
“Jeepers! That was more than my wildest dreams, we sort of thought in our excitement that she might make three million guineas,” said Harrington. “The bidding sort of stopped at 1.5 million, and I was a little worried but then it went on and on and on and on. I promise you it is amazing.
“We thought she was only just growing into herself. She went on improving all year, she is a very big filly, but she is amazing. She actually won her maiden in May, then we ran her in Listed and Group races and she was getting placed and she was not finishing out her races, and I think she was going through a little bit of a weak stage. Her first run this year was not good, but then it just all came together and from then it has been brilliant.”
Of Alpha Racing, Harrington added: “Alpha Racing was set up by Richie Galway my son-in-law, Patrick Cooper and Legs Lawlor. The idea is to buy yearlings, race them, have fun, and then hopefully let it wash its face every year, they are sold at the end of their three-year-old season. Everyone has had fun doing it and a lot of the syndicate are here today, three people have come from the US! There are twelve shares in this group…. I think for the yearlings we have bought for the syndicate this year we are rather oversubscribed!”
Lot 1734: Porta Fortuna (IRE)
Lot 1743: Tamfana (GER)
Lot 1756: Saqqara Sands (GB)
Lot 1717: Choisya (GB)
Today's Question
FIELDS, Wednesday, 3 December
Today’s Question Answer
The record price for a thoroughbred broodmare is $14 million, paid for Better Than Honour (pictured) in 2008. This price was achieved at a Fasig-Tipton Mixed Bloodstock sale, where Michael Moreno bought her outright.
