Spring is very much in the air with a sharp increase in temperatures in recent weeks in NSW, plenty of notifications of foalings from stud farms and more competitive racing each Saturday.
A sizeable amount of Australia’s 74 Group Ones and lucrative prizemoney races will be contested over the coming eight weeks between the premier tracks of Sydney and Melbourne.
Whilst racing begins to recapture the attention of the general public through national news outlets, it has been great waking up to strong sales results in Europe and the United States.
Although it is increasingly apparent that there is a laser like focus on quality (robust averages and declining clearances), the depth amongst the top buying bench across both continents has been fantastic to witness.
With a population in excess of 339 million in the US, the wealth was again on show with 22 individual operations purchasing the 30 horses to make over USD$1,000,000 at Keeneland over the last nine days of selling.
Arqana’s first yearling sale for the season saw an influx of new investment and involvement in the sport from the Middle East and the upcoming Goffs and Tattersalls yearling sales will be interesting to interpret as a precursor to the Australian yearling sales season.
Given the Australian dollar’s weakness is in line with the efforts of our national rugby team, there hasn’t been a better time for internationals to escape winter and visit Australia early next year – you might actually have some fun in January!
With a bit of luck clients and friends of WJB can have some luck on the track, in the breeding shed and through the sale ring this Spring (Autumn up North).
EARTH DANCE TO SNOWDEN RACING
EARTH DANCE (Australia) who was impressive winning at his second career start by three-lengths in Ireland has been secured to race ‘Down Under’ with Peter & Paul Snowden.
Having finished on the heels of the stakes placed THUNDER ROLL (Night Of Thunder) on debut at the Curragh, subsequent to his purchase, THUNDER ROLL won at Listed level at her next start.
Purchased in conjunction with de Burgh Equine, he will enter quarantine in the coming days before looking to have his first Australian campaign over the summer months.
WHO IS HOT?
MEDAGLIA D’ORO (USA)
Since 1 January 2023 MEDAGLIA D’ORO (El Prado) has had 34 individual stakes winners as a broodmare sire including three Group One winners; MARKETSEGMENTATION (American Pharoah), NATIONAL TREASURE (Quality Road) & PRINCE OF MONACO (Speightstown). In Australia he is represented by the emerging talent, I AM ME (I Am Invincible).
DUNDEEL (NZ)
His fillies may be playing catch up to the colts on the track but DUNDEEL (High Chapparal) has had a flying start as a broodmare sire with two stakes winners from seven runners. Although no conclusions can be drawn from the small sample size, it is a very handy start.
BLUE POINT (IRE)
Sadly Australia only hosted SHAMARDAL (Giant’s Causeway) for five breeding seasons in which time he sired five Group One winners amongst 27 stakes winners at 10.4% SW/Rnrs. However, Australian breeders were rewarded by using his son, BLUE POINT, with an average yearling price 4.5 x Service and his two trial winners on Monday at Randwick caught the eye. The sire of 37 individual winners from 89 runners so far in Europe, his first crop in Australasia will be an interesting watch.