48 million-dollar lots at Keeneland, a blank protest day in Britain and acid test for Japanese Derby winner Croix Du Nord – all this and more in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
Records tumble at Keeneland September sale
USA: A record 48 horses were sold for $1 million or more over three days of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
The top lot was a colt by Gun Runner who sold for $3.3 million to M.V. Magnier and Peter Brant’s White Birch Farm, while Wesley Ward paid $2.2m for another son of the sire who is a full-brother to Preakness winner Early Voting. “His pedigree was outstanding, by the hottest sire going right now,” Ward said. “He’s a beautiful colt with a fantastic female family.
“As I’m starting to get the white hair now, I’m looking to get horses that go a little further. I’ve been centered on fast horses and speed horses, and I’ve decided it’s time now to get some horses into my barn that look like they can go at the classic level and this looks to be the one. I’m excited to get this colt and to get the opportunity to train a horse like this.”
British racing stages one-day strike in betting tax protest
GB: Leading figures from British racing descended on Westminster, London, to lobby the Labour government not to sanction a rise in betting tax, demonstrating unity by taking the unprecedented action to call off all race meetings for one day on Wednesday [Sept 10].
The Treasury is considering a proposal to bring tax on racing and sports in line with amount applied to games of chance like slots and casinos which would increase the level from 15 per cent to 21 per cent. BHA-commissioned assessments predict the sport could lose £160m [$216m] a year and put 2,752 jobs at risk if the increase goes ahead.
Trainer John Gosden said: “We are not asking for anything other than to be left alone. I understand the Government’s position but I think this is something that will rebound.” More here
Japanese star Croix Du Nord tests Arc credentials despite poor workout
France: Japanese Derby winner Croix Du Nord will put his Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe credentials to the test at Paris Longchamp on Sunday [Sept 14].
The three-year-old takes his chance in the G3 Prix du Prince d’Orange despite an organised pre-race gallop not unfolding as planned with the colt ending up working alone after his galloping companions were unable to join him, and trailed behind. Jockey Kitamura Tomo said he had miscalculated, adding: "To be honest, it ended up being disappointing."
Croix Du Nord is 12-1 in the Arc betting now headed by last year’s runner-up Aventure after her victory in the G1 Prix Vermeille on a weekend when leading fancies Kalpana and Whirl were both defeated, putting their participation in doubt. Japan’s Byzantine Dream is now 10-1 third favourite after his victory in the Prix Foy on Arc Trials Day.
Champion sire Fastnet Rock euthanised
Australia: Coolmore hailed Fastnet Rock as “one of the greatest stallions Australia has ever produced“ after the sire of 197 stakes winners, including multiple G1 winner Via Sistina, was euthanised at the age of 24.
“This is such a sad day for everyone who has worked at Coolmore and played a part in Fastnet’s life. Our thoughts today are with all the staff who cared for him over the past 24 years,” said Tom Magnier.
“He was born and prepared as a yearling here at Coolmore and raced in the navy silks for Paul Perry and our ownership partners. Residing in the stallion barn for 20 years, he was the kindest and smartest horse you would ever meet and I’m so glad that we got to parade him one last time at the open day two weeks ago, where he looked incredible.
“Sadly, he suffered an injury over the weekend, which deteriorated rapidly and we did not want him to suffer. Coolmore Australia would not be what it is today without Fastnet Rock and we owe him so much.”
Jim Crowley and Trevor Whelan suffer fractures in horror falls
GB: Jim Crowley, the former champion jockey and first jockey to Shadwell, suffered a broken leg and pelvis when two horses came down during a sprint race at York on Sunday [Sept 7]. Both he and Trevor Whelan, who broke his leg in three places, underwent surgery in hospital and face long spells out of action.
Treasurethe Moment programme interrupted by illness
Australia: Rising star Treasurethe Moment has been ruled out of the Makybe Diva Stakes on Saturday [Sept 13] after trainer Matt Laurie said she had suffered “a mild case of colic”. The Memsie Stakes winner’s spring target is the Cox Plate [Oct 25] despite being in the same Yulong Racing ownership as defending champion Via Sistina, whose next race is the Makybe Diva at Flemington.
Elsewhere in racing …
UAE: Top Argentine-based jockey Francisco Leandro secures winter Dubai contract More here
GB: Howden extend partnership with Ascot More here
Japan: Joao Moreira granted short-term licence More here
Australia: Jockey Linda Meech reaches 2,000 winners More here
USA: Death of awarding-winning turf writer and TRC contributor Bill Christine More here
Japan: Cult horse who lost all 113 races and became character in game dies aged 29 More here
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