21 WINS STRAIGHT FOR BRILLIANT BLACK CAVIAR

Click above to watch Black Caviar winning The Goodwood (Gr1)…
(Image : ANZ - Footage : RacingFanaticWA)

THE GOODWOOD (Group 1)
Morphettville, Turf, 1200m
12 May 2012

Black Caviar (AUS) (Bel Esprit - Helsinge by Desert Sun) did not disappoint the crowd of 30,000 at Morphettville Saturday, winning The Goodwood (Gr1) over 1200m unextended, taking her undefeated wins tally to 21. The Champion will now head to England where she is likely to line up in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes (Gr1) over 6 furlongs at Royal Ascot on 23 June.

We’re Gonna Rock (AUS) (Fastnet Rock) finished second, beaten a length and a half with jockey Luke Nolan easing Black Caviar to the line after taking the early lead. Stirling Grove (AUS) (Mossman) finished a further three lengths back in third.

The margin of her victory did not concern either her jockey or trainer Peter Moody, with Nolan saying afterwards: “She was never out of second gear. I’m not a punter. I don’t worry about margins. As long as she bloody wins I don’t care.”

Nolen said Black Caviar had not been at the top of her game when she looked slightly awkward winning the Robert Sangster Stakes (Gr1) over 1200m two weeks ago. “The other day she wasn’t the same horse but today she was back to the machine she is,” he said.

Moody was happy with her performance and said: “Luke looked after her. He was kind and we’re happy where we’re at. No-one’s ever given us any more for winning by big spaces. As long as she pleases us the next three weeks we’re on the plane to England.”

The roar from the sellout crowd at Morphettville was deafening as Black Caviar came out of the gate and it only got louder as it became clear that the mare would not be beaten. A normal attendance at Morphettville on Goodwood Day would be around 5,000.

Black Caviar has now won all 21 of her career starts, with 11 of them being at the highest level, and earnings totaling AUS$5,771,050.

Extract from ANZ Bloodstock News

IN THE MOOD AT INGLIS EASTER

Lot 445 Street Cry (IRE) - Tugela (USA)
(Photo : Inglis)

INGLIS EASTER YEARLING SALE
10 - 12 April 2012

While not reaching the heights of Wednesday’s session of the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, Thursday’s third and final round of bidding provided a few fireworks of its own, led by a A$1.2-million final bid for Lot 445, a Street Cry (Ire) half-brother to Horse of the Year and three-time G1 Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva (GB) (Desert King). The action quickly reached the seven-figure mark before topping out with a winning salvo from trainer Peter Moody, one of Australia’s top trainers responsible for the racetrack exploits of the nation’s superstar Black Caviar (Aus) (Bel Esprit).

“He’s a real trainer’s horse, and doesn’t look like a show pony,” said Moody shortly after the purchase. “He’s not Makybe’s brother now, he’s a racehorse, so I hope we can make him one.” The colt was consigned by Makybe, the same operation that sold a Redoute’s Choice (Aus) half-sister to Black Caviar for A$2.6 million the previous day.

In addition to the A$14.5-million earner, the 17-year old Tugela (Riverman) has produced two additional group winners - Musket (Aus) (Redoute’s Choice) and Valkyrie Diva (Aus) (Jade Robbery).

“I’ve seen all of that mare’s foals, except Makybe Diva as a foal, and she was the nicest foal she had thrown,” admitted Moody. “I really liked the colt, so I was very attracted to him.” The colt’s sire, Darley’s Street Cry, has been responsible for several champions in the U.S., including G1 Kentucky Derby hero and champion sophomore Street Sense and Horse of the Year Zenyatta, but he has also earned distinction down under, siring the 2010 Melbourne Cup winner Shocking (Aus). “Street Cry has done a tremendous job here,” said Moody. “I haven’t had much experience with him, but I was very taken with him as an individual and obviously, mom is a damn good producer.”

Final Results

Final	2012	2011
Catalogued	451	417
No. Offered	398	383
No. Sold	330	310
RNA’s	68	73
% RNA	17%	19%
High Price	A$2,600,000	A$1,025,000
Gross	A$72,825,000	A$74,240,000
Average (% change)	A$220,682 (-7.9%)	A$239,484
Median (% change)	A$160,000 (-11.1%)	A$180,000

Extract from Thoroughbred Daily News

IT'S SHOWTIME IN SYDNEY

Lot 200 Redoute’s Choice - Helsinge
(Photo : ANZ Bloodstock News)

INGLIS EASTER YEARLING SALE
10 - 12 April 2012

Contrary to the steady build-up to Tuesday’s session topping yearling on the opening day of the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale in Sydney, day 2 at the Newmarket complex kicked off with fireworks only a few lots into the sale. In the moments leading up to lot 200 - a Redoute’s Choice (Aus) half-sister to Australian sensation Black Caviar (Aus) (Bel Esprit) - entering the arena, the crowd quickly expanded and the excitement mounted with every passing moment. The battle got underway briskly, with an opening A$1-million bid. Reality quickly set in and the bidding eased back to A$100,000 volleys through much of the remainder of the exchange. Among those involved in the protracted battle was Bill Vlahos of BC3 Thoroughbreds, stationed among the crowd under the famed fig tree; and Japanese trainer Toshiaki Shirai, representing a Japanese client. When all was said and done, the gavel came down with a final bid of A$2.6 million from Vlahos-flanked by Victoria-based trainer Danny O’Brien - who outlasted Shirai. Both highly regarded in their own right, the purchase represented the first purchase for Vlahos and O’Brien.

“I think at about A$2.5-million I got a little bit wobbly,” said Vlahos, a well-known pinhooker in the U.S. and Australia. “But we pretty much stuck to our price. We think she is worth exactly what we paid for her; too much more, and it might not be us owning her, but I think that’s exactly what she’s worth and, hopefully, more by the end of her racing career.” O’Brien, who is probably best known for recent star performers two-time Group 1 winner Star Witness (Aus)(Starcraft) and Shamrocker (NZ) (O’Reilly), winner of the G1 Australian Derby and G1 Australian Guineas, added, “Fillies like this would generally be retained by their breeders, so this really was a once-in-a-generation opportunity to buy a filly like this. She not only has an outstanding pedigree, but she is an outstanding individual herself.” Of their newest purchase, Vlahos added, “This family is just out of the box and this will probably be the last chance to buy into it. Being a filly, she always has her residual value, so I think that’s a bit of a safety net.”

Here is the summary thus far :

Thus Far	2012	2011
Catalogued	380	360
No. Offered	337	330
No. Sold	258	266
RNA’s	78	64
% RNA	23.10%	19.40%
High Price	A$2,600,000	A$1,025,000
Gross	A$57,207,500	A$62,525,000
Average (% change)	A$221,734 (-5.7%)	A$235,056
Median (% change)	A$170,000 (-8.1%)	A$185,000

Extract from Thoroughbred Daily News…

SUPER SOUTH AFRICA : SUPER SATURDAY

Click above to watch Mikhail Glinka winning the Dubai City Of Gold (Gr2)
(Image and Footage : Dammas Racing)

“SUPER SATURDAY”
Meydan, 10 March 2012

There were six thoroughbred events staged at Dubai’s Meydan racecourse on what they dub “Super Saturday”, the last major trial for racing’s biggest night, the Dubai World Cup (31st March). South Africans have a proud record at the latter, winning as many as three (50%) of the six events on the card on their best of days, and on two occasions, two of the six.

For the first time, this Super Saturday boasted two new Group Ones, so besides the added interest, there was a deeper concentration of quality in the line-ups than ever before.

That they’ve mastered the art of preparation for the Dubai Carnival’s fest of racing there can be little doubt, but even by their own lofty standards, Mike de Kock and Herman Brown would have to count Saturday as a good day at the office. They had their disappointments for sure, but these were overwhelmingly outweighed by the other outcomes. If you win well on Super Saturday, it’s a sound indicator you’re on your way to peak performance for the big day, and win they did.

The biggest South African-connected winner on the night was obviously de Kock’s Master Of Hounds, who’d promised so much in his young globetrotting career, with a narrow second in last year’s UAE Derby (Gr.2), and a come-from-behind fifth in America’s Kentucky Derby (Gr.1). Though he’d pretended so well, there were question marks over this son of Kingmambo, who kept sticking his hand up, only to stumble at the final hurdle. Just recently, he was outrun in a Group Two mile at Meydan by his highly regarded stable companion, Viscount Nelson, but a change of tactics under South African jockey, Kevin Shea (on Viscount Nelson that day,) saw him surge to the front from an outside draw, and that’s where he stayed. Shea rode a masterful race tactically, slowing down once he’d found the lead, and quickening his mount authoritatively as he sent him for home. Impressive in third was his stable companion, Mutahadee, (like Master Of Hounds, owned by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Maktoum), who came from way off to finish within two lengths of the winner. Given that Mutahadee is a relatively unexposed youngster in his first attempt at this level, you can bet there’s more in store for the son of Encosta De Lago.

One of the weekend’s most impressive winners was the Herman Brown-trained Mikhail Glinka, who galloped off determinedly with the spoils in the Dubai City of Gold (Gr.2) over 2400m. There were some proper horses in the line-up here, several of them boasting respectable recent form, but this fellow, arguably in need of the outing, was unassailable once he got to the front. Herman Jnr can relax now in the knowledge that he has a $5 million contender for the Sheema Classic (Gr.1) on World Cup night. He’s a beautifully bred colt besides, a son of the world’s best stallion, Galileo, from the outstanding family of European classic winners Teenoso, Give Thanks and Old Country. Parochially, we can’t resist mentioning it’s the family of the millionaires Fisani, Catmandu and Ecole Militaire back here on the farm.

Finally, de Kock wound up the night (or rather opened it,) with a rollicking romp in the Al Bastakiya (Listed) when his Dubawi colt, Mickdaam raced home in a promising prep for the Duty Free (Gr.1,) also for $5 million. There’s cash up for grabs in Dubai, and the South Africans are in the thick of it.

In other international news, Hay List finally got to race without the formidable attentions of unbeaten Black Caviar in Flemington’s Newmarket Handicap (Gr.1) on Saturday. Toting the welter burden of 129 pounds, he was giving between 9 and 19 pounds to his nearest rivals, and while only a short head separated him from those in pursuit, his connections must’ve been more than relieved to emerge at last from the shadow of the world’s best sprinter. In the process, they deposited a cheque which took his lifetime earnings to Aus$2,47 million (roughly R19 million). Pity he’s gelded!

MELBOURNE PREMIER YEARLING SALE : THE SA CONNECTION

Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale - Oaklands Parade Ring
(Photo : Inglis)

MELBOURNE PREMIER YEARLING SALE
27 February - 1 March 2012

One of the early features of the 2012 Melbourne Premier Sale was the large contingent of South African owners, trainers and agents in attendance. Simon Vivian has had some sleepless nights in organising travel arrangements but is delighted with the results already.

“Mike de Kock and his agent Jehan Malherbe have flown in from Dubai with their vet Dr John McVeigh. Dean Kannemeyer and Geoff Woodruff are also here and all have been active at varying levels today so it is satisfying,” Vivian said. “Markus Jooste bought three lots under his Mayfair Speculators banner, including colts by Encosta de Lago and Danehill Dancer, so it has been a good start on day one.”

The logistics of getting everyone to Melbourne has been daunting. “The government bodies overseas have been very helpful, the Austrade office in Dubai was fantastic and we’re obviously delighted to have got them here. They are enjoying their accommodation at Crown and enjoying Melbourne and all it has to offer.”

Vivian feels that there will be more purchases to come from the South African visitors. “There’s a lot of horses over the next two days that suit them, they have come to buy, they have indicated to me that they are very happy with the quality of horse on site, they have specific things they look for, they very much like to buy proven sires and they are all shopping at different levels so there is something for everyone. Mick Goss who is a great supporter of the sale has not bought yet but I’m sure he will at some point over the rest of the week.”

“Given the fact that the Australian dollar is so strong right now, considering that the South Africans are here and spending is a very serious thing, not just for us but for the Australian industry,” Vivian said. “The South African buyers have not made a significant impact at the major sales so far this year so the fact that they are here in Melbourne and spending can only be a good things for us all.”

The impact of multiple Group One winner Igugu (Galileo) in South Africa, sold by Mick Goss’ Summerhill Stud on the Emperors Palace Ready To Run Sale, has had a positive impact in promoting the Melbourne Sale within South Africa and, along with Black Caviar (Bel Esprit), the results out of the Melbourne Sale have definitely worked in the auction house’s favour. “We at Inglis have been building to this for four or five years. Mike de Kock has a client base now that allows him to buy at any sale around the world and the impact that Igugu and Black Caviar have had certainly cannot be underestimated.” Vivian was also at pains to point out the help of Victorian-based agent Paul Guy in helping establish the South African connection. “Paul works tremendously hard. He and I share the workload, we make two dedicated trips a year there to get them here and it is a real team effort to make this happen.”

Extract from ANZ Bloodstock News