‘We’re delighted with how he’s going’ – Coolmore full of optimism for St Mark’s Basilica’s first crop
St Mark’s Basilica (Siyouni) had two more winners on the weekend to continue his strong start in a first season of runners in Europe, which is sparking a wave of growing excitement at Coolmore Australia that he’ll make a similar impact here. It is five years ago this Friday that the imposing sire – who’ll... Read More
It ain’t over ‘til it’s over
The heading is a line uttered by Yogi Berra, not only a great American baseball player but also an unwitting sage when it came to explaining some of life’s issues. Another was: “When you come to a fork in the road, take it.” One hot summer, Berra was signing autographs in Florida wearing his customary... Read More
Coolmore stretch to €2.3 million to bring in well-related Wootton Bassett colt in Deauville
Coolmore and Amo Racing were among the major players who engaged in a seven-figure arm wrestle during day two of the Arqana August Yearling Sale on Sunday evening. The heavyweight tussle duly concluded at a gasp-inducing €2,300,000 (approx. AU$4.12 million). The yearling in the crosshairs was the Wootton Bassett (Iffraaj) colt out of High Celebrity... Read More
‘Now I’ve got to front up and face the music and see how good she is’ – Stakes test awaits Cavanough’s unbeaten filly
Wily bush trainer and punting enthusiast Brett Cavanough, whose last winner was at Muttaburra, is bringing a “big gawky filly with a head like a wheelie bin” to Sydney for Saturday’s Silver Shadow Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m). But before bookies start sniffing a plunge and winding her in, Cavanough insists the mission for the unbeaten-from-two-starts... Read More
Mitchell full of optimism for Yarraman’s new season
Yarraman Park is building into the new season with high hopes Hellbent (I Am Invincible) will become a top-ten sire and his famous father can wrest back his champion sire’s crown from Zoustar (Northern Meteor). With Arthur and Harry Mitchell’s farm boasting only three stallions, it’s a happy position to be in. Hellbent has been... Read More
Baker and Clarke launch ambitious trans-hemisphere project
There was a distinctly international feel to the opening exchanges with interests from Japan and Australia both making six-figure signings. Japan’s JS Company went to €200,000 (approx. AU$359,920) for the Space Blues (Dubawi) filly out of the Listed-placed Africa (Dabirism) offered by Haras des Capucines, five lots before the New Bay (Dubawi) colt out of... Read More