Six for Astern
New first season sire winners Astern Divina (2 f ex Sakitto by Domesday) got off the mark at Canterbury on Wednesday to provide first season sire Astern (Medaglia D’Oro) with his sixth individual winner. The Chris Waller-trained filly finished third to subsequent dual Group 1 runner-up Hilal (Fastnet Rock) on debut in February and that... Read More
Quinella for Moore as Hostwin Achilles lands Derby Trial
A perfectly executed ride by J B Hamel gave Nick Moore his second Group victory when Hostwin Achilles (Deep Field) took out Saturday’s Group 3 Derby Trial (1500m), defeating his much more fancied stablemate Circuit Miles (Fastnet Rock). Moore was bullish all week about the chances of Circuit Miles, the horse that he has set... Read More
Golden Sixty awaits as Sky Darci enhances the Hong Kong Derby form
Caspar Fownes is looking ahead to a big-race campaign for Sky Darci (Darci Brahma) next season when his talented four-year-old will have the chance to take on Golden Sixty (Medaglia D’Oro) in what would be a desirable clash between the last two Hong Kong Derby (Listed, 2000m) winners, possibly in December’s Hong Kong Mile (Gr... Read More
Buyers hold upper hand after day one of ‘polarising’ Magic Millions National Yearling Sale
Clearance rate cops a hit at end-of-the-line sale as market struggles to find happy medium Magic Millions will attempt to cultivate a happy medium between buyers and sellers after a “far from satisfactory” start to the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale as purchasers appeared unwilling to compromise on quality despite apparent unprecedented demand for racing... Read More
Innovative points-based system sees Waikato Stud in running for leading vendor in Australia
Sire premierships are decided on monies earned, that’s just how it is, and how it has been, for some considerable time. Another measure, such as AEI (Average Earnings Index), has been used over time, providing further analysis of a sire’s performance. Wins and winners; stakes wins and stakes winners; stakes-winners-to-winners ratio; stakes-winners-to-runners ratio – are... Read More
Confidence high despite absence of some Victorian buyers at the last minute
Magic Millions National Yearling Sale set to get under way with some well-credentialed horses on day one The depth of the buying bench for the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale has taken an unexpected hit, but the auction house is confident the market strength that has been prevailing all year will continue at the Gold... Read More