PROUD

CANADIAN-BRED FILLY BY AMERICAN PHAROAH TOPS 1st SARATOGA SESSION

Only hours after her 2-year-old half sister BOHEMIAN QUEEN won her career debut at Woodbine, a yearling filly foaled in Ontario at Adena Springs North in Aurora sold for $1.2 million topped the first session of the Fasig Tipton Saratoga sale in Saratoga Springs Monday night. The second session is tonight.

The youngster, from the first crop of American Triple Crown winner AMERICAN PHAROAH (Pioneer of the Nile) is a good sized, attractive chestnut from Grade 1 winning mare Life at Ten (Malibu Moon), who was purchased by Frank Stronach’s Adena Springs for $1.95 million in 2011.

Life at Ten produced the graded stakes placed colt Singing Bullet who is in training in California. The sale topping yearling (session one) was sold by Adena as a weanling last year for $500,000 along with her dam who sold for $550,000.

The buyer of the American Pharoah yearling was Blue Sky Stables and Gainesway, agent sold the filly last evening.

Below is the video of the Canadian-bred filly selling. The buyer was American Larry Best who races under OXO Equine.

First crop sire and Triple Crown champion American Pharoah was responsible for the top two prices at The Saratoga Sale on Monday evening. A graduate of the 2013 Saratoga Sale, American Pharoah’s first crop yearlings were highly anticipated, and they did not disappoint.

The top priced colt Hip 62, also by American Pharoah, who sold for $1,000,000 from the consignment of Summerfield Sales, agent for Sunnyfield Farm (video). He was purchased by Bob Baffert, agent for MV Magnier. The colt is a New York-bred out of Party Silks, whose most notable offspring is multiple Grade 2 winning millionaire Upstart, a graduate of the 2012 New York Bred Yearlings sale.

Well-related fillies were in hot demand during the first session, accounting for seven of the top 10 prices on the evening. Fillies from rich family and half-sisters to Grade 1 winners were popular, with three selling for $850,000 or more, including session topping Hip 26; Hip 82, a $950,000 daughter of Into Mischief from the family of Broodmare of the Year Better Than Honour purchased by OXO Equine from the consignment of Denali Stud, agent; and Hip 39, a $850,000 Curlin filly out of a half-sister to multiple Grade 1 winner Liam’s Map and graded stakes winning juvenile Not This Time purchased by White Birch Farm from the consignment of Lane’s End, agent.

In total, 83 yearlings sold Monday for a total of $28,965,000. The average of $348,976 was up 7.2% from last year’s opening session and the median remained constant with last year’s record-setting figure of $300,000.

More Canadian-breds are in the catalogue for the 2nd and final session tonight including an American Pharoah colt bred by Christine and Jay Hayden.

Canadian-breds in sale (results included from last night)

Hip  Price  Buyer  Sex Breeding Prov. foaled Consignor
7 $275,000   LIVE OAK PLANTATION C TIZNOW JULES BEST JULES ONTARIO 8 SOUTH POINT SALES AGENCY AGENT III
20 $400,000   F CURLIN LEAVEMINTHEDUST DANZIG ONTARIO 9 EATON SALES AGENT FOR WILLIAM D. GRAHAM (WINDHAVEN FARM)
26 $1,200,000   F AMERICAN PHAROAH LIFE AT TEN MALIBU MOON ONTARIO 6 GAINESWAY AGENT VI
51 $200,000 QUARTER POLE ENTERPRISES  F TALE OF THE CAT MY SISTER SANDY MONTBROOK         ONTARIO 3 VINERY SALES AGENT II

Tonight..
131 $225,000 CROMWELL BLOODSTOCK     C PALACE MALICE TIMELESS SILVER SILVER DEPUTY      ONTARIO 8 SOUTH POINT SALES AGENCY AGENT I
133$375,000  KENJI HOLDINGS      F MACLEAN’S MUSIC TOULA BOLD EXECUTIVE                 ONTARIO 2 HILL ‘N’ DALE SALES AGENCY AGENT
140 $400,000 GODOLPHIN              C UNCLE MO UNSPURNED LEMON DROP KID                    ONTARIO 5 CARA BLOODSTOCK AGENT FOR SAINTSBURY FARMS INC. (CHRISTINE & JAY HAYDEN)
144 $485,00 JOHN OXLEY              C FLATTER VICTORIOUS AMI VICTORY GALLOP                  ONTARIO 1 WARRENDALE SALES AGENT FOR TALL   OAKS FARM
158 $635,000  LOTHENBACH STABLES   C MEDAGLIA D’ORO ANDROEAH ARCH                                 ONTARIO 6 GAINESWAY AGENT VI

(Anderson Farms bred, $350,000 weanling last year sold to Blue Sky Stables)
170  OUT                   C AMERICAN PHAROAH BANGA RIDGE SNOW RIDGE     ONTARIO 5 CARA BLOODSTOCK AGENT,       SAINTSBURY FARMS INC. (CHRISTINE & JAY HAYDEN)
217     $460,00 CHEYENNE STABLES         F HONOR CODE FLAWLESS DIAMOND SAINT BALLADO    ONTARIO 2 ANDERSON FARMS
226      $225,000      F HARD SPUN GAUZE SAINT BALLADO                                ONTARIO 2 ANDERSON FARMS

RNA $195,000 F UNION RAGS HAPPY VALE DISTORTED HUMOR ONTARIO 9 EATON SALES AGENT FOR WILLIAM D. GRAHAM (WINDHAVEN FARM)

HALL OF FAME WEEK!

Dinner and ceremony Wed. Aug 8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In celebration of the induction of its champion horse SHAMAN GHOST into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame, Stronach Stables has donated a 2019 breeding season of the newly minted Hall of Fame member to be auctioned at the Hall of Fame Gala, along with stallion seasons for seven horses standing at Adena Springs North.

The son of Ghostzapper, Shaman Ghost was named Canada’s Champion three-year-old in 2015 following wins in the Queen’s Plate and Marine Stakes. His 2016 campaign established Shaman Ghost as one of the best on the continent, winning the Woodward (GR1) at Saratoga, and Brooklyn Invitational (GR2) at Belmont.

His career earnings soared to $3.8 million with wins in 2017 including the Santa Anita Handicap (GR1) and the Pimlico Special (GR3). He finished second to Arrogate in the world’s richest race, the $12 million Pegasus World Cup (GR1) at Gulfstream, finishing ahead of California Chrome.

Shamans Ghost will stand at Adena Springs Kentucky Farm for the 2019 breeding season.

This year’s Thoroughbred inductees into the presitigious Hall of Fame also include Stronach-bred mare JUDY THE BEAUTY, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.

Also being inducted is:

• Ontario-born Thoroughbred breeder, John G. Sikura, operator of one of the most successful breeding farms in Kentucky.
• Ontario based, Sovereign Award winning trainer Reade Baker, who has also been a jockey’s agent, operated an international bloodstock service and been a successful breeder.
• Dan Loiselle, the track announcer known for his iconic calls of Canadian Triple Crown races.
• Bill Andrew, a breeder with ties to Alberta and PEI, who continues to generously give back to the racing industry.
• Ontario based photographer Dave Landry whose work has been recognized in Canada and internationally.

BRITISH COLUMBIA CUP RACES

BC-breds win 3 of 6 stakes races

There was a large crowd at Hastings Racecourse on holiday Monday for the popular BC Cup day and it was a super afternoon for horses bred in British Columbia. They won three of the six stakes events and, according to the Derby Bar & Grill news by Richard Yates, that resulted in close to $100,000 in Incentive Awards for owners and breeders of the winning BC-breds.

The BC-bred winners were:

HERE’S HANNAH – The remarkable 3yo filly by Numaany – Dreams Start Here by A Fleets Dancer won the Hong Kong Jockey Club Handicap worth $50,000 with ease and it was her 6th career win in 7 races. The John Morrison trainee is owned by BC Stables and Paul Caravetta and B C Stables bred the filly. Richard Hamel rode.

The Fielding family’s NOTIS THE JEWELL won the BC Cup Distaff for the 2nd consecutive year. The 5yo mare by Stephanotis – Diamond Berries by Defense Play was bred by Len Fielding, owned by Larry and Mark Fielding and trained by Larry Fielding. Ridden by Richard Hamel, the mare was winning for the 6th time in her 15th career start.

DANCIN SHOES – a 2-year-old filly who was making her career debut in the $50,000 Debutante for Russ and Lois Bennett. bred by Mr. and Mrs. David Pihl , the filly is from the first crop of Whitney Stakes winner Cross Traffic (Unbridled’s Song) out of the Gone West mare Andtheliviniseasy. The grey gal was one of 5 winners on the card for jockey Antonio Reyes.

Also, DAY RAIDER won the Winston Churchill Derby Trial Stakes for BC’s Canyon Farms and trainer Craid McPherson. The Kentucky bred by New Year’s Day – Jordan’s Sorority by Pleasant Tap is a deep, closing type and he was winning for the  2nd time in his career.

RING OF KERRY won the Nursery Stakes for 2-year-olds for George Gilbert and trainer Phil Hall. The gelding is by Flatter from Just by Awesome Again and he was winning his maiden in the 6 1/2 furlong test. He is a Kentucky bred who was a $27,000 Keeneland Sept. yearling purchase last year.

CALGARY CAPER won the Classic at 9 furlongs for his 2nd straight stakes win of 2018. The 7-year-old by El Corredor – Cowgirl Lucky by Stephen Got Even is owned by Hall and Lance Giesbrecht and Kim Peacock. It was a special win for Peacock as her father Cecil, a longtime horse owner, had recently passed away at the age of 91.

SKY PROMISE CAPTURES MANITOBA DERBY

Recent claim SKY PROMISE gave top Canadian jockey RICO WALCOTT his first Manitoba Derby victory and trainer Robertino Diodoro his second with a dominating win in the 70th Derby worth $75,000.

Sky Promise is a 3-year-old bay colt bred in Kentucky by Sky Mesa – Maddie’s Promise by Dehere. A $40,000 claim by Diodoro for owners Rick and Clayton Wiest. Tim Rollingson and Norm Tremblay at Churchill Downs last time out, the colt had won one of 15 previous races.

 

Video below of race and post-race interviews:

 

FILLY HOT CASH LOOKING AT BREEDERS’ STAKES – AUGUST 18 – 

The third jewel of Canada’s Triple Crown is coming up light with just 9 winners nominated,2 of them stakes winners and just one has won a stakes race on the grass – Eskminzin.

With WONDER GADOT at Saratoga after her romps in the Plate and Prince of Wales, there is a purse of $400,000 awaiting a horse who can win at 1 1/2 miles on the grass.

Stronach Stables’ HOT CASH, who recently won her maiden but previously had been third in the Woodbine Oaks, might be in the entries for the 1 1/2 mile turf race as her dam Collect the Cash was a Grade 1 winner on turf. Hot Cash has tried the turf a few times and did not show much but that was before she added lasix.

ESKMINZIN, a son of Cold Harbor owned by Jecara Farms, won the Bold Ruckus Stakes at 6 furlongs on grass and the distance might be an issue for this guy.

Plate and Prince of wales runner-up AHEADBYACENTURY is nominated although the stretch runner does not have the strongest grass pedigree.

Nominations:

ABSOLUTION
ch.c.3 by Singing Saint(El Prado (IRE)) – Champagne Dynasty(Pulpit)
Polo Management Services Tony Michael Gattellaro
AHEADBYACENTURY
b.c.3 by Midnight Lute(Real Quiet) – Sinful(Touch Gold)
Jack of Hearts Racing and J.R. Racing Stable Inc. John A. Ross
ESKIMINZIN
dk b/.c.3 by Cold Harbor(Distorted Humor) – Ms. Forum(Open Forum)
Jecara Farms Corp. Carlos Grant
FLIGHT DECK
dk b/.g.3 by Lemon Drop Kid(Kingmambo) – Oval Cut(El Prado (IRE))
Le Amici Racing Stable Michael P. De Paulo
GINGER SKY
b.g.3 by Sky Conqueror(Sky Classic) – Shizuka(Pulpit)
CHS Horse Racing Partners and Thomas B. Uniacke Francine A. Villeneuve
HOT CASH
b.f.3 by Ghostzapper(Awesome Again) – Collect the Cash(Dynaformer)
Stronach Stables Michael J. Doyle
NEEPAWA
dk b/.c.3 by Scat Daddy(Johannesburg) – Niigon’s Touch(Niigon)
Chiefswood Stable Mark E. Casse
NO EXTENSIONS
gr/ro.f.3 by Not Bourbon(Not Impossible (IRE)) – Extend(Unbridled’s Song)
Charles E. Fipke Julia Carey
REAL DUDE
ch.c.3 by Ghostzapper(Awesome Again) – Ginger Brew(Milwaukee Brew)
Stronach Stables Sid C. Attard
REDOUTE’S LIGHT
b.c.3 by Redoute’s Choice (AUS)(Danehill) – Thislillightofmine(Kingmambo)
Charles E. Fipke Roger L. Attfield
SAY THE WORD
dk b/.g.3 by More Than Ready(Southern Halo) – Danceforthecause(Giant’s Causeway)
Sam-Son Farm H. Graham Motion
WESTERN CRUSADER
b.c.3 by English Channel(Smart Strike) – Seattle Envoy(Deputy Minister)
Sam-Son Farm H. Graham Motion

 

MANITOBA HORSE RACING COMMISSION INVESTIGATES RACE

with files from The Insider newsletter, Assiniboia Downs

One of Manitoba’s all-time leading jockeys, ROHAN SINGH, is named on horses at Louisiana Downs today and tomorrow having apparently left the Winnipeg track following a a race last week that drew an investigation from the Manitoba Horse Racing Commission.

The race in question is the the Winnipeg Sun Stakes held on July 25. From The Insider newsletter:

“The four-horse $27,500 race for fillies and mares saw Horse of the Year Escape Clause go to the lead in the one-mile race “cutting the opening quarter in a snoozer :25.3,” said race-caller Kirt Contois. Meanwhile, Tadaa, a horse that normally shows early speed and was ridden by last year’s leading jockey, Rohan Singh, was well behind the field.“Tadaa trailed to the stretch, advanced for third,” was the comment in the Equibase results chart.

Three days later a seemingly rejuvenated Tadaa came back to wire an allowance field. “Tadaa drew out under no urging to win with something left,” is the Equibase chart comment.”

Singh has not ridden since July 28 and no ruling has been issued.

 

‘LARGE’ FINES for whipping in Midwest

“At Prairie Meadows, jockey Ramon Vasquez was assessed a $1,000 fine in an Aug. 4 ruling after the meet’s leading rider used his whip to apply “48 strikes in the final 3 1/2 furlongs” to Underpressure, who ran second, beaten a neck, in the eighth race Aug. 3. Read more here.