BloodHorse.com | Horse Racing News

Solis Buys Top Two on Inglis' Opening Day

U.S.-based Solis Bloodstock spent $1.26 million to acquire the two highest-priced horses at the first session of the Inglis Easter broodmare sale April 16.

Mushreq Wins Al Fahidi Fort in Breakthrough

Mushreq will continue on a path toward the $5 million Dubai Duty Free (UAE-I) next month after a convincing win Feb. 21 at Meydan in the $250,000 Al Fahidi Fort (UAE-II).

Leading Australian Sire Flying Spur Pensioned

Arrowfield Stud has withdrawn champion Australian sire Flying Spur from stallion service.

Vinery Stud Sells Session Topper in Australia

Trainer John Wallace purchased the two highest-priced lots June 9 during the opening session of the Magic Millions national yearling sale on Australia's Gold Coast. He went to Aust$220,000 (approximately $173,991) to secure a Flying Spur Graceful Lily colt, which was consigned by Vinery Stud. He also purchased an Encosta de Lago Major Drama filly for Aust$145,000 ($114,676) from Coolmore Stud.

Rachel Alexandra a Breathtaking Oaks Winner

Those who believe Rachel Alexandra could have won the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) have evidence to back up their belief after she won the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) May 1 at Churchill Downs in spectacular fashion.

KY Oaks: Everyone Chasing Rachel Alexandra

Prior to the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) post position draw the morning of April 28, Mike Rutherford, owner/breeder of Flying Spur, and Michael Lauffer, co-owner of Rachel Alexandra, discussed the chances of their fillies in the 1 1/8-mile, $500,000 race May 1.

Oaks: Rachel Sizzles a Half in :46 2/5

Though her work was a bit fast for his taste, trainer Hal Wiggins was more than satisfied when his filly Rachel Alexandra made it back to the barn in good shape after zipping through a half-mile in :46 2/5 at Churchill Downs the morning of April 27.

Oaks: Flying Spur Works, Others Gallop

Under exercise rider Joanna Trout, Flying Spur worked four furlongs in :48.40 and was timed in 1:01.80 galloping out another furlong.

Oaks: Rachel Alexandra Readies For Final Work

L and M Partner's Rachel Alexandra, who figures to be the favorite for the May 1 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I), galloped a mile and a half under exercise rider Rudy Gallegos shortly before 7 a.m. April 25 at Churchill Downs.

Oaks: Fillies Prepare for Final Works

L and M Partners' Rachel Alexandra continued to show her readiness for the May 1 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) by galloping a mile and a half under stout restraint from exercise rider Rudy Gallegos at Churchill Downs April 22.

Oaks: Workouts and Churchill Arrivals

Thomas Van Meter and Charles Kidder's Be Fair breezed five-eighths of a mile at Churchill Downs in a move that trainer D. Wayne Lukas described as "fantastic" the morning of April 20 over a track rated as sloppy with exercise rider Omar Golon up.

Off Track Doesn't Slow Rachel Alexandra

A sloppy track failed to slow Rachel Alexandra, who outclassed five rivals in the $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II) March 14.

Derby Not the Goal For 'Rachel', For Now

At the moment, trainer Hal Wiggins is resisting the temptation to seriously consider racing Rachel Alexandra against the boys. But, if the ultra-talented filly should put on another scintillating performance in the $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II) March 14, Higgins admits the plot would thicken.

Rachel Alexandra Odds-On in FG Oaks

L and M Partners' Rachel Alexandra looms as the 4-5 morning line choice when facing five rivals in the 43rd running of the $400,000 grade II Fair Grounds Oaks for 3-year-old fillies March 14 at Fair Grounds.

FG Oaks: 'Alexandra to Face Short Field

A field of only four or five opponents is shaping up to face Golden Rod (gr. II) winner Rachel Alexandra in the $400,000 Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II), which is scheduled for March 14 at Fair Grounds.

Flying Spur Colt Sets Pace Down Under

William Inglis & Son's Sydney classic yearling sale opened Feb. 8 in Australia with a session in which 83 horses sold for Aust$2,104,500 (approximately $1,421,022 in U.S. funds). The average price was Aust$25,355 ($17,121), and the median price was Aust$20,000 ($13,505). The clearance rate was 78%.

Silverbulletday to be a Showdown

For the third time in nine weeks, Cindy Jones' Just Jenda and Heiligbrodt Racing Stable's Four Gifts will have a showdown as they head a field of eight 3-year-old fillies in the $150,000 Silverbulletday Stakes (gr. III) Feb. 7 at Fair Grounds.

Inspiration a 67-1 Shocker in HK Sprint

Inspiration led home a shocking Hong Kong-based exacta in the Dec. 14 Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Sprint (HK-I) at Sha Tin under a brilliant ride from Darren Beadman.

'Down Under' Stallion Champions Decided

The Australian and New Zealand racing seasons officially end July 31, and this year, the stallion winners by progeny earnings are comprehensive and clear cut.

Australian Champ Sebring Out with Injury

Australian champion 2-year-old Sebring will miss the upcoming spring carnival in Sydney due to an injury.

Messara and the Aga Khan Join Forces

Australian industry leader John Messara has continued his international expansion by entering into a breeding agreement with one of the world's most famous racing and breeding figures, the Aga Khan.

Sebring is an Aussie Star in the Making

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

Sebring, who is being called the best Austrailian juvenile in many years, is keeping the momentum rolling for sire More Than Ready. The Vinery stallion is proving to be a solid sire in both Northern and Southern Hemispheres.

Easter Sale Gets Off to Fast Start

Sunday's opening session of the revamped Inglis national Easter yearling sale got off to an absolute flyer in Australia, with vendors reaping the rewards. It was the best start in the auction's history.

Australia Easter Sale Off To Big Start

Opening day of the revamped Inglis national easter yearling sale got off to an absolute flyer with vendors reaping the rewards.

Dealer Principal Lands Rosehill Guineas

Australia witnessed a new staying star emerge when the lightly raced Dealer Principal (Flying Spur-Volte) came with a powerful well-timed run to win the Dubai Rosehill Guineas (Aust-I) April 12 over 10 furlongs at Rosehill Gardens in Sydney.

Tinkler Sees Quick Return on Investment

Former coal miner Nathan Tinkler has been investing in the industry and now has his first big winner in Casino Prince, winner of the group I Chipping Norton Stakes.

HK Sale Electric; Flying Spur Tops

With a small catalog and eager buyers, the Hong Kong International Sale saw a healthy gross and average Saturday, the day before the Cathay Pacific International Races. Both events are at Sha Tin Racecourse.

Redoute's Choice's Fee Going to $300,000

Champion Australian sire Redoute's Choice will stand at a record Australian service fee of $300,000 plus GST this spring.

Two Rich Group I Wins for Aussie Star Damien Oliver

Melbourne's top jockey Damien Oliver wowed them with a pari of group I wins on one of Sydney's biggest racing days March 31, almost on the second anniversary of a race fall which threatened his life and his saddle career.

Inglis Premier Yearling Sale Off to Great Start

The Inglis Premier Yearling Sale in Victoria, Australia, is always seen as the main preliminary event on the under card to the April Easter Yearling Sale, also conducted by Inglis. If day one of Premier was a precursor of things to come, Easter should be mind blowing.

Blue Diamond Shines Bright for Dunn Again

Dwayne Dunn completed a rare three-peat in a major with his grand ride on Sleek Chassis in the $1 million (Australian funds) Blue Diamond Stakes, (Aus-1) on Feb 24.

Flying Spur Colt Brings Top Price as San Miguel Sale Concludes

The 2003 William Inglis and Son Ltd. San Miguel Classic Yearling Sale concluded Tuesday in Australia with an average price of AUS$29,812 for 347 horses sold and an overall gross of AUS$10,344,750, both marginally up on 2002.

Inglis June Sale Underway in Victoria

The first two days of the Inglis June weanling and Thoroughbred sale in Victoria, Australia, have ended with good indicators.

Flying Spur Gelding Tops Australian Sale

Centurian, a 4-year-old gelding by Flying Spur, brought the top price of $40,000 (Australian) at William Inglis & Son's December mixed sale in Melbourne, Australia on Friday. Magic Millions Adelaide purchased Centurian from a dispersal of horses owned by Group One Racing Club. Produced from the Noalcoholic mare Eccentricity, Centurian has won two of his 18 career races.

Day Two of Australian Easter Yearling Sale Soars

The 2001 Australian Easter yearling sale burst into overdrive at Newmarket Wednesday evening with a sizzling session that had both buyers and vendors breaking out the champagne.

Flying Spur Offspring Soar

A pair of Flying Spur fillies provided an historic 1-2 for their sire in the Vinery-sponsored One Thousand Guineas (Aust-I) at Caulfield on Wednesday.