Bright Track Weekly

In a world where challenges often take centre stage, we will bring focus on the positive. Bright Track Weekly highlights a selection of racing and breeding snippets, celebrating the vitality of our great sport.

Bodyguard Returns to the Trials

We have waited patiently for the return of our Colt Partnership's dual stakes-winning juvenile Bodyguard at the trials as a three-year-old, which was set for this Monday at Rosehill. Always an outstanding physical specimen, as you can see in the photo above, he's blossomed further into an Adonis as a three-year-old, and it was fantastic to see him blitz his trial rivals under jockey Tommy Berry, coming home over six lengths clear of his competition. (REPLAY CLICK HERE)

He will return to racing action next Saturday 28th September in the Listed Heritage Stakes at Rosehill over 1100m, with Tommy Berry booked to ride.

First Official 2YO Trials on Monday

The latter part of September is always a very exciting time in both the breeding and racing worlds, as we see the latest crop of Sydney two-year-olds unveiled at the first official two-year-old trials, which this year will be on Monday 23rd September. This is often a source of many future stakes winners, no more so than last year, where we saw no fewer than 10 future individuals stakes winners.

For the James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership these trials were the source of stakes-winning juveniles Espionage, Bodyguard and Highness last year, while also producing Fearless (later Gr1 placed) and Customized (later Gr3 placed). Outside of these we also had the first look at subsequent Group 1 winning fillies Lady of Camelot and Manaal.

This year's heats will see three colts for the JHB Colt Partnership, Gambler (by Capitalist) in Heat 1 at 9:00am, Valedictorian (by Zoustar) in Heat 3 at 9:30am and Anarchist (by Exceed and Excel) in Heat 5 at 10:00am, while our Filly Partnership sends out Mythology (by Wootton Bassett) in Heat 4 at 9:45am. It is also great to see that JHB Colt Partnership graduate Capitalist is the most-represented sire, with six of his two-year-olds entered to trial.

The action kicks off from 9am on Monday, and will be live on Sky Thoroughbred Central and www.racingnsw.com.au

Brightside and Jenni in epic Flemington showdown

This year's Group 1 Maybe Diva Stakes at Flemington on Saturday really was a race for the ages. Both ridden to their optimal effect, both Mr Brightside and Pride of Jenni gave their absolute all on a heavy 9 track, with Mr Brightside just getting his nose in front on the line under Craig Williams.

These two warhorses are building one of the most captivating rivalries we have seen in years, and here's hoping that they will have many more duels in the future.

The Everest Taking Shape

The past two weekends have seen a couple of key races with regard to the make up of the field for this year's The Everest on 19th October. Bella Nipotina is an incredible example of longevity and toughness, looking to be as good as ever with a fast-finishing second to I Am Me in the Group 3 Concorde Stakes over 1000m on what was her 53rd start. It was no surprise to see a deal done for her this week, with TAB securing her to race in their slot for 2024.

Sunshine in Paris lined up to defend her crown in the Group 2 Sheraco Stakes on Saturday and under an inspired Tommy Berry ride, she got there in the nick of time after sitting well back from the frantic speed set up front. She was secured by JHB at the 2022 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale for her owners John and Deb Camilleri. With John and Deb's Fairway Thoroughbreds now having secured an Everest slot, Sunshine in Paris looks assured of lining up on 19th October.

Yearling Sales Booming

Following a record-breaking Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling Sale in August, which saw over US$82,000,000 (A$122m) worth of yearlings changing hands, the stage moved to Kentucky for Book 1 of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale this week. The incredible momentum continues unabated, with records once again being surpassed. Book 1 (the first two days of a 12 day sale) concluded with an average up 10.8% to US$586,000 (A$876,230) and a median up 18.75% to US$475,000 ($A710,260).

Pictured above is the sale-topping US$5m (A$7.48m) Curlin x Cavorting colt, sold by Indian Creek on behalf of Stonestreet Stables to Mandy Pope's Whisper Hill Farm.

Strong start for three-year-olds

When any crop of juveniles return for their three-year-old season there is great anticipation to see if they can measure up against their elders. With that in mind it was exciting to see Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Hayasugi and Group 1 Golden Slipper winner Lady of Camelot perform with great credit to be second and third respectively against the older horses in the Group 1 Moir Stakes last Saturday. This sets the stage for an exciting season ahead for the very highly-regarded three-year-old crop.

Dual Group 1 breakthroughs

There have been two Group 1 races in Victoria so far this season, and both have seen trainers taking out their first victories at the elite level. Pictured above on the left is Gavin Bedggood alongside his revitalised sprinter Mornington Glory, who took out the Group 1 Moir Stakes at $9. On the right is Enver Jusufovic with his Group 1 Memsie Stakes winner Pinstriped, victorious at odds of $14. Congratulations to all involved!

Excellent Frankel colt for Emro

Our Broodmare Partnership welcomed a new arrival this week in the shape of a Frankel colt out of Emro. She was purchased by James for US$425,000 in foal to Constitution at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton November Sale.

The resultant yearling filly by Constitution sold for US$500,000 to Lael Stables at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Yearling Sale this August, so Emro is off to a cracking start in her broodmare career!

Mexico for the Equimillion

The thoroughbred is an incredibly versatile breed, able to take on any number of disciplines. Mexico, who was Group 2 placed in the Roman Consul Stakes for the James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership, was retired just six months ago, and is proving to be a great comrade for his new owner Victoria Bloch (both pictured above).

The Equimillion is a new initiative, showcasing and celebrating the adaptability and suitability of thoroughbreds in new careers, with $1,000,000 in prize money available over four days of competition. We are very proud to sponsor Victoria and Mexico as they work towards this new event in early October.

Bright Track Weekly - 20th September