The year in Rowe-view
Just when you think there’s a quiet time in racing and breeding and not a lot to talk or write about, lo and behold, something comes at you faster than Chautauqua in a TJ Smith and 2023 has been no exception, the past three months in particular.
It sets next year up, starting at the Magic Millions on the Gold Coast in about a fortnight’s time, to be a busy and no doubt an intriguing one for the Australasian thoroughbred industry,
But before then, we look back at what’s shaped 2023.
Biggest bloodstock and racing industry stories of the year
Racing in Singapore to end – June 6 edition
Racing in Singapore will be shutdown and the land handed back to the government in a devastating blow for the Asian country’s passionate industry participants and supporters, with the 180-year-old sport in the Lion City to cease in October 2024.
Rosehill to be sold – December 7 edition
Sydney’s Rosehill racecourse, home to the Golden Slipper (Gr 1, 1200m) and the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m), could be sold for upwards of $5 billion and redeveloped over the next decade in a bombshell proposal that will change the Sydney racing landscape forever.
Russell Balding’s Racing NSW board extension denied – December 6 edition
The head of Thoroughbred Breeders NSW hopes the defeat of Racing NSW’s push to again extend its chairman’s tenure can be a catalyst for change in Australian racing and breeding, promoting proper administration and striking a blow towards ending the state wars.
Vin Cox joins Yulong – October 4 edition
Vin Cox will take a global approach to the operation of Yulong, the world’s fastest growing thoroughbred empire, after announcing he was joining Zhang Yuesheng’s racing and breeding powerhouse. News of the resignation by Cox, Godolphin Australia’s managing director for almost six years, spread quickly around racing and breeding circles before confirmation came from both parties that he had been appointed as Yulong’s general manager.
Anamoe retired to Darley – April 18
Darley’s head of sales Andy Makiv believes Anamoe (Street Boss) is the most exciting Australian stallion prospect to go stud in two decades, his emphatic declaration coming as the racing and breeding goliath announced the service fees for its 2023 two-state roster. The champion four-year-old will stand at an introductory service fee of $121,000 (all fees inc GST).
Winx’s foal to be offered Inglis Easter – September 18
The first foal from one of Australia’s all-time great race mares, 25-time Group 1 winner Winx (Street Cry), will be offered at next year’s Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, ensuring the world thoroughbred industry’s focus is squarely on Sydney next April.
Proisir caps rise for Rich Hill Stud – July 30 edition
After a series of near-misses for foundation stallion Pentire (Be My Guest), Rich Hill Stud has finally broken through and taken top honours with New Zealand’s new champion sire Proisir (Choisir). The 2022-23 season saw Savabeel’s (Zabeel) eight-year reign as champion Kiwi sire broken in spectacular style. Proisir is the first New Zealand stallion to achieve progeny earnings of NZ$4 million in a single season.
Yulong’s sustained spending – May 26 edition
Yulong closed out its extraordinary Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale buying spree by adding a second member of the Sunshine In Paris family trilogy of fillies and mares to sell this week, as the Group 1 winner’s three-quarter sister Macroura (Snitzel) topped the final Gold Coast session at $1.5 million. Trade at the three-day broodmare auction surpassed $107 million, the turnover helped by three million-dollar in-foal mares sold at the Bundall-based complex and the $33.466 million spent across the week by Yulong founder Zhang Yuesheng, a figure which smashed his own $29 million outlay at the 2022 National Broodmare Sale.
Brave Smash relocates to Yarraman Park – April 6 edition
Yarraman Park turned to one of the nation’s most promising young stallions in Brave Smash (Tosen Phantom), the Japanese-bred, dual Australian Group 1-winning sprinter, to boost the ranks at their Scone stud in 2023. Aquis Farm sold the stallion after four seasons as the Tony Fung-owned operation changed direction. Aquis also sold Dubious (Not A Single Doubt) to Kitchwin Hills and its highest-profile stallion, Pierata (Pierro), to Yulong later in the year.
Shinzo wins the Golden Slipper – March 19 edition
There were only a few trophies missing from Chris Waller’s illustrious cabinet and the iconic Golden Slipper Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) was one that had previously eluded the champion trainer. However, he narrowly added the juvenile contest to his CV when the Coolmore-raced colt Shinzo (Snitzel) produced an impressive display to win the coveted Rosehill Group 1. Shinzo, of course, is a son of elite racehorse Samaready (More Than Ready), a mare who Tom Magnier paid $1.8 million for at the 2020 Chairman’s Sale carrying the subsequent Slipper winner who is now worth tens of millions of dollars.
Damien Oliver bows out with remarkable treble – December 17 edition
Damien Oliver’s place among the sport’s greats was already assured before his final day in the saddle, but after scoring three wins from his last three rides in his home state of Perth, the jockey cemented his position in racing folklore, signing off his career in legendary fashion when producing a masterclass onboard Munhamek (Dark Angel) to win the Damien Oliver Gold Rush (Gr 3, 1400m).
Newnham joins Hong Kong training ranks – March 11 edition
Mark Newnham will seek to utilise his cultivated relationships in Hong Kong to give himself the best chance of hitting the ground running in Sha Tin after he was announced as the latest trainer to move to the rich Asian jurisdiction.
*David Eustace was also granted a licence yesterday, a momentous rise through the ranks for the Brit who served alongside trainer Ciaron Maher.
***
This is the last Rowe-View column of the year, but it’ll return in the new year as the sales season kicks off. Thank you to the loyal ANZ Bloodstock News readers and those who provide the scuttlebutt, stories, tip-offs and the general good times that are often unique to this industry.
I wish you and your family a merry Christmas, a happy new year and may your horses have low risk x-rays, clear scopes and that they be fast.