The weekly TRC industry digest - a round-up of international racing news from the past week.
Treve’s date with Sea The Stars
Europe: Al Shaqab Racing has revealed that dual Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe heroine Treve will visit the 2009 Arc champion Sea The Stars at the Aga Khan’s Gilltown Stud in Ireland next year.
The 8-year-old daughter of Motivator raced under Al Shaqab’s silks for now retired French trainer Criquette Head-Maarek, winning Europe’s richest race in 2013 and 2014, then finishing fourth to Golden Horn in an attempt to become the first horse to win the race three times.
Currently carrying to Siyouni, who stands at the Aga Khan’s Haras de Bonneval in France, her first foal is an as-yet-unnamed Dubawi colt that turns two on January 1, while her second offspring is a filly foal by Al Shaqab stallion Shalaa called Paris.
World #8 sire Sea The Stars has proved as brilliant in his second career as in his first, which saw him win six G1s, including two classics. He has already produced classic winners Sea The Moon, Taghrooda, Harzand and Sea Of Class, as well as 2018 Ascot Gold Cup winner Stradivarius.
Grim outlook for jockey Angland after horror fall
Oceania: The Australian Jockeys’ Association (AJA) has announced that Tye Angland “may no longer have full use of his limbs” as a consequence of a fall at Sha Tin last month.
As a result of the accident the 29-year old fractured and dislocated his spine. After two weeks in intensive care in Hong Kong, Angland was moved to Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney, where he remains.
The AJA statement said the 11-time G1 winner’s “spine has been stabilised and realigned” but doctors have warned that a “long-term prognoses for injuries of this nature are always hard to diagnose” and there “remains a likelihood of Tye’s outcome being quadriplegic”.
Death of Dan Kenny
North America: Kentucky-based bloodstock agent and broadcaster Dan Kenny has passed away aged 72.
Following a brief career as a journalist, the founding member of Four Star Sales began working in bloodstock in 1972 across Canada and California before establishing his own farm in Kentucky in 1993.
Among the many tributes to Kenny, Todd Pletcher remembered him as “just a high-class, high-quality, likable person” and “a true gentleman”, while business partner Kerry Cauthen said he was the “very definition” of the words ‘genuine’ and ‘gentleman’ bringing “expertise, passion, and integrity” to all of his roles in the sport.
Darley Japan sets Talismanic fee
Asia: Darley Japan has released its 2019 stallion fees, which includes 2017 Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Talismanic for the first time.
The seven-strong roster is headed by Pyro, Japan’s leading sire by earnings on NAR (National Association of Racing, the second tier of the sport there). He commands a price of 2.5 million yen (US$22,584), while Admire Moon, sire of multiple G1 winner Fine Needle, and second-season sire American Patriot will stand at 1.5 million yen ($13,548). Talismanic, the son of Medaglia d’Oro, will stand his first season for of 1.8 million yen ($16,200).
“We are delighted to offer Japanese breeders a more powerful line-up of stallions than ever, with an exciting new addition in Breeders’ Cup winner Talismanic, who looks to be a fine fit for Japan. I’m very happy that he’s joining our stallion roster,” said nomination manager Kajiya Shotaro.
New role for Katie Walsh
Europe: Irish trainer Ross O’Sullivan and former jockey Katie Walsh have been named as brand ambassadors for online bookmaker Betway.
The husband-and-wife team will provide the wagering company with blogs and video updates on O’Sullivan’s yard as well as key insights throughout the agreement. Walsh, whose third place in Seabass in 2012 is the best finish in the Grand National by a female rider so far, spoke positively of the new partnership. “We’re really pleased to be partnering with Betway,” she said. “It’s been very busy since I retired as a jockey earlier this year and this is an exciting next step.”