The weekly TRC industry digest - a round-up of the international racing news from the past week.
Yaupon heads to Spendthrift
North America: Yaupon, winner of the G1 Forego Stakes at Saratoga last Saturday, will stand at Spendthrift Farm in Kentucky for the 2022 breeding seasdon.
The Steve Asmussen-trained son of Uncle Mo, who has won six of his eight races, is being aimed at the Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Del Mar in November before taking up stallion duties. His fee will be announced afterwards.
Spendthrift general manager Ned Toffey said, “Aside from being extremely fast, Yaupon is one of the best-looking sons of Uncle Mo you will find anywhere. When breeders come out to the farm and see a fast Saratoga Grade 1 winner by Uncle Mo that is as beautiful as he is on the end of a lead shank, we believe we will get a lot of (mares for his first book)."
Colic claims Kentucky Oaks heroine Summerly
North America: 2005 Kentucky Oaks winner Summerly has died at the age of 19 at WinStar Farm, where she had lived since her $3.3 million acquisition at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale in 2006
Her cause of death was confirmed by Elliott Walden, the Lexington farm’s CEO, as colic. As well as the Churchill Down Classic, Summerly added a win in the black-type Ashado Stakes in Saratoga to kick off her 4-year-old campaign, and she retired at the end of the season with six wins in 14 starts for earnings of $907,652.
As part of WinStar’s broodmare band, she produced five winners from eight starters and the daughter of Summer Squall was in the first book of mares for WinStar resident Tom’s d'Etat earlier this year.
Racing League’s first winner
Europe: After six weeks of racing, Team talkSPORT was named the winner of the inaugural William Hill Racing League in Britain, claiming the £150,000 bonus, which will be shared by trainers Michael Bell, Roger Varian, James Fanshawe and Ed Dunlop, and jockeys Jack Mitchell, Hollie Doyle, Cieren Fallon and Ray Dawson, stable staff and owners.
The team was managed by broadcaster Alan Brazil, a former professional footballer, and Rupert Bell – brother of trainer Michael and father of ITV pundit Oli – who paid tribute to Jack Mitchell, who’s ridden all six Racing League meetings. Bell proclaimed, “What a way to end – absolutely incredible.
“It's been great fun and I'm sure there will be one mother of a party at Fitzroy Court Stables, which I better get invited to!"
Death of Little Mike’s dam
North America: Hay Jude, dam of 2012 Breeders’ Cup Turf winner Little Mike, has died of an apparent heart attack at Old Friends Equine Retirement’s annex farm. She was 26.
The Illinois-bred daughter of Wavering Monarch raced as a homebred for Long Meadow Stables, competing exclusively in her home state and becoming a multiple allowance winner. She retired with five wins in 30 starts over five seasons of racing for earnings of $113,152.
Elsewhere in racing ...
Oceania: Two jockeys and four stablehands have been banned for three months for an illegal gathering against Covid restrictions in Canberra. This follows similar suspensions for five jockeys, including Victoria champion Jamie Kah, the world's highest ranked female rider, after a party in Melbourne. More here
Europe: Irish trainer Jessica Harrington has been fined €2,000 by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board for running the wrong horse in a 2-year-old maiden at the Galway festival in July. More here
North America: The New York Racing Association aims to give back to its fans with a series of special events, giveaways and offers during the final week of Saratoga. More here
Europe: World #39 trainer Andreas Wohler, who has won the Melbourne Cup and Ascot’s King George in his glittering career, is recovering in hospital after suffering a heart attack. More here
North America: Maximus Aurelius topped the Keeneland August Digital Sale at $40,000. More here