A Netflix movie project, multi-million sales at Tattersalls, a job change for Mickael Barzalona and a major accolade for Pride Of Jenni – all this and more in our weekly digest of recent international racing news
Cody’s Wish and Cody Dorman set for Netflix movie
USA: The incredible story of Cody’s Wish and his bond with the late Cody Dorman is set to be made into a movie.
Netflix has announced the launch of a new production company named Enliven Content to focus on “true, inspiring and uplifting stories” – starting with a project about Cody’s Wish.
The dual Breeders’ Cup Mile winner was named after Cody Dorman, a teenager who suffered from Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that left him wheelchair-bound and able to communicate only via a tablet.
The uncanny relationship that developed between racehorse and boy moved the racing world until Cody tragically died on the way home after witnessing the emotional victory of Cody’s Wish at last year’s Breeders’ Cup at Santa Anita.
The movie’s director Jeff Celentano said: “The extraordinary bond shared between Cody’s Wish and Cody Dorman transcends racing, transcends sport, and bears us witness to something truly magical. It’s a beautiful story and we’re absolutely honored to tell it.” More here
Tattersalls drama as Frankel filly sells for 4.4 million guineas
GB: Book 1 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale, Europe’s premier yearling auction, kicked off in blockbuster fashion with a remarkable opening session highlighted by the second highest price in European sales history.
Amo Racing’s Kia Joorabchian, standing alongside agent Alex Elliott, went to 4,400,000gns for Lot 68 (right), a Frankel filly out of G2 winner Aljazzi consigned by Newsells Park Stud.
“She is a spectacular filly, it is a spectacular price, a spectacular bunch of horses here,” said Elliott. “I’d like to say I was a cool customer when all that was taking place, but that would be a fib – I have never been in that rarified an atmosphere before.”
The filly in question will be sent to Arc-winning trainer Ralph Beckett. Joorabchian was the leading first-day buyer securing 10 lots for 11,045,000gns, also among them a 2,500,000gns Frankel half-sister to 2022 Arc heroine Alpinista. More here
The fireworks continued on Day 2 with a full-sister to leading miler Charyn leading the way at 2,900,000gns. Godolphin, who secured the daughter of Dark Angel, were the leading buyer on the second day claiming four of the five seven-figure lots. More here
Joorabchian was back in the chair on the final session, when he went to 4.3m gns for a son of Wootton Bassett – the most expensive yearling colt ever sold in Europe. More here
Death of ‘incredible racemare’ Tepin
Ireland: News emerged at the weekend that champion racemare Tepin, who landed a famous victory at Royal Ascot in 2016, died last year at Coolmore Stud, where she was part of the broodmare band.
World #1 trainer Aidan O’Brien revealed the news at ParisLongchamp last weekend when speaking in the aftermath of a G1 victory for the Hall of Famer’s daughter Grateful in the Prix de Royallieu. “The lads bought her dam and she was an incredible racemare,” O'Brien said. “Tepin has unfortunately died and I imagine that her daughter will eventually pick up the baton at stud sooner or later.”
Trained by Mark Casse, Tepin was a brilliant miler who won a pair of Eclipse Awards as North America’s champion older turf female. Her G1 successes included the Breeders’ Cup Mile in 2015 and a memorable G1 triumph at Royal Ascot in the Queen Anne Stakes the following June. More here
Mickael Barzalona exits Godolphin to ride for Aga Khan
France: Top jockey Mickael Barzalona is to end his long-term association with Godolphin to become retained rider for the Aga Khan’s French operation in 2025.
Barzalona, 33, has been Godolphin’s number one in France for a decade; he was French champion jockey in 2021. His biggest successes include the Derby (Pour Moi, 2011), Dubai World Cup (Monterosso 2012) and Breeders’ Cup Turf (Talismanic 2017).
“Mickael has been a mainstay of the Godolphin team for over 12 years and we want to thank him for his outstanding contribution to our racing success internationally,” said Godolphin managing director Hugh Anderson, speaking to the Racing Post. “He has ridden many Group 1 winners for us across Europe and in Dubai and always shown immense talent and professionalism as a top-class jockey.” More here
German Derby winner Palladium joins Henderson after €1.4m sale
France: German Derby winner Palladium has joined the stable of jumps legend Nicky Henderson after being knocked down for €1.4m at Arqana’s Arc Sale on Saturday [Oct 5].
The purchase prise would make the Gleneagles colt the most expensive jumps horse ever sold at a public auction – by some measure, beating the previous high of £660,000 paid for Regent’s Stroll at the Goffs Summer Sale in July.
However, Henderson told the Racing Post that he will be targeting major Flat prizes with Palladium, saying: “Although he will probably see a hurdle at some stage, we have every intention of continuing on the Flat next season with some high-class races in mind, and he's staying a colt for that reason. He won't run again this autumn.”
Highflyer Bloodstock signed the ticket for the three-year-old, who is set to represent owner Lady Bamford. More here
Horse of the Year accolade for Pride Of Jenni
Australia: Front-running superstar Pride Of Jenni has been crowned Australia’s Horse of the Year for 2023-24, during which a series of major victories were highlighted by her spectacular display in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick in April. The hugely popular Ciaron Maher-trained seven-year-old was honored at a gala awards ceremony in Adelaide on Tuesday [Oct 8]. More here
The Everest – Australia’s richest race with a prize fund of A$20m ($13.5m/£10.3m) at Randwick – and the All Star Mile in Melbourne have been accorded G1 status with immediate effect. The news indicates a significant thawing in hitherto frosty relations between racing authorities in Sydney and Melbourne, who have agreed the move. Australia will now have a total of 76 G1 races altogether. More here
Elsewhere in racing …
GB: Big Evs leads British Breeders’ Cup hopes prepping at Southwell More here
USA: Paco Lopez hits 4,000-winner mark More here
USA: Breeders’ Cup $400 foal nomination deadline closes Oct 15 More here
Australia: Michelle Payne is Melbourne Cup ambassador More here
Japan: Laminitis claims historic Melbourne winner Delta Blues More here
France: Key integrity developments announced at IFHA conference More here
France: Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges re-elected as IFHA chair More here
Hong Kong: Lucky Sweynesses ruled out of HK Sprint More here
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