Vin Cox Bloodstock Latest News
Three for Three for Barb
1 July 2009 - Upon the purchase of Belong To Many, and the subsequent decision to send the mare to Gai Waterhouse, I promised Barbara Joseph that I would send her a horse in the near future.
Not long after that, Gary Portelli said Zassi (Classic Yearling 2007; $100,000) was not enjoying life in the city and needed to be trained in the bush. So the inevitable decision was made to send Zassi off to Barb Joseph. As the story goes, Zassi has now had 3 starts for the Joseph Stable for 3 very impressive wins, albeit at country tracks. When you throw the BOBs bonuses in, the prizemoney has knocked into something very worthwhile.
Together with Zassi’s success we have been having a good trot in the city with some of our gallopers; Prince Braeman (MM Weanling; $30,000) has now won four straight in town; Gathering Light (Inglis Weanling; $14,000) won impressively at Canterbury and looks to be a stayer of the future; Miss Alert (Magic Million Yearling; $24,000) won at Warwick Farm; Komachi (MM Yearling $100,000) won at Sandown Park; and False Accusation (MM Yearling; $32,000) won a 2YO at Doomben. Amongst other winners around the place it is good to see the team firing.
The Carnival horses are back in work at their respective trainers, and we look forward to their return in due course, together with the next wave of babies.
American Mares Punch Above Their Weight
24 June 2009 - We have just seen the completion of the Group 1 racing season in Australia. it is very interesting to run through the dams of the Group 1 winners by place of birth;
| Group 1 Winners | Dam Country of Birth |
| 34 | Australia |
| 18 | New Zealand |
| 12 | USA |
| 1 | Great Britain |
| 1 | Ireland |
| 1 | Japan |
At last count (2007) USA mares made up 2.7% of the Australian Stud Book, watch this space as we are in the process of compiling all stakes results for origin of dams of stakes winners.
In promoting the American broodmare, quite often the catch cry is “all dirt pedigrees only interested in European turf form.” While there is no doubt that the very occasional sire line struggles on turf, the vast majority work on all surfaces, after all Northern Dancer never raced on turf. This fact has been put beyond any doubt with the recent results at Royal Ascot, the American form of the 2 Year olds was astounding, and the older sprinter Cannonball all but took out the Golden Jubilee.
You can’t sell me the European Broodmare.
Cancerous Corporate Bookmakers
29 May 2009 - There are two racing models worldwide that are the envy of every other racing jurisdiction worldwide, they are the Australian and Hong Kong models. The reason for this is the totalisator infrastructure that provide the funding for prize money, in Hong Kong the totalisator is the only legal form of betting. While here in Australia, we have a hugely successful totalisator system that has cohabitated with bookmakers for 50 years or more.
The Australian model has traditionally provided huge income streams that fund our racing while the bookmakers have contributed locally by way of a turn over tax. Now the whole system is under siege with the proliferation of corporate bookmakers who house their operations in the Northern Territory largely avoiding state duties and turnover tax. Rightly, Racing NSW has challenged the validity of the corporates by insisting on a 1.5% turnover tax which grudgingly some corporates have handed over. This money is the subject of a legal dispute and is therefore frozen in the system.
The issue with the corporates is two fold, firstly they feel they can run their business off the back of the industry without contributing to the industry that feeds them. The corporates operate on the racing product not only making bets where most of the bets are “best tote’ or “best fluctuation” thus corporates are contributing nothing to making or forming the market, they are plagiarising someone else’s “intellectual property.” They do nothing except leach off someone else’s investment, infrastructure and intellectual property.
Secondly, not only should they be paying a tax back to the industry on turnover it should be considerably higher than the paltry 1.5% that have been asked to pay, and are now challenging through the courts.
The fact that the corporates feel that they have a god given right to operate on the industry without contributing, I find abhorrent. It is time that the industry reveal the corporates for what they are, lecherous and cancerous growths on the industry. As to the commentary on this topic from some of the more high profile racing media; their agenda, allegiances and associations are to be declared before a fair and even discussion can be started.
If it isn’t addressed immediately and effectively, we soon have a model that is similar to that of England. The Sport Of Kings and Sheiks it will become.
Belong To Many Update – Number and barrier 1 for the Dane Ripper
28 May 2009 - Belong To Many has drawn the paint (barrier 1) and will carry saddle cloth number 1, in the last at Eagle Farm. I can’t say I know too much about omens or numbers however if the saddle cloth number or barrier position are to line up, then Gai Waterhouse’s prediction that “she will be extremely hard to beat” should come to fruition. Accordingly, she has worked extremely well during this week with track work rider Mark Newnham reporting that the mare hasn’t worked better in the brief time he has been associated with Belong To Many.
Win, lose or draw Belong To Many will have a quite week leading into the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap for Saturday week. It may be “Sean’s Shout” yet.
Belong To Many Update – Sean’s Shout To Many
23 May 2009 - By popular request of the previous 800 owners of Belong To Many, we will be posting updates of the mare’s campaign and plans.
As you would all be aware, Belong To Many’s two runs following her purchase have been outstanding, brilliantly winning the GCTC Silk Stocking and then a gallant second to Ortensia in the BTC Glenlogan Park Stakes. While Belong To Many is currently 26th in order of entry for the Stradbroke, it is anticipated she will get a start and will be ridden by either Blake Shinn or Jim Byrne. Following the Stradbroke the intention is to push on to the Group 1 Winter Stakes for fillies and mares, after the Winter Stakes a decision will be made as to continue racing her after a short spell or retire her to stud.
New owners, Sean and Helen Clancy with their 3 boys, Aaron (23), Nathan (21) and Lachlan (18) together with brother in law Ian McGregor, are delighted with the acquisition of Belong To Many and have been equally thrilled with her performance subsequent to purchase. The Clancy’s and Ian are very excited to be the owners of a live chance in the marquee race of Queensland racing, and in the event that Belong To Many wins the Stradbroke it will be “Sean’s Shout” at Eagle Farm for all previous owners that are on course.
Let’s all hope it will be Sean’s Shout.
Inglis Broodmare Sale
3 May 2009 - While we were not sensationally active at this sale, we did manage to pick up a couple of mares. The first being outstanding race mare, Belong To Many and the other Acquisito.
Belong To Many ended up being one of the most expensive mares at the sale, which is hardly surprising given her race record coming into the sale. Barbara Joseph had done a magnificent job with this mare and she was presented in outstanding order. We were able to purchase her for $525,000. While it was a difficult decision to move Belong To Many to Gai Waterhouse, she has had her first start for the new stable winning extremely impressively at the Gold Coast in The Silk Stocking. The new connections are looking forward to her next few starts, with a couple of nice Group 1 races in her sights.
Acquisito, a well pedigreed Zeditave mare in foal to Bernadini, was purchased for $120,000. This mare’s yearling by Encosta De Lago was one of the nicest yearlings at the 2009 Premier Yearling Sale, and will hopefully add to the value of this mare.
The overall sale was extremely strong across the board, with a good clearance rate and a strong market which surprised many, as it could hardly be said that it was a stellar edition of the Inglis Easter Broodmare Sale.
Easter Yearling Sale 2009
28 April 2009 - This was the sale that the Southern hemisphere had been waiting for; it is the barometer and it really tells us the state of play of the commercial market. While NZB and MM have had very good sales, it is the Easter Yearling sale that sets the tone for the rest of the industry, whether it be stallion fees or the broodmare market. And what a market it was. The sale was spread over 3 days and they were 3 very diverse days. The first day was bad; the average was around $225,000 with a very low clearance rate. The world was seemingly going to end and it more or less did when the lights literally went out with 30 or so horses remaining to sell on the opening day.
On the second day vendors and buyers re-aligned their sights in which ever direction they saw appropriate and boom the sale literally took off. The average on the second day (including those left to sell from the first day) soared to $275,000 and the clearance rate roared up the scale to a better than good result. Everyone departed shaking their heads wondering what happened, the average increasing the best part of 20% overnight and the sale was booming. With only 100 yearlings to be sold in the “select” session on the third day, the sale didn’t really get a roll on and never had the opportunity to get back to the heights of the second day.
Having said that, it was still significantly better than the first day with the figures finishing at a total turnover of $89 million, average of $241,000 and a median of $180,000. What do we learn from this sale is that the elite part of the market is the softest. Anything north of say $600,000 had only limited action from a small and very select bunch of buyers. The middle market was very strong, with a wide and varied buying bench. To that end, the Top 10 buyers by Gross accounted for $33.86 million or 38% of the Total Gross. Let me say that again, the Top 10 Buyers accounted for less than 40% of the total turnover, whereas in 1989 the top 2 buyers, Bart Cummings and Tulloch Lodge, accounted for well over half the gross on their own.
From a VCB point of view we had a terrific sale. In session one we purchased 6 yearlings and had 2 others knocked down to us. After day 1, we had purchased 4 for our clients and another 2 on the third day, while the 2 that were knocked down to us fell on day 2. We were extremely pleased with our shopping, 2 Encosta’s, a Redoute’s, a Flying Spur, an Exceed and Excel and a Stratum all for clients that have been buying with us for many years.
Bolt No Doubt for Slipper
11 March 2009 - Delago Bolt (Delago Brom x Bardego; Premier 2008 $50,000) bolted into Golden Slipper calculations with a devastating win in the Black Opal Stakes in Canberra last Sunday. As has become the norm with this colt, he missed the start and appeared as though he would be just going around. However, when Chris Munce let him down on the outside he put paid to a high class field in a couple of bounds. It is a great story for the colt perceived as the "ugly duckling" by our clients; he has now won well in excess of $300,000 for connections. The Bolt no longer has to qualify for the Slipper, he is in it. All he has to do now is turn up on the day.
The following day, we saw Sheeznodoubt (Not A Single Doubt x Regal County; Easter 2008 $160,000) have her first run back from a short spell at Warwick Farm. Sheeznodoubt did all the hard work and put away an extremely high profile field. She is now on track for one of the Slipper lead ups and some black type. It is a good result for good friend Kate Nivison. She asked to go into a prospective 2 year old winner, as she had never owned a 2 year old winner, and now she is taking aim at the big one.
Melbourne Premier
9 March 2009 - It has to be said that the Premier sale has taken the biggest hit of all the sales to date. There was a large crowd at the sale and inspections seemed to be healthy, however it was the lack of quality individual that hurt this sale the most. There were fewer better individuals mixed in with a catalogue that was 11 lots bigger than the 2008 edition. Turnover took a hammering falling 42% to $23,051,722. The clearance finished at 75% where after the first day it finished at a paltry 65% and the average dropped to $55,815 from $84,568.
We were able to secure 3 particularly nice colts in what was effectively the first 100 lots of the sale. Knocked down to Gary Portelli, the colts were;
Lot 34 by Commands x Rozanee (GB) for $25,000
Lot 65 by O’Reilly x She’s A Madame for $40,000
Lot 111 by General Nediym x Storming Bai for $55,000
More details on the Sales Results page
Record Priced General Nediym Filly Wins on Debut
South Africa, 6 March 2009 – The powerful Charles Laird stable produced a brilliant debut winner at Vaal on Thursday evening in the shape of two year-old General Nediym filly Generous Anna, the most expensive yearling by her sire sold in 2008.
Having her first start over 1200 metres, Generous Anna was sent out a red hot favourite and bolted in to score by three and three-quarter lengths confirming the high regard in which she is held.
Bred by Paul & Judy Kevin & Brian Nutt of Attunga Stud, Generous Anna was purchased by Charles Laird at the 2008 Magic Millions Yearling Sale for $380,000. She is the first foal of the Anabaa (USA) mare Ends Meet, a daughter of New Zealand Group One sprint winner Lady Madonna and half-sister to the dam of smart stakes-winning Victorian filly Satin Robes.
Romanus‘ Rosehill Romp
24 February 2009 - What a great result for Peter and Catherine Campbell’s Bennelong Bloodstock, they have invested heavily in breeding and racing stock and at last it appears the wheel is turning in their favour. Romanus a $500,000 yearling purchase from the 2008 Easter Yearling Sale won at his second start at Rosehill. Being a son of Encosta de Lago and out of the Oaks winner Bulla Borghese, you would expect him to be hitting the track as a later 2 year old however he has been a colt that has kept thriving with Gary Portelli and just maybe a sneaky chance at the Slipper or more possibly the Sires’ Produce or Champagne Stakes at Randwick. His next start will be the Skyline at Randwick, time will certainly for Romanus.
USA Import Scores
16 February 2009 - At the 2005 Keeneland September Yearling sale, I purchased 2 fillies to race with friends. The first of them was Moonee Ponds, who had 7 starts for 3 wins including a stakes race at Fair Grounds. Moonee Ponds was sold at the 2008 Keeneland November Breeding stock sale for US$300,000 in foal to Mineshaft.
The second filly Hip 888, went on to race as Eight Eighty Eight. She had 13 Starts in the States for 2 wins and a fourth in a stakes race. My partner, John Starr and I subsequently imported her to Australia and put her into work with Gary Portelli. At her second start in Oz, she won very well at Canterbury on a heavy track having been well backed by the trainer and part owner. The post race report suggests we may be in for a bit of fun over the next few months.
Eight Eighty Eight’s win follows the recent good form of some of our purchases. Delago Bolt took out the $100,000 Inglis bonus last week at Rosehill and is now on a Golden Slipper campaign. Over The Wicket ran up to to his 2 Year Old form claiming second, on protest, in the Group 2 Royal Sovereign Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.
Classic Yearling Sale
16 February 2009 - Classic finished with figures across the board down around 17% and clearance down to just on 70%. As suggested earlier, the sale had a very good selection of nice prospects to purchase. There was however, a long tail to the horses offered with over 600 catalogued. The sale itself was consistent right through to the last few hours, where a combination of people filling their orders and a cool drizzly day made it extremely tough for those selling late in the sale.
As has always been the case the better conformed horses were hard to purchase. We bid on or near $100,000 on 3 different occasions and didn't finish with any of these. Our most expensive purchase was Lot 604 a Benicio colt for $54,000 down to $20,000 for Lot 425 a Johannesburg filly. We purchased 7 yearlings for a total spend of $245,500, with another 4 lots knocked down to us by Garry Frazer. 2009 Classic Yearling Sale results
Classic Opportunity
6 February 2009 - The Inglis Classic Yearling sale begins on Sunday, with in excess of 600 yearlings catalogued. This sale is the best value sale in the country, it always has a good array of horses, they never make a pile of money and you can come away with a seriously good horse.
This year is no exception, Inglis have done a terrific job in selecting "types" for this sale. There is a higher proportion of better individuals than you would find at some of the more high profile yearling sales around the country. The better colts will always find a home at reasonable money, the opportunity to buy fillies that will become racehorses is sensational. The filly market will be soft and you could walk out of this sale with a seriously good filly for anything upto $40,000.
It is a sale we have had a lot of luck at over the years, Jymcarew, Down The Wicket, Mimzical, Chaud Roche, Cigar Royale, Beautiful Handshake, Weekend In Paris, Letter Of Intent, etc. None of the listed making more than $50,000.
Midshipman Champion US 2YO
Newly crowned Champion US male 2YO Midshipman, is the half brother to VCB Keeneland November 2006 purchase Fleeting Touch. Fleeting Touch was purchased on behalf of Widden Stud and Robert Anderson for US$130,000 and this huge upgrade will add significant value to the mare. Fleeting Touch has a 2008 Stratum colt, and is carrying to the hugely successful 2YO stallion More Than Ready. The story keeps getting better. For further information see previous story.
In other news, the 3YO full sister to the A.P. Indy filly we purchased for Patinack Farm at Keeneland September 2008 won her first start at Gulfstream Park. Trained by Michael Matz, of Barbaro fame, there is sure to be further upgrades to what is an outstanding pedigree.
Lighthorseman Out Of The Trenches
22 January 2009 - At the 2007 Magic Million yearling sale, Gary Portelli and I put together three owners willing to have a crack at a nice colt. Two of the prospective owners were at the sale and the other was on a cruise in Antarctica, we took a punt and guessed he would be keen to take a good piece of the horse. Messrs Yopp and Collins were on hand to inspect the colt and fell in love with him, and the Antarctic explorer Geoff Grimish returned from holiday with a piece of a good Redoutes' Choice colt.
The colt, now named Lighthorseman, trialled brilliantly twice before his first start in the Rosebud where he ran a moderate 5th behind Desuetude and Aichi. Subsequent to the race, it was found Lighthorseman had strained a muscle in his back and needed to go out for a few months.
A few months on, Lighthorseman trials brilliantly and this time he goes to a lowly three year old maiden at Hawkesbury and in devastating fashion he blitzes the field. Pressure valve releases a little.
Until next time.
Keeneland January Finishes
22 January 2009 - After what was an incredibly cold week, the numbers for the January Sale are well down. As has been documented elsewhere the high withdrawal rate was the most disappointing aspect of the sale. The vendors weren't prepared to risk their stock on the market and are prepared to wait for another day. Turnover dropped to $32,824,000 off 53.4% from 2008, the withdrawals made up 28% of the catalogue.
We purchased 5 mares, all maidens ready for export to Australia. They were:
Hip 704 – America’s Idol – A beautiful Quiet American mare. She is out of a Group 2 winning Green Dancer mare and is a half sister to a Stakes winner. Purchase Price: $45,000
Hip 706 – Angel Smoke – Stakes winner by speed sire Smoke Glacken. She comes from the family of Group 1 Australian Cup winner Istidaad. Purchase Price $82,000
Hip 1259 – Lady Caller – Dixie Union half sister to a Stakes placegetter. Her dam is a half sister to the dam of Group 2 winning 2yo of last season Krupt. Purchase Price $11,000
Hip 1639 – Jade Dreamer – Good racemare, she out of a Stakes placed Nijinsky mare and is a full sister to a Stakes winning and Group producing mare. She comes from a very nice Black type family. Purchase Price $50,000
Hip 2261 – Belle Cherie Mary – Stakes placed Grand Slam mare, she is out of a Multiple Stakes winning Belong To me mare. She is a half sister to a Stakes winner and she comes from the family of Multiple Group 1 winner Octave. Purchase Price $70,000
Having spent a week in Kentucky, it is quite apparent that they are on their knees over there. Stallion service fees have been revised up to 3 times, talk that 30% of mares will not be bred for 2009 and the like. As a result there are some serious opportunities in the private market. We have been quoted a number of off the track mares that would work well in our part of the world. What vendors are prepared to take for horses offered privately is astounding.
Refer to our mares section or contact us directly for a list of mares.
Cold Keeneland January
19 January 2009 -By contrast to last week’s Magic Millions climate, I am now in Kentucky where the temperature has dropped dramatically matching the feeling of the sale. While the market is solid enough for the better pedigreed mares, the lack of confidence around the place is astounding.
We have purchased 2 mares so far. The first, Hip 704 is a stunning looking Quite American mare with a great outcross pedigree and the second, Hip 706 is a stakes winning Smoke Glacken mare from an outstanding family. We paid US$45,000 and US$82,000 respectively.
Vin and Chauncey Morris from Keeneland
Magic Millions A Boomer
17 January 2009 -What a start to the Southern Hemisphere yearling sale season. Right from the very first horse the Magic Millions Yearling sale was off to a good start. The sale's real strength was the guts to the middle market, the 50-400k horse, competition was strong and varied. As with all sales there were holes in the market. The elite horses struggled for genuine competition and most of the bigger prices appeared largely organised. The bottom end of the market was a struggle, which has always been the case. Despite the global financial crisis the vibe at the sale was extremely upbeat from buyers and vendors alike. Full credit to Magic Millions for creating such an environment.
VCB had a good sale. We were lucky enough to purchase 10 lots, 8 fillies and 2 colts, for a total spend of $1,464,500. This was an extremely pleasing result as a month out from the sale it wasn't looking too good.
Magic Millions Race Day
17 January 2009 -We were lucky enough to have 4 runners on the day. The results weren't startling but none the less our owners had a great day out in what is a fantastic day. Koblenz disappointed in the big one, pulling up shin sore. Belle Soleil was desperately unlucky in the 3yo Trophy going over the line hard held. False Accusation ran his usual consistent race to finish 4th in the 2yo Plate and Mr Unforgettable finished 5th in the Class 6 Plate.
We all loved the day and look forward to many more runners and success in the future.
Iguana Jo Flies In Florida
16 December 2008 - At the 2007 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, we purchased a Dynaformer - Guana filly for Bruce and Jill Johnson proprietors of Twin Palms Stud. The now two year old filly, named Iguana Jo after the “Iguana Gate” scandal involving politicians Belinda Neill and John Della Bosca, won her first start at Tampa Bay Downs on December 13th.
Starting favourite she barely got out of third gear to blow away a solid maiden field. She will now head to Gulfstream Park for some allowance races and possibly some black type during the northern hemisphere spring.
4th-TAM, $17,000, Msw, 2yo, f, 1mT, 1:40, fm.
+IGUANA JO (f, 2, Dynaformer--Guana {Fr}
{SW & GSP-US, SP-Fr, $137,418}, by Sillery),
A $200,000 KEESEP yearling, was a close fifth through an easy opening half of :50.29. With Ronald Allen Jr. aboard, the 3-1 chance began to rally while wide on the far turn and came charging down the stretch to take it by 2 ¼ lengths over fellow first starter Islandia (Johar). Wrestling (Gone West) finished a non-threatening sixth.
Lifetime Record: 1-1-0-0, $10,200.
O-Bruce Johnson. B-T F VanMeter, D Hendrickson &
Michael Lowenbaum (KY). T-Thomas F Proctor.
TDN 14/12/08
Double At Randwick
15 December 2008 - On a wet and wild day at Randwick, Vin Cox Bloodstock purchases had a double. The first being Test Edition (2005 Sires’ Produce $52,500 by Testa Rossa – Lili Marlene) who has been a great earner for connections now the winner of 5 races and in excess of $145,000.
In the last race of the day, Yoburg (2006 Classic $40,000 Johannesburg – You Jest) put it two on end having won last start at Wyong. Yoburg is owned by our very good clients from Hong Kong, who over the years have had some terrific horses, including Down The Wicket, Letter Of Intent, Cigar Royale, Lucky Duke, etc. Now Yoburg has won 4 races and nearly $75,000.
On Saturday, Talaana (2007 Easter $155,000 Tale Of The Cat – Valaana) very nearly gave Chris Munce his first city winner back from his well documented time away from racing. Talaana has always shown good potential and as he matures is really starting to put it together. A win is only around the corner.
Wyong Magic Millions Day
It was great to see Belle Soleil (Redoute's Choice - Summer’s Glory; 2007 MM $220,000) win with such authority in the $100,000 Wyong Magic Million 3YO Classic. Gary Portelli always said she was a filly that would improve with time and maturity, even though she won her first start as a 2YO at Rosehill. Jockey Glyn Schofield got her back early in the race, however when one took off around Belle Soleil, Glyn went with them and found himself in front four wide before they had straightened. He let Belle Soleil down from that point on and she won as she liked. For owners Peter and Katherine Campbell it was a big thrill. They have invested very heavily into the business and fully deserve to win a race of that nature.
http://www.breednet.com.au/news2006.asp?id=45488
http://www.racenet.com.au/news/454/Belle_Soleil_easily_in_Wyong_Magic_Millions_3YO_.asp
For Vin Cox Bloodstock, it could have been a sensational day with Koblenz (Charge Forward - Halo Dehere; 2008 MM $62,500) going down a long neck in the $200,000 Wyong Magic Millions 2YO Slipper. Koblenz is a filly with a bright future and will make an ideal type to aim at the big race on the Gold Coast. She settled in running and hit the line very strongly. If all the Charge Forwards are like this filly, he will be a certain success. She is relaxed, tractable, eats and runs with conviction. Owner Glen Lawrence has an exciting few weeks ahead. By his own admission he hasn't had horses racing at this level and now he is off to the Gold Coast with a live hope in the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic.
Huge Upgrade for Patinack
At the Keeneland September Yearling Sale we purchased 6 yearlings on behalf of Nathan Tinkler’s Patinack Farm. One of the 6 was a filly by Awesome Again, who was purchased for US$60,000. This filly’s 2 year old full sister won the Grade 2 Demoiselle Stakes at Aqueduct by a staggering nine and a half lengths on November 29th.
A good result all round, congratulations to Patinack Farm.
Origins of Group 1 winning Dams
28 November 2008 - It is interesting to note that of the 24 group 1 races run this year; 8 winners are from USA mares, 7 from Australian mares, 6 from NZ mares and 1 each from Ireland, England and Japan.
The results speak for themselves.
Breeding Stock
24 February 2009 - The Mares on offer on the Breeding Stock pages have been updated. Don't forget the new section in Breeding Stock for mares overseas.
Sales Resultss
24 February 2009 - Details of all the VCB purchases at the January and February Sales in now on the Sales Results page.
