LA NEWSLETTER 13 AUGUST 2007
The sole Towkay in last Friday’s New Zealand Bloodstock South Island Sale sold for $27,000, nearly twice the sale average. The colt’s from the good Central Districts family of Sandsend, Sierra Sand, Kaapeon etc .
Speaking of things Towkay, more recognition came his way this last week with the release of the World Thoroughbred Racehorse Rankings (WTRR). These are the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities official end of season assessment of horses aged three years old and upwards. The WTRR are published twice each year. The Tom Jamison, Joan Fleming and Greg James bred Armada (Towkay- Dance In Time) rated 8th overall on 120. As an indication of the world-wide recognition now for Hong Kong racing, four horses trained in Hong Kong featured at 120 and above in the ratings, headed by Dubai Sheema Classic winner Vengeance Of Rain (rated equal 4th on 122).
Kay’s Awake (Towkay – Wake Up Suzie) looked on target for a big campaign with her unextended second place at last weeks Te Teko trials. Trainer Peter McKay feels the twice Group One placed mare has come back stronger than ever and with no Darci Brahma or Gee I Jane to contend with this season, that elusive Group One sprint looks within her grasp
Bookings continue to come in steadily for Towkay with Sam taking two applications whilst down in Christchurch, including one from White Robe Lodge, a young Kaapstaad mare from The Matron. There are still spaces available but don t hesitate, call Sam now on 0274 853400 to enquire about the sire who gets results in both the sales ring and on the best racetracks of the world.
Our first foal arrived on Friday night, a leggy Mossman colt from the Testa Rosa mare Eutrophy for our head groom Helen Phinney. Helen recently bought the mare from the Gold Coast Sale and the colt's certainly a great first foal for the mare which augurs well for her future at stud.
Mares in the foaling paddock this week are Jabeske (in foal to O Reilly), Foxtrot (Pins), Monashees (Catbird) and the former LA owned mare Colouring Up (Towkay). Colouring Up was sold at the recent National Broodmare Sale to Charles Whyte of Hawkes Bay.
On the racing front, Monday saw The Fonz (Traditionally-The World Is Mine) start back work at Danny O'Brien's stable in Melbourne. Sold by us after his comprehensive Te Teko victory in May, we have kept a share and look forward to seeing what heights he can attain in Melbourne this spring.
Our Zabeel filly, a half sister to The Fonz, from The World Is Mine completed her breaking in at Joe Yorkes last week and Joe is very happy with the athletic two-year-old. From the esteemed Eight Carat family she heads across the Tasman now to trainer Kris Lee's in Sydney where she will be raced on lease. Having suffered some misfortune with this fillies previous relations and then losing her mum earlier this year when in foal to Pins, we are looking forward to a more optimistic future for this valuable filly.
Another horse on his way to stables this week is the Keeper three-year-old gelding from Cent From Heaven, the dam of Eloa and Winning Fellowship. Withdrawn from last years Ready to Run Sale so that he had time to mature, we have decided to race him ourselves and he will be trained by Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott. Cent From Heaven is in foal to Pins and the Group Three winner Eloa, to Stratum.
More from team LA next month.
