Testing times

Posted on Posted in News

Times are testing for us all, including those of us in the racing industry. We have been supported by Racing Victoria’s communication and daily modifications to raceday protocols, and the Ballarat Turf Club have also been supportive and proactive.

A significant setback today with Sandown abandoned along with two meetings on Thursday. But understandable and we support RV’s approach. The health and safety of all participants, their families and the community, trumps a few racedays.

We won’t bore you with specifics, but we have put measures in place to mitigate the risk as much as a stable the size of ours can.  We hope racing in Victoria can resume and continue, at least for a little while longer without affecting the safety of our staff and the community. We are equally prepared for the possibility of a shutdown similar to what the NZ racing industry is facing.

Where possible, it is business as usual, particularly relating to the care and training of horses in our stable. We have been thwarted a couple of times with key runners missing their chance for another run and perhaps a win. But no point complaining (well, perhaps a little gripe about Cranbourne’s hole in the turf!). We persevere and comply with all the advice to mitigate the risk of further transmission of the coronavirus, and present our horses at the races fit and healthy.


It is pleasing to see that the sires of our recent purchases at both Inglis’ Melbourne and Sydney sales are producing top class race horses. We were delighted over the weekend to see the success of the progeny of Wandjina and Your Song at an elite level. 

MAMARAGAN ran sensationally well in the Golden Slipper – of course the greatest 2YO race in the world. By WANDJINA out of the General Nediym mare Forgiven, the colt had an unfavourable run yet still finished third. It was only his second race start after winning two trials and impressively winning the G2 Skyline Stakes. It is not optimistic to expect big things from Mamaragan in the future, a great example of the capabilities of Wandjina as a sire.

We currently have shares still available in a filly and a colt by Wandjina, bought at the cheaper end of the market yet are physically outstanding to Nigel’s assessment.

2018 Our Matilda eDM

2018 Swiss Vault eDM


Fastnet Rock’s fast son YOUR SONG also had further success on the weekend, with MISS EXFACTOR winning the G3 Birthday Card Stakes at Rosehill.  In sweeping clear of her rivals down the running to win by two and a quarter lengths, she became the fourth stakes-winner for the young sire.

Miss Exfactor was a $70,000 Magic Millions Book 2 purchase from the Widden Stud draft, proving you don’t have to spend big to win big. Miss Exfactor now has a record of five wins and seven placings with prizemoney exceeding $300,000.

As for Your Song, his biggest ever foal crop are yearlings being sold this year. Breeders have supported him, so look out for some great results in coming seasons for his progeny. Perhaps this colt is of interest to you?

2018 Sarthemare eDM


 

It was great to get out and see the yearlings we purchased at Sydney at the Inglis Classic Sale recently at Shadowhill Thoroughbreds. You can watch the video below. 

 

 

We will soon return to Shadowhill to check on the two Inglis premier purchases (Frosted / Shooting Sally filly, and Wandjina / Swiss Vault colt).

Feel free to enquire on any of our horses available via their web page. Even if you are not in a position to purchase just yet, we can continue to keep you informed of their progress and hopefully economic conditions improve in weeks to come to allow you to confidently secure one of the final shares available. Contact Nigel on 0409 252 280 to discuss anytime. 


We want racing to continue for as long as it is possible, for the benefit of the racing industry as a whole and the welfare of our horses and participants. But only where it does not affect the safety of staff, their families and the community in general.

More importantly, we wish each and everyone of you, our clients and supporters, all the best facing this challenge.

Kind regards,

Nigel, Susanna and the team at Blackiston Racing