fortunanz

Fortuna Racing’s 8yo Gelding, LEADERBOARD, wins the 150th running of the Wellington Cup

Published 31 January 2023

It was an amazing day of racing 28th January for the Fortuna Racing Team with their Irish bred stayer, LEADERBOARD, taking out the time honoured and iconic Wellington Cup at odds of $51. LEADERBOARD’S lead up form into this race had not been inspiring, but overnight the rain had tumbled at Trentham and Leaderboard is a horse who just loves to get his toe in the ground. See the story below from Jeff Dore

Outsider Leaderboard (8 g Street Cry – Flower Fairy, by Dynaformer) pulled off a terrific victory in the $300,000 NZ Campus of Innovation & Sport Wellington Cup (Gr. 3, 3200m) on Saturday at Trentham. Third and fifth, respectively, in the New Zealand Cup (Gr. 3, 3200m), Leaderboard recorded his most recent victory in the New Zealand St Leger (Listed, 2600m) last March at Trentham, and although finishing 12^th in the Marton Cup (Listed, 2200m) on the same course three weeks earlier his staying prowess carried the day.

Ridden by Irishman Joe Doyle (26), who commenced riding in NZ in November and already recorded feature success aboard Devastate (Vadamos) in the Wellington Stakes (Gr. 3, 1600m), Leaderboard was no further back than seventh before cruising into contention from the 800m and quickened best of all on the outskirts of the track. “He felt great during the week,” said Doyle, who rode Leaderboard in an exhibition gallop between races at Matamata during the week. “We knew we needed the rain to come, but thankfully it did and it was pretty straightforward, the race. He travelled beautifully. We didn’t go a mad gallop, we went even and he just kept fighting up to the line. You know, they’re the horses you want to ride and I’m very grateful to be riding for such good people. Every horse I ride I try to give a good ride and when it works out on days like today it’s very special. So I’m very fortunate and very grateful to the people in New Zealand. Anytime they (Te Akau) have a runner they always have a chance. You know the horse is going to be fit and in the best condition it can be.”

Click HERE to see the race result and replay

On rain-affected footing that downgraded to Heavy 10 following race four, Leaderboard ran the two miles (3200m) in 3:33.0 and drifted in betting to pay $50.30 & $9.50 on the NZ TAB tote. His sire Street Cry (Machiavellian) also left Winx, world record holder of 25 Group One races, Champion US mare Zenyatta, Kentucky Derby winner Street Sense, and Melbourne Cup winner Shocking, so stamina runs in the blood and Leaderboard has his share.

Leaderboard striding clear closing stages in the 2023 Wellington Cup

Owned by Fortuna Leaderboard Syndicate (Manager; John Galvin), Leaderboard was purchased in October 2018 at the Tattersalls Sale in U.K by International Bloodstock agent, Hubie De Burgh, for 70,000 Guineas on behalf of Fortuna, and following seven career wins, has earnings of $340,000.

“We bought him at a Tattersalls Horses In Training sale with a race like this in mind, so to achieve the goal is outstanding,” John Galvin said. “It’s a fantastic result for us and he represents a big syndicate of people from all over New Zealand and one Member from Australia. He had already put together a couple of good runs at the distance and although the immediate form wasn’t overly inspiring, our confidence grew when the rain came. He didn’t get a start in the Wellington Cup last year because of a foot abscess, but we knew he’d get the trip today as he was rock hard fit. Both Mark (Walker) and I had told Joe (Doyle) not to give up on him because he can be a bit lazy at times, but Joe got him going at the 800m, got him to the outside, and as he turned for home I thought it was all done and dusted. And while he was challenged to his inside by a couple in the closing stages he found another gear and just outstayed them”

“The train ride back to Wellington was amazing because Jessica and I had the Cup with us and were completely surrounded by people wanting to take photographs and selfies. And we told our fellow travelers on the train that Knippenberg was running for us in race five in Singapore, so everyone had bets on their phones and he duly got up and won on debut, so the whole carriage descended into chaos with yelling, screaming, and cheering. It was incredible scenes, even when we arrived at Wellington Station it took us 20 minutes to get from the platform to the taxi rank because so many people wanted to be photographed with the Cup”

“I love Mark as a trainer. He constantly thinks, plots and schemes about his horses and with Leaderboard, since he ran at Trentham in the Marton Cup in early January, he’d given him some dressage, did interval training, put him over a few tyres and galloped him, just to get his head in the right place. Mark said the horse was absolutely fit, but just needed a wet track. So as the rain started to tumble yesterday it lifted the confidence and certainly a few of us got on at great odds and had a nice collect.”

“As I said in my acceptance speech, I am a boy from the Hutt (raised in Naenae), I went to my first Wellington Cup when I was 16 years old and always dreamed of winning a Wellington Cup but never had a runner until today, and while I’ve had some great thrills with Darci Brahma, Tell A Tale and Melody Belle to name just a few, today was something really special. To my mind the Wellington Cup is one of the classic races on the New Zealand calendar and to win it the way we did today was just incredible.”

Jessica and John Galvin with the Wellington Cup

Deputising for trainer Mark Walker, inspecting yearlings ahead of the sales that commence on Sunday 29 January at Karaka, assistant trainer Sam Bergerson said: “Mark (Walker) got him really fit. We got plenty of work into him and the rain was always going to help him. I’m stoked for everyone at home and I’m stoked for John (Galvin), who is a massive supporter of our stable. Joe (Doyle) got him into a lovely spot, a lovely rhythm, and he galloped him on Wednesday at Matamata, and afters he said, gee, this horse is as fit as a fiddle. So we were quietly confidently, but we never knew with him because he can throw in a shocker at times. He presented well, travelled down well and Mark had got him really fit. We’d thrown the book at him in terms of work and different tricks. He’d had a bit of trouble with his feet and different things, but to get him right for today and a result like that is huge. John has had a lot of good horses in the stable [including dual Horse of the Year Melody Belle] and it’s great to get another great result in an iconic race like this.”

Leaderboard is raced by the Fortuna Leaderboard Syndicate, an ownership Group of 73 individuals, 72 NZ based and 1 based in the Northern Territory, Australia

Leaderboard’s Wellington Cup winning connections

Leaderboard was strapped by Olivia Hill.

Fortuna acquires a Star Witness Filly from the NZ Bloodstock 2023 Karaka Yearling Sale

Published 29 January 2023

Definite Karaka Million Two Year Old type

Lot 20 – the Yearling Filly by the proven Sire STAR WITNESS out of ALANA’S PARTY (By Exceed and Excel) has been acquired by the David Ellis/Fortuna Racing combination

She will now spell at Te Akau Stud in the Waikato ahead of being broken in and will then be prepared for racing in New Zealand by nine time Premiership winning Trainer, Mark Walker of Te Akau Racing Stables at Matamata

John says “I had requested our selection team of David Ellis, Mark Walker and Marcus Corban to select either a Colt or a Filly that was a strong chance on type and pedigree to be a genuine contender for the Karaka Million 2yo race January 2024 and that would fit within our budget of $120k. As things turned out we were able to strike early in the Sale with this lovely Star Witness Filly – she is a mid September foal, very athletic and looks like a real runner as a 2yo.”

Star Witness – Alana’s Party Yearling Filly

Mark Walker comments about this Filly – “Lot 20 is a lovely Filly by Star Witness, a proven quality Australian Stallion – I love the fact that she is out of an Exceed and Excel Mare, he is a great broodmare Sire – this girl looks a real early runner who I think can be racing before Christmas and therefore is a genuine contender for the 2024 Karaka Million. The 2nd Dam, The Party Stand, was a very good racemare who won up to 2000m – this is the family of Callsign Mav, so there is good depth in the pedigree page. I thought she was great value at just $80,000 and I am looking forward to getting her into work .”

This Filly will be syndicated by Fortuna to its clients and the general public – Syndicate paperwork still being prepared but shares will be available down to 1% and we are taking expressions of interest NOW – $13,600 per 10% share, $6,800 per 5% share, $3,400 per 2.5 share, $1,360 per 1% share all inclusive of GST, Promoter Fees, Karaka Million Fee, Insurance to 31 Jan 2024 and working capital of over $11,000

Ongoing costs start 1 April 2023 at $44 per month per each 1% share

Click to HERE to see her sales page on the NZB website – you can see her pedigree and parade video at this link

Contact John Galvin HERE to express interest

Friday Flash – 27th January 2023

Published 27 January 2023

Headline News;

Fortuna’s now retired racemare Melody Belle is to be inducted into the NZ Racing Hall Of Fame in May 2023

Fortuna Yearling purchase at Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale, the Filly by Super Seth

Buyer Analytics: who are the best judges?

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Fortuna has five runners over the weekend, three in New Zealand, two in Singapore

LEADERBOARD contests the time honoured Wellington Cup at Trentham on Saturday Race 9 @ 5.09pm and will be ridden by Joe Doyle from Barrier. Recent form is hot great, but has run this distance twice for a 3^rd and a 5^th, so he will get the trip. Does prefer a soft track which is a possibility on Saturday and should be putting in at the finish when many of the others are done Probably needs rain to be truly competitive here

MALBOROUGH BAY runs in the 330 Set Weight and Penalties event at Taupo on Sunday 29^th – Race 6 @ 3.32pm and will be ridden by Joe Kamaruddin, claiming 1kg, from Barrier 1. Got no luck in the 2000 Guineas at Riccarton in November and then disappointed when resuming at Te Rapa on New Year’s Day. Talented at best, he can bounce back here to feature in the finish and any easing of the track will assist

NAVALHA contests the R75 1100m – Race 9 @ 5.20pm and will be ridden by Opie Bosson from Barrier 10 – a winner at Riccarton in the Spring, he has been freshened and trialed nicely at Tauranga – this may be a bit short for him and he can be tardy away and has drawn out – will take improvement from this outing but can be in the finish if he is away well and gets luck in running.

Singapore

DECEPTION resumes after a solid year in 2022 with two wins – he contests the Class 4 1200 Turf – Race 7 @3pm Sing time (8pm NZT) – will be ridden by Simon Kok from Barrier 8. This strapping son of I Am Invincible has won twice in Singapore and rarely runs a bad race. Drawn out a bit but likes to go back anyway and this race is run on the long course – can feature in the finish here

Here is how the STC tipsters see this race;

1st Pick: WAR PRIDE (1)
All signs through his track work and trials point to the fact that he’s ready to fire first up. Drawn out slightly but gets the services on Nunes this weekend.
2nd Pick: BE YOU (2)
Can be a handful on race day but if he puts it all together, he can win a race like this. Draws to find a nice spot in running and trialed well leading up to this.
3rd Pick: DECEPTION (5)
Another fresh up this weekend. Was really hitting some nice form towards the end of last season and hopefully and can pick right up where he left off.
4th Pick: STRONG N SMART (4)
Recent trial was solid enough. Stable going well at the moment, keep safe in quartets.

KNIPPENBERG makes his raceday debut in the Restricted Maiden 1200m Turf event – Race 5 @2pm Sing time (7pm NZT) – this 3yo son of I Am Invincible has shown a lot of class to date with his trackwork and trials performances and is ready to translate that class into a strong performance on debut – on debut as is the case with several other runners – we have asked a lot of him as he prepared for this race and he delivered – expect a bold performance on debut

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Fortuna Track work – MatamataTuesday 24th January

Navalha (N Parmar) worked over 1000 metres in 1.05.2, home in 37.18.

Fortuna Track work – Singapore

Tuesday 24^th Jan
Our Final Offer (Awah) – 1000/600 40; Deception (Simon) – 1000/600 42

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Other News

Fortuna’s now retired racemare Melody Belle is to be inducted into the NZ Racing Hall Of Fame in May 2023 – see story below by Dennis Ryan – editor of Race Form

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Fortuna Yearling purchase at Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale, the Filly by Super Seth – shares filling steadily but still some left – $1960 per each 1% and $44 per month from 1 April 2023 – Click HERE to read full details on Fortuna website

Yearling Filly by Super Seth out of Dark Heather

And talking of Sales, Fortuna will be active at the NZB Karaka Yearling Sale commencing Sunday 29th – post Covid, the International buying bench will be back in strength – there is a great catalogue on offer – watch this space for our “Breaking News” updates which will come shortly after we make any purchases

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Buyer Analytics: who are the best judges in Australasia? This report from an independent analyst company and as you will see NZ’s very own David Ellis comes out on top Here we aim to highlight the Top 4 buyers that we observed in our 2015–2021 yearling dataset.

David Ellis (Te Akau) — 17.02% stakes winners to purchases

On raw numbers, founder and principal of Te Akau racing in New Zealand — David Ellis — performed as the top purchaser of yearlings globally on our buyer dataset between 2015–2021. We identified 188 yearling purchases, an average spend of $212,872 AUD and with a stakes return of 32 winners (17.02%)
Stakes Winners: Summer Monsoon, Age of Fire, Swing Note, Gold Fever, Embellish, Melody Belle, The Real Beel, Avantage, Sword of Osman, Weaponry, Prise de Fer, In a Twinkling, Al Hasa, Markus Aurelius, Aotea Lad, Probabeel, Festivity, Aromatic, Campionessa, Amarelinha, Seajetz, Cool Aza Beel, Kahma Lass, Noverre, On the Bubbles, Synchronize, Imperatriz, Sword of State, Bright Blue Sky, Wild Night, Lord Cosmos, Dynastic, Need I Say More — Spirited Express (H.K)

James Harron Bloodstock (14.89% stakes winners to purchases)
The team at James Harron Bloodstock enjoyed a very successful return of 21 stakes winners from 141 yearling purchases, with 14 Group winners. Aside from MV Magnier, they were the top average spenders on yearlings within our dataset, but that strong opinion was validated by successful returns. They returned 14.89% stakes winners and 9.93% Group Winners from their buys. 74.47% of purchases were winners, which was the top performing result in our dataset.

Stakes Winners: Attention, Defcon, I Am a Star, Capitalist, Pariah, Gunnison, Khan, Dracarys, Espresso Martini, Sangria, Stronger, King’s Legacy, Argentia, Kalashnikov, Cerberus, Glistening, Crosswinds, Cannonball, Leviathan — Healthy Happy (H.K.), Acatour — Great Honour (H.K.), Detective — Bombay Blitz (H.K.)

McEvoy Mitchell Racing 11.16% stakes winners to purchases
The McEvoy Mitchell Racing team consisting of Tony McEvoy, Calvin McEvoy and Wayne Mitchell performed as our second highest rated buyer on our yearling dataset 2015–2021. In that period we identified that they had purchased 207 yearlings, returning 24 stakes winners for a ratio of 11.59%. All this at an average sales price of $184,797. 89 yearlings from the sample had won at a Metro level, for a 43.0% ratio.

Stakes Winners: She Shao Fly, The Astrologist, Xtravagant Star, Twin Stars — Chiu Chow Spirit, Zoushine, Xilong, Pretty Brazen, Game Keeper, Vinco, Westport, Secret Blaze, Kinky Boom, Classic Weiwei, Despatch, Vinland, Azazel, Nistaan, Over Exposure, Manuel, Fox Hall, Hey Doc, Jackson, Concealer, Stoker, Winning Partner

China Horse Club — 10.81% stakes winners to purchases

We identified China Horse Club as the assigned purchaser on sales dockets, either as individual buyer or as part of a partnership on 333 yearling purchases across Australia and New Zealand between 2015–2021. Founded by Teo Ah Khing as a premier lifestyle offering for the Chinese and Asian market, the operation has enjoyed considerable success since formation with 45 Group 1 wins globally. Credit likely goes to John Warren and Michael Wallace, whom we would understand who have the predominant purchasers of bloodstock for CHC in that period. (Apologies if I missed anyone)
Yearlings purchased performed +7.81% above the market average, returning 36 stakes wins from the 333 buys, for a ratio of 10.81%. Average purchase price however, was higher than other buyers featured here, with an average spend of $370,337 AUD across yearling purchases.
Stakes Winners: Calanda, Russian Revolution, Invader, Goldrush, Emmaus, Siem Riep, Yellow Agate, Taking Aim, Assimilate, Plentiful, Queen of Diamonds, Madison County, Dagmar, Eawase, Paths of Glory, New York Central, Justify, National Flag, Hightail, McLaren, Improbable, Fearless, Bulletin, Prime Star, Market Analysis, Nashville, Aim, Americanrevolution, Tiger of Malay, In the Congo, Volcanic Rock, Life is Good, Cobhfield, France — Encouraging (H.K.), Untamed — Super Buddy (H.K.), Irish Bet — Hong Kong Bet (H.K.)

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Guest Selector – Andrew Castles

Butch is on fire with his selection at Trentham last Saturday, Tavattack, delivering – he is now four wins from five selections
Here is what Butch selects for us this week

“Dear John and Team – Patience is a virtue and we will need plenty of it as my best of the weekend runs in the last race at Taupo Sunday! Wewillrock (Race 9 No 2) is a lightly raced 4yo son of El Roca who has won 3 of his 7 starts and resumes here off an 8 month break. A trial winner over 1000m at Foxton on 17 January he has been responsible for some strong trackwork at Hastings leading into this. I expect a couple of the hardest to beat on paper to be scratched so would advise taking whatever price the TAB put up as early as possible. This is a good horse with plenty of upside- he should be winning Sunday! Best of luck. Butch”

Friday Flash – 20th January 2023

Published 20 January 2023

Headline News;

Fortuna acquires an outstanding Yearling Filly by freshman Sire, Super Seth at Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale

Mark Walker surges to 100 wins for current season in record time

Vale Sir Patrick Hogan
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Fortuna has three runners this coming week, one in New Zealand, two in Singapore

New Zealand

SOPRANO SUPREME contests the Rating 87 Karaka Cup at Pukekohe Park on Karaka Million evening Race 1 @ 4.09pm and will be ridden by Joe Doyle. A strong finishing 3^rdplacing over 1600m at Tauranga Friday 13^thhas set her up nicely for this trip. Will love the trip, gets a nice draw, has a very competent rider here and well suited at the weights – Strong each way chance and can win

Singapore

KING ARTHUR resumes after a stellar year in 2022, with seven wins and an increase in rating from 62 to 106, in the Kranji Stakes A 1200m Turf event for S$100k – Race 11 @5.30 pm Sing time (10.30pm NZT) – will be ridden by Fadzli Yusoff claiming 2kgs from Barrier 11. Meets a field of very good sprinters here, but is the highest rated runner in the field – has had two trials ahead of this event and will strip in great order. Is giving a fair bit of weight to some up and coming types here and has a tricky draw to contend with, but always goes well fresh. Each way but needs luck

Here is how the STC tipsters see this race;

Golden Monkey
Looks primed to have a big season after a dominant three-year-old season. This is a nice steppingstone towards the Derby later in the year and Nunes jumps aboard. Tricky barrier to overcome but class should get him over the line.
King Arthur
One of our leading sprinters who has been allocated 59.5kgs. That has been eased with Yusoff’s 2kg claim but will need luck from a wide draw. His course and distance stats are great, and he must not be forgotten as a danger to the favourite.
Fame Star
Proven group winner who races well around this mark. He will have his eyes on some feature races this year but with Seow’s claim and nice barrier that allows him to roll forward he will look a danger turning for the judge. Each way claims.
Grand Koonta
He has been one of our highest rated gallopers for some time and although he doesn’t win too often, he does catch the eye in the finish. His C/D record is ultra-impressive with four wins from five starts and a second placing.

ROCKY races in the Class 4 1200m Poly – Race 6 @ 3pm Sing time (8pm NZT) and will be ridden by senior rider Mohammed Zaki from Barrier 6 – produced some good performances during his first campaign in 2022, while still showing a degree of immaturity. Seems to have grown up a bit this time in. Carries just 50kgs in this and is a very dangerous lightweight. Very good each way chance and can win – watch tote

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Fortuna Track work – Matamata

Tuesday 17th January

Soprano Supreme (A Handley) galloped over 1400 metres, running the last 1000 in 1.04.3, final 600 in 36.2.

Thursday 19th January

Angels Wings (J Kamaruddin) worked in company over 1000 metres in 1.03.5, home in 36.32.

Fortuna Track work – Singapore

Tuesday 17^th Jan
King Arthur (Yusoff) – 1000/600 39;; Briggs (Awah) – 1000/600 40.5; Our Final Offer (Awah) – 1000/600 39;

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Other News

Fortuna acquires an outstanding Yearling Filly by freshman Sire, Super Seth, at Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale

About the Super Seth – Dark Heather Yearling Filly

Fortuna Director John Galvin attended the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, conducting inspections throughout the Sale and on Friday 13th, we got lucky and acquired a lovely Filly from the first crop of the Stallion, Super Seth, out of the unraced Cape Blanco Mare, Dark Heather. Dark Heather is a half sister to Heatherly (by Lonhro), who won 6 times, including the Group 2 VRC Rubiton Stakes, two other Listed races in Melbourne and was 2nd in the Group One VRC Moir Stakes and had three other Group and Listed placings as well.

Sire Super Seth (by Dundeel) who stands at Waikato Stud for a fee of $35k was a super racehorse. His imposing career on the racetrack was headlined by a dazzling victory in the G1 Caulfield Guineas, with the son of Dundeel striking a chord early when winning his first two juvenile starts, including a 6 length victory on debut. He returned as 3-year-old to win the G3 McNeil Stakes before defeating boom Queenslander Alligator Blood in the Caulfield Guineas. Resuming after a spell, he then added the Gr.3 Manfred Stakes to his winning record before finishing runner-up against the older horses in the G1 Futurity Stakes.

This was Super Seth’s first crop of yearlings being offered at this sale and he was well received by buyers, with seven lots selling for an average of A$230k and a top price of A$450k – notable that leading Stables such as Anthony/Sam Freedman, Chris Waller, Peter/Paul Snowden, Lindsay Park and Busuttin/Young snapped up 5 of the 7 Super Seth Lots on offer

Super Seth – Dark Heather Yearling Filly

Note that since we purchased, our new Filly has had a significant pedigree upgrade – that because in Race 1 at Rosehill on Saturday 14th January, the 2yo Colt, Red Resistance (Russian Revolution – Heatherly), won in impressive fashion on debut – Heatherly, a Group 2 winner, is a half sister to Dark Heather, the dam of our new filly. If our Filly had gone through the ring at Saturday evening’s session, she would have made a lot more money.

Our new Filly (now given the Stable Name “RUBY”) is an early August foal, is bound to run as a 2yo, but also has the scope to develop into a lovely 3yo – don’t miss this one!!!

RUBY is registered for the Magic Millions Race Series – here are the races she will be eligible to be nominated for on Magic Million’s Race Days on the Gold Coast

January 2024 – the A$3m Magic Millions Classic for 2yo’s 1200m
May 2024 – the A$1m National 2yo Classic 1000m
January 2025 – the A$3m Magic Millions Guineas 1425m
January 2025 – the A$3m 1100m 3yo Sprint
Subsequent years she will be eligible for any of the A$1m races for older horses on the Magic Millions Carnival Day

Note that only horses that have been acquired at a MM Sale and have been enrolled for the Race Series are eligible to be nominated for these races. Of course, given the prizemoney on offer, all of these races are well sought after and all runners that wish to accept are graded by ratings points

Click HERE to see this lovely Filly parading

Click HERE to see Ruby’s pedigree.

This Filly was on Mark Walker’s pre sale list – Mark had inspected all of the Parade Videos ahead of the sale and then given that list to David Ellis and Marcus Corban, who conducted physical inspections at the Sales ground, eliminating those that did not meet their physical criteria. Those left on the list then had their X Rays and scopes read by Waikato Equine Vet, Dr Jack O’Brien, which led to further eliminations and those left were then physically inspected by Jack – our Filly passed muster at every step.

New Zealand’s leading Trainer Mark Walker had this to say about this Filly

“John, I picked this Filly out when I was doing Video inspections of the whole catalogue – a lovely Chestnut, she had a great athletic walk – as a really early foal she is of good size and I expect her to be a runner as a Two Year Old but has all the scope in the world to develop into a strong Three Year Old. By the first season Sire, Super Seth, whose progeny have certainly caught the eyes of a number of good judges, she has a strong pedigree on the dam side. I thought she may make north of A$150k, so you have done well to secure her for just A$110k. I am really looking forward to having her in my barn.”

David Ellis and Marcus Corban were present at the sales and conducted physical inspections. David says;

“I was really taken with the progeny of first season Stallion, Super Seth, at this sale – all of his lots were impressive individuals. This Filly out of Dark Heather really caught my eye during inspections. Of good size, she had a lovely deep girth, a strong flowing walk, a lovely head, is a great colour and exhibited real class. She is from a family that has had significant black type success over at least the last four generations – she will be a great addition to our racing stable and I think she can be up and running as a Christmas – New Year 2yo in the 2023/24 racing season”

Marcus Corban (who comes from a background of 38 years working with the late Sir Patrick Hogan at Cambridge Stud) and is a great judge of type and pedigree, offered the following comments

“John, David and I looked at this Filly together at the Sales and when we compared notes, we had both given her a big thumbs up. Physically, she ticked all the boxes and boasts a very strong pedigree page, with lots of black type over recent generations – she also has the “magic cross” – that is a double up of Sadlers Wells and Danehill which is highly sought after all over the world. John, you have done well getting this Filly for your budget and she is going to make a great addition to the Fortuna Racing Team.”

As readers may be aware, we always buy to budget and given that the Sales average was close to A$300k, our budget (A$120k) seemed to be a bit “meagre”, but as always, we remained patient – this lovely strong Filly was very much in our sights and we are more than happy to own her. We have had great success out of this Sale over the years with every single one of our purchases to date being winners.

A very early foal (13th August 2021) we think she can be a runner as a 2yo but has plenty of scope to develop into a lovely 3yo. She will be on a plane to NZ at the end of January, she will go to Te Akau Stud for 6 – 8 weeks in the paddock ahead of being broken in and will then have her first stable preparation in the hands of Mark Walker and we would be expecting her to have her first trial in the Spring of 2023

Disclosure Statement & Agreement

View and/or Download the Disclosure Statement and the Syndicate Agreement for this syndicate

Read the Declaration.

Terms

The all up syndicated cost is NZ$196,000 – this includes purchase price, NZ GST on entry to NZ, Promoters fees, insurance through to January 2024 and just over $12,000 of working capital.

Shares available right down to 1%.
10% share $19,600 – 5% share $9,800– 2.5% share $4,900 – 1% share $1,960 (all pricing in NZ$)
Share price includes all Initial Costs (Purchase price, GST, Promoters Fees, Transport to New Zealand, Magic Millions Race Series Fee, Insurance through to 31st January 2024, and Working Capital of $12,000 approx
Monthly ongoing costs from 1^st April 2023 – from that date ongoing costs are – 10% share $440 per month – 5% share $220 per month – 2.5% share $110 per month – 1% share $44 per month.
Monthly ongoing costs can alternatively be paid up to 12 months in advance as an option for subscribers by Bank Payment or Credit Card

Applications can only be made after Investors have perused and signed the NZ Thoroughbred Racing approved Disclosure Statement. This can be obtained from the Syndicate Promoter, Fortuna Ltd (Director John Galvin)

Fortuna Ltd is an Authorised Syndicator in accordance with the Code of Practice administered by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (Inc) established under The Financial Markets Conduct (Equine Bloodstock) Exemption Notice 2016. Details of this Offer are contained in the Disclosure Statement relating to the Offer

Purchase a share in the Super Seth Filly today direct from the Fortuna website link HERE or call /text John direct 021 921 460

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Mark Walker surges to 100 wins for current season in record time

Yes, in just 5.5 months, Mark, who already holds 5 NZ Training Premierships from his time as Head Trainer for Te Akau Racing before his 11 year stint in Singapore (where he attained another 4 Training Premierships), has scorched through the 100 win Mark in his first full season as head of the NZ operation – see the story below from NZ Racing Desk

NZ Racing News reports:

Te Akau trainer Mark Walker made history at Tauranga on Friday when recording the fastest ever century of winners in a season. Heading into the meeting with 98 wins to date this season, Walker quickly added to his tally when securing the quinella in the Ray White Tauranga 1200 courtesy of Millefiori and Wairau Cove. One race later, Walker brought up the 100-win milestone with Pure Imagination in the Ray White Greerton 1200.

“It was good to get another win with him today,” Walker said. “He promised quite a bit early on and he’s had a few heart fibrillations and things go wrong. “He’s a lot happier now and it was a deserved win, off a lovely ride by Craig Zackey.”

Ellis was overjoyed by the stable’s record-setting milestone on Friday.

“What a great achievement by Mark (Walker) to reach 100 wins in such quick time this season and it’s hugely rewarding for everyone involved,” Ellis said. “Everyone that works for Te Akau gives 110 percent and without that type of commitment you just can’t get these sorts of results. “He’s included 15 stakes winners within the century and it looks as though there are some nice chances of increasing the black type winners tomorrow at Trentham.”

Te Akau had also established the previous fastest 100 wins in a season when Jamie Richards achieved the feat on 28 January 2021, bettering the previous record by nearly three months, during a record-breaking 160 wins for the season, and Walker has followed suit.

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Vale Sir Patrick Hogan

Yes, the great man has left us once and for all – the accolades have flowed from all corners of the globe of course for a man who, along with Lady Justine Hogan, left an indelible stamp on the Thoroughbred World – Click HERE to read the full story

Interestingly enough, while I got to know Sir Patrick very well via racing circles over the past 20 years or so, my first meeting with him back around 1990 had nothing to do with racing. I had a business colleague who was providing financial advice to Sir Patrick and he called upon me to give input to Sir Patrick in my specialty field at that time, which was estate planning. We had a great meeting at Cambridge Stud and as the meeting came to a close, I mentioned to Sir Patrick about my lifelong interest in racing and how over the previous couple of years I had raced my first horse, TempleQuay, who had won five races for me. He picked up on that and said “That’s interesting, let me show Sir Tristram to you” and so without further ado, he took us over to the stallion barn, got the mighty Sir Tristram out of his box, paraded him and told us the Sir Tristram story. Notable that at that time Sir Tristram was not only the leading Stallion in NZ, but also in Australia.

Sir Patrick was real gentleman to the end, he will be sorely missed.

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Guest Selector – Andrew Castles

Butch went against the Fortuna runner, Rubicon Crossing, last week, selecting Codigo, to beat her – the two of them fought out the finish and galling though it was for us to see Rubicon Crossing run 2^nd, it was a great result for those who followed Butch’s lead – he is now three wins from four selections – well done Butch – I think we will keep you on!!!

Here is what Butch selects for us this week

“Dear John and Team While all the focus Saturday will be at Pukekohe, it is to Trentham we go in search of a winner. The Alan Sharrock trained Tavattack (Race 7 No 3) looks ready to strike. A very good run resuming at Otaki will have him primed for a big effort up to 1400m, a distance he has won at twice. Kelsy Hannan is riding well at the moment and her 2kg claim will see Tavattack go around with just 54kg. Opened at $3(which didn’t last long) the $2.8 is still well worth a play. Best of luck. Butch”

Fortuna acquires a Super Seth Yearling Filly at Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale

Published 16 January 2023

Note that since we purchased, our new Filly has had a significant pedigree upgrade – that because in Race 1 at Rosehill on Saturday, the 2yo Colt, Red Resistance (Russian Revolution – Heatherly) won in impressive fashion on debut – Heatherly, a Group 2 winner, is a half sister to Dark Heather, the dam of our new filly. Click HERE to see result and replay. If our Filly had gone through the ring at Saturday evening’s session, she would have made a lot more money.

Our new Filly is an early August foal, is bound to run as a 2yo, but also has the scope to develop into a lovely 3yo – don’t miss this one!!!

Registered for the Magic Millions Race Series – here are the races she will be eligible to be nominated for

January 2024 – the A$3m Magic Millions Classic for 2yo’s 1200m
May 2024 – the A$1m National 2yo Classic 1000m
January 2025 – the A$3m Magic Millions Guineas
January 2025 – the A$3m 1100m 3yo Sprint – note this is a new race
Subsequent years she will be eligible for any of the A$1m races for older horses on the Magic Millions Carnival Day

Note that only horses that have been acquired at a MM Sale and have been enrolled for the Race Series are eligible to be nominated for these races

Of course, given the prizemoney on offer, all of these races are well sought after and all runners that wish to accept are graded by ratings points

Super Seth – Dark Heather Yearling Filly

I had been at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale since Monday 9th and on Friday 13th, we got lucky and acquired a lovely Filly from the first crop of the Stallion, Super Seth, out of the unraced Cape Blanco Mare, Dark Heather. Dark Heather is a half sister to Heatherley (by Lonhro), who won 6 times, including the Group 2 VRC Rubiton Stakes, two other Listed races in Melbourne and was 2nd in the Group One VRC Moir Stakes and had three other Group and Listed placings as well.

Sire Super Seth (by Dundeel) who stands at Waikato Stud for a fee of $35k was a super racehorse. His imposing career on the racetrack was headlined by a dazzling victory in the G1 Caulfield Guineas, with the son of Dundeel striking a chord early when winning his first two juvenile starts, including a 6l victory on debut. He returned as 3-year-old to win the G3 McNeil Stakes before defeating boom Queenslander Alligator Blood in the Caulfield Guineas. Resuming after a spell, he then added the Gr.3 Manfred Stakes to his winning record before finishing runner-up against the older horses in the G1 Futurity Stakes.

This was his first crop of yearlings being offered at this sale and he was well received by buyers, with seven lots selling for an average of A$230k and a top price of A$450k

Super Seth – Dark Heather Yearling Filly

Click HERE to see this lovely Filly parading

Click HERE to her Sales Page link – at this link you will be able to see her pedigree.

This Filly was on Mark Walker’s pre sale list – Mark had inspected all of the Parade Videos ahead of the sale and then given that list to David Ellis and Marcus Corban, who conducted physical inspections at the Sales ground, eliminating those that did not meet their physical criteria. Those left on the list then had their X Rays and scopes read by Waikato Equine Vet, Dr Jack O’Brien, which led to further eliminations and those left were then physically inspected by Jack – our Filly passed muster at every step.

As you know we always buy to budget and given that the Sales average so far is over A$300k, our budget (A$120k) seemed to be a bit “meagre”, but as always, we remained patient – this lovely strong Filly was very much in our sights and we are more than happy to own her. We have had great success out of this Sale over the years with every single one of our purchases to date being winners.

A very early foal (13th August 2021) we think she can be a runner as a 2yo but has plenty of scope to develop into a lovely 3yo. She will be on a plane to NZ within the next two weeks, she will go to Te Akau Stud for 6 – 8 weeks in the paddock ahead of being broken in

And as you will no doubt be aware, any purchase out of this sale is eligible for the Magic Millions Race Series – a Series that is going from strength to strength – see below more details on that

I have done the numbers and here is how they work out –

Initial Capital includes Purchase Price, NZ GST on entry to NZ, Promoters Fees, Insurance to 31 Jan 2024, Magic Millions Race Series Fee, Airfreight to NZ and working capital of over $12k

10% share $19,600, 5% share $9,800, 2.5% share $4,900, 1% share $1960 with ongoing costs from 1 April 2023 @$44 per month per each 1% share

Paperwork will be finalised over the next few days but we are taking expressions of interest and now is your chance to “express interest” in this filly and if you do, you will be guaranteed a share (subject to you perusing and approving our final paperwork) – you may recall that we sold out our Lonhro Filly “Ebony” within 3 hours last September and our 2022 Magic Millions purchase Rubicon Crossing (who won on debut) sold out very quickly also – simply register interest by responding to this update via the link HERE advising the percentage that you would like to put your hand up for

See below the info on the Magic Millions Race Series – our Filly will be enrolled for this Series

Magic Millions announce major prizemoney and programme enhancements to their race day Carnival from 2024

As readers are no doubt aware, The Magic Millions race day run in the middle of January (14^th Jan this year) features a complete card of races for which only horses acquired at the Magic Million Yearling sales are eligible. The Magic Millions Raceday, already the only raceday in the Southern Hemisphere to stage eight million-dollar plus races on one card, will receive additional funds beginning next year. This raceday started seven years ago with A$10 in prizemoney and in 2023 Raceday prizemoney has increased to $11.75 million

In a major press release Monday 9^th Jan the following announcements were made

2024 – Total Magic Millions Raceday prizemoney will increase to $14.25 million.
2024 – Magic Millions 2YO Classic and 3YO Guineas prizemoney increasing to $3 million each.
2024 – The new $1 million Magic Millions National 2YO Classic (1000 metres) to be run on the Gold Coast during the Magic Millions National Sale in May.
2025 – The introduction of Friday night racing will include a new $3 million slot race exclusively for 3-year-old sprinters over 1100 metres, to be held the night before the renowned raceday.

The full Press Release can be seen HERE

Friday Flash – 13th January 2023

Published 13 January 2023

Headline News;

Magic Millions announce major prizemoney and programme enhancements to their race day Carnival from 2024

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Fortuna has two runners this week, both in New Zealand

SOPRANO SUPREME contests the Rating 87 1600 at Tauranga today – Race 8 @ 4.35pm and will be ridden by Michael McNab on what will be a testing track. A fast finishing 3^rd in the Manawatu Cup in December had Soprano on track to race in the Karaka Stayers Cup at Pukekohe 21^st January. However she has done so well since her last start that Mark Walker decided she should have a lead up run over a shorter trip ahead of that race. May well be too short for her today, but she will be rattling home at the finish and is a chance of a top 3 finish

RUBICON CROSSING runs in the (Listed) Wellesley Stakes over 1100m at Trentham on Saturday 14^th – Race 3 @ 1.47 and will be ridden by Craig Grylls from the outside draw in a field of eight runners. She ran a bold 2^ndin a similar event. Meets a smart field of 2yos here and will need some luck from the draw, but has the gate speed to cross and can take a sit if need be. Represents a good top 3 chance here

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Fortuna Track work – Matamata

Tuesday 10th January

Navalha (T Harris) galloped over an easy 1000 metres in 1.08.2, home in 37.7.

Wednesday 11^th January

Rubicon Crossing (H Durrant) galloped over an easy 1000 metres, final 600 in 41.2.

Fortuna Track work – Singapore

Saturday 7^th Jan

Elliot Ness (Jerlyn) – 800/600 40; Trident (Jamil) – 1000/600 40;

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Other News

Magic Millions announce major prizemoney and programme enhancements to their race day Carnival from 2024

As readers are no doubt aware, The Magic Millions race day run in the middle of January (14^th Jan this year) features a complete card of races for which only horses acquired at the Magic Million Yearling sales are eligible. The Magic Millions Raceday, already the only raceday in the Southern Hemisphere to stage eight million-dollar plus races on one card, will receive additional funds beginning next year. This raceday started seven years ago with A$10 in prizemoney and in 2023 Raceday prizemoney has increased to $11.75 million
In a major press release Monday 9^th Jan the following announcements were made

2024 – Total Magic Millions Raceday prizemoney will increase to $14.25 million.
2024 – Magic Millions 2YO Classic and 3YO Guineas prizemoney increasing to $3 million each.
2024 – The new $1 million Magic Millions National 2YO Classic (1000 metres) to be run on the Gold Coast during the Magic Millions National Sale in May.
2025 – The introduction of Friday night racing will include a new $3 million slot race exclusively for 3-year-old sprinters over 1100 metres, to be held the night before the renowned raceday.

The full Press Release can be seen HERE

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Guest Selector – Andrew Castles

Butch made it two from three with Bruno Magile winning the last at Kumara last Saturday, aided by a clever ride from Lily Sutherland and paying $4.80 on the tote

Here is what Butch selects for us this week

“Dear John and Team – this week I am, unfortunately, taking on a Fortuna runner at Trentham. I think Codigo (race three number one) is a very smart two year old and can make it two from two on Saturday. His debut win from a wide gate at Matamata was very good when narrowly beating the talented Filly, She Turns Heads – they ran nearly 1 second quicker than the other two-year-old race on the card. Aided by the ace draw. I expect this classy son of Ardrossan to be too quick for what is a tidy field. The $2.80 on offer will run through my multiples. Best of luck. Butch”

Friday Flash – 6th January 2023

Published 6 January 2023

Headline News;
Mark Walker on fire – 100 winners for the season to date now in close reach

Singapore Racing for the 2023 Season gets under way Saturday 7^th January

John to attend Magic Millions Sale on the Gold Coast commencing 10^th January

Fortuna buying strategy for 2023 takes shape

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Fortuna has three runners this weekend, two in NZ and one in Singapore

LEADERBOARD contests the Marton Cup (Listed) 2200m at Trentham Saturday 7^th Race 7 @ 4.48pm – Michael McNab to ride. His last start saw him put in a dogged effort to run 5^th in the NZ Cup at Riccarton, Then freshened, he trialed nicely over 100m at Matamata 23^rd December. On a path toward the Wellington Cup 28^th Jan. This trip is probably too short for him but he enjoys it wet and may strike a wet track on Saturday. Should be rattling home strongly if the rain comes

MOHAWK BRAVE runs in the R75 1500m event at Pukekohe Park Sunday 8^th Jan – Race 7 @ 4.08pm – Opie Bosson to ride. Has struck form of late with an unlucky 3^rd at Hastings and a strong finishing 2^nd off a wide gate at Otaki. Draws well here in gate 4 and has that man in the saddle – represents a very good each way chance here

ENTERTAINER resumes in the Kranji Stakes A event 1100m Polytrack – Race 11 @ 5pm Singapore time (10pm NZT) Stable apprentice Jamil to ride, claiming 4kgs – an eight time winner in Singapore, he has won 7 times at this trip and surface, but not in this grade. On paper he should find this grade a bit rich, but will carry just 48.5kgs with the claim, has an inside draw and loves to lead – if he can get a soft lead, he has a chance of featuring in the finish here

Here is what the Singapore Turf Club tipsters have to say about this race;

1st Pick: LUCKY JINSHA (4)

One of our most improved gallopers in the past 12 months. He can sit off a nice cruising speed and finish it off in nice style as well. Nunes on and draws well in barrier 5. His trial last week was exceptional.

2nd Pick: ROCKET STAR (2)

This gelding always catches the eye and has had his fair share of issues that has plagued his career. He is one for one at this distance and gets Duric in the saddle. He will get back but watch him fly late.

3rd Pick: ENTERTAINER (12)

Impressive course and distance record which has dropped away in the past six months. He is aided by a 4kg claim and a nice inside draw. If he can get a nice run, he might finish in the money at odds.

4th Pick: SURPASS NATURAL (3)

Gets a horror draw from barrier 12 so the apprentice rider will have to be very tactical and try for some cover. He can rattle off some good sectionals off a hot speed.

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Fortuna Track work – Matamata

No timed Fortuna trackwork this week

Fortuna Track work – Singapore

Saturday 31 Dec

Brutus (Jerlyn) – 800/600 39; Entertainer (Yusoff) – 1000/600 37; Kinppenberg (Yusoff)– 800/600 37; Rocky (Yusoff) – 1000/600 38;

Wednesday 3^rd Jan

Brutus (Jerlyn) – 800/600 39; Trident (Jamil) – 1000/600 39.5; King Arthur (Yusoff) – 1000/600 37.5; Briggs (Awah) – 800/600 40.5; Knippenberg(Aslam) – 800/600 37; Rocky (Aslam) – 800/600 38.5;

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Other News

Mark Walker on fire – 100 winners for the season to date now in close reach

Yes, incredible though it sounds, Mark Walker appears to be unstoppable in his quest for a 10^th Training Premiership with 95 winners (including 15 Stakes winners) for the current season to date with still almost 7 months of the season to run. Amazingly, Mark is 56 wins clear of the 2^nd placed Trainer, Stephen Marsh. And to put things in perspective, at the same time last season, Jamie Richards was leading the 2021/22 season premiership with 57 wins.

Mark, as always is very modest about his achievements and will deflect praise to David and Karyn for buying so many talented gallopers and also to his stable staff, who put in a devoted and determined effort and, no doubt these things are true, but there is also no doubt that Mark is completely dedicated to his profession and brings many years of experience and horse knowledge to the task at hand.

We are certainly very lucky to have such a “Master Craftsman” at the Te Akau helm.

Singapore Racing for the 2023 Season gets under way Saturday 7^th January

A gap of 6 weeks since the last race day at Kranji in late November has seen all horses have a freshen up and many have been back in work for the last four weeks or so. There is a real buzz among Trainers, Riders, Stable Staff and Owners as some significant announcements around prizemoney and race scheduling were made toward the end of the season. Singapore Trainers were very active at the three Ready To Run Sales held in Australia and NZ October and November with a significant number of new horses acquired for Singapore racing.

Our Singapore Trainer, Donna Logan, had an exceptional first season at the helm of the Te Akau operation, finishing in 2^nd place and, as with other Singapore Trainers, Donna was very active at the 2yo sales and has a number of young horses joining her team. Donna kicks off the new season with 6 runners on Saturday

As readers would be well aware, Fortuna Racing has been active in Singapore since 2010 and despite the traumas of Covid, we have had two very good seasons in 2021 (19 wins) and 2022 (18 wins. Our Stable Star, King Arthur, has now won 9 times in Singapore and accumulated around S$450k in prizemoney. Entertainer has won 8 times and also has accumulated well over $300k and they are well supported by Brutus, Deception, Trident, Elliot Ness and Rocky, all Singapore winners. Briggs and Our Final Offer are yet to open their Singapore account, and we have two brand new horses yet to have their first starts, the 3yo Knippenberg and the 2yo “Rhett” by Charm Spirit out of Thurlow.

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John to attend Magic Millions Sale on the Gold Coast commencing 10^th January

This sale has built and built in popularity in recent years, no doubt helped by the hugely successful Magic Millions Race Day run at the same time with over A$11m of prizemoney on offer, with all races being restricted to graduates of previous years sales. Fortuna has not been a been a big buyer at this sale but all of our purchases from this sale over the years have won for us, Handsome Rebel, Meteoric Lass, Dancarina and our acquisition from last year’s sale, Rubicon Crossing

No question that yearlings at this sale are not “easy” to buy, and as you know we always “buy to budget” however, as we proved last year with Rubicon Crossing, it is possible (with no little dedicated research) to fund one or two that sneak under the radar. We are aiming to buy another nicely bred and well conformed Filly this year. My 12 year old son, James, is coming along on this trip as my apprentice – it is certainly time for him to be learning about this most important part of our business – thoroughbred selection and acquisition

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Fortuna buying strategy for 2023 takes shape

Given the upcoming Magic Millions Sale, not to mention the NZ Bloodstock Karaka Sale coming up at the end of January, I thought it worthwhile to outline our overall buying strategy for the 2023 calendar year.

As readers are no doubt aware, Fortuna Racing is a “boutique” syndicator, usually restricting our purchases to around 12 per annum and we like to mix these purchases up with yearlings, Ready to Run 2yos, tried horses (aged 2 or 3) from the Digital Sales for Singapore and staying types from the UK sales.

So the physical sales I plan to attend over the next few weeks are as follows;

Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale 10^th to 16^th Jan – target – a Yearling Filly

Karaka Yearling Sale 29^th January to 3^rd February – target – a Yearling Colt or Filly who has the potential to run as a 2yo, plus two other Fillies that have staying type pedigrees.

Inglis Classic Sale – Sydney 12^th to 14^th February – target – a Yearling Filly (this sale will also feature the sale of our very first Breeding Syndicate Yearling – the filly by Xtravagant out of Secret Spice – lot 43)

Then we have the Inglis Digital Sales – these are run twice a month throughout the year and have been a happy hunting ground for us over the last three of four years in buying “tried” horses that go to race in Singapore. We have had significant success with the like of Federation, Red Rover, Brutus, Hadeer, Entertainer, Elliot Ness, Deception and King Arthur, all of whom are multiple winners, each with six figure earnings off relatively low purchase prices. Sure, we have had two or three failures as well, but on balance, it has been a highly successful buying strategy and we are going to continue the process during 2023 with the aim of buying two or three suitable candidates during the year.

UK Sales – traditionally, we have bought at the Tattersalls Horses in Training Sale in October, where we bought Leaderboard (2018), Khafeef (2019), No Envy (2021), all of whom have won for us. The objective here is to buy types with stout UK/Irish pedigrees that we think can make “Cups Type” stayers. We were not successful in making an acquisition at the 2022 sale – we bid on three that we had identified but got outbid by the big spending Australian syndicators/trainers who have incredibly deep pockets.

Last year in May, we acquired an unraced 2yo Colt by Churchill out of a Monsun mare at the Guineas Breeze Up Sale (this is like a Ready To Run Sale). Now named My Finest Hour, we left him in the UK to be prepared by the young Newmarket Trainer, Harry Eustace. The strategy here was to have Harry prepare him as a UK Derby prospect in the first instance and then, depending on how he went as a 3yo, then look to bring him down to Australia and have him prepared for staying type races in that jurisdiction. Now a 3yo (as of 1 Jan), he is yet to debut, but has shown us a lot of promise in his early preparation.

This strategy seems to have a lot of merit and so we are looking to repeat it in 2023 at that May sale

Magic Millions National Yearling Sale – Gold Coast – June 2023 – target – a Yearling Filly

Ready To Run Sales – traditionally, there are three of these in Australasia, the Magic Millions 2yo Sale, the Inglis Ready2Race Sale and the NZ Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale – these are all held during October and November and this year we bought a Colt by Charm Spirit for Singapore racing at Inglis and a Filly for NZ Racing at Karaka – and we will probably follow a similar pattern in 2023.

To summarise, there are plenty of options available for our clients – as always, as soon as we buy something, we publish details in an email update to all on our mailing list (in excess of 1200 people) and on our website.

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Guest Selector – Butch Castles

Butch was unable to make it two in a row for us with his New Years Day selection running a competitive 4^th for us although I did note that the first 4 paid a whopping $24k so there may be one or two readers who scored a bit of that.

Here is what Butch selects for us this week

“Dear John and Team – It doesn’t matter where the winner comes from as long as it wins!! I have ventured South to the iconic Kumara Nuggets meeting for this weeks tip. It has been an up and down week on the Coast with the meeting Thursday abandoned after a horses slipped in the first but with rain and a Soft7 track Friday morning it should be all systems go for Saturday at Kumara.

Kevin Myers is synonymous with racing on the Coast circuit and it is to him we turn to invest our hard earned. I did the tapes from Greymouth on Tuesday and found Race 8 No 1 Bruno Magile. Ridden back Tuesday he had no luck in the straight on a track that was probably firmer than what he would prefer. The run resuming at Hawera was very good and with the 3kg claim of Lily Sutherland he will be very hard to beat. I think the bookies got his price wrong at the original quote of $4.8 which has now trimmed up to $3.8 but even that represents good shopping!! Butch”

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In closing, there has been a lot of publicity and a strong stench from the cryptocurrency sector of late – Readers may be aware of my long background in the Financial Services sector so I sought some input so as to explain to Readers just how Crypto-Currency works … an analogy in layman’s terms.

A merchant found a lot of monkeys that lived near a certain village. He went to the village, saying he wanted to buy these monkeys, at $100 each. The villagers thought that this man must be crazy – How can somebody buy stray monkeys at $100 each ?

Still, some people caught some monkeys, and gave them to this merchant, and he gave $100 for each monkey. This news spread like wildfire, and people caught monkeys, and sold them to the merchant. After a few days, the merchant announced that he would buy monkeys at $200 each. Even the lazy villagers ran around to catch the remaining monkeys ! They sold the monkeys at $200 each.

The merchant then announced that he would buy monkeys for $500 each ! The villagers start to lose sleep ! They caught six or seven monkeys, which was all that was left, and got $500 for each. The villagers were waiting anxiously for the next announcement.

Then the merchant announced that he was going on holiday for a week, but, when he returned, he would buy monkeys at $1000 each ! He also said that his employee would be in charge, and would take care of the monkeys he had bought, pending his return. The merchant went on holiday.

The villagers were frantic and very sad, as there were no more monkeys left for them to sell it at $1000 each, as was promised by the merchant. Then the merchant’s employee contacted them, and told them that he would secretly sell them some monkeys at $700 each. The news spread like wildfire ! As the merchant promised on his return that he would buy monkeys at $1000 each, they would achieve a $300 profit for each monkey.

The next day the villagers queued up near the monkey cage. The employee sold all the monkeys at $700 each. The wealthy bought monkeys in large lots. The poor borrowed money from money lenders, and bought the rest of the monkeys.

The villagers took care of their monkeys, and waited for the merchant to return. However, nobody came ….. They ran to find the employee ….. He was not to be found! The villagers then realised that they had been duped, buying the useless stray monkeys at $700 each, and were now unable to sell them !

This Monkey Business is now known as Crypto currency !

Friday Flash – 30th December 2022

Published 1 January 2023

Headline News;

Fortuna Racing Celebrates a record year in 2022 with 40 individual wins – a new record

History to be made at Te Rapa New Year’s Day

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Fortuna has three runners over the New Year period, one at Te Rapa and two at Matamata

MALBOROUGH BAY resumes at Te Rapa on New Years Day – he contests the Rating 65 1200m event – Race 6 @ 3.30 pm with Opie Bosson aboard from Barrier 10. This lovely 3yo by Darci Brahma won on debut at Matamata in May – he then raced well at Riccarton placing in 3 starts before getting no luck in the 2000 Guineas. Freshened since, he now steps back in grade – slightly tricky draw and will need some luck, but has right man in the saddle for that – good each way chance

HAYATE contests the R65 1200m event at Matamata 3^rd Jan – a strong last start winner at Tauranga 9^th December, she turned around some previous very average form. Up in grade here and will face quite different track conditions to the Heavy track she got at Tauranga – talented at best, she can feature here if she copes with the firm track conditions

ANGELS WINGS contests the Maiden 3yo 1200m event at Matamata 3^rd Jan – a solid 3^rd placing at Tauranga 9^thDecember where she looked beaten on the turn, but kept on coming, she has benefited from that run and we can look forward to her racing on a better track – can break through here

(Note the Matamata runners are nominations only at this stage – hence no race nos or times and no rider details)

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Fortuna Track work – Matamata

No timed Fortuna trackwork this week

Fortuna Track work – Singapore

Saturday 24th December

Elliot Ness (Jamil) – 800/600 40; Trident (Jamil) – 800/600 42; King Arthur (Awah) – 1000/600 39; Knippenberg(Aslam) – 800/600 39.5; Deception (Aslam) – 800/600 39; Entertainer (Aslam) – 800/600 38.5; Rocky (Aslam) – 800/600 38.5

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Other News

Fortuna Racing Celebrates a record year is 2022 with 40 individual wins – a new record

Yes, 21 wins in NZ, 1 in Australia and 18 in Singapore all contributed to a very successful 2022 calendar year for our racing team – these 40 victories being produced by 19 individual runners – 2021 saw 30 wins, which was a record, so we have surpassed that again – a huge thank you to all of our Owners who give us great support across the board, win, lose or draw

A few highlights from the year:

King Arthur with seven wins in 2022 from 13 starts (giving him 9 career wins in total) and collecting S$368k in stakes for the year (making S$444k career total). He wasn’t able to get past arguably the best horse in Singapore, Lim’s Kosciuszko, but was certainly the best horse in the Te Akau/Logan Stable and gave his ownership group many thrills

Soprano Supreme winning 4 times during the course of 2022 and gaining black type when 3rd at her last start in the Manawatu Cup. A very promising stayer in the making she is nominated to run in the Avondale and Auckland Cups in the coming weeks

Leaderboard winning the time honoured St Leger Stakes, a Listed event, at Trentham in March and putting in a dogged finish to run 5th in the NZ Cup on track conditions (very firm) which were not to his liking. He will run in the Wellington Cup 28th Jan

Rubicon Crossing winning the very first 2yo event of the year at Wanganui in September and then running a brave 2nd in the Welcome Stakes at Riccarton in November, earning valuable black type in the process – she will now contest the (Listed) Wellesley Stakes at Trentham 14th Jan

Malborough Bay, Hayate and Inca Belle all winning on debut with Inca Belle then winning again at her 2nd race day start

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History to be made at Te Rapa New Year’s Day

New Years Day in 2023 sees Te Rapa hosting the traditional meeting normally run at Ellerslie, but with Ellerslie out of action due to its massive track renovation project, the Waikato Racing Club steps into the breach to host this day, a raceday which is one of the highlights of the NZ Racing Calendar featuring the Group One Railway Stakes, the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Cup (formerly the City of Auckland Cup), the Group 2 Auckland Guineas plus other feature races. It is sure to be a grand occasion

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Guest Selector – Andrew Castles

Butch got us off to a great start with his first selection last week – Ladies Man certainly took no prisoners in the run home

Here is what Butch selects for us this week

“New Year’s day is shaping up as a massive day of racing at Te Rapa and we will wait until the last for my best of the day. No 2 Astron was very impressive winning when resuming at HB and the run at Trentham subsequently was huge from a wide gate. He is drawn to get a much softer run from barrier 3 on Sunday and Craig Grylls should be able to settle him handier than last time. This 4yo son of Redwood shapes as a top line stayer in the making but I don’t see the 1600m on Sunday posing any issues. The TAB put up $3.2 about his chances which has been snapped up but the $2.8 he is currently at is still fine by me! Butch”

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Finally Jessica and I and family wish all our Fortuna clients and other subscribers to this update a great New Year – the Galvin family followed their usual Annual Christmas Day tradition of the “Front Door” photo – see below

Friday Flash – 23rd December 2022

Published 23 December 2022

Headline News;

Secondary Market shares for sale from deceased Estate – Sailing Away and Mohawk Brave

Fortuna launches new Breeding Syndicate – Matariki

Frankie Dettori to retire in 2023

Te Akau apprentices Joe Kamaruddin and Niranjan Parmar both attained awards at the recent Northern Apprentice Riders Awards

Jake Bayliss returns to NZ to ride

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Fortuna has two runners this week, one at Matamata, one at Otaki

PRINCE LONHRO makes his race day debut at Matamata 23^rd Dec in the Maiden 1050m event – Race 7 at 4.14 pm. This handsome 3yo son of Lonhro has had 4 trials for a 3^rd and 3 wins – has taken time to mature but now ready to unleash – will be hard to hold out here

MOHAWK BRAVE races in the R74 1400 at Otaki on Boxing Day – race 5 at 2.52 pm – this talented galloper who won three of his first four starts as a 3yo and ran 4^th in the Group One Levin Classic in the Autumn, was a certainty beaten at Hastings 7^th Dec when hampered in the run home – represents a strong each way chance here

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Fortuna Track work – Matamata

Tuesday 12^th December

No timed Fortuna trackwork today

Fortuna Track work – Singapore

No timed Singapore trackwork this week

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Other News

Secondary Market shares for sale from deceased Estate – Sailing Away and Mohawk Brave

Fortuna stalwart, Iain Fletcher, passed away during the year – Iain had been a long time Fortuna client and had shares in nine horses at the time of his passing. His estate has decided to sell those shares, and most of them have been snapped up by fellow syndicate members in each syndicate, but there are a couple of parcels left over which can now be offered to the wider audience.

SAILING AWAY is a 2yo Gelding by the emerging sire, Merchant Navy and out of the Galileo mare, Anchovy, a ¾ sister to Champion European 3yo of 2013, Ruler Of The World – this is a very strong pedigree page. Acquired by Fortuna at the 2022 Karaka Book One Sale, “Salty” as he is nicknamed, initially appealed as a 2yo type, but during the Spring, he went through a real growth spurt and so is in the paddock now until end of December. He has also been gelded and this has assisted in his physical development. He has had 3 trials for a 2^nd at Te Rapa in August and two unplaced performances during October and November – these leading to his gelding and current paddock spell. Syndicated initially for $110k all up, there is 2.5% available at $750 total and $100 per month from 1 January. This 2.5% can be divided up if necessary.

Here is his pedigree page

MOHAWK BRAVE is a 4yo by Australia’s most expensive Stallion, Extreme Choice, out of the USA Stakes winning racemare, Bens Duchess. Acquired by Fortuna as a 2yo from an Inglis Digital Sale, he won three of his first four starts as a 3yo in NZ and ran 4^th in the Group One Levin Stakes at Trentham in March (a race won by Imperatriz). Then spelled, he ran a solid 4^th on resuming at Taupo, before failing at Ruakaka on a shifty track, then finished mid field at Matamata in October off a wide draw and was a certainty beaten when 3^rd at Hastings 7^th December, when held up for racing room in the run home. Runs Boxing Day at Otaki R75 1400m

$3,000 for the 5% share total and $200 per month from 1 Jan and the 5% can be split into 1% parcels.

See the pedigree below and if shares are acquired before Boxing Day race then he will be racing in the amended ownership

Contact John by email response to this update if you wish to be involved in either of these two opportunities

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Fortuna launches new Breeding Syndicate – Matariki

This is our second breeding syndicate – the first one being the Secret Spice Breeding Syndicate which got cracking in 2019 and to date has gone pretty well to plan with Secret Spice foaling down a filly to Xtravagant in 2021 and this Filly will be offered for sale at the Inglis Classic sale in Sydney in February. She has since foaled again to Xtravagant in 2022, this time a Colt and is now in foal to Heroic Valour.

Matariki is a 2yo Filly we bought as a yearling at the 2022, Karaka yearling sale and formed a racing syndicate with her. Unfortunately, she suffered a severe paddock accident in the middle of this year, severely damaging a hind leg – she has been carefully nursed back to health and although a racing career has been ruled out for her, there is absolutely no reason why she cannot be a Broodmare and so that is her future. Some of her existing syndicate members have decided to become part of the new breeding syndicate and so now we are offering additional shares to others who may wish to join.

Matariki is a lovely Grey Filly by Reliable Man out of the Encosta de Lago Mare, Conferre, a 4 time winner in Australia at distances between 1400m and 2400m – so possesses a really nice staying pedigree which would match well with any number of suitable stallions here in NZ.

MATARIKI

Currently agisting in the Waikato, the plan for Mataraki would be to mate her in the spring of 2023 with Stallion choice not being made until May/June of 2023 in order to give us time to assist the market adequately.

Here is her Pedigree Page

Matariki has been transferred for zero consideration to the breeding syndicate and shares are available down to 1% with an initial working capital sum (in total) of $3000 being raised and ongoing payments for each one percent from the 1^st of January at $25 per month.

So, a 10% share is $300 initial and $250 pm from 1 Jan, a 5% share $150 initial and $125 pm from 1 Jan, a 2.5% share $75 initial and $62.50 pm from 1 Jan and a 1% share $30 initial and $25 pm from 1 Jan

Click HERE to read the Disclosure Statement

Shares can be ordered off the Fortuna website at the link HERE

Contact John direct by email response to this Update if you need more infomation

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Frankie Dettori to retire in 2023

Article by Steve Dennis of Thoroughbred Racing Commentary

Frankie Dettori shocked the racing world by saying he intends to retire after at the end of 2023 after a ‘farewell tour’. In this brilliant appreciation of an iconic global talent, Steve Dennis charts the ups and downs of a high-profile career

Frankie Dettori

Never is a small word with big connotations, but perhaps there has never been another jockey quite like Frankie Dettori, 52, who has just announced that he will call time on the most glorious, most lapidary of careers at the end of 2023. There have been many more prolific jockeys, and plenty of riders who have won more major races, and a good many who have been considered his superior. But no-one else has managed the blend of sheer brilliance on the track and high celebrity off the track that has characterised Dettori’s time among us.

He was born in a well-known city in northern Italy but, in the words of the song, he has always been too sexy for Milan. Dettori has been box-office famous, a showman like no other, racing’s laughing, grinning, buoyant cavalier even when – like all the best entertainers – he was dealing with the darkness of his demons.

Racing – all sport – is at heart a numbers game, so let’s take the abacus down from the shelf and set the beads whirring. Dettori rode his first winner at Turin racecourse in November 1986, and has barely let up the pace ever since. He has ridden 3,336 winners in Britain, placing him fifth in the all-time list behind Sir Gordon Richards, Pat Eddery, Lester Piggott and Willie Carson, and hundreds more around the world.

Royal Ascot hero: Dettori records the most recent of his 77 victories at Britain’s most prestigious race meeting on Inspiral in the G1 Coronation Stakes in June. Photo: Francesca Altoft/focusonracing.com

He has ridden 21 British Classic winners – Piggott’s record is 30 – and 282 G1 winners, which includes 14 at the Breeders’ Cup. There have been 77 victories at Royal Ascot, three British jockeys’ championships and one apprentice title, seven wins from seven rides on one indelible day at Ascot, a record six wins in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, four in the Dubai World Cup, three in the Japan Cup, two in the Derby, and for good measure he also bred a winner of the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

Public property

The names of the great horses he as partnered are legion. Pick six, perhaps – Dubai Millennium, Daylami, Sakhee, Enable, Stradivarius, Lammtarra – and you leave out many champions and countless household names, and all this untrammelled excelsior of success has come while he has been public property, usually willingly but occasionally unwillingly, the going rate for celebrity in the 21st century. When he rides off into the sunset for the final time, no-one will ever be able to say, “Frankie, we hardly knew ya”

Pedigree is the linchpin of Flat racing, and Dettori was bred to be both a jockey and the centre of attention at the big show – his father Gianfranco was 13-time champion jockey in Italy and his mother Iris Maria was a trapeze artist who also stood on horses’ backs as they cantered around the circus ring. This apple fell right next to the tree.
Dettori’s life and career resembles a sine wave, every up followed rapidly by a down, swiftly followed by an up. He moved to Britain in 1985 and won the apprentice – ‘bugboy’, for a US audience – title four years later, but shot to a prominence he has never relinquished at the age of 19, when winning his first two G1s within the space of 45 minutes at Ascot in September 1990.

In those days press conferences were not the polished, banal affairs they are today. All the journalists crammed into a small room in the bowels of Ascot’s old grandstand and Dettori climbed onto a wooden chair and held forth, running his hands through his impossibly luxurious mop of hair and beaming like, well, like a 19-year-old who had just begun the conquering of the world. We hacks were enchanted, entranced. We knew he’d go far. We never believed he’d go this far.

Unflinching self-awareness

But what goes up on to the rickety wooden chair must come down flat on its face on the floor, and like so many before him and afterwards Dettori soon fell under the wheels of fame’s relentless bandwagon. In a recent and highly confessional interview for the Big Issue, a British publication, Dettori was unflinching in his self-awareness.
“By the time I was 22 I had turned into a dickhead,” he said. “I lost it, completely lost it. I loved the bright lights, loved the party and loved the drugs. I loved the women. I loved the entourage. I just completely f***ing lost”

Flying dismount: Frankie Dettori performs his trademark leap out of the saddle after winning the G1 Racing Post Trophy on subsequent Derby winner Authorized at Newbury in 2006. Photo: Dan Abraham/focusonracing.com

He was arrested for using cocaine in 1993, and received a police caution. He had been riding for the Queen, and it takes little imagination to conjure up the headlines. His career trajectory wobbled, dipped. Up and down, then up again. The following year he was champion for the first time, retained his crown 12 months later, and then in September 1996 he attained his absolute zenith when he rode all seven winners – the fabled ‘Magnificent Seven’ – on a hugely prestigious day at Ascot, his spiritual racecourse. The importance of that heavenly septet of winners is crucial to the Dettori legend. It made him, forever, defining him as a person as well as a jockey.

After his final victory aboard Fujiyama Crest – who Dettori would later purchase and bless with a life-of-Riley retirement – he performed his flying dismount (stolen from Angel Cordero, who stole it from Avelino Gomez, who may or may not have initiated it) and ran madly around the winner’s enclosure spraying the crowd with champagne, as if they weren’t intoxicated enough by what had just taken place.

Before that day, Dettori was admired and loved by the racing public. After that, he was untouchable, beyond the normal vagaries of affection. Frankie was Frankie, bigger than racing itself. He opened a chain of pizza restaurants, he was a team captain on a TV sports quiz show, he was to the apocryphal man in the street the only embodiment of a sport that had lacked a public figure since the very, very, very different Piggott had retired.

Global phenomenon

It was the beginning of the Godolphin years, during which Dettori became not just a British phenomenon but a global one. Yet his life, like the course of true love, never ran completely smoothly. Up/down/up. In 2000 his light aeroplane crashed in Newmarket, killing the pilot. Dettori was saved from death only by the bravery of fellow jockey and passenger Ray Cochrane, who dragged him from the wreckage, and the mental scars took years to heal.

In 2007 he won the Derby for the first time; in 2012 he fell from grace at Godolphin, losing his retainer, and was banned for six months after testing positive for cocaine when riding in France. He was 42. Surely that was ‘game over’. It looked that way the following year when he participated in the trashy TV show Celebrity Big Brother; Marlon Brando in the jungle, a mighty titan going terribly wrong in plain sight. That year he rode just 16 winners. Yet … two years later he won a second Derby on Golden Horn, escaping like Houdini from the chains of his flaws and failings and returning to his position as the brightest light in racing’s firmament, going on to enjoy a remarkably fruitful second coming as stable jockey to John Gosden.

Immortal sporting career

More than anything else, Dettori is a survivor, a rubber ball of a man who has always bounced back. He has made it through, coming out the other side of a remarkable and immortal sporting career with his talent and his position in the public’s affection largely intact. He rides much less often nowadays, saving himself for the big occasions, and although there has been the inevitable diminishing that comes with age – the reflexes possibly not what they were, the trackcraft less instinctive than before – he is still one of the best jockeys in world.

On top of the world: Frankie Dettori on Country Grammer, aboard whom he landed his fourth Dubai World Cup triumph in March 2022. Photo: Dubai Racing Club

Now for the last and long goodbye, a year that will be spent picking cherries from the fruit bowl of the racing world, every milestone – the last time in Dubai, the last Derby, Royal Ascot, Arc, Champions Day, Breeders’ Cup – cherished and slightly overwrought with emotion on his way to the end of the racing road. He will start the journey at sunny Santa Anita this month and finish it there at the Breeders’ Cup next November, arguably the greatest international jockey we’ve ever seen bestriding the globe one last time.

British racing will miss him terribly. Dettori is literally irreplaceable, as despite the obvious talent of William Buick, Oisin Murphy, Hollie Doyle and all the rest there is no-one with the public profile, no-one with the wider connection, no-one with that irrepressible blend of glamour and genius that has characterised Dettori from almost the very start. British racing is practically at its lowest ebb anyway, and a Dettori-less future is – although completely predictable – another worrying augury for the coming years.

He has said that he has no wish to be a trainer. Not enough spotlight, not the right temperament. Dettori’s future lies in the media, as a racing pundit, as a television personality, a star of stage and screen a little like a modern-day Tod ‘Yankee Doodle’ Sloan, box-office to the end, prime-time funtime Frankie.

“I’ve had an absolutely amazing career and loved every second of it,” he told interviewer Lee Mottershead of the Racing Post. “But you have to know when to let go, and I want to stop at the top.”

Up, down, up, down, up. He’s timed it perfectly. The great entertainer leaves the stage, leaving us wanting more, knowing there’ll never be

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Te Akau apprentices Joe Kamaruddin and Niranjan Parmar both attained awards at the recent Northern Apprentice Awards Evening

Click HERE to read the full story from the Te Akau website – both Joe and Niranjan rode several winners for Fortuna during the 2022 Calendar Year

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Jake Bayliss returns to NZ to ride

Readers may recall the spectacular success that Australian hoop Jake Bayliss had as a much younger rider in the 2018/19 period – since those days, Jake continued his riding career in Australia and over the last 12 months, with a very successful stint in Singapore, where he rode a lot of winners for Donna Logan, including success on the Fortuna Gelding, ROCKY.

Jake Bayliss in action aboard ROCKY when winning at Kranji August 2022

His return to NZ is welcome and he joins the ranks of a number of “new” riders in NZ, such as Warren Kennedy, Craig Zackey, Joe Doyle and Hakim Kamaruddin, all of whom have added much needed depth to the riding ranks here

See story below and note that Jake has his first day of riding in NZ today at Matamata where he has secured a number of rides.

Bayliss hungry for more NZ success

Source
NZ Racing Desk
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A familiar Australian face has re-joined the New Zealand riding ranks with the arrival this week of multiple Group One-winning jockey Jake Bayliss. He will kick off his third stint in New Zealand at Matamata on Friday with the 28-year-old coming off a rewarding 12-month contract in Singapore. Bayliss last rode in New Zealand in the 2018/19 season.

“New Zealand has always been really good to me as far as support goes and I’ve made a lot of nice friends and I’m really looking forward to it and getting on some nice horses,” Bayliss said. “Since I left, I feel like I have grown up and matured a lot from the young boy I was and more of an established rider now. I learned a lot riding in Queensland and in Singapore and have a lot more to bring to the table now.”

Bayliss would have been back here sooner but for attending to a family matter. “I’ve always wanted to get back to New Zealand, but unfortunately I had to look after the family farm back in Australia when my grandfather fell ill,” he said. “I stayed put in Queensland and Singapore was on the radar as well but everything was put on hold so I stayed there to ride. Once that settled down, I thought I’ll follow my dream and go up to Singapore and I was very lucky and grateful to get a 12-month licence.”

Bayliss made the most of his opportunities and exceeded all his expectations with 19 winners and multiple feature race victories. “I pretty much ticked off every goal and won a (Singapore) Group One there, the Queen Elizabeth (1800m), and the Group Two Three-Year-Old Classic (1400m) so I definitely achieved more there than was on my list of goals,” he said.

Jake Bayliss

Bayliss enjoyed a close association with expatriate Kiwi horsewoman Donna Logan in Singapore and sought her advice about a New Zealand return and also received encouragement from another senior Te Akau identity.

“It was always in the back of my mind that I wanted to come back to New Zealand again,” he said. “I was riding for Donna in Singapore and asked her for her thoughts and she gave me a bit of a push to give Mark Walker a call as well and he was very supportive. “After the Singapore season was wrapped up I went back to Queensland for two weeks to be with the family and an early Christmas and arrived here on Tuesday afternoon.”

Bayliss has again joined forces with riding agent Stu Laing after giving him a heads up about his return to New Zealand.

“I gave Stu a call while I was in Singapore to let him know it was on the radar and he thought it was a great idea and gave him the confirmation a week later,” he said. “We had a very good partnership the last time I was here with good success and I’m really hoping to kick off the same way we left off. I rode a bit for Fortuna Racing when I was In Singapore so I am looking forward to renewing my association with John Galvin and his big team of Owners as well”

The lightweight Bayliss will be in action at Matamata and the focus will then turn to the premier meeting at Pukekohe on Boxing Day. “I was pretty harsh on myself and rode 52.5kg in Singapore and over here I think I’ll stick to 53kg, but if any opportunity came up for a nice ride at 52.5kg by all means it would get done,” he said. “The long-term goal for next year is to hopefully follow a few New Zealand horses over to the Brisbane carnival where home is and my next move after that is up in the air, I think I’ll just go with the flow.”

In the meantime, Bayliss is also hungry to add to his tally of prestige victories in New Zealand following his past success aboard the Graham Richardson and Gavin Parker-trained Volpe Veloce in the 2018 Gr.1 Railway (1200m). During his second stint the following year, he won the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) with On The Rocks for Michael Moroney and Pam Gerard and the Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m) on Nicoletta for Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman.

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Finally, Jessica and I and family wish all our Fortuna clients and other subscribers to this update, a very Merry Christmas and may Fortuna (i.e the Roman God of good luck and good fortune) smile upon you greatly in 2023, particularly with your runners and any punting exploits you may pursue

HAYATE makes it Two career wins – Tauranga 9th December 2022

Published 10 December 2022

Appreciative of the course at her first attempt, Hayate (4 m Maurice – Vamoose, by Admire Moon) was victorious in the $14,000 Bosson Developments Rating 60 1300 metres on 9 December at Tauranga. Displaying natural ability when winning on debut over 1200 metres in May at Matamata, Hayate had fought well for fourth in the Rating 60 1400 metres last Thursday at New Plymouth. Pleased with the recovery, trainer Mark Walker was happy for Hayate to compete on an eight day turnaround and she was up to the challenge.

Under in form Te Akau apprentice Niranjan Parmar, claiming two-kilos to carry 56kg, Hayate was able to navigate a wider course, that suited on rain-affected Heavy9 footing, and gained a winning advantage 200 metres out. The upshot was a relatively comfortable one and a half length win, running 1:22.0 for the 1300 metres and returning $5.40 & $1.90 on the NZ TAB tote.

Click HERE to see the race replay

HAYATE – 2nd career win – Tauranga 9th December 2022

“It was a lovely ride by Parmar and I think the wet track helped her,” Walker said. “1200 to 1300 metres is probably about her right distance, so we’ll find another suitable race for her.”

HAYATE is by Arrowfield shuttle stallion and first season sire Maurice (Screen Hero), the 2015 Japanese Horse of the Year and both Champion Sprinter and Champion Miler is now one of the hottest young sires in Japan.

Fortuna Racing Director John Galvin was on course to see his charge perform “It was a sigh of relief to see her win again,” he said. “As we know, her form since resuming as a four-year-old hasn’t been that flash given the quality of her debut win as a three-year-old, so it was good to see her come out and get the job done.

“She recovered very well from her run at New Plymouth, which was a bit better than it looked. I think, perhaps, the 1400 metres on a soft track, just the two things together probably combined to see her run out of puff the last little bit. But an eight day back up, 100m shorter, and rock hard fit was just the ticket for her today – it was a great call by Mark Walker to back her up. And a lovely ride by Parma – that was his 6th win for Fortuna Racing from 13 rides for us in 2022”

Hayate and Niranjan Parmar return to Scale

Raced by Fortuna Hayate Syndicate, an Ownership Group of 60 individuals, Hayate was acquired for $80,000 by Te Akau principal David Ellis on behalf of Fortuna Racing at the 2020 Karaka Book 1 Sale, from the draft of Mapperley Stud.

Hayate was strapped by Hunter Durrant.