Emerging shuttle Stallion TOO DARN HOT is “on fire” at the Inglis Classic Sale in Sydney
Readers will be aware that Fortuna acquired a lovely yearling Filly by Too Darn Hot at the recent tracker Karaka Yearling sale on very good terms and it has been fascinating to watch the results from this week’s Inglis classic sale in Sydney where the progeny of this young stallion have been extremely well sought after. The highlight was undoubtedly on Monday when the Too Darn Hot – Hell Its Hot Filly (lot 325) was knocked down to Yulong for an eye watering (and Inglis Classic sales record breaking) A$600k.
TOO DARN HOT was a sensational race horse in the UK, winning four times as a 2yo (from 4 starts) including the Group One Dewhurst Stakes and then winning twice as a 3yo, both at Group One level, from five 3yo starts (ran 2nd twice and 3rd once in the other three) – he was retired to Stud due to a small fracture in his canon bone after this victory in the Group One Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.
At Stud, he has got off to a flyer, finishing 2nd on the 1st season Sires list in the UK (2023 season) with 20 individual winners from 56 starters, while his first Australian crop (2023/24 season) sees him equal 1st on the winners list (4 winners from 8 starters) alongside Alabama Express
Naturally this is of big interest to us having acquired the Too Darn Hot – Miss Challenger Filly at Karaka for just NZ $120,000 – this Filly is a natural 2yo type with a 1st Sept foaling date, whom we think will be an ideal prospect for the 2025 Karaka Million. Mark Walker describes this Filly thus;“John, Too Darn Hot is a very exciting young Sire and this filly is out of a Flying Spur Mare who is out of a Bluebird Mare, so it is a very speedy family – Dave and I just loved her on type, loved the way she walked and we had her on your list, just had reservations if we could buy her for your budget, but luckily we managed to secure her for you in the end. She is a definite Karaka Millions 2yo type – born 1 September, she is very forward and looks as if she will run very early, but at the same time has the scope to furnish into a lovely 3yo. We are rapt to have a Filly of this quality in the stable to train for the Fortuna Team”
Click HERE to see our Too Darn Hot Filly parade pre sale
TOO DARN HOT – MISS CHALLENGER YEARLING FILLY – “Hottie”
As readers will know, we had a real live prospect in this year’s edition of the Karaka Million with Bellatrix Star, who ran 4th in the race after being slow away. However, on the day we hosted 120 very excited syndicate members and their guests and there is no question that it is a great thrill to have a runner in the Karaka Million – so don’t miss this opportunity to get involved in this one
“Hottie” has been very popular with our clients to date but there is still 18% left as I write this – click
HERE to view her on the Fortuna website and orders can be made direct from this link – feel free to contact John direct by return email or call/text 021 921 460 if you need more info
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Donna Logan announces plans for a return to NZ after the Singapore Turf Club closure
As readers would be aware, during the middle of 2023, the Singapore Turf Club (STC) and the Singapore government made the shock announcement that thoroughbred racing in Singapore would come to an end in October 2024 bringing to an end 150 years of proud racing history. Initial reaction from participants was shock and disbelief and a good battle has been fought along the way by those effected to endeavour to change minds or at least get an extension. However it certainly looks as if the closure will take effect.
Naturally in this situation there is always conjecture among parties as to how those affected by these changes plan their ongoing careers by trainers, jockeys, stable hands, et cetera. Having worked closely with Donna and her husband Peter Woods, through all of this, I can say that Donna’s view was that she would be there “until the light went out” and her primary focus was on ensuring that her staff were well looked after in terms of the support they needed for a life after Singapore racing came to an end and, accordingly, fended off any conjecture. However the months go by and while, Donna and Peter are determined to stay in Singapore until racing is finished there, they of course have the need to make ongoing plans after that and so over the past couple of months Donna has made a couple of trips back to New Zealand to attend sales and during that time she has looked at various options and has made a decision relocate to return to New Zealand and set up at Byerley Park (near Karaka) with a small training operation.
Donna said to me this week “Yes John, it’s heartbreaking that Singapore racing has come to an end, as Peter and I have invested so much time and effort here, but the closure is now inevitable and accordingly we need to make firm plans about our own future. We have looked at different options in New Zealand Australia and elsewhere, but have decided that with the current resurgence of New Zealand racing, it is time to come home and we are really looking forward to it – I don’t plan to be a big time trainer, we will train a few, trade a few and race a few and look to re-engage with the many loyal clients we have had from the past, but rest assured we are committed to both Te Akau and Fortuna and the other owners whose horses we are looking after here in Singapore to continue until the bitter end, making sure that every horse in our care is well looked after and supporting our staff Members as they make the necessary transition in their careers.”
Donna and Peter are very well regarded by the NZ racing fraternity and I am sure will constitute a warmly welcomed boost to the NZ Training ranks
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Our weekly inspection visits to Te Akau Stud to view the new yearling purchases are under way – Next one is Thursday 22nd February
Thursday 15th Feb was our first visit and then every Thursday thereafter. As always, we meet at the BP Station in Ngaruawahia at 10am and then travel in convoy out to the farm – the farm is around a 30 min drive from Ngaruawahia – we are usually at the farm for about an hour and attendees can expect to be back at the Ngaruawahia BP by around 12.30pm – if you would like to book in for one of these Thursday visits, drop me a note by return email or call/text me 021 921 460
