News

Ellehro in a Class of Her Own!
Scott Darby
Sunday, 16 November 2008

One of Darby Racing's first partnerships had just her 2nd trial on Friday and she didn't let her owners down.

Ellehro (Lonhro / Body and Soul) has been plagued with shin soreness with only the one barrier trial earlier in the year, finishing 2nd at Randwick. Now a 3YO her owners patience has been rewarded with one of the easiest wins in a trial you will see. Ridden by Peter Robl, she jumped 2nd last before finding the lead easily and from there she cruised to the line untouched.

Peter Robl was wrapped in her effort believing she was only cantering the entire trial. Her trainer Clarry Conners will now find a suitable race for her and if she measures up in her first few starts then a run in the 3YO Magic Millions race would not be out of the question.

She is a lovely filly that has always shown plenty in training and is closely related to the Tony Vasil trained Causeway Queen.

Ellehro (Lonhro / Body and Soul) as a 2YO

Flaming Nearing His Peak!
Scott Darby
Sunday, 16 November 2008

7YO Beautiful Crown gelding Flaming showed yesterday that he is getting fitter with every run after a strong effort in the 1500m Open Handicap at Rosehill.

Ridden extremely well by apprentice Kody Nestor, Flaming was driven out of the barriers to find a position just behind the leaders. The race was run at a break neck speed which set it up for the back markers to find the line. Flaming challenged strongly with 200m to run but his condition gave way finishing an encouraging 6th.

“Good run, he knocked up in the last bit but he’ll take a lot of improvement from it,” said Kody Nestor, rider of Flaming.

His trainer Gerald Ryan will now see how he pulls up before maybe backing him up next Saturday over 1400m with a possible tilt at the Festival Stakes and the Villiers.

Bart wins his 12th Melbourne Cup
Clinton Payne - Racenet
Tuesday, 4 November 2008

The Cups King Bart Cummings has done it for the 12th time in the Melbourne Cup with his stayer Viewed winning the race and giving the master trainer his 250th Group One victory.

The victory sent Flemington into raptures when the big screens around the track showed Viewed was holding a nose margin over Bauer as they hit the line.

“I get hay fever,” was Cummings response when asked if he was emotional following the win.

“It’s a nice figure [250 Group Ones], we’ll have to keep improving.”

The Hall Of Fame trainer won his first Melbourne Cup in 1965 when Light Fingers beat her stablemate Ziema and he followed it up the next year with another quinella when Galilee defeated Light Fingers.

He then did it again in 1967 with Red Handed but was then forced to wait seven years until Think Big went back to back in 1974 and 1975.

It was then Gold And Black’s turn in 1977 and Hyperno in 1979, Kingston Rule in 1990, Let’s Elope 1991, Saintly in 1996 and his 11th came from Rogan Josh in 1999.

It was also the fourth time he’d combined with his loyal owner Dato Tan Chin Nam after winning with Think Big and Saintly.

“I thought after I’d won four or five it can’t get any better than this but I think it might be,” Cummings said.

“You just do your best and I’ve been lucky enough to be able to pick the horses and train them, in this case I think Duncan [Ramage] found this one but my whole career has been a joy and I still like it, I reckon it’s terrific.

“To be successful in the field you chose and dad was a top trainer before me and I learnt most of my things from him so I’m just happy to be here.”

The win also gave Sydney’s premier jockey Blake Shinn his first victory in Australia’s Greatest Race and it was Cummings that gave the raw young Victorian kid his first big ride in a Stakes race when they teamed up to win the 2005 VRC St Leger with Accumulate.

The win for Shinn was also especially satisfying due to missing the winning Golden Slipper ride aboard Sebring earlier this year due to suspension, which was again the case on Saturday when Northern Meteor took out the Coolmore Stud Stakes.

“This is one of the greatest moments in sport to win the Melbourne Cup and to do it for Mr Cummings and give him his 12th winner and 250th group winner I doubt this will be topped,” Shinn said.

“It’s an unbelievable feeling I just can’t describe it.”

Following the race the plaudits came from everywhere for Cummings who is one of the world’s great trainers.

“He’s an amazing man,” Aidan O’Brien said.

“You don’t have to ask me about Bart you guys see it every day, he’s amazing.

“I might come over and work for him for a while.” he concluded with a laugh while Dermot Weld added, “what do you say about Bart, he’s unbelievable”.

Bart Cummings and Dato Tan Chin Nam hold up the Melbourne Cup - photo by Steve Hart
The race was run at a ridiculous tempo with the Coolmore trio true to their work establishing a big break on the field as they left the straight and by the time the field swung for home Septimus and Alessandro Volta were struggling while Honolulu had already lost touch with the field before they finished an embarrassing last [Honolulu], 20th [Alessandro Volta] and 18th with Septimus.

But while the Irish were stopping it was Blake Shinn putting Viewed into the race and he shot to the front on straightening before holding off Bauer in a memorable finish by a nose.

“Once the dust settles and we realise we ran second in the Melbourne Cup well be thrilled but it’s a bit bitter at the moment,” Bauer’s part owner and Sportsbet supremo Matt Tripp said.

“We thought we’d won the race but that’s racing we’ll live to fight another day.

“I’m tipping the book [at Sportsbet] was ok so that’s some consolation.”

Back in third, two lengths away was the John Sadler-trained C’est La Guerre who appreciated the strong tempo making up plenty of ground from the 400 metres to the 200 metres to edge out Master O’Reilly ($26) with Profound Beauty ($9) in fifth.

“Brett [Prebble] got off him and said when the Irish gave up running their 2500 metre race the field stacked up and he couldn’t get out and he said if he could have got out he probably would have been in the finish,” C’est La Guerre’s part owner Nick Williams said.

“But at the end of the day, Bart’s 250th Group One victory, I’m just pleased I’m here to see it, it doesn’t get any better.

“We’ll be back.”

The Danny O’Brien-trained galloper Gallopin was eased out of the race near the 800 metres after he choked down but he the trainer reported the horse is ok.

The placings and margins: Viewed 53kg ($31) (B.Shinn) defeated Bauer 52kg ($21) (C.Brown) by a nose with C’est La Guerre 54kg ($21) (B.Prebble) a further two lengths back in third.

The time and sectionals: The overall time for the race was a race 3.20.40 secs and the final 600 metres was run in 34.93 secs.

Winner’s breeding – A five-year-old entire by Scenic (IRE) x Lovers Knot (NZ) (Khozaam (USA)).

Conners eyeing fifth Slipper with Our Joan of Arc
AAP
November 1, 2008

Clarry Conners has high hopes next autumn for Our Joan Of Arc following her win in Saturday's The Inglis Maribyrnong Plate at Flemington.

"She'll be spelled and come back for the (Golden) Slipper. She's done a great job," Conners said.

The four-time Golden Slipper winning trainer said he had not intended to back up the daughter of Beautiful Crown in Saturday's Group Three 1000m event.

However he changed his mind after she finished an unlucky fifth to Starspangledbanner at Moonee Valley last Saturday after being held up behind the leader.

"She had such an easy run last week," he said.

Ridden by Corey Brown, Our Joan Of Arc ($2.35 fav) jumped from the outside barrier in the six-horse field and was always close to the lead before going on for a three-length win over first starter Zaffaan with Happy Knockout a half-head away third.

"She got a little bit lost being her first start down the straight. We wanted something to lead her and she got there fairly easily," Conners said.

"She's a laid-back sort of filly and if you don't ask her to do something she won't, that's why she got beaten the other day at the Valley when she didn't have clear running.

"But Corey asked her to stretch out and she did. That's how she won the Gimcrack (Stakes). She's a pretty nice filly, very professional and easy to train.

A $15,000 purchase at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale in Sydney, Joan Of Arc is raced by a group of 20 and has already given them plenty of joy winning two of her three starts.

At her debut she jumped from the outside barrier and won the Listed Gimcrack (1000m) at Randwick last month which has been a strong form race.

Brown, who rode Our Joan Of Arc for the first time in a race on Saturday, said he was impressed with the filly.

"She's only a little thing but will develop. She's not going 100 per cent and inclined to look around, but all in all I'm pretty impressed with her," he said.

Our Joan Of Arc On Fire In Maribyrnong
Mark Smith
Saturday, 1 November 2008

It seems appropriate that a filly sporting the Darby racing colours should capture the opening race on AAMI Victoria Derby day.

There's not much of Our Joan Of Arc but what a little star she is.
Punters who sent Our Joan Of Arc (Beautiful Crown (USA) x Bright Heroine (Bluebird (USA)) out a short priced favourite in Saturday’s $250,000 Group 3 The Inglis Maribyrnong (1000m) at Flemington never had a moments worry as the big-hearted filly powered home under Cory Brown to defeat first starter Zaffaan (Red Ransom (USA) x Farasha (NZ) (Jeune (GB)) by three lengths with Happy Knockout (Happy Giggle x Punch (Marauding (NZ))a short half head back in third.
Making her third career start, Our Joan Of Arc captured her second stakes having taken the $100,000 Listed Keeneland Gimcrack Stakes (1000m) at Royal Randwick on debut on October 4. She didn’t get the rub of the green when a close up fifth behind Starspangledbanner in the sales related Inglis 2YO at Moonee Valley last week and trainer Clarry Connors revealed he was close to sending the filly to the paddock.

“I thought she was a little bit disappointing last week, she didn’t get a clear crack at them but she’s a very nice filly,” Conners said.
“We weren’t going to run today but because she didn’t have a hard run last week, we thought she could back up”.
Having his first ride on the filly, Corey Brown thinks Our Joan Of Arc has a bright future.
“She’s got plenty of upside, she’s very new, she didn’t come here on Tuesday to have a look around so her effort was her first time down the straight,” he said.
“The only reason I had to hit her with the whip was to keep her straight and focused, I think she’s got plenty of upside.
Our Joan Of Arc cost her syndicate of owners just $15,000 at the William Inglis Classic Yearling sale. Her earnings now total $216,500.

She is the tenth foal of the Bluebird (USA) mare Bright Heroine who was runner-up in the Listed VATC Gwyn Nursery Stakes. All ten foals have raced, seven have won including the 5-time winner Dominic who was stakes-placed in Perth.

Bright Heroine’s stakes-placed full sister Love At Large produced the Group 3 winner Inspire (Rory’s Jester) a great stalwart of the Connors stable whose earnings topped $715,000. His 9 wins included the VRC Carbine Club Stakes (G3) and the 2005 Magic Millions Cup at the Gold Coast.

Bright Heroine has a yearling full-sister to Our Joan Of Arc and missed to her cover by California Dane last season.

Our Joan Of Arc is one of 10 stakes-winner for Beautiful Crown (Chief’s Crown), who became a foundation stallion for the fledgling Patinack Farm organization after the acquisition of Alanbridge Stud. He is standing his eleventh season at a fee of $16,500.

Joan relishes quick back up to score in Flemington opener
Brad Waters
Saturday, 1 November 2008

Clarry Conners’ change of plan was rewarded when his quality filly Our Joan of Arc comprehensively took out the Group III The Inglis Maribyrnong (1000m) at Flemington on Saturday.

Conners brought the filly to Melbourne with one race in mind, last Saturday’s Inglis 2YO race at Moonee Valley and intended to send her to the paddock after the event but elected to back her up seven days later with terrific results.

“I thought she was a little bit disappointing last week, she didn’t get a clear crack at them but she’s a very nice filly,” Conners said.

“We weren’t going to run today but because she didn’t have a hard run last week, we thought she could back up”.

Corey Brown eases up Our Joan Of Arc for an easy victory - photo by Steve Hart

Corey Brown always had the $2.35 favourite well placed at the leader’s hindquarters before extending nicely over the last 300 metres to record a three-length win.

Zaffaan ($4.60) from the David Hayes stable took a little time to get going but finished strongly once he found clear galloping room in the straight, chasing very hard late to take second place.

Happy Knockout ($21), also from the Hayes stable made the running until the 300 metres but battled away fairly well after she was headed by the winner to comfortably hold third, a half-head behind Zaffaan.

Winning rider Corey Brown was very impressed with Our Joan of Arc’s ability and said the Inglis Maribyrnong win may well be the start of big things for the filly.

“She’s got plenty of upside, she’s very new, she didn’t come here on Tuesday to have a look around so her effort was her first time down the straight,” he said.

“The only reason I had to hit her with the whip was to keep her straight and focused, I think she’s got plenty of upside.

“The first crack was pretty much a warning to keep her straight but then she accelerated very well and the race was all over.”

The major disappointment of the race was the effort of the $3.80 second favourite Seduced who loomed up menacingly at the 300 metres but went nowhere once put under pressure.

The placings and margins: Our Joan Of Arc 53.5kg ($2.35) (C.Brown) defeated Zaffaan 55.5kg ($4.60) (C.Williams) by three lengths with Happy Knockout 53.5kg ($21) (G.Boss) another short half head back in third.

The time and sectionals: The overall time for the race was a race 58.39 secs and the final 600 metres were run in 34.07 secs.

Winner’s breeding: A two-year-old filly by Beautiful Crown (USA) x Bright Heroine (Bluebird (USA)) - $15,000 yearling purchase at Inglis Classic sale.

What they said: “She has plenty of upside, this filly, she had them covered at the 300,” winning jockey Corey Brown said after the victory.

“You don’t want anything happening to them before the start so under the circumstances he went really nice,” Craig Williams, the rider of runner-up Zaffaan.

“What you see is what you get with her, she’s only little, so she went good for what she is ,” Glen Boss, rider of third placegetter Happy Knockout.

“She was a bit green and not happy inside horses. Greenness got the better of her today but I was happy with the run,” Chris Symons, rider of Dawned (4th).

“She’s had enough and is better than that,” Dwayne Dunn, rider of Seduced (5th).

The favourite: Our Joan of Arc camped right on the speed and when it counted her fitness and class shone through to give punters the perfect start to the carnival.

The betting: No real action for any here with everything blowing from it’s opening quote. Our Joan of Arc was out from $2 to $2.35 while Seduced was $3.20 to $3.80 and Zaffaan $4 to $4.60. The on-course market closed at 108 percent.

Horse to follow: Zaffaan will be better for the experience and is a horse to follow.

Joan's Sister Heading To Millions
Racing and Sports
Saturday, 1 November 2008

$15,000 Beautiful Crown filly Our Joan Of Arc continued the great ride for her owners when winning the G3 Inglis Maribyrnong Plate at Flemington today.

The filly, who was purchased by Darby Bloodstock from the 2008 Inglis Classic Sale, is now a dual stakes winner, with earnings in excess of $200,000.

While the win was a good result for sponsors William Inglis, it was also welcome news for Magic Millions, who have a full sister to the filly to sell at its Conrad Jupiter's Yearling Sale on the Gold Coast in January.

Already a proven stakes winner of the Gimcrack Stakes in Sydney on debut, Our Joan of Arc bounced back from a luckless run at Moonee Valley last Saturday for an authoritative win.

The Beautiful Crown filly sat on the speed set by Happy Knockout before striding to the front and then clearing away for an easy victory.

Trainer Clarry Conners said the filly would be sent straight to the paddock with the Golden Slipper as her main target.

"She'll spell now straight away," Conners commented. "And be set for the Slipper."

The Maribyrnong Plate wasn't originally on the agenda for Our Joan of Arc, but after her unlucky effort at the Valley when fourth in the Inglis Juvenile.

"This horse was unlucky at the Valley (last Saturday). It was a bit disappointing."

"We weren't going to run today, but because she didn't have a hard run last week we decided to keep her going - thank god we did."

Connections have always had a good opinion of Our Joan of Arc - a filly who has about 20 owners - many of them first time owners.

"She's a very good filly," Conners added. "She's been my top filly since day one."

"She's a top filly to train. She does everything right."

The full sister to Our Joan of Arc heading to the Gold Coast will be in the draft of Mick Nolan's Noralla Stud.

Magic Millions bloodstock manager Paul Knight said the filly was an attractive youngster who would attract plenty of interest at the sale.

"She's a lovely bodied filly," Knight said. "A strong, racy, athletic type - a real Magic Millions style yearling."

Our Joan of Arc, by In Top Swing's sire Beautiful Crown, is one of two stakes performers and seven winners from Bright Heroine.

A stakes performed daughter of Bluebird, Bright Heroine is also the dam of the five time winner and Perth stakes placegetter Dominic.

Bright Heroine is a full sister to Love at Large, the stakes performed dam of former Conners star Inspire - a winner of over $715,000 including the rich Magic Millions Cup.

The finishing touches are currently being put to the catalogue for January's pin-up sale with the sister to Our Joan of Arc just one of the quality lots confirmed for the auction.

Beautiful Crown stands for $16,500 at Patinack Farm in 2008.

Joan keeps up family tradition
Andrew Eddy
November 2, 2008

TWO-year-old filly Our Joan Of Arc continued a family tradition of winning over the Flemington spring carnival when she ran clear for an impressive victory in the group 3 Maribyrnong Plate yesterday.

Trainer Clarry Conners said he sought the filly at the January Sydney Classic sale as her mother, Bright Heroine, was a full sister to Love At Large, who produced Inspire to win twice at huge odds over the Flemington carnival.

"I've had a lot of luck with that family, so I looked her over at the sale and she looked pretty good to me," Conners said. "She obviously didn't look that good to many others because I got her for $15,000."

Inspire, whose dam Love At Large is out of Florescence, as is Bright Heroine, won the Carbine Club Stakes on this day in 2000 at $51 and then won on Melbourne Cup Day two years later at $21.

"I love this carnival and to kick off with an early winner makes me happy. It's made a lot of other people happy because there are about 20 people in this filly and they're very pleased," Conners said.

He said Our Joan Of Arc was one of the cheapest of 23 two-year-olds in his stable, but has always shown the most ability. "She's a little professional and she's been my top filly since day one. She'll go for a spell now and I'll get her ready for the Golden Slipper."

Conners has won the Golden Slipper Stakes, Sydney's autumn feature, four times.

The trainer said he had not targeted the Maribyrnong Plate with Our Joan Of Arc. "This race certainly wasn't on her program, but after she was so unlucky last week (at Moonee Valley) and came through it as though she hadn't had a run, it looked a good option and so it's turned out."

Our Joan Of Arc was blocked for a run on the inside at Moonee Valley last Saturday, where she finished fifth as the $2.35 favourite.

Yesterday, Our Joan Of Arc was again well backed and started the $2.35 favourite. Her supporters had few worries as she strode to the lead inside the 200-metre mark and won by three lengths from Zaffaan ($4.60) with a half-head to the early leader Happy Knockout ($21) third.

Our Joan of Arc lines up in the Group 3 Maribynong Plate!
Scott Darby
Friday, 31 October 2008

The star of Darby Racing 'Our Joan of Arc' will line up for her third and final start this preparation in the Group 3 Maribynong Plate at Flemington tomorrow.

After being extremely unlucky last week in the Inglis Juvenile, Joan has had an easy week in preparation for her final race before being sent for a spell. She will return for a crack at the 2009 Golden Slipper.

Win, lose or draw tomorrow, Joan's owners have a serious horse on their hands, they are all enjoying the ride and are looking forward to the future with this outstanding daughter of Beautiful Crown.

Good luck to all the owners!

Photo courtesy of Bradley's Photos (02) 4868 1433

Gimcrack fillies shine in Valley gallops
Brad Waters
Tuesday, 21 October 2008

The Gimcrack Stakes formline has held the key to two-year-old races in both Sydney and Melbourne and two fillies that debuted in that race were among the stars working at Tuesday’s Breakfast with the Best at Moonee Valley.

Both Sheeznodoubt and Our Joan of Arc impressed onlookers with the quality of their work on a firm Moonee Valley surface in preparation to compete in the $250,000 Inglis Juvenile to be run on Saturday’s Cox Plate program.

Our Joan of Arc won the Gimcrack Stakes and Sheeznodoubt finished fourth in the event with the form standing up perfectly with runner-up Horizons recording an easy win at Randwick last Saturday and Come Hither thrashing the colts in the Listed Debutants Stakes.

The Gary Portelli-trained Sheeznodoubt was ridden by Mark Zahra and clocked one of the fastest times of the morning when easily accounting for her workmate in a rousing gallop which impressed her trainer.

“After her work today, at their first time around the Valley, you just don’t know wether they are going to get around it or not,” Portelli said.

“She straightened up and put a gap on the horse she was working with and ran very good time, she’s right there for Saturday.

“There won’t be a problem at all getting around the Valley, Mark Zahra rode her and she got straight on her right leg and she didn’t have a problem.

“Mark said that she dominated the gallop and went past the post strongly and Mark (Zahra) said it felt like she’d been there a million times”.

Our Joan of Arc cruised throughout her workout and had her workout partner, Stoneblack, being pushed along to keep up with the daughter of Beautiful Crown but trainer Clarry Conners was not happy with the gallop.

“She took it too easy,” Conners said.

“I wanted her to have a harder workout than that.

“The form out of the Gimcrack has been incredible; three two-year-old winners have all come out of the race.

“The plan for Our Joan of Arc is to win on Saturday and then she’ll go out for a spell”.

The four-time Golden Slipper-winning trainer said that Our Joan of Arc could not be in better shape going into Saturday’s race.

“She’s 100%, she could not have taken the trip down from Sydney any better, she travelled like she’s done it a hundred times before and took it all in her stride,” Conners said.

“I spotted this race in the calendar for her, she was going to go out for a spell but the race looked perfect for her so I decided to bring her down”.

Darby Racing Syndications Boasts 100% Runners to Earners!
Scott Darby
Monday, 20 October 2008

Darby Racing is enjoying an amazing run with its racehorse partnerships so far this year! Kicking off less than 12 months ago, Darby Racing has 12 horses under management that were syndicated in the last 10 months. Currently Darby Racing has 8 2YO's, 2 3YO's and 2 older horses under their care.
Five of the 12 have now raced with all 5 picking up prize money with some outstanding results. Here are a list of those 5 that have raced-

2YO's
- Our Joan of Arc - 1 Start Listed Gimcrack winner $60,000 prize money
- Eight Thorns - 1 start 2nd at Rosehill $13,300 prize money
- Gladiator - 1 start 5th at Randwick $1,750 prize money

3YO's
- Elastane - 5 starts 3x4th, 4 of 5 starts in city grade $2,960 prize money

Older
- Irish Myth - 1 start for Darby Racing for a 3rd $1000 prize money

It has been an amazing start for Darby Racing with more of the twelve horse's to commence their racing careers very shortly.

Darby Racing has limited shares in its final 2 syndications for 2008, a stunning filly by Encosta De Lago and a cracking colt by Beautiful Crown, the full brother to Group 3 and Listed winner Flaming. Check out the syndications page for more information.

Flaming given impossible weight at Canterbury this Wednesday!
Scott Darby
Monday, 20 October 2008

7YO warhorse 'Flaming' makes his return to the track this Wednesday at Canterbury with an impossible weight of 63.5kg's in the 1200m Welter. Rated at 103, the Group 3 and Listed winner makes his return after suffering a suspensory ligament tear in two places back in January this year.

Gerald Ryan his trainer has been more than happy with his work and will use this race for further fitness. Believing Flaming will be weighted out of any race he will contest up here, Gerald will see how he gets through this first race before floating him down to Melbourne to contest some Black type races over the spring carnival.

At this stage we are just looking for a positive return to racing and hoping he gets through his first run unscathed.

Canterbury Race 7 4:48pm

Flaming with one of his proud owners Allan Johns.

Gladiator Feels the pinch in his debut race!
Scott Darby
Monday, 20 October 2008

Promising Darby Racing 2YO 'Gladiator' debuted on Saturday in a tough 1000m City Tattersalls Plate for 2YO's.
After showing potential and plenty of speed in his first two barrier trials, Gladiator was tardy out of the barriers and got back to 2nd last before making up some ground in the straight. Initially we thought the run was a little disappointing however on day where leaders won every race it was pleasing to see our impeccably bred colt make up some ground in the straight. It was also discovered just after the race that he was quite sore in his shins which adds further merit to his run.

Gerald Ryan his trainer has a very good opinion of our Hussonet colt and will now spell him and bring him back in January for tilt at the 2009 Blue Diamond Stakes.

Gladiator Impresses at yesterday's trials!
Scott Darby
Wednesday, 15 October 2008

Impeccably bred Gladiator (Hussonet / Flying Single) trialled impressively yesterday at Rosehill. Finishing a long neck 2nd to the $800,000 'Wanted' (Fastnet Rock / Fragmentation), Gladiator jumped well, showed good speed and held his position up the straight.

Gladiator is now on target to make his 2YO debut this Saturday at Randwick in a very tough 1000m race which see's him clash with some of the Gimcrack and Breeder's Plate place getters.

Gladiator was a $160,000 purchase from the Inglis Premier sale and is from the Easy Date/Snippets/Not a Single Date family.

Darby Racing purchased and syndicated 8 yearlings this year from the sales. So far 5 have trialled with Gladiator being the third to race.

*Our Joan of Arc - 1 start -Listed Gimcrack Winner $60,000 prize money
*Eight Thorns - 1 start - 2nd at Rosehill $13,300 prize money

Gladiator

Flaming ready to return to the races!
Scott Darby
Wednesday, 15 October 2008

Flaming completed his 2nd trial yesterday at Rosehill and now looks set to return to the races next Wednesday in a 1200m welter at Canterbury.

Ridden yesterday by Brad Stewart, Flaming was never let go at any stage cruising over the 1030m under a tight hold finishing 3rd. Gerald Ryan is delighted with Flaming's progress and will use his 1st up run at Canterbury as a stepping stone to a Listed race held at Hawksbury on VRC Oaks Day.

We are expecting a pretty big weight for his return next Wednesday and at this stage of his preparation we are just looking for a positive return to racing and hoping he can get through the run unscathed.

Yet Another promising 2YO for Darby Racing!
Scott Darby
Saturday, 11 October 2008

After winning the Listed Gimcrack Stakes with 'Our Joan Of Arc' last week, Darby Racing unleashed another 2YO debutante at Rosehill today named 'Eight Thorns'. A cracking colt by Australia's Champion racehorse 'Lonhro' out of the multiple city winning mare 'Southern Rose'.

Trained by Gerald Ryan, Eight Thorns went into the the race fairly underdone and only went to the races after Gerald believed he would benefit more from a race than another trial. With the 1100m looking way too short, Eight Thorns put in an outstanding effort to finish strong and grab 2nd place, picking up $13,300 for his excited owners, which is not bad for a horse that was going to trial next Tuesday instead of racing.

Gerald will see how he pulls up before deciding on another start in a fortnights time. Gerald was very encouraged with the run pointing out to the owners that his optimal distance will be around the 2000m. He certainly looks to have a bright future after his terrific effort today congratulations to all his owners!

Eight Thorns (Lonhro / Southern Rose)

Clarry's filly one to watch
Amanda Hawke
Saturday, 11 October 2008

Clarry Conners re-emerged as one of Sydney’s leading producers of juvenile talent when his filly Movie bounded away to snatch a stunning win in the Dairy Farmers Rise 2YO Handicap (1100m) at Rosehill today.

The second of the day was drama-packed from the kick, when the Neville Layt-trained Articlesandorders bolted sideways out of the gates and threw an unharmed Glyn Schofield who later commented: “Do I get 10 out of 10 for my triple somersault?”

Movie unleashed a withering run from back in the field when taken widest at the top of the straight, hitting the line well clear of Eight Thorns who dived between runners for second while Engulf ate up the ground to fill third placing in an eye-catching effort. Early leader Lucky Elmo battled away on the fence to hold on for fourth.

The filly’s four and a quarter-length win delivered Jeff Lloyd a running double, having claimed the first aboard surprise winner Opter.

Trainer Clarry Conners believes he has a nice juvenile prospect on his hands, having been confident last week’s Gimcrack eighth placegetter could handle the seven-day backup.

“She was a little bit unlucky at Randwick,” Conners said.

“She came through that run well and when I saw the noms, I thought why not?

“She won impressively today, even sitting back and giving them a massive start.

“She hit the line really well and has the makings of a nice filly.”

The placings and margins: Movie 54kg ($3.10) (J. Lloyd) defeated Eight Thorns 56.5kg ($8) (C. Agnew) by four and a quarter lengths with Engulf 56.5kg ($8.50) (N. Berry (a3) a long head away in third.

The time and sectionals: The overall time for the race was 1.05.31 secs and they ran the final 600 metres in 34.96secs.

Winner’s breeding: A two-year-old filly by Red Ransom (USA) x Strawberry Storm (Thunder Gulch (USA)).

What they said: “She’s a nice filly. I don’t know if she beat too much but she has a very good turn of foot,” winning jockey Jeff Lloyd said after the victory.

“Very green,” Nathan Berry, rider of the Engulf.

“He ran good. Just knocked the last bit,” Lucky Elmo’s jockey Patrick Ferris said.

“He just got lost when I put him under pressure. The shades and some time will do him good,” said Peter Robl, the jockey of Bargaining [5th].

“I slaughtered it,” Peter Wells said about Gaston [6th].

“He just refused to go,” Ayrton’s jockey Rod Quinn said [8th].

“She just decidd this was not for her today,” Articlesandorders’s jockey Glyn Schofield said [failed to finish].

The favourite: Movie’s gun performance warranted her $3.10 quote, after an unlucky debut in last week’s Gimcrack Stakes for fillies at Randwick.

The betting: The best backed runner in the race was Eight Thorns firming in from $17 to $8 while Ayrton also had support and firmed from $6 to $5.50. Bargaining was specked from $10 to $9.50. The on-course market closed at 113 percent.

Horse to follow: Eight Thorns went every bit as good as the winner in failing to land a sizable betting plunge, settling back but getting going a bit too late to catch breakaway winner Movie.

A Beautiful Association
Breednet - Media Release
Wednesday, 8 October 2008

SINCE veteran Warwick Farm trainer Clarry Conners showed the American importation Beautiful Crown up as a potential good sire at the beginning of the 2001-02 juvenile racing year by producing a star of the early Sydney spring racing for the age group, Tom Coureuse, in his first crop, the Conners family have considerable success with the offspring.

To start with Clarry won seven races with Tom Coureuse, a horse who matured early and proved one of the better juveniles of his generation. After finishing second on debut in the Listed AJC Canonbury Stakes and winning at Rosehill Gardens, he went on that racing year to be third in the Group 1 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes and Group 3 MRC Blue Diamond Preview and fourth in the Group 3 MRC Blue Diamond Prelude.

Like most of the progeny of Beautiful Crown, himself a lightningly fast American by one of the best Danzig racehorses and sires, Chief’s Crown, that followed not only precocious but also good class as an older campaigner,Tom Coureuse went on to win again in Sydney and also in Brisbane and to place in the STC Heritage Stakes and in Melbourne and Perth.

Clarry’s son Marc, another Warwick Farm trainer, has had a rewarding association with the Beautiful Crown progeny, including supplying the first leg of a prestigious stakes double at Caulfield in mid October 2003 with two of his second crop 3-year-olds. He won the Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes with the filly Crown Princess and Hawkesbury trainer Noel Mayfield-Smith claimed the Group1 Caulfield Guineas with In Top Swing.

At the end of May this year, Marc Conners provided both legs of a Beautiful Crown double at Rosehill Gardens. Both owned by Marc Conners Racing Pty Ltd Syndicates, the winners were the 6-year-old Western Beau (six wins to date, including the Listed STC Heritage Stakes and Canberra Guineas) and the 3-year-old filly Star of Crown (six Sydney wins and four seconds in 19 outings).

The Conners clan could be on the way to their best success yet with the Beautiful Crown progeny, Clarry taking out the first Australian metropolitan race of the new year for juveniles, the Listed $100,000 Gimcrack Stakes for fillies which opened the big Randwick program on Saturday with the exciting filly Our Joan of Arc, an October 7 foal.

It was a remarkable effort as she had the outside gate and despite a soft track, covered the 1000m in new race record time of 0:58.03. Real Saga, the Tale of the Cat winner of the next race, the Breeders’ Plate for the juvenile males, was timed at 0:58.29.

Our Joan of Arc is only the second horse syndicated by Scott and Renee Darby through their Darby Racing, one which is located at Narellan in the Camden district, a cradle of Australian breeding, and reflects an ability to assess physical quality at the sale ring and to read pedigrees. She cost what is a bargain price today of $15,000 at the Sydney Classic yearling sale and was by far the cheapest of any of the 24 youngsters who lined up at Randwick on Saturday.

The price was remarkable value as she is now not only the 269th winner by Beautiful Crown, but she is the seventh winner for her dam Bright Heroine, a two times stakes placed sister by the influential sire Bluebird to Adelaide winner and Melbourne Listed third Love at Large. She is the dam of Inspire, a Rory’s Jester winner of nine races headed by the Group 3 VRC Carbine Club Stakes.

Tom Coureuse, Crown Princess, In Top Swing, Western Beau and Our Joan of Arc were all bred and marketed by Andrew and Lasca Bowcock using their own or clients mares. A third generation of the Bowcock family to operate out of the historic Segenhoe Valley near Scone, the Bowcock’s head the syndicate that bought Beautiful Crown in America and stood him as the foundation sire at the Alanbridge Stud they founded at the intersection of the Pages and Hunter rivers.

Early this year, the Bowcock’s sold Alanbridge to coal mining enriched Nathan Tinkler, investor in the past 12 months of over $100million in bloodstock, breeding farms and training complexes. He has renamed Alanbridge and an adjacent stud that he has acquired Patinack Farm and is standing four sires in the current season.

One of these sires is Beautiful Crown and he is at the stud by arrangement with his Bowcock headed syndicate. He is on a fee of $16,500 and is again looking at a book well in excess of 100. He has had 100 or more mares in each of seven seasons, including 159 in 2003 and has registered fertility in excess of 90% on six occasions. - Brian Russell Media.

$15,000 Is All it Takes
Tara Madgwick - Breednet
Monday, 6 October 2008

The Sport of Kings it may be in other parts of the world, but in Australia all it takes is $15,000 to buy yourself the favourite for the Melbourne Cup or the first juvenile stakes-winner of the season.

In recent weeks we’ve seen any number of high priced yearling purchases claiming major race success with $1.5 million Redoute’s Choice filly Samantha Miss the pin-up of the group having smashed her filly rivals to make a clean sweep of the Princess series culminating in a Group One victory in the AJC Flight Stakes last Saturday.

The breeding industry needs those horses to succeed to drive the top end of the sales market in a pyramid effect to keep everything else afloat, but for Joe Shmo who dreams of racing a good horse, but has limited funds there is good news!

$15,000 is all it cost for Darby Racing to buy a filly by Beautiful Crown (USA) from stakes-placed Bright Heroine at the 2008 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale from the Alanbridge Stud draft and the cheapest horse in the Listed AJC Gimcrack Stakes at Randwick on Saturday also turned out the fastest as Our Joan of Arc prevailed to win in race record time.

$60,000 in prizemoney jumped in the kick and as a stakes-winner her future value as a broodmare is assured.

Our Joan of Arc wins the Listed Gimcrack Stakes in race record time!
Photo courtesy of Bradley's Photos (02) 4868 1433

Our Joan Of Arc wins the Gimcrack
Clinton Payne - Racenet
Saturday, 4 October 2008

A $15,000 yearling, Our Joan Of Arc, served it up to her more expensive rivals with a tough and tenacious performance to win the $100,000 Listed Keeneland Gimcrack Stakes over 1000m at Royal Randwick today.

In the first two-year-old race of the season, Our Joan Of Arc was clearly the least expensive filly in the race with Come Hither at the other end of the spectrum being a $1 million purchase.

Jumping from barrer 14, Our Joan Of Arc began quickly but was allowed to follow the hot favourite Horizons across the field and she settled in a three wide position three groups back from the leader Sheeznodoubt.

In the straight Horizons went up to apply the pressure and just as quickly Our Joan Of Arc mounted her claim and the pair charged up the Randwick straight head and head before Our Joan Of Arc proved too strong over the concluding stages for Horizons with Come Hither finishing off in stylish fashion to grab third.

“This has been planned for a long time,” winning trainer Clarry Conners said.

“We had the horse, the rider [Peter Robl] rode her well, the barrier went against us but I though she could win the race.

“When I trialled her she was nowhere near ready but she was today.

“I’ll probably spell her now and come back in the new year.”

Our Joan Of Arc 56kg ($21) (P.Robl) defeated Horizons 56kg ($2.30) (B.Shinn) by a half length with Come Hither 56kg ($6) (C.Brown) a further three quarters of a length back in third.

The sectionals: The overall time for the race was a race record 58.03 secs and they ran home the final 600 metres in 35.23 secs.

Winner's Breeding: A two-year-old filly by Beautiful Crown (USA) x Bright Heroine (Bluebird (USA)) - $15,000 Inglis Classic.

What they said: “She did a terrific job. Coming up the rise she quickened really good and it just goes to show you that you don’t need to spend much to get a good horse,” winning jockey Peter Robl said after the victory.

“She tried hard,” Blake Shinn, rider of the runner-up Horizons.

“She had every chance but it was a good effort. On a dry track she would have quickened better and probably won,” Come Hither’s jockey Corey Brown said.

“She ran good but is still a bit weak – next time,” said Dan Nikolic, the jockey of Sheeznodoubt [4th].

“She went alright but just not seasoned enough yet,” Glen Colless said about Calape [5th]

“It was a workmanlike run. She kept finding the line” Arctic Light’s jockey Zac Purton said [6th].

The favourite: Horizons showed plenty of natural dash to charge across the field and take up a trailing spot behind the leader and she gave plenty in the straight but found the winner a shade to strong over the final 100 metres.

The money trail: The best backed runner in the race was Come Hither firming in from $7 to $6 while the favourite Horizons got out from $2 to $2.30. The on-course market closed at 122 percent.

Our Joan of Arc wins the Listed Gimcrack Stakes in race record time!
Photo courtesy of Bradley's Photos (02) 4868 1433

He's Back!!
Scott Darby
Friday, 3rd October 2008

7YO warhorse gelding 'Flaming' indicated he was back from a long lay off due to injury after a super performance in Heat 13 at the Rosehill trials today.

Ridden by Brad Stewart, Flaming was only supposed to have a very quiet trial in fact we were expecting him to finish near the tail of the field. However someone forgot to tell Flaming this, as competitive as ever he sat midfield before being let go around the field in a lightning move to join the leaders entering the straight. Jockey Brad Stewart then took hold of the big chestnut restraining him in the last 100m to the winning post to finish a more than satisfying 4th.

Brad Stewart's comments 'Very, Very good horse'

Trainer Gerald Ryan and all the Darby Racing owners are over the moon with how he has returned and he will now be scheduled to trial again next Tuesday week before a possible return to racing.

Darby Racing 2YO's Impress at the trials!
Scott Darby
Friday, 3rd October 2008

Darby Racing unveiled two 2YO debutantes at the Rosehill trials this morning. Gladiator (Hussonet / Flying Single) finished 4th in the quickest heat of the morning and leading most of the way before knocking up in the last 100m.

Also Eight Thorns (Lonhro / Southern Rose) in the same heat got back to last before sprinting up the inside to finish 5th. Both colts will derive plenty of benefit from the trial and will now trial again in around 10 days.

Fantasising (Redoute's Choice / Cosima's Dream) contested heat 6 finishing a strong 2nd showing she has derived great experience from her 1st trial 10 days ago. Settling in 4th place and ridden by Tye Angland, Fantasising set sail after the runaway leader to get within 2-3/4 lengths after the winner was leading by 5 lengths at one stage. She will either head to race in a fortnight or be spelled and brought back towards the end of the year for a tilt at the Magic Millions in early January.

Horror draw for Darby Racing's Gimcrack Hopeful!
Scott Darby
Wednesday, 1st October 2008

Darby Racing's 'Our Joan of Arc' has drawn the extreme outside barrier in Saturday's Gimcrack Stakes for the 2YO fillies. To be ridden by Group 1 winning rider Peter Robl, he will need all of his skill and guile to pilot our brilliant young filly to victory.

Darby Racing's 2nd syndication to race, lines up in the Listed Gimcrack Stakes!
Scott Darby
Monday, 29th September 2008

Darby Racing has all but syndicated eight 2YO's this season with most of those eight horses either trialled or about to trial. One in particular partnership is a stunning bay filly by Beautiful Crown out of Bright Heroine named Our Joan Of Arc. She will line up this Saturday in the Listed $100,000 Gimcrack Stakes for 2YO's.

Trained by Clarry Conners, she has impressed from day one and thus far has never been beaten on the track with Saturday obviously being her acid test.
Win lose or draw, Joan will be a horse of the future! Her owners are finding it hard to contain their excitement and joy. It has certainly been an amazing ride already in such a short space of time.

Joan was only syndicated back in July and now 3 months later lines up in a $100,000 black type event.

Good luck to all the owners this Saturday!

Our Joan of Arc

Flaming returns to the trials this Friday at Rosehill
Scott Darby
Monday, 29th September 2008

Group 3 and Listed winner Flaming returns to the trials this Friday after an injury earlier this year halted his racing career.

Formerly a Gai Waterhouse trained and Star Thoroughbred owned horse, Darby Racing purchased the horse after the well performed galloper injured a suspensory ligament back in February this year whilst being prepared for the Group1 Doncaster Handicap. Now under the care of Gerald Ryan, Flaming has been nursed back to health firstly by Scott Wade and Mark Holland at Razorback Stud and now with Rosehill trainer Gerald Ryan.

Gerald could not be happier with the 7YO gelding with no signs thus far of the old injury. Flaming is likely to have 3 trials before heading back to the races with the first of those at Rosehill this Friday. He will be given a real easy trial as he slowly makes his way back to competition.

Flaming has raced 26 times for 8 wins and nearly $400,000 in stakes earnings!

Flaming - 28/9/2008

Darby Racing Has Three 2YO's at Fridays Rosehill Trials
Scott Darby
Monday, 29th September 2008

Darby Racing continues to roll out its 2YO's this Friday with two colts under the care of Gerald Ryan and a filly trained by Clarry Conners.

Gerald Ryan will trial for the 1st time a well bred Hussonet colt named Gladiator, out of the Flying Spur mare 'Flying Single', she is a 1/2 sister to young Arrowfield stallion Not a Single Doubt and is directly related to Snippets, Forensics, Quick Score and Zizou just to name a few.
Also in the same heat Gerald will trial for the first time a Lonhro colt named Eight Thorns, out of the multiple city winning mare Southern Rose.
Both colts have been working well and are expected to trial accordingly.

Clarry Conner will trial for the second time an impeccably bred Redoute's Choice filly named Fantasising, out of Cosima's Dream she is a full sister to super sire General Nediym. Fantasising has been working well and will derive plenty of benefit from the trial. She will also benefit with some time to mature.

Gladiator_________________Fantasising__________________Eight Thorns

Promising stayer kicks off for Darby Racing!
Scott Darby
Tuesday, 23th September 2008

Darby Racing were more than pleased with the efforts of their new recruit Irish Myth in the 1st race at Mackay today.

A recent purchase at the Inglis tried sales for just $8,000, Irish Myth was originally trained at Randwick by Anthony Cummings. The five year old gelding was purchased after having 12 starts for Anthony for one 1 win at Kembla Grange and a 2nd at Canterbury over 1900m.

Originally a $200,000 purchase at the Magic Millions sales, Darby Racing thought the handsome son of Giants Causeway would develop into a potential cups horse in QLD. Irish Myth is now trained by Stuart Kendrick at MacKay kicking off his campaign in an unsuitable 1200m. He showed terrific fighting qualities to only go down by 3/4's of a length in a slick time of 1:10.53 for the 1200m. Judging by his first up performance I think there are plenty of wins install. Trainer Stuart kendrick was more than pleased with his efforts and will now find a suitable race over 1400m for his next assignment.

Irish Myth as a yearling

Another Darby Racing Syndication makes her debut at the 2YO trials!
Scott Darby
Tuesday, 23th September 2008

The Darby Racing 2YO's are certainly up and firing and following on from some terrific results last Friday at the official Randwick 2YO trials, it was Fantasising's (Redoute's Choice / Cosima's Dream) turn to trial at Warwick Farm. Trained by Clarry Conners, she finished a credible 4th run in the fastest heat of the day. Jockey Hugh Bowman thought she was a lovely filly and felt like a city class 2YO. She knocked up a little in the straight and will now trial again at Rosehill next week.

Fantasising's dam Cosima's Dream is a full sister to sprinting sensation and now top class sire General Nediym. The owners will certainly be eager to try and earn some black type in her racing career to compliment her outstanding pedigree.

Fantasising

Our Joan of Arc leaves her mark at the official 2YO Trials!
Scott Darby
Saturday, 20th September 2008

Darby Racing's 2YO filly 'Our Joan of Arc' upstaged her more pricey rivals in her heat of the official 2YO trials at Randwick yesterday!

Purchased for just $15,000 from the Inglis Classic sales this year, Our Joan of Arc (Beautiful Crown / Bright Heroine) lived up to her work on the track by showing great determination to beat her rivals.

Our Joan of Arc is out of the stakes placed Bluebird mare 'Bright Heroine' who is a full sister to the dam of Inspire winner of over $700,000 in stakes earning.

If she pulls up well she will be set for the $100,000 Listed Gimcrack Stakes in a fortnight. Naturally her owners were over the moon!

Another Darby Racing syndication also trialled in heat 2 yesterday. Grand Maneuver (More Than Ready / Bardot) was trapped wide and had to be taken back to last last to get a position. Coming into the home straight he appeared to be traveling nicely however once let go he immediately started to shorten stride. Peter Robl his jockey eased on the colt as he felt that Grand Maneuver was feeling his shins. He finished a credible 4th and did pull up quite shin sore. He will now be spelled and brought back later in the year for a tilt at next years Magic Millions.

Darby Racing's 2YO's to the fore at the Warwick Farm Jump Outs!
Scott Darby
Monday, 8th September 2008

Darby Racing unveiled some promising 2YO's this morning at the jump outs at Warwick Farm. Run down the course proper over approximately 440 metres, heat 1 saw two of the Darby Racing babies in action, a 2YO named Fantasising (Redoute's Choice / Cosima's Dream) and Our Joan of Arc (Beautiful Crown / Bright Heroine). Our Joan of Arc sprung the gates and travelled like an experienced horse to win the heat by 3 lengths in the second quickest time of the morning. Fantasising finished 3rd closing rapidly on 2nd place with her last 50m the strongest part of her work.

Grand Maneuver (More Than Ready / Bardot) closely related to up and coming superstar Duporth contested heat 5. He jumped cleanly from the barriers before racing a little green up the straight however once he was balanced he stretched out nicely in the last 100m to win his heat by 1/2 a length.

All three 2YO's are under the care of Clarry Conners and will now head for another jump out next Monday before officially trialing at Randwick on Friday the 19th of September.

Darby Racing is down to their final 2 syndications for the year, a lovely filly by Encosta De Lago who is in full work with Gerald Ryan and is about 4 weeks away from a trial and a powerful colt by Beautiful Crown (full brother to Group 3 and Listed winner Flaming) also with Gerald Ryan and should be ready to trial next month.

For more information please visit the syndications page or click below
>>>>Syndications Page<<<<

Heat Haze looks the Goods!
Scott darby
Wednesday, 9th September 2008

Darby Racing's clients were grinning ear to ear today as Zaflame's (Zabeel/Western Flame) full sister Heat Haze won her 2nd race from only 3 starts.
Heat Haze debuted only a month ago over 1200m finishing midfield, she was quickly moved up to 1850m winning by nearly 4lengths at only her 2nd start. Today Heat Haze stepped up to 2100m in a ratings 70 race accounting for her rivals with ease.
Heat Haze looks to have a bright future when you consider she had just her first start over 1200m only a month ago and then 2 starts later winning over 2100m.

Darby Racing's Zaflame was purchased at this years NZ Karraka Premier yearling sales and is the full sister to Heat Haze. She has developed nicely since being broken in at Razorback Stud with horse breaker Scott Wade delighted at what she had shown early on the track.
With the dam Western Flame now the producer of two runners for two winners the future certainly looks bright for the owners of the well related Zabeel filly 'Zaflame'.

Causeway Queen and Duporth cheered on by Darby Racing!
Scott Darby
Tuesday, 2 September 2008

Two fantastic results for clients of Darby Racing after Duporth took out the $1million Golden Rose and Causeway Queen won again in Melbourne.

Duporth by Red Ransom out of the Group winning mare Staging looks to be a stallion prospect of the future as he accounted for his rivals in the Golden Rose on Saturday. Darby Racing clients of Grand Maneuver were cheering every step of the way as their 2YO More Than Ready colt is closely related to Duporth. Grand Maneuver by More Than Ready and out of the Bluebird mare Bardot who is a 1/2 sister to Staging. He is a strapping colt that has impressed from day 1 and is currently preparing for the official 2YO trials at Randwick on Monday the 22nd of September.

The exciting Causeway Queen also won her way back into the winners circle after an outstanding performance in the last at Caulfield. After winning 7 in a row last preparation she returned a fortnight ago finishing last not handling a heavy track. Causeway Queen however put the dismal run behind her winning the last at Caulfield.
Again Darby Racing clients were cheering as Causeway Queen is very closely related to Ellehro(Lonhro/Body & Soul). Ellehro has only trialled once finishing 2nd at Randwick however she has succumbed to shin soreness in her only 2 preparations. She is loaded with potential and we look forward in seeing her return to work shortly.

Grand Maneuver (More Than Ready /Bardot)

Ellehro (Lonhro/Body & Soul) spelling at Heritage Park.

Hussler crowned Horse of the Year
Racenet
Tuesday, 2 September 2008

Six-time Group I winner Weekend Hussler has been named the 2007-08 Australian Racehorse of the Year presented by Sky Channel, at a glittering black tie affair at the Palladium at Crown in Melbourne tonight.

Weekend Hussler earned 82% of the overall votes to cap an extraordinary first season of racing and cement his standing as as Australia’s best galloper.

The gelding also becomes the first three-year-old since Octagonal in 1995-96 to be crowned Australian Racehorse of the Year.

In two amazing months last spring, the Ross McDonald-trained superstar had raced away with a Group 1 double –Caulfield Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield and the Ascot Vale Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.

But it was earlier this year that the world took notice of the ‘Hussler’ when he won four straight Group 1s – the Oakleigh Plate (1100m), the Newmarket Handicap (1200m) in Melbourne, followed by The Randwick Guineas (1600m) and George Ryder Stakes (1500m) against Sydney’s best weight-for-age stars.

These performances saw Weekend Hussler rated the world’s equal best miler and second best sprinter behin