Stakes success for Prompt Response

Runner-up in the Listed Crocket Stakes at Moonee Valley and the Lexus Hybrid Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day, Beneteau filly PROMPT RESPONSE scored a richly deserved first stakes win in Saturday's $120,000 Listed City Of Greater Dandenong Twilight Glow Stakes (1400m) at Sandown.

Ridden by Damian Oliver for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Prompt Response wearing the Blue Sky Bloodstock silks tracked the early speed before holding on to defeat Hear The Chant (Nicconi) by a long-neck with the fast-finishingPetition (Foxwedge) a neck back in third. (photo Darryl Sherer)

"She's been knocking on the door all carnival this filly and I think the barrier helped," Oliver said.

"I was able to settle where I wanted and she found for me when I asked for more into the straight.

"It was a good effort and she certainly deserved to win a nice race like this."

Stable representative Emma Pearce said the future looks bright for the daughter of Beneteau.  

"She's probably one of the most deserving horses in our stable to have a stakes win," Pearce said.

"She's a really, really tough filly and I think you'll see plenty more of her.

"We can step her up in grade from here and there's plenty more wins to come.

"It's been under some very frustrating circumstances that she's not already a multiple Stakes winner."

Prompt Response is a sister to 2014 Group III VRC Maribyrnong Plate winner PROMPT RETURN, secured by Blue Sky Bloodstock at the Magic Millions, who has won his last two starts at Eagle Farm and Doomben.

They are the third and fourth foals of the Exceed And Excel mare Prompt whose first two foals are the stakes-placed Diamond Glow (Bel Esprit) and the Hong Kong winner Mr Right (Statue Of Liberty).

Though she failed to place in three starts, Prompt is a daughter of the Desert Sun mare Amnesia a five-time winner who placed in nine stakes races.

After slipping in 2014 and 2015, Prompt foaled a colt by Horse Of The Year Dissident on August 13.

Prompt Response becomes the 10th stakes winner for Beneteau (Redoute's Choice), who was purchased by Blue Sky Bloodstock as a yearling, leaving 136 live foals from two crops before his untimely death in January 2013.

News from Breednet

Blue Sky Bloodstock Active at Keeneland

Blue Sky Bloodstock Farm and Aquis Farm, who were active at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale earlier this year, bought Lot 321, a filly foal by Medaglia D’Oro (El Prado) for US$525,000, from the Hill ‘N’ Dale draft at the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale.

The 8 January-foaled bay filly is the first foal out of the winning Australian-bred Taste Of Heaven (Encosta De Lago), herself a daughter of Shantha’s Choice (Canny Lad), the dam of Redoute’s Choice (Danehill), Manhattan Rain (Encosta De Lago), Platinum Scissors (Danehill) and Sliding Cube (Rock Of Gibraltar).

“We’re going to race her in America,” Blaxland told ANZ Bloodstock News.

“From an Australian perspective, she’s a marquee item. She’s a quality filly by one of the best stallions in the world. She’s a great physical, be grown out for the next 12 months and then go into training over here.

“A trainer hasn’t been decided yet.”

Taste Of Heaven was purchased from the Teeley Reduction at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, again by James Harron Bloodstock for Hill ‘N’ Dale, for $1,500,000.

“I remember the mare being sold at Magic Millions there two years ago,” Blaxland continued. “She’s a first foal out of the best family in Australia. She’s a really exciting prospect. If we can get some black type out of her over here then she’s worth a lot of money.”

Group 3 VRC Ottawa Stakes victory for Invincible Star

I Am Invincible sired his third Group winner of the Flemington carnival when brilliant two year-old filly Invincible Star scored a winning debut in the Group 3 VRC Ottawa Stakes.

Prepared in Sydney by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Invincible Star was partnered by Joao Moreira who charted a path down the outside after she jumped brilliantly from a wide gate in the 1000 metre dash.

Invincible Star quickly shook off her rivals and held a clear lead to the line, while race favourite Madeenaty toiled down the inside section of the track to finish third.

"She was too quick," said Joao Moreira.

"She's a lovely filly, She does everything right."

A $200,000 Magic Millions purchase for her trainer and Julian Blaxland of Blue Sky Thoroughbreds from the Yarraman Park draft, Invincible Star runs for a big syndicate of owners including David and Shiralee Lilley in whose colours she runs.

"She's always shown plenty of natural talent," said Adrian Bott.

"She's continued to improve every day she has been down here.

"She is one of the more precocious two year-olds we have and was purchased at Magic Millions, so that's the way we'll head with her."

Bred by Yarraman Park, Invincible Star is the fourth winner from four foals to race from Romany Flyer, a half-sister by former Yarraman Park stalwart Catbird to Group 3 winner Viking Hero.

The family also includes Group 1 winners Innocent King, Unworldly and Invest, so Invincible Star is a valuable filly now with a Group win on the board.

Romany Flyer has a yearling filly by I Am Invincible and produced another filly this spring by Zoffany (IRE).

Invincible Star is the 15th stakes-winner I Am Invincible, who had a stakes double at Flemington Saturday with Group I VRC Myer Classic winner I Am a Star and Group II winner Illustrious Lad.

News from Breednet

Don’t Doubt Mamma headlines exciting week for Blue Sky Bloodstock

With arguably one of the most important and exciting weeks of racing in the Australasian calendar – the Flemington Carnival commencing on Saturday, Blue Sky Bloodstock are extremely proud to be represented by numerous runners, not only at Flemington, but also at Randwick.

While not all meetings have had acceptances taken as yet, Blue Sky Bloodstock’s week will kick off on Derby Day at Flemington with two exciting runners.

Headlining the pair is private yearling purchase DON’T DOUBT MAMMA in the Group 1 Myer Classic, while AEGEAN SEA (right) takes her part a few races prior in the Group 3 Sensis Stakes.

A narrow last start second at Listed level over 1100m on Caulfield Cup Day, four-year-old Beneteau mare Aegean Sea will have the services of Blake Shinn once again, with the Clarry Conners-trained mare drawn wide, but she shows plenty of tactical speed and can take up a forward position.

Three races later, Not A Single Doubt mare Don’t Doubt Mamma (below) will start as one of the favoured runners in the Group 1 Myer Classic. Having recorded Group 2 wins at her last two runs, the Tony McEvoy-trained mare has recorded seven wins from 16 starts and looks ideally suited in the race.

Set to be ridden by Dwayne Dunn, the leading jockey will be aiming to go back to back in the race after his success last year on Politeness.

Progressing onto Cup Day, Blue Sky Bloodstock could be represented by three runners Australia wide.

After a narrow second last Saturday on Cox Plate day in the Listed Crockett Stakes, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained PROMPT RESPONSE (right) heads to the Listed Lexus Hybrid Plate over 1400m.

With multiple stakes-placed effort from her seven career starts to date, it would be a great to see the filly take a black type win for long term Blue Sky Bloodstock owners Ron Hamer and Mark Sowerby.

Currently the second emergency, two year-old INVINCIBLE STAR could make her debut in the opening race of the day, the Group 3 Ottawa Stakes for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.

Joao Moreira, one of the world’s leading jockey’s has been booked to take the ride, so fingers crossed for the large group of owners that the filly gets her chance to run.

At Royal Randwick on the same day, three-year-old Beneteau filly BLISS POINT will be looking to break her maiden for Clarry Conners in the opening race of the day.

Nominated for Oaks Day (Thursday) in the Listed TCL 4K UHD Stakes (1800m) is the lightly raced FLASH BOY.

An impressive winner two starts back over 1400m at Bendigo, the Inglis Premier purchased son of Beneteau then went back to Bendigo and not all went to plan, when finishing fifth.

Bred to appreciate the step up to 1800m, the Danny O’Brien-trained Flash Boy is out of half-sister to Group 3 winners Phantom Thief and Saturday Fever, both successful over 2400m, with their dam Not On Friday, having finished third and fourth in two separate Oaks, continuing to highlight the staying ability of the family.

All in all, we’d like to wish all our owners the best of luck during the week, and thank them for their continued support of Blue Sky Bloodstock.

Sizzling Return for Sundance

A brilliant juvenile stakes-winner at Doomben last December, three year-old I Am Invincible colt SUNDANCEmade a sizzling return to the track at Doomben on Wednesday.

A $140,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Newhaven Park draft for Blue Sky Bloodstock and his trainer Toby Edmonds, Sundance failed to fire in two starts in May, but showed he was right back to his best with this performance.

He led throughout and kept right on running to win the 1050 metre scamper by three lengths, his second win from six starts with prizemoney topping $90,000.

Sundance has some interesting line breeding as he is the second winner for Pacific Dreams, a half-sister by Desert Prince (IRE) to the dam of his sire I Am Invincible.

He has a 3 x 2 double cross of Countess Pedrille, the full sister to Group II winner Mamzelle Pedrille and also a close 3 x 3 double cross of champion sire Green Desert.

Being Magic Millions eligible, connections will no doubt be looking forward to the lucrative Brisbane summer racing and the $10 million Magic Millions race day in January.

Sundance was the second leg of a Brisbane double for Blue Sky Bloodstock purchased yearlings by I Am Invincible, with Tony Gollan's three-year-old filly LIPSTICK LOVER, a graduate of Yarraman Park Stud's Magic Millions draft breaking her maiden impressively in the opening race of the day - click here to read all about the win.

News from Breednet.

Success for Lipstick Lover at Doomben

Stepping up to the 1350m of the Christmas Functions @ BRC Maiden Handicap on Wednesday at Doomben, three-year-old filly LIPSTICK LOVER broke her maiden in impressive fashion.

Making her fourth trip to the races after placed efforts at her last two starts, both over 1200m, the Tony Gollan-trained filly settled with only three behind her in the ten horse field.

While race leader Arrogant Bay ensured the tempo was moderate, jockey Robbie Fradd travelled wide with the filly, keeping her comfortable in running.

Starting her run just after the 600m mark was passed, Fradd urged his mount along and she started to respond, forced to pull off the heels of the tiring Tycoon Rossa who had put up the white flag.

Sprinting impressively when into clear running, Lipstick Lover surged to the line, pulling away to defeat the imported Puissance Decheval by a length, with another length and a half back to the winner’s stablemate Husson Boots.

Purchased from the draft of Yarraman Park Stud at the Magic Millions in conjunction with B2B Bloodstock, Lipstick Lover is by Champion first season sire I Am Invincible, out of the placed Kenfair mare Kensington Rose.

A half-sister to Group 1 Randwick Guineas winner and young sire Ilovethiscity (Magic Albert), Lipstick Lover’s extensive pedigree includes Group 1 winners Lonhro, Niello, Grosvenor, Mahaya, Lankan Rupee, Miss Keepsake and Dalmacia, clearly indicating that any future success for the Sylvana Surace-raced filly will add considerably broodmare residual value.

Don't Doubt Mamma on song for Myer

Don't Doubt Mamma has won two of the lead-up races to the Myer Classic and is poised to chase her first Group One win in the fillies and mare's feature.

Trainer Tony McEvoy resisted temptations of other Group One races during the spring such as the Toorak Handicap, insisting the Myer Classic was the right race for the in-form four-year-old.

Don't Doubt Mamma has won the Group Two Let's Elope Stakes (1400m) at Flemington and Group Two Stocks Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley leading into Saturday's race and looms as one of the main Myer contenders.

'She's been wonderful this preparation and she's right on song,' McEvoy said.

'She galloped beautifully at Moonee Valley on Tuesday and I'm looking forward to getting her back to the races.'

Dwayne Dunn has been aboard Don't Doubt Mamma in her two recent wins and again has the ride on Saturday.

Dunn has ridden the mare in seven races for four stakes wins and another two placings, with the only miss her unplaced effort in the Group One Robert Sangster Stakes in Adelaide in May.

The jockey will be chasing back-to-back Myer Classic wins after steering Politeness to victory a year ago.

Continuing To Prompt Success…

While it wasn’t a double for the ‘Prompt’ siblings Prompt Return and Prompt Response on Saturday, it was pretty close!

The three-year-old filly PROMPT RESPONSE finished second in the Listed Crockett Stakes at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate day. Fifth and 4ourth at her two prior runs at Group 3 level, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained filly did most of the work at the front of the field before being run down in the final few strides by back-marker Sweet Sherry.

After going forward from a wide gate, jockey Kerrin McEvoy had Prompt Response sitting in second position, out wide from Overstep.  Under hard riding before the turn, the filly responded extremely well for McEvoy, before Steven Arnold aboard Sweet Sherry nabbed the Ron Hamer and mark Sowerby raced filly.

Prompt Response (black blinkers) finishing a good second to Sweet Sherry at Listed level.

With four top two finishes from seven race starts to date, including multiple black type places, the filly continues to add worth to her pedigree as a broodmare prospect for when she retires from the track.

A few hours later, PROMPT RETURN, the year older brother of the filly recorded his fifth career win, and third from his last five starts since joining the Cold Coast-based Toby Edmonds stable.

A winner of the Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate during his juvenile season, four-year-old Prompt Return started his career with Danny O’Brien in Melbourne followed by a stint with Chris Waller in Melbourne before heading north to the ‘sunshine state’.

Edmonds proved a shrewd judge when he decided to freshen up Prompt Return following his sixth to Londehero over 1200 metres at Eagle Farm on September 24.

Prompt Return winning at Eagle Farm, his 3rd win from five starts for the Edmonds Racing stable. Picture: Dan Costello

“He’s been going too keenly in the 1200-metre races so I decided to give him a freshen-up and bring him back in distance,” Edmonds said.

“There looked to be some good speed in the race and he finished it off strongly.”

Charging late down the outside of the field with Jeff Lloyd in the saddle, Prompt Return took the race by three-parts of a length from Wicked Intent, with a further length back to Hard Stride in third.

Also raced by Ron Hamer and Mark Sowerby, all at Blue Sky Bloodstock would like to congratulate them on the win and thank them for their continued and ongoing support.

Flashy win...

Having only his second career start, three-year-old Beneteau colt Flash Boy recorded an impressive winning performance on Saturday, in the Jayco Bendigo Cup 26/10 3YO Maiden Plate over 1400m at Bendigo.

Trained by Danny O’Brien, the colt found the 1050m of his debut run at Morphettville a little too short, but over the 1400m, jockey Daniel Moor was able to jump away well from a mid-line gate before allowing those to come across him where he sat in fifth position on the outside.

Taking up the running was Fox Hall; just ahead of race favourite Judelly, who Flash Boy was tracking throughout.

As the favourite put up the white flag on the point of the turn, Moor pulled Flash Boy off his back to chase down Fox Hall.

Although it was a bit of a dog fight for a portion of the straight, once clear, Flash Boy held his own, recording a long neck victory with a further length back to Montoya’s Secret in third.

Purchased from the draft of Three Bridges Farm at the Inglis Premier yearling sale, Flash Boy is out of the Helissio mare Free Friday, herself a sister to the dam of Champion Weekend Hussler, and is also a half-sister to Group 3 winners Phantom Thief and Saturday Fever.

20 minutes earlier at Caulfield, 4yo mare Aegean Sea contested the Listed Alinghi Stakes for Clarry Conners.

Going forward from gate three, Blake Shinn had the mare in third place on the rail getting a cosy run.

On the point of the home turn, Aegean Sea was travelling and just needed a gap. While one did present itself, and the mare worked through it, she was unable to hold off the late charge of Matthew Smith’s Palazzo Pubblico.

With three wins and three placed efforts from ten starts, the consistent mare looks more than capable of earning further black type during the comings weeks of the carnival.

Another runner on the day that performed well in the Blue Sky Bloodstock silks was Rip Van Winkle four-year-old Gervias who resumed in the seventh race of the day at Bendigo.

Also trained by Danny O’Brien and ridden by Daniel Moor, the gelding was asked to carry 60kg, and after getting a good run in transit, made up good ground to finish in third position behind King Of The Ark.

A winner of two of his nine prior starts, the New Zealand Bloodstock yearling purchase is looking for further than the 1100m of Saturday’s race and is sure to be very competitive at his next outing.

Congratulations to all our owners and we look forward to further success during the Spring Carnival.

Mamma Myer-bound after boosting Stocks

Don't Doubt Mamma delivered the Tony McEvoy stable a Group 2 double in thrilling fashion at Moonee Valley on Friday night, and stamped her ticket to the Group 1 Myer Classic.

Moonee Valley was rare territory for the four-year-old mare having her second start at the track, but the winning post certainly wasn't - it was her seventh career win in 16 starts.

And Dwayne Dunn, on board for four of them now, heads back to the place he'd earned the previous three wins on her - Flemington - for a crack at the $500,000 Classic.

"It's her race," McEvoy said of the Myer.

"We discussed it at length [about the Toorak Handicap option] - I'm very keen to get some weight off her at the elite level.

"As you can see, she's not a very big mare.

"We thought about it - we thought weight-for-age against mares, mile here [at the Valley]. Let's have a look at her at the mile against her own sex.

"The Myer's her race. It's a big Group 1, against the mares, and she probably won't run before it."

The Group 1 open handicaps are definitely still on McEvoy's radar in the future with the impressing daughter of Not a Single Doubt.

"I'd love to get her into a handicap with no weight one day," he added.

News from Racing.com

KISS AND MAKE UP TO AQUIS FARM

The highly rated Todman Stakes winner Kiss And Make Up will join the stallion roster at Queensland’s Aquis Farm in a deal brokered by Blue Sky Bloodstock’s Julian Blaxland.

The Gai Waterhouse trained colt was the only juvenile to conquer and defeat Australian Champion 2yo Capitalist when winning the time honoured Group 2 at Randwick by 2.3L in the lead up to this year’s Golden Slipper.

Kiss And Make Up – a January Magic Millions sales graduate, bred and offered by John Singleton’s Strawberry Hill Stud was purchased as a yearling by Waterhouse in 2015. A blueblood in every respect, being by Champion 2yo sire More Than Ready (Sebring, More Joyous, Phelan Ready etc.) from the Waterhouse trained Australian Champion 2yo Filly Fashion’s Afield (Redoute’s Choice), a winner of the Gr.1 ATC Sires Produce at Two and the Gr.1 Flight Stakes at Three, and runner up in the Gr.1 Golden Slipper to Stratum.

Queensland’s Aquis Farm, owned by Hong Kong based Tony Fung, commenced operations at their Canungra base in 2016, standing stallions Holy Roman Emperor, Domesday, Benfica and this year’s Gr.2 Queensland Guineas winner Spill The Beans (Snitzel). “My father and our family are totally committed to establishing Aquis Farm as one of Australia's leading stallion farms and we think we are demonstrating that in securing for 2017 and beyond the only 2yo that ever beat the Golden Slipper winner Capitalist and the third highest rated Two-Year-Old old of his generation” commented Justin Fung of Aquis Farm.

Kiss And Make Up will be immediately retired due to a knee injury and be allowed to let down to commence stud duties in 2017 as a wonderful addition to the Queensland stallion ranks. A winner of two of his three career starts, the colt shifting a shoe in the early part of the 2016 Gr.1 Golden Slipper.

Kiss And Make Up joins the illustrious list of commercial stallions to have walked out of the gates of the famed Tulloch Lodge now operated in a training partnership between Hall of Fame trainer Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. In recent years, stable stars Vancouver, Pierro, Sebring and Northern Meteor (to name but a few) have become some of the biggest names in breeding and racing and with the support of Aquis Farm’s quality broodmare band and Queensland and interstate breeders, Kiss And Make Up will get every chance to emulate the feats of these aforementioned stallions. Notably Strawberry Hill Stud, Gai Waterhouse and the colt’s racing ownership group have retained breeding nominations in order to support the horse at Aquis Farm.

Gai Waterhouse on Kiss And Make Up – “Kiss And Make Up in his short career showed such brilliance in speed. He has a perfect colt’s temperament, he is good natured, intelligent, easy to work with and he has a wonderfully competitive spirit. I wish Aquis every success and I look forward to purchasing his progeny.”

Adrian Bott – “A brilliant 2yo, with natural speed, a great physical presence and a huge turn of foot”

On his win in the Todman Stakes – Gary Crisp (Timeform) “Kiss And Make Up led throughout at a solid tempo to win the Todman Stakes and in the process breaking the heart of impressive Magic Millions winner Capitalist – the most pleasing part of the win was the last 200m where the winner was still powering clear of his rivals after reeling off even sectional splits...running to a Timeform rating of 120p”

Kerrin McEvoy – “A striking colt who dominated the Todman Stakes, he showed a great turn of foot once asked - to beat a Golden Slipper winner convincingly” 

Two-year-old Trial Time

With the first set of official two-year-old barrier trials held at Royal Randwick on Monday, September 19, it was pleasing for Blue Sky Bloodstock to have five representatives, and then to top it off with two winning their respective heats.

The third trial of the day saw the Redoute’s Choice colt MISTY LAD take control from the start, jumping to the lead and under a confident hands and heels ride by Kerrin McEvoy, record a three-quarter length victory over Godolphin’s Inquiry

Secured by Blue Sky Bloodstock’s Julian Blaxland, Mt Hallowell and Gai Waterhouse at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, the well-related colt was knocked down to the trio for $150,000.

The second foal of the winning Anabaa mare Anadan, herself a daughter of Group 1 winner Demerger, Misty Lad is likely to target the Listed Breeders’ Plate, a race Waterhouse has won four times from the last five runnings, highlighted by eventual Group 1 Golden Slipper winners Pierro and Vancouver.

A handful of trials later saw an extremely impressive performance achieved by More Than Ready filly CHAIN OF FOOLS.

Once again trained by Waterhouse and Bott, the filly was purchased at the Magic Millions yearling sale from the draft of Kia Ora Stud for $145,000 by a partnership that included Waterhouse, Blaxland and Dermott Farrington.

Winning her heat by seven and a quarter lengths, Chain Of Fools is by Vinery Stud’s More Than Ready, a Champion Sire that has produced Australian-bred juvenile Group 1 winners Carry On Cutie, Sebring, Entisaar, Phelan Ready and Samaready.

Out of the Catbird mare Burgeis, herself a Group 1 performed two-year-old, Chain Of Fools is closely related to Group 1 Golden Slipper winner Stratum, so the pedigree scream success.

With all going well, Chain Of Fools will head to the Listed Gimcrack Stakes on October 1, joining Misty Lad on the same day as a representative from the Waterhouse, Bott and Blaxland combination, a successful trio which is really starting to bear fruit.

Aquis buying mission bolsters global status

The family of Hong Kong-based billionaire Tony Fung took another large step toward establishing a major presence in international racing by purchasing six colts during the first three sessions of Keeneland's September Yearling Sale for a total of $2.085 million.

Topped by a $500,000 son of Galileo, a half-brother to US champion juvenile filly Halfbridled who was bred in Ireland by a Coolmore partnership, and a $385,000 Street Cry half-brother to Belmont Stakes winner Creator, the group of colts would stand out in any locale.

"Great, great quality," says Fung's son Justin (pictured below), who oversees the family's Aquis Farm in Queensland, Australia, and who bought the colts while assisted by Julian Blaxland of Blue Sky Bloodstock of Sydney.

"It's important for us to diversify our portfolio and make sure we have the best-quality horses from anywhere in the world, and we'll travel to source it."

The Fungs are busy building up their bloodstock holdings after last year acquiring the four properties covering over 1,100 acres previously owned in Queensland by Nathan Tinkler under his Patinack Farm banner.

In July they bought four well-bred fillies for a total of 430,000gns at Tattersalls and are breeding four mares to Frankel on southern hemisphere time.

They also are standing four stallions in the current Australian breeding season: Holy Roman Emperor, the former Coolmore shuttler by Danehill; Domesday, a former Darley stallion by Red Ransom; Snitzel's sprinting son Spill The Beans, who is standing his first season, and Benfica, a Group 1-winning son of Lonhro and another former Darley stallion.

Plans for the newly acquired yearlings are still taking shape, but Justin Fung said they would probably stay in the States for racing.

"We're always exploring options and we're excited about the future of these colts," he says.

One of the colts, a dark bay by Kitten's Joy out of the Grade 2-placed Lady Lumberjack, by Forestry, was acquired in partnership with Barbara Banke's Stonestreet Stables for $450,000 from the Clearsky Farms consignment.

Stonestreet has been active in buying some top-quality young horses in Australia, where Blaxland says he met Banke's bloodstock advisor John Moynihan.

Blaxland explains: "I gave him some insights into the Aussie horses and we bought one at Easter last year with Gai Waterhouse, and so John and I both like a fast horse. And we want to help Aquis get results on the track as soon as possible.

"John identified this colt and I agreed with him; it looks like a really nice grass horse and we're excited to get an association between Stonestreet and Aquis."

"Being a new player in the industry, we definitely want to forge relationships with everyone around the world and make sure we capitalise on opportunities together," says Fung, who adds that he wants to find colts with pedigrees that would make them strong stallion prospects in any part of the world if they succeed in racing.

"Despite the fact we spent a lot of money, I love the value we got," Fung says.

His purchases also included a War Front colt who is the second foal out of multiple Grade 1 winner Sassy Image, by Broken Vow. Acquired for $250,000 early in the first session, the colt was bred by Stonestreet.

"You can't go wrong with a War Front and Sassy Image. We wanted this one. We thought it was a spectacular deal and we're really excited," Fung adds.

His other purchases were a $180,000 Giant's Causeway colt out of a sister to Galileo's Group 1-winning daughter Lush Lashes, who was bred by Don Alberto Corp, and a $320,000 son of Uncle Mo out of a half-sister to Middle Park Stakes winner Crusade, who was bred by a Coolmore partnership.

News from Racing Post Bloodstock

Australia’s Aquis Farm Makes First Keeneland Yearling Purchases

Three colts acquired during the first two sessions of Keeneland's September Yearling Sale – a $250,000 War Front colt and a $180,000 Giant's Causeway colt on Monday and a $500,000 Galileo (IRE) colt on Tuesday – are the first Keeneland purchases for Aquis Farm of Australia. Aquis CEO Justin Fung is in Kentucky for the first time.

“We want the best horses, and we'll go around the world to get them,” said Fung, who is attending the sale with Australian bloodstock agent Julian Blaxland of Blue Sky Bloodstock.

“With Keeneland being the great sale that it is, this was one of our destinations. (This sale) is quite spectacular, not just in terms of numbers but quality. We were really excited to get here.”

Blue Sky Bloodstock's Julian Blaxland and Aquis Farm's Justin Fung

Fung's father, Tony, is a successful businessman who is a longtime member of the Hong Kong Jockey Club and has become involved in breeding and racing the past few years.

The Fung family, who is based in Hong Kong, has developed Aquis into a full-service Thoroughbred breeding and racing operation. Located in Queensland, the nearly 2,000-acre farm is home to some 80 mares, 35 2-year-olds and 35 yearlings and stands four stallions, including shuttle stallion Holy Roman Emperor (IRE).

Justin Fung said the three September Sale purchases might remain in the U.S. to race and eventually could join the Aquis stallion roster. The War Front colt, consigned by Warrendale Sales, agent for Stonestreet Bred & Raised, is out of multiple Grade 1 winner Sassy Image, by Broken Vow. Consigned by Eaton Sales, agent, the Giant's Causeway colt is out of the Galileo (IRE) mare Alone (IRE), a full sister to Group 1 winner and Irish highweight Lush Lashes. The Galileo colt (below), an Irish-bred half-brother to champion Halfbridled, was consigned by Gainesway, agent.

Fung, who has an undergraduate degree from Duke University and a law degree from Loyola University in Los Angeles, on Tuesday said he didn't know how long he would remain at the September Sale and whether he would buy more yearlings. He said he is enjoying being at the sale.

“I don't have tickets booked yet,” he said. “I'm just playing it by ear, seeing how things go.”

News from Paulick Report

Blue Sky Bloodstock and Aquis Join Forces At Keenelend

Early during the opening day of selling at the 2016 Keeneland September Yearling Sale, Blue Sky Bloodstock and Queensland’s Aquis Farm secured Hip 7, who was bought for US$250,000.

By War Front, the 20 April-foaled colt is out of the dual Grade One winner Sassy Image (Broken Vow) who was trained by Dale Romans to win the 2011 Princess Rooney Handicap (Gr 1, 6f) and that year’s Humana Distaff Stakes (Gr 1, 7f) at Churchill Downs.

The second purchase came later on in the session as Hip 164, who was purchased for US$180,000.

By Giant’s Causeway (Storm Cat) the chestnut colt is out of the unraced Galileo (Sadler’s Wells) mare Alone, who is a sister to the Group One winner Lush Lashes (Galileo) being out of the winner Dance For Fun (Anabaa).

“It's been a couple of years since I attended a September sale,” Blaxland stated.

“I've been a regular buyer at the November sale here at Keeneland but it's nice to be back at the premier US yearling sale plus the weather is much nicer!

“We purchased two lovely colts today for Aquis Farm. Aquis is a new breeding and racing operation in Queensland but with a truly international vision and it's certainly exciting to be a very small part of where they're heading.”

The two colts will remain in the US and head into training in California with Bob Baffert.

“Tony and Justin Fung are passionate about racing and with the industry being such a global one these days it makes sense to be active buying the best stock, at the best sales in the world to add to their bloodstock portfolio.

“The colts will be trained by Bob Baffert in California and hopefully this is the start of success in this part of the world for Aquis Farm going forward. Keeneland September is a fantastic sale and it's great to be a part of it,” Blaxland added.

Fourth Stakes Win for Don't Doubt Mamma

After returning from winter vacation with a close-up fifth in the Group III Cockram Stakes at Caulfield, DON'T DOUBT MAMMA had trainer Tony McEvoy plotting a Group I goal after the daughter of Not A Single Doubt earned a fourth stakes win in Saturday’s Group II Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) at Flemington.

Aided by a rails-hugging ride by Dwayne Dunn, Don’t Doubt Momma nosed out Thames Court (Commands) by a short half-head with Manageress (Magnus) a long neck away third. (photo Grant Courtney).

McEvoy said he favoured a start in the Group I Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on October 8 for the 4yo mare.

"Dwayne didn’t have many options and he showed great patience, he didn’t panic and trusted her,” McEvoy said.

"She’s a real pro and just loves winning and needed to be there with 58 (kg) on her back.”

The victory advances the overall record of Don’t Doubt Mamma to 6 wins, 1 second and 3 thirds from 15 starts with earnings of $519,110.

Bred by Dean Fleming, Don't Doubt Mamma is a full sister to Listed stakes-winner Risen from Doubt and was selected from the paddock by Blue Sky Bloodstock's Julian Blaxland for owner Peter Katelanis.

She is the final foal from the Fantastic Light mare Coconut Mamma whose dam Joie (Geiger Counter) is a half-sister to 4-time Group 1 winner Tuesday Joy (Carnegie) and Group 1 AJC Oaks heroine Sunday Joy (Sunday Silence) , the dam of 8-time Group 1 winnerMore Joyous (More Than Ready)  from the famed Denise’s Joy family.

News from Breednet

Edmonds Racing and Blue Sky Team Up For Double

With the Gold Coast-based Toby Edmonds one of the training ranks best kept secrets, Blue Sky Bloodstock are really excited about how well our runners are performing for the stable.

Having sent both PROMPT RETURN and I'LL TAKE THE JAG north to join Edmonds Racing after both having had stints in either Melbourne and/or Sydney, the results really speak for themselves, with both gallopers winning on Saturday.

Winning at his first start for Edmonds Racing, juvenile stakes-winner Prompt Return (Beneteau) was having his second run for the stable and maintained his unbeaten record, winning over 1050m at Doomben in the Canadian Club Benchmark 75 Handicap.

Jumping away quickly from the gates, jockey Jeff Lloyd settled Prompt Return in third position on the rail, using the great tactical speed that he has.

As the field headed into the final turn, Prompt Return hugged the rail like a greyhound while the leaders began to stop.

Continuing to race strongly once in the lead, Prompt Return held off the late flourish from Assertory and Frequently to take the race by a length as the second favourite.

Race by great Blue Sky Bloodstock clients Mark Sowerby and Ron Hamer, Prompt Return’s victory took his overall record to four wins and a second place from 13 starts with just shy of $200,000 in earnings.

A short while later, this time at Edmonds’ home track of the Gold Coast, Blue Sky Bloodstock yearling purchase I’ll Take The Jag was in action, contesting the Travel Sim Australia Class 3 Plate over 1200m.

A narrow fifth the start prior when first-up, I’ll take The Jag settled back in the fifth position in the sixth horse field, with Hidden Road going many clears clear to string the small field out.

Maintaining his position pretty much throughout, jockey Matthew McGuren urged the High Chaparral five-year-old to the outside of the field as they headed into the straight.

While it may have taken a little before I’ll Take The jag started to chase down the leader, the important factor was that he did, pulling away for a narrow victory over the tearaway leader, with Starocity, a stablemate of I’ll Take The Jag, working home well for third.

General James Salutes At Geelong

Although having to wait until the second last race of the day on Tuesday at the Geelong Turf Club, it was great to see BLUE SKY BLOODSTOCK’s New Zealand Bloodstock yearling purchase GENERAL JAMES record his fourth win.

Starting the race favourite in the Roderick Insurances Brokers Benchmark 70 after a pleasing third the start prior, the Danny O’Brien-trained General James jumped from the outside barrier in the nine horse field.

Jockey Craig Newitt pushed forward to try and obtain a position, but as the first bend was reached he found himself extremely wide and therefore dropped back to settle in fifth position, but still racing wide without any cover.

When the pace started to slacken slightly, Newitt allowed General James to slide forward where he found himself sitting outside of the race leader and second favourite Sammy The Snake to be well within striking range.

As Macrobius came from a mid-field position and took up the challenge with the race leader, General James appeared to be left slightly flat footed while the front two charged a few lengths clear.

Craig Newitt urged General James along before the son of Savabeel really picked up and showed some great fighting qualities, reeling in the race leader before pulling away for an impressive length and a quarter victory over the 1900m.

Trainer Danny O'Brien was suitably impressed by the winning performance.

"I love this breed of horse. They are tough, strong and just get better with age," O'Brien said.

"General James' win today was excellent as he did at both ends of the race and he was still stronger than any of his rivals on the line, which bodes well for his next few races."

"I would expect that he will contest another heat at Pakenham on July 17 over 2200m and then proceed to the final a fortnight after that all going well," O'Brien said.

Recording his fourth win from 19 starts, with a further four placings for his large group of owners; Lucky Stew Racing, Mrs L F Ashton, Mr S Wilson, Mr B K Cameron, Mr A W Bruhn, Mr S D J Daniels, Cazjohn Racing, Mr S J Giles, Mr W Wilson, Mr W Wessels, Mr C J Meadmore, Mr W K Thomas, Mr J Steenhuisen, Mr H W O'meara, Yarra Racing, Ms V J Thomas, Mr C Harrington, Mr L Crapper, Mr M D Young and Mr M T Fitzpatrick, General James was secured from the draft Waikato Stud at the 2013 New Zealand Bloodstock Yearling Sale by Blue Sky Bloodstock and Danny O'Brien Racing.

For further information how you can be involved in racing with BLUE SKY BLOODSTOCK, contact Julian Blaxland on 0431 746 803 or julian@blueskybloodstock.com.au

Bound For Criterion

After having a really pleasing career on the track for her owners, the BLUE SKY BLOODSTCOK yearling purchase BOUNDARY was sold at this week’s Magic Millions National Broodmare sale.

Purchased by Paul Moroney Bloodstock for $150,000, Boundary (Manhattan Rain x One Dream) was secured for Sir Owen Glenn, with the stakes performed mare expected to head to Newgate Farm’s first season sire Criterion, a multiple Group 1-winning son of Sebring.

From a great black type family, Boundary should prove her worth at stud, and we are really looking forward to tracking her progress as a broodmare prospect in years to come.

Initially purchased from the Magic Millions National yearling sale for only $38,000 from the draft of Millbrook, Boundary went on to secure over $150,000 for owners Newhaven Park, V O C Racing, Mr R K Hamer, Mr N A Mukhi, Mr M Rava, Mr J A Lee, Mr S C Waugh and Mr T W Trim under the care of Heath Conners which saw the mare record three wins as well as a close second at Group 3 level.

Pedigree - click for Larger

With the progeny of Manhattan Rain really starting to hit their straps, BLUE SKY BLOODSTOCK have opportunities available in an impressive well-bred colt by the very same sire.

Purchase from this year’s Inglis Easter yearling sale from the draft of leading Victorian Farm Rosemont Stud, the Manhattan Rain colt (pictured below) is a three-quarter brother to Group 1 Oaks winner Absolutely, and more recently the current three-year-old out of the mare Catshaan, the Mick Kent-trained Abie Marie went on to claim a Group 1 in her own right – making our colt a three-quarter brother to two Group 1 winners! Updated pedigree click left.

Stallion Potential - Manhattan Rain x Catshaan colt, secured at the Inglis Easter yearling sale

For further information how you can be involved in racing with BLUE SKY BLOODSTOCK, contact Julian Blaxland on 0431 746 803 or julian@blueskybloodstock.com.au