NORTH Queensland corporate and commercial lawyer Jane Seawright has been appointed to Racing Queensland as a non-industry board member.
Announcing her appointment, Racing Minister Sterling Hinchliffe said Ms Seawright's strong skills in law, governance, strategy and strategic relationship management would be great assets for RQ, along with her strong links to North Queensland.
"Queensland racing is entering an exciting new era as the government presses ahead with a reform agenda to create a more commercially focused industry. RQ's new-look board will implement a series of new reforms to build on the integrity, prizemoney and country racing reforms we've already implemented," the Minister said.
"Five of the seven board members will continue their roles, including Chair Steve Wilson who has shown strong leadership during his three years in the role. In coming weeks a new Thoroughbred representative will be appointed, as we move to fill a vacancy following the departure of Mark Sowerby.
"I want to pay tribute to Mark Sowerby and fellow outgoing RQ board member (non- industry) Susannah George for their contributions to Queensland racing. Both have served RQ well and helped to steer Queensland racing on a path for greater growth and prosperity," he said.
Racing Queensland Board appointments (effective from May 1):
Steve Wilson AM (Chairperson) for a term of three years;
Sharon Dawson (Deputy Chairperson) and non-industry member for a period of two years;
Max Walters OAM (non-industry member) for a period of two years;
Jane Seawright (non-industry member) for a period of three years;
Dale Cartwright (greyhound representative) for a period of two years; and
Margaret Reynolds (harness representative) for a period of two years.
Mr Hinchliffe said Queensland Racing Integrity Commissioner Ross Barnett had also been appointed for a new three-year term, effective July 1.
"Under Ross Barnett's leadership, QRIC has been at the forefront of implementing integrity reform in Queensland racing. The Palaszczuk Government will continue to seek stronger animal welfare and integrity measures in racing and will work with QRIC to achieve this," he said.
Bowman guest speaker at Julia Creek luncheon
WORLD renown jockey Hugh Bowman - rider of world champion mare Winx in all of her 25 Group 1 wins - will be guest speaker at the Julia Creek Charity Flood Relief luncheon this coming Sunday, May 5.
Born and raised on a cattle property at Dunnedo in central western NSW, Bowman knows the trials and tribulations of droughts and flooding rains. He's also experienced success and setbacks associated with being a professional jockey for the past 20 years. Foremost among his 2028 winning rides are 88 Group 1 wins in Australia, Hong Kong and Japan while his total prizemoney earnings total almost $174 million. Booking inquiries can be made at: www.trybooking.com/book/event?eid=487303
The Julia Creek lunch is one of several recent fund raising events organised in the wake of the north-west Queensland flood crisis.
Richmond stock agent and grazier Shane Stafford, acting on behalf of BlazeAid, recently co-ordinated an on-line sale of racing colours worn by Melbourne Cup winners Makybe Diva and Efficient which raised $7500.
The Makybe Diva colours were sold for $5000 to Ivan and Helen Price, Moongool Charolais Stud, Roma, while the Efficient colours sold for $2500 to Tony Kelly, Grose Wold, NSW.
Through the help of Singapore-based and former Queensland jockey Michael Rodd, Shane was able to acquire the colours of triple Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva signed by winning jockey Glen Boss and trainer Lee Freedman and Efficient's colours signed by winning jockey Michael Rodd. The colours were then offered for sale on-line as a BlazeAid charity auction through Inglis Digital from April 12 to 17 which corresponded with the Inglis Easter yearling sale and Day 2 of the Championships at Randwick.
"Inglis Digital manager Nick Melmeth gave us fantastic support while the auction also gained valuable promotion through Sky Racing's Andrew Benzley and ABC's Sunday All Over presenter BlazeAid patron Ian McNamara," Shane said.
Better Than Ready progeny earnings pass $1 million
OUTSTANDING freshman sire Better Than Ready has now passed the $1 million mark for progeny earnings, plus gaining his third black type winner, courtesy of 2YO gelding Jagged Edge winning the Listed Dalrello Stakes for 2YO (1000m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday, April 27.
Along with 16 individual winners sired from his Lyndhurst Stud base, his first crop progeny earnings now stands at more than $1.067 million following the first prize cheque of $72,500 for the Dalrello Stakes.
Unbeaten in two starts for Sunshine Coast trainer Stuart Kendrick after a debut win the Sunshine Coast, QTIS registered Jagged Edge has now won $95,000 which is more than double his yearling sale price of $46,000 paid by Darby Racing/De Burgh Equine at last year's Inglis Classic Yearling sale in Sydney.
However, that price was left 'in the shade' when Sydney bloodstock agent James Harron paid $220,000 - top sale price at this year's Magic Millions March yearling sale - to buy his yearling half-brother by Spirit Of Boom.
Harron confirmed the colt will join the powerful Sydney based stable of the father-son training team of Peter and Paul Snowden.
Jagged Edge and the colt are both from the 100 percent winner producer Weekend Surprise (nine foals to race: all winners) - herself a three time winner by Cox Plate winner Rubiton. Having begun her broodmare career in Victoria, Weekend Surprise moved north to Queensland when she was sold online at the 2014 Inglis Great Southern Broodmare sale in Melbourne in foal to Real Saga to Darling Downs breeder Mrs Leigh Lord, Kaimkillenbun. The resultant filly foal Weekend Saga was sold for $25,000 at the 2016 Magic Millions National yearling sale and has now won two races. All up, the three foals sold since Mrs Lord acquired Weekend Surprise have returned $291,000 for her initial $10,000 outlay.
A shareholder in Better Than Ready, Mrs Lord sent three mares to the debut sire with three foals delivered. The two that have raced are both winners. Jagged Edge became the second black type winner for Weekend Surprise having previously produced Moonee Valley Group 3 Champagne Stakes winner Dan Baroness, while a now gelded colt from the Get Square mare The Duchess sold for $6000 at last year's Capricornia yearling sale at Rockhampton. Named Hezhome, the 2YO gelding trained by Roma-based Craig Smith has now won two races at Rockhampton and was runner-up in the recent Capricornia 2YO Classic at Rockhampton.
Jagged Edge is the second black type winner bred by Mrs Lord - the first coming 27 years ago when Destiny Boy (Rolle/Nymphete) won the 1992 Listed WJ McKell Cup (2400m) at Rosehill for Guy Walter.
Guineas now the plan for Crafty Spirit
IT'S almost 40 years since international Group 1 winner Strawberry Road was foaled in September 1979. By Whiskey Road from the winning Rich Gift mare Giftisa, Strawberry Road began his career in Brisbane under the care of late Brisbane trainer Doug Bougoure and was strapped by Doug's son Dan.
Strawberry Road won his first race at Eagle Farm in August 1982. Among his 13 wins in Australia before he moved overseas to win Group 1 races in France, Germany and the USA were the Cox Plate, AJC Derby, Queensland Derby and Rosehill Guineas.
Skip forward to Saturday, April 27, and it was almost a case of deja-vu when 3YO gelding Crafty Spirit won the Sporting Chance Foundation Quality (1300m). Not only was he trained by Dan Bougoure, he was wearing Strawberry Road's colours and is a direct descendant as his third dam Strawbrette is a full sister to Strawberry Road. In addition to strapping Strawberry Road and Group 1 Flight Stakes winner Tingo Tango, Dan Bougoure is also a winning Group 1 trainer through dual Group 1 Doomben Ten Thousand winner Falvelon.
It was the second win in succession for Crafty Spirit after winning at Doomben and has prompted Dan Bougoure to seriously consider aiming the 3YO gelding at the Queensland Derby (Group 1, 2400m). "I have always had a wrap on this horse. I know he is by a sprinting sire in Spirit Of Boom but he throws to his dam Artisan, who is by a Derby winner in Arena. While the 2400m Group 1 Queensland Derby is tempting, the 1600m Group 2 Queensland Guineas run the same day (Saturday, June 8) seems a more realistic target," Bougoure said.
Dam bought as yearling
CRAFTY Spirit's dam Artisan was bought by Toowoomba breeder Ross Boucher as a yearling at the 2004 Inglis Classic yearling sale in 2004. Being by Victoria Derby winner Arena Boucher hoped the filly would be an Oaks contender and sent her to Melbourne trainer Colin Alderson. Alas, those hopes were doomed to disappointment with her racing career restricted to two wins around 1200m plus six placings from 18 starts.
Although one of five winners - including Group 2 winner Mr Martini - produced from the Marauding mare Posy, Artisan was dubbed non-commercial by Boucher with just four foals to race for one winner in Crafty Spirit.
Offered at the 2017 Magic Millions 2YOs in Training sale, Crafty Spirit was passed-in at $20,000. "No-one liked him so we took him home. Then, because of his close pedigree relationship with Strawberry Road, we approached Dan Bougoure to syndicate and train him. The result has been three wins and a third from nine starts and more than $96,000 prizemoney," Mr Boucher said.
Admitting to great nostalgia in training a direct descendent of Strawberry Road, Bougoure said Crafty Spirit arrived at his stables about one month after the 2YOs in Training sale and was one of his quickest syndications. "Being by Spirit of Boom and with his Strawberry Road connection, he was syndicated in less than 24 hours to 17 owners including several repeat clients, his breeder Ross Boucher and myself," he said.
