JC / Railbird

International Archive

Makybe Mommy

Immediately after winning her third straight Melbourne Cup, Australian champion Makybe Diva was retired to broodmare duty. “The queen of the track is to endure the fate of female aristocrats throughout history: arranged unions and dynastic pressures to continue her line.” A breeding expert estimates that a Makybe Diva foal by Storm Cat could fetch up to $8 million as a yearling.

Posted in International on November 2, 2005

A Nasty Little Pill

“The news that Motivator is still a racehorse and will have his final start in the Breeders’ Cup Turf later this month was an excellent way to start the week, but in the middle of the sugar was a nasty little pill. A couple of hours before post-time in New York on October 29, it seems likely that someone will enter Motivator’s box with a syringe, and administer a performance-enhancing drug to the Derby winner. Had the same thing happened at Epsom on June 4, Michael Bell might well be an ex-trainer by now” (Guardian).

Posted in International on October 12, 2005

Hurricane Run Wins Arc

“Hurricane Run left little doubt as to who the best three-year-old colt in Europe was with an emphatic two-length victory in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe” (Blood-Horse). The colt may be turned out for the remainder of the year or could run next in the Breeders’ Cup Turf.
Jockey Kieren Fallon had a very good day, winning not just the Arc, but the two preceding group one races as well. “One broad grin followed another as a jockey at the height of his powers went about his job of work” (Guardian).

Posted in International on October 2, 2005