TBWA members enjoyed a fantastic day of racing and celebrating the best of our industry on Platinum Day at Ascot last Saturday. Apart from a three-way tie on the Stallion Leaderboard competition following Race 10, the highlights were five Breeding Awards and four Staff Awards.
WA 3YO of the Year – Machine Gun Gracie (Joseph Kelly)
Platinum Breeder of the Year – Joseph Kelly (Machine Gun Gracie)
Yanchep-based Joe Kelly was named Platinum Breeder of the Year at the TBWA Awards at Ascot on Saturday and he doubled up as the breeder of WA 3YO of the Year Machine Gun Gracie.
It wasn’t unexpected following Machine Gun Gracie’s classic double in the G2 WA Derby (2400m) and G3 WA Oaks (2400m) during April. The daughter of Alwyn Park sire Maschino is trained by Justine Erkelens at Muchea and is primed for further success this season after a first-up fourth in the LR Starstruck Classic (1600m) on December 13.
“I bred her dam Gracie May (Written Tycoon) in Victoria,” Scottish-born Kelly recalled this week. “She was the first foal of Miss Libia (Mull Of Kintyre) and the third-dam Libia (Ringaro) was a Group winner in Argentina.”
Libia’s pedigree struck a chord with Kelly who is pictured with his wife Christine at the TBWA Awards. (Photo / Western Racepix). “She was by a Grey Sovereign-line stallion and Grey Sovereign sired Raffingora who was fastest horse I knew in the UK.”
Raffingora was the most popular horse of his era in the 1970s and he clocked a world-record 53.89s over 1000m at Epsom Downs while shouldering 64kg.
“Miss Libia retired unraced and I put her to Written Tycoon early in his stud career. He was top-class with speed and strength and backing him gave me some good wins. But the best result was the service fee only cost me $4,750. It was $165,000 in 2022 and now it’s on application.”
Platinum Racehorse of the Year – Jokers Grin (Mark Jones)
Jokers Grin is a homebred for former Yarradale Stud manager Mark Jones and Stoneville-based David Gatti. He’s a younger full-brother to Cup Night who was the first black-type winner by Maschino in the LR Raconteur Stakes (1500m) of 2019.
Their dam Walk In Beauty (Barely A Moment) was prepared by Bernie Miller and was retired after winning two in a row at Bunbury in February 2013. “Walk In Beauty was a gift from Bernie,” Jones recalled recently.
“I’ve known him for a long time and being involved with family and friends makes this so much more special.
Jones, his wife Linda along with their daughter Lisa Ludlow and her partner Brandon are in the prized galloper’s ownership group and they’re living the dream this year after victories in the $5 million Kia Quokka (1200m), G3 Colonel Reeves Stakes (1100m) and G3 Prince Of Wales Stakes (1000m).
TBWA committeman Glen Graham (left) presents the Platinum Racehorse of the Year Award to Mark Jones / Photo: Western Racepix
Jokers Grin’s wins have also left lasting impressions on Miller after a training career that has spanned over 40 years. “The Quokka seemed to take forever but it was over in a flash.
“It’s a dream come true and it’s taken a lot of belief from a lot of people that have backed me and helped me out over the years.”
WA 2YO of the Year – Talkanco (Ian Riley)
Former TBWA President Ian Riley is no stranger to breeding black-type winners but nothing matched the thrill of watching his current star Talkanco complete the G3 Gimcrack Stakes (1100m) – G2 Karrakatta Plate (1200m) in April.
Riley bred Hardrada (Marooned) to win the G1 Railway Stakes (1600m) in 2003 and the quality continues at Woodbridge Thoroughbreds where there’s a half-dozen mares at the Henley Brook farm with Ian and his partner Rachelle Huckson (Photo / Western Racepix)
Talkanco (I’m All The Talk – Calianco by California Dane) is trained by Ben and Dan Pearce and she emulated Amelia’s Jewel (Siyouni) in the autumn, however, Ian reckons the wins are about more than just trophies – it’s about sharing the joy at the races.
“Winning the Karrakatta was an outstanding reward to the people who support me,” he said. “It’s usually all my friends who buy into the horses I take to the sales. The whole day was exciting and everyone joined the celebrations. That’s what makes it extra special.”
Talkanco is the second winner bred by Riley from Calianco. She was a three-time Morphettville sprint winner and was sold off the track for $52,500 at the 2019 Gold Coast Magic Millions Broodmare Sale.
She’s also the dam of $225,000 earner Richanco (Rich Enuff) and her latest foal is a ‘gorgeous’ filly by Rich Enuff.
WA Leading 2YO Sire – Playing God (Darling View Thoroughbreds)
Darling View Champion Playing God once again stamped his authority on the local stallion ranks being awarded his third WA Leading Stallion title and second Leading 2YO Sire title.
Darling View’s Christmas Newsletter noted his 2yo division was led by Playin’it Sweet who scored a late-season running double in the Country Comfort Perth Plate and Chaff City Plate before completing a hat-trick in the Lawn Pride Australia Plate at Belmont.
Playin’it Sweet improved her career-card to 5 wins in 8 starts for Adam Durrant this season when claiming a coveted black-type victory in the LR Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m) defeating Talkanco.
She emulated Playing God filly Kay Cee who won the 2019 Burgess Queen Stakes prior to going on to Group 1 glory in the Kingston Town Classic (1800m) at Ascot.
Playin’it Sweet is from Sweet Ora (Oratorio) and that cross has delivered 38 individual winners at an 83% strike-rate. Another Playing God 2yo city winner from that crop to train on this season is Neville Parnham’s LR Placid Ark Stakes placegetter County God.
TBWA President Troy van Heemst presents the Leading 2YO Sire Award won by Playing God to Darling View Thoroughbreds manager Brent Atwell / Photo: Western Racepix
