Windsor Park (NZ), shuttle sire, Charm Spirit, has gone off with a bang, siring his fifth individual juvenile winner at Salisbury (NZ), last week.

The two year old colt, Foresti, won the Whitsbury Manor two year old Blagrave Maiden Stakes over 1400 metres, by a short head, over Dombra, with a further two lengths back to Momkin, in third place.

Foresti joins Charm Spirit’s other two year olds for the season, The Paddocks, Charming Kid, Oberyn Martell, and Diviner, as Charm Spirit’s other juvenile winners.

“It’s pretty exciting stuff for Windsor Park Stud, as he has some exciting horses in Europe, it is really encouraging for his first crop in the Southern Hemisphere, “ said Windsor Park Stud’s principal, Rodney Schink.

“We have had a lot of feedback from the breakers, so there is some exciting times in store for us next season,” he said.

Charm Spirit’s yearlings have sold up to $400,000 in New Zealand, where he is really leaving very nice horses; they were popular and well sought after at the January yearling sales.

Charm Spirit was a very good racehorse, exceptional in fact, he only campaigned with the best, winning six races from 1400 to 1600 metres, with 1.166,105 English pounds in stakes earnings.

His six wins included the Ascot Queen Elizabeth 11 Stakes Group1, Pri du Moulin Longchamp Grou1, Chantilly Prix Jean Prat Group 1, and Prix Paul de Moussac, Group 3

Charm Spirit is by Invincible Spirit, whose grey son, Zebedee, is wooing Europe, siring an average of 30 winners per season.

While another son, I Am Invincible is bordering on $14,000,000 in progeny earnings this current season.

He stands at Yarraman Park, at Scone. He is currently second on the Australian Sires List.

Charm Spirit - Standing at Windsor Park New Zealand

Redkirk has taken no harm from his ordinary run in the Golden Jubilee Stakes, and will press on to the July Cup, at Newmarket, run over six furlongs.

“If we can get him back in form and change a couple of things in the next two or three weeks, he can turn things around, because he’s got ability,”said David Hayes.

While Hayes was quick to deflect any blame away from jockey, Frankie Dettori, Hayes flagged the possibility of a rider change for the July Cup to be at Newmarket on the 14^th of next month.

Regan Bayliss does have a successful affinity with Redkirk Warrior, having won the Newmarket twice on the gelding, and the Lighting Stakes up the straight at Flemington, however, the connections opted to utilise the services of Dettori at Royal Ascot.

Breaking up a winning combination has come asunder many times in the past, and it will happen again, owners sometime think they know best.

Redkirk Warrior would’nt have won in a fit, but that is not the point, Bayliss deserved the ride, he has firsthand knowledge of the horse, that is a huge advantage, the owners pulled the wrong rein and there are no second chances.    

With the five days of Royal Ascot done and dusted, the way is paved for the emergence of the exciting stallion Zoustar.

Sitting quietly in a London hotel, just before the start of the first race at Royal Ascot and the four days to follow, this excites David Redvers, but nothing compares to the prospect of welcoming one of Australia’s most exciting young stallions to Britain for 2019.

Zoustar is set to be crowned Australia’s champion first season sire, he will shuttle to stand at Tweenhills Stud next year and that represents much hard work and preparation, but could hardly be more exciting.

In a press release last week, circulated with the announcement, Redvers described the opportunity to stand the son of Northern Meteor in Britain as, “the most exciting deal I have been involved with in my career.“.

Zoustar will cover mares to Northern Hemisphere time in the beginning in March of next year atTweenhills Stud, and return to Widden Stud in plenty of time for the 2019 Southern Hemisphere season, commencing in September.

Zoustar to Shuttle to Tweenhills Stud

Whether Merchant Navy runs in the July Cup, at Newmarket, is yet to be decided after his narrow win in the Golden Jubilee Stakes, or returns to Australia and rest on his laurels.

Whether he needs another race to convince the British breeders is doubtful, they may have seen enough, he would be on the wish list, for sure, to shuttle to the United Kingdom in a season or two.

It was rumoured, in sale ring circles, that Merchant Navy was syndicated for $27 million dollars, but that has not been fully confirmed by the current ownership of the horse, they are playing their cards close to their chest.

The Golden Jubilee Stakes, a most important race on the calendar, however, the horses for some reason lacked exposure, a touch of colour and a post parade could have been included, a bit of razzmatazz goes a long way.

Merchant Navy broke well from the gate and travelled nicely in running, he had a full head of steam when it was required.

It was a great ride by Ryan Moore, he timed his run to the letter, he must be recognised as the very best jockey in the world.

Redkirk Warrior looked a picture of fitness as he cantered down to the start, however, he was never a threat at any stage of the race, and was well beaten, finishing second last.

Being a gelding, he most likely will remain in England and race there, whereas Merchant Navy will return to Coolmore Stud in the Hunter Valley and stand as a sire there, where he is fully booked.

Merchant Navy - Winning at Caulfield

Annie Power, the brilliant hurdler who became the first mare in 22 years to win the Champion Hurdle in 2016, has been purchased by Coolmore, and is in foal to the perennial champion sire, Galileo, whose tally of top flight performers stands at 71.

The mare was sent to Camelot last year, by owner Rich Ricci, but obviously slipped, as a part of the deal Ricci will retain a share in the resulting Galileo foal.

Trained by Willie Mullins, Annie Power won 15 of her 17 races, including five Grade 1 hurdle races, an indication of her popularity among the racing public, she was sent out favourite 16 times.