The Countdown is on to the massive 3 day Capricornia Yearling Sale & Race Weekend

BIG PRIZEMONEY ON OFFER AT CALLAGHAN PARK NEXT WEEKEND

Local stables will compete with the regions best for $640,000 in prize money at the Rockhampton Jockey Club’s big two-day Capricornia Classic meetings on Friday and Saturday with one trainer/jockey Warwick Satherley counting down the days.

Dual licensee Satherley trains and rides Saraqael, a graduate of the 2024 Capricornia Yearling Sale, in the rich $168,000 Capricornia Yearling Sale 2YO Classic (1200m).

Saraqael (Flying Artie – Beauty Is) is unbeaten at three race starts, already banking around $40,000 and the strong gelding is almost certain to line up as the race favourite for his 2YO season grand final on Saturday.

A former kiwi, Satherley has been training and riding in Rockhampton for less than three years. He selected the yearling after seeing him at the sale. Saraqael was his only purchase, with the Magic Millions auctioneers gavel falling at just $8,000. A win on Saturday will see connections multiply their original outlay around twenty times. Satherley’s sister Susan and his partner Joanna Andersen race Saraqael, with horse girl Andersen excited to lead her baby into the saddling enclosure for the big race.

Another top local contender for the 2YO Classic is the Clinton Taylor-trained Power Chic. Taylor purchased the filly by Power from Gracefully Chic for its ownership group at last year’s sale for $41,000. Last month, Power Chic was ridden by Raul Silvera Olivera and scored its most significant win to date, getting the money in the $23,000 2yo Maiden at Callaghan Park, defeating stablemate Old Gold.

Nominations for all races on Friday and Saturday at Callaghan Park, including the 2YO Classic, close at 11.00 am on Monday (7 April).

SALE RACE CALCUTTA DOUBLES UP

For the first time, the RJC will have a Calcutta for two races at the annual Capricornia Yearling Sales Dinner on Friday.

The ticketed event is to be held in the Clubhouse – Member’s Lounge on Friday 11 April from 6.00pm. The Club will hold the first Calcutta draw at 7.05 pm on the 3&4 YO Classic race and the second at 8.00pm on the 2YO Classic race. The night will be emceed by local racecaller Russell Leonard. For Event and Calcutta tickets contact the RJC or log on to the website www.callaghanpark.com.au.

CALL OUT ON FACEBOOK TO ALL LADIES WANTING TO GO RACING IN ROCKY

A group of ladies are coming together to socialize in Rockhampton and purchase a yearling at next Sunday’s Capricornia Yearling Sale, and you’re invited to be part of the fun.

Marie Farmer from Infinity Thoroughbreds and her girlfriends were sitting at the bar at the Magic Millions March Sale and decided that they should get a group together to buy a yearling at the Rockhampton sale.

They cornered premier Rocky trainer Clinton Taylor and hatched a plan to go shopping at the Rockhampton showgrounds on Sunday 13 April.

This week their plan came to fruition with the Rocky Ladies Horse group starting on Facebook. So far it has 23 members.

“We decided to get a group together for the sale, Rocky’s sale is all about having fun and socializing and that’s what we plan to do as we look for the right horse,” Farmer said. “The selection process will be left to Clinton (Taylor) and our ladies’ group will race the horse with our target the 2026 Capricornia Yearling Sale 2YO Classic.” Any ladies interesting in joining in on the fun can contact Marie via the Rocky Ladies Horse facebook page.

JOIN RQ FOR THE OWN THE MORNING AT THE YEARLING SALES

Racing Queensland’s Sophie Swain who will be at the Showground next Sunday to host the RQ “Own the Morning” breakfast from 9.30 am at the Yearling Sales. The informative free presentation will give attendees all the information that you need to know about the sales and entering the wonderful world of horse ownership. Special guest will be Capricornia Yearling Sales 2YO Classic winning trainer Tom Button.

More than 110 yearlings will be paraded for auction by Magic Millions at the Robert Schwarten Pavillion from 11.00 am.

RECORDS COULD TUMBLE AT NEXT SUNDAY’S CAPRICORNIA SALES

Last year 112 yearlings were offered for sale at the Showgrounds with a record $80,000 paid for the top-priced lot.

The RJC is hoping for a new record next Sunday. A similar number of horses will be offered this year, and the catalogue just keeps on getting better and better each year. “The vibe around the sale this year is terrific,” RJC chairman Rob Carr said. “Our sales coordinator Russell Hughes has done a lot of work to ensure no stones left unturned and with the quality of yearlings being offered we are looking forward to hosting our best sale yet.”

In 2024 the yearlings sold grossed $1,093,500 with 81.65% of the yearlings offered sold. The average sale price was $12,287.

RJC CEO, David Aldred