Swettenham Stud sire Americain (USA) is off to a perfect start at stud with his first runner Folk Magic winning on debut at Woodbine. The Kentucky bred filly won her maiden by more than three lengths for managing owner Mark Polivka and trainer Mark Lynch on Saturday. She firmed from 6-1 into 7-2 before carving out the 1200m on turf in a slick 1.09.49s. Settled right behind the leaders until the home turn, the Canadian-based filly sprinted clear in the straight despite racing greenly for jockey David Moran. “Folk Magic turns up the heat on her opposition,” Woodbine’s course commentator said at the furlong. “There’s a lot of education still needed but so much talent.” Folk Magic (2f America

Victorian breeders have rarely been offered the opportunity to access a horse of the quality of Champion European Miler and undefeated two year-old, Toronado (IRE) who makes his second appearance at Swettenham Stud this spring. A stunningly attractive son of outstanding sire High Chaparral, Toronado raced against the European elite for three seasons in the colours of Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani’s Al Shaqab Racing before retiring to the iconic National Stud at Newmarket in the UK. "His Excellency Sheikh Joaan has made an incredibly generous gesture of support to the Victorian Breeding Industry in providing a horse of such quality to Australian breeders,” said Adam Sangster. "His unique q

Shamardal is poised to sire his 100th stakes winner and it could come before his son Puissance De Lune (Ire) begins covering a second book at Swettenham Stud in September. Puissance De Lune is Shamardal’s sole Australian Group winner at stud in Australia. He served 95 mares first-up and his fee remains at $11,000 (inc gst) this year. Only Swettenham associate Toronado (174) and Darley shuttler Brazen Beau (139) were more popular among Victoria’s freshman sires last year. The Irish-bred import blitzed the Queen Elizabeth Stakes field at Flemington during his first Melbourne spring carnival and twelve months later he started favourite for the Cox Plate only to injure a tendon that eventually

Champion jockey Joao Moreira reckons Dancing Flames will rise up the grades in Hong Kong but not before he has surgery in the off-season. The Victorian-bred Equiano colt (pictured) is coming off a brilliant last-start win in the Ruby Hcp (1000m) clocking a super-quick 55.72s at Sha Tin. He shouldered 60.5kg to an on-pace victory that was at odds to his prior start when he missed the kick and was tailed off down the straight course. “I put that bad start down to him being a colt,” Moreira explained. "He was moving his head around (in the barriers) and an operation would help.” Trainer Danny Shum also believes it’s the key to further improvement at four next season. "I will talk to the owne