All indications are that the market significantly improved. Even taking away the two big dispersals (Edward P. Evans and Prince Saud bin Khaled’s Palides Investments) all categories of horses were selling well. A very good sign overall.

Known as "The Race That Stops a Nation" - Australia's premier horse race of the year took place a few hours ago.
2m - Grade 1 (Handicap) - 23 runners - £2,467,320 to the winner
Title gives link to race video. Race card Full result Race report (all from racing post uk)

Also up on you tube is a review of the day's racing from racing victoria showing after race reaction of jockey and trainer of the winner and the clips of the finishes of the other feature races of the day

There is an absence of actual numbers to back up this piece (since the totals weren't released by French authorities), but apparently Arc business in North America was up sharply in 2011. I have no idea if tripling the North American handle is going from $100 to $300 in total wagers, or $1,000,000 to $3,000,000.

Robert Geller, a native of Australia, provides a first-hand account of the 2011 Spring Racing Carnival and the 151st running of the Melbourne Cup.

(Due to the wonders of the internet am now pretty convinced the title link should now be to a non geo-restricted site)

The link is to a documentary recently shown in the UK - one of the Inside Nature's Giants series (which last year won a BAFTA - our version of an Emmy).

The full majesty and fragility of the thoroughbred racehorse is frankly addressed.
Ever wondered why and how horses can run so fast? This programme that will go a long way towards explaining that.

Highly Recommended viewing.

(NB The programme was shown in the UK with a parental advisory notice as not really suitable for young children. Includes scenes in the mating shed (Coolmore's no less) and of a post mortem)

Another positive indicator that the industry is moving in the right direction. While certainly not as large or influential as the Keeneland September Sale, this is still a good sign.

Sunday saw the 121st running of the biggest race of the year in the Czech republic (title link to race description at wiki cs). A cross country steeplechase over 4m 2.5f and 31 fences (including the formidable Taxis fence - the fourth fence jumped) with £150K+ of prize money up for grabs - it is the feature race of a cracking days racing at the track.

Czech coverage (in HD) up at youtube
Racing UK channel also covers the race - coverage gives a quick run through of the runners and riders and has english commentary
(if you sync the two can get high quality video and english commentary).

Full Result via Racing Post

Put this in the "It's About Time" file.

Here's to a happy retirement for a very nice mare.

"His progeny have accumulated nearly $97 million in worldwide earnings. His offspring’s $109,470 average earnings per starter puts him in the top one-half of 1% of all sires."

Steve Zorn at his Business of Racing blog, takes a look at the recently released report from the Association of Racing Commissioners International on drug testing in 2010.