Sunday, 10th August 2025
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  • Vauban Holds off Via Sistina in Star Studded Trial

    Friday, 8th August 2025
    While it may be the only time the Gr1 Melbourne Cup bound Vauban (Galiway) finishes ahead of Via Sistina (Fastnet Rock) this campaign, it was nonetheless an impressive trial-winning effort from the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained stayer. Disappointing in two prior Melbourne Cup efforts under trainer Willie Mullins, the gelding was sold to Australian Bloodstock and in the care of the Waterhouse/Bott stable has really flourished. In his three starts last campaign he resumed with victory in the Gr3 Sky High Stakes before a solid third in the Gr1 Tancred Stakes. In Thursday morning's trial, the 8YO gelding jumped to the lead under Tim Clark and lead throughout to win the 1000m heat narrowly from Via Sistina who looked every bit as good as we know she is, pulling off ground late down the outside for jockey James McDonald. Finishing third, but not in the class of the first two was the C J Waller-trained Golden Century (Pierro) with last season's Gr1 NZ Derby third placegetter still looking to break his maiden; hopefully it will be this time in with his change of trainer. Not a fan of a wet track, Fangirl (Sebring) looked good, working home well to take fourth, just over two lengths behind Vauban.

    Vauban

    Vauban appears to be in rude health (pic: Australian Bloodstock)

  • Trainers Allow Open Book for General Salute

    Friday, 8th August 2025
    General Salute's spring campaign is being kept deliberately fluid by Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou, who'll let Saturday's Randwick return guide the course. The five-year-old lines up in the Group 2 $300,000 Darley Missile Stakes (1200m), and connections believe he's come back an improved version after a freshen-up. His resume already includes a win in the Group 3 Star Kingdom Stakes in April and a closing third in Brisbane's Healy Stakes, and Alexiou senses there's more to come. "He hasn't been exposed to a heavy but his soft track form is pretty neat," he said. "He's going very well, if anything I think he's going better than leading into that race at Eagle Farm. He got back that day and I think he just got back too far with how the track was playing. It was just where he was drawn and how the race panned out but I thought the run had plenty of merit." The stable reported to racingnsw.com.au, that General Salute has tightened up since then, looking fitter and sharper ahead of this assignment. "He seems a bit tighter in terms of his fitness so he shapes up well. I couldn't imagine he would do anything but run really well," Alexiou said. His trial form backs that up, with a strong closing second on his home track just over a week ago. "I was really happy with his trial leading into the Missile, he settled well and looked well balanced," he said. "When Tim (Clark) asked him at the 200m I thought he quickened up well, albeit the winner of the trial was off and gone." The race complexion could shift if early favourite Private Eye, considered the one to beat, is withdrawn due to the heavy conditions brought on by Thursday's rain. That would enhance the chances of General Salute, who was a $3.70 chance with TAB on Thursday. Regardless of the outcome, the stable hasn't committed to any grand plans. "Where we head after this I'm not too sure, there's a few pathways for him but how he performs will determine it," Alexiou said. One possible next step is the Gr3 Show County Quality (1200m) on August 23, though Alexiou stresses it's not locked in. "We haven't locked in any lofty targets for him, we'll see where he measures up," he said. For now, the Missile looms as a defining moment – a springboard that could chart the course for what lies ahead.

  • Autumn Glow Shines at Barrier Trials

    Friday, 8th August 2025
    On the Randwick course proper on Thursday morning, a host of potential spring stars took to the trials, and although the heavy 9 rated track dampened the brilliance of some, C J Waller's unbeaten Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) shone brightly. Finding herself at the back of the field with the Michael Freedman-trained last start Gr3 Gunsynd Classic winner Just Feelin' Lucky (Justify) leading the heat, jockey James McDonald was content to be rearward aboard the Arrowfield Stud colour-bearer. As the home corner was reached and the Gr1 Randwick Guineas winner Linebacker (Super Seth) commenced his run, McDonald and Autumn Glow followed him through. The widest of the runners, and arguably on the best ground, Autumn Glow went past Linebacker who was under a slight hold, getting up to finish in third behind the all the way leader Feelin' Just Lucky with the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Bellazaine (Zousain) coming through the field to take second. As Autumn Glow is now a 4YOmare and will likely tackle the older horses, it will be interesting to see how she performs, but if her second trial this time in is anything to go by, she may wellcontinue to remain unbeaten for connections.

  • Instant Results for Cartwright In New Zealand

    Friday, 8th August 2025
    Jockey Matthew Cartwright has begun his latest New Zealand chapter in fine style with two winners from just nine rides in the past week, reports racingnews.co.nz. The Australian had a successful season in New Zealand in 2024/25, and has recently been riding in Victoria, before heading back over the ditch for a new stint. "I felt like I had a great season for my first season in New Zealand," Cartwright said. "I am very happy with how things went. A highlight would be the first day at the Hawke's Bay Spring Carnival, having a treble and my first Group 1 win on Grail Seeker. It was a rewarding season, and I am looking at hopefully going a little bit better this season." Grail Seeker (Iffraaj-Starwish, by Redoute's Choice) headlined his seven stakes win in New Zealand last season, with a tally of 53 wins in total. "I had a bit of a lighter winter, but I rode here and there just to keep my fitness up," he said. "I was very happy with my time at home, I spent a lot of time with family and friends, and I had a bit of success too, which was great. I rode a couple of winners for my Mum and Grandmother, and I rode a couple of winners for one of my good mates, Clay Beasy, so It was quite rewarding. I had a metro Saturday winner for my family, which was definitely a highlight for my time back at home. I am very happy to get a couple of winners within my first week of riding back in New Zealand. I am feeling fit and well, so I am ready to have a good crack this season and hopefully a bit of support comes my way, and I have a bit of luck over the next month or two." He is looking forward to renewing his partnership with Stephen Marsh-trained Kiwi Skyhawk (Contributer-Pouter, by Dubawi). "A horse that holds a special place in my heart is Kiwi Skyhawk," Cartwright said. "He is a horse I had great success on and had a couple of Group wins. I am looking forward to getting back on him. I am also looking forward to riding a horse called Storm Front for Tony Pike, he is quite a nice colt. It was naturally a little bit (hard) leaving family, but it (New Zealand) is where my career is best set at the moment, so I am happy here and I will be working very hard."

  • Private Eye Takes Aim at Missile Stakes

    Friday, 8th August 2025
    Currently in 11th position on the all-time Australian leading prizemoney earners, the Joe Pride-trained Private Eye (Al Maher-Confidential Queen, by Shamardal) will be chasing his seventh individual black type victory when he contests Saturday's $300,000 Gr2 Darley Missile Stakes (1200m). Won by a host of handy Group 1 performers in the past including Schwarz, Eduardo, Alizee, Pierata and Sweet Idea, the Missile Stakes is a solid spring kick off point, with seven of the runners either first or second up on Saturday. While not seen since finishing third in the Gr1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m), which was his first run since finishing fourth in the $2m G2 Ingham in December behind Robusto (Churchill-She's Clean, by Redoute's Choice), who he will also meet again on Saturday, Private Eye will officially be second up this weekend, and with five top three efforts from 10 second up runs, coupled with the weight scale which has never been more in his favour, the race looks his for the taking. Robusto is a class commodity on his day and took out the Gr2 Winter Challenge (1500m) last start, the same day Richard Litt's Romeo's Choice (Choistar-Romantic Zariz, by Zariz) also impressed with a winning performance. While he does not have any victories first up from a spell in the past, Gary Portelli's Gr1 Doncaster placegetter Encap (Capitalist-Enquare, by Stratum) did trial particularly well recently, pulling clear two win by two and a quarter-lengths over 1000m and could be one to keep an eye on.

    Private Eye

    Joe Pride's Private Eye could break into Australia's Top 10 earners (pic: Steve Hart)

  • Karinska Tackles Older Runners

    Friday, 8th August 2025
    Scratched last Saturday, possibly due to the very wet racing conditions and/or drawing wide in barrier 12, the Waller stable's Karinska (Spirit of Boom-Show Some Leg, by Sebring) will commence her campaign in the Petaluma Handicap (1200m) where she tackles the older mares. A winner on debut before jumping straight into black type races at her next two starts, finishing just under two lengths behind Within The Law (lucky Vega) in the Gr2 Sweet Embrace before well beaten behind Memo (Capitalist) in the Gr3 Magic Night Stakes, the Zac Lloyd-ridden filly will carry just 52kg in the race. In the eight-horse field, the Star Thoroughbreds-syndicated runner has drawn barrier 3 and while she hasn't produced great efforts in her two lead in trials, she did finish just over two lengths off Tyreek (Snitzel) in her last trial with that gelding coming out and impressing on Wednesday when winning on debut. Bjorn Baker's in form 4YO mare Regimental Colours (All Too Hard-Regimental Gal, by General Nediym) has recorded three wins from her last four starts and will likely start favourite here although she has never stepped up to the 1200m in her seven starts to date. The final foal out of the dual Group 1-winning sprinting mare Regimental Gal, Regimental Colours was retained to race by her breeders Cressfield after passing her in at the 2023 Magic Millions yearling sale.

  • Wind And The Lion Can Win Again

    Friday, 8th August 2025
    Having already claimed Listed success on two occasions, the Sean & Jake Casey trained Wind And The Lion (Written By-Mandalong Sera, by Sebring) has everything going for him ahead of Saturday's Listed Belmont Newmarket (1200m). Drawn barrier 1 in the final of 12, jockey William Pike is likely to take the gelding forward to track along in a mid-field position, ensuring there is plenty petrol left when needed close to the line. While he only has one win at the track from three starts, one runner who looks to have superior form at the track is the Luke Fernie trained Stormchaser (Impending-Chantski, by War Chant) who comes into the race with two wins and two placed performances from five starts at the track, including two wins from three starts at the Belmont 1200m. Coming off a third behind Wind And The Lion in the Listed H G Bolton Stakes last start, the Meryl Hayley trained Puli (Dick Turpin-Blazing Red Jules, by Passenger) is coming through the right form line, and if the 9YO gelding has taken no harm from his last start effort, then his outstanding form at the track should see him capable of a repeat effort.

  • Pippie's Daughter Chasing Unbeaten Run

    Friday, 8th August 2025
    The first foal of Group 1-winning mare Pippie (Written Tycoon), who was herself sold at the 2021 Inglis Chairman's Sale to Tasman Bloodstock for $1.8m, Samudra (Snitzel-Pippie, by Written Tycoon) impressed when making her debut back last season at 2, and come Saturday she lines up in the Ladbrokes SRM in Multis Handicap (1000m) as the favourite to remain unbeaten. Purchased for $775,000 from the draft of Cressfield at the Inglis Easter yearling sale when selling to David Ellis, the Mark Walker-trained filly is raced in partnership between TFI and Kia Ora Stud. Having won three jumpouts leading into her debut win, the filly has since recorded another jumpout win, and from barrier one jockey Ben Melham is likely to go forward to sit handy, if not lead. Unfortunately, Pippie passed away after having just two more foals with her I Am Invincible filly selling for $1.4m at this year's Easter yearling sale with her last foal, a colt by the same champion sire to follow. Another in the field racing in the Kia Ora Stud silks is the Shane Nichols trained Esha (Extreme Choice-I Am A Star, by I Am Invincible) who is raced in partnership with Hollymount Stud. A winner on debut at her only start to date, the $900,000 Magic Millions yearling graduate from the draft of Newgate Farm is the third foal out of the Gr1 Myer Classic winner I Am A Star.

  • First City Winner for Russian Camelot

    Friday, 8th August 2025
    Victorian trainer Danny O’Brien has enjoyed the highs of Group 1 success with now Widden Stud-based Russian Camelot (IRE), and on Wednesday he celebrated another milestone – his emerging sire’s first metropolitan winner. That honour belonged to Censori, a three-year-old filly O’Brien knows intimately, having bred and retained her in partnership with his wife. Making her debut in a 1200m maiden for fillies at Sandown, Censori impressed connections with a composed performance under Jamie Mott, slicing through along the inside to win by just under a length. “We really just brought her here to have a good experience, so for her to win as she did has probably surprised us,” O’Brien admitted. “She’s only had a couple of trials so there is a lot of upside to come from her.” Mott echoed that view. “She surprised me and probably surprised the team as well with the turn of foot she showed,” he said. “They were thinking she would need further by the way that she is bred, but she was sharp today and dominant at the finish even though she has a lot to learn. She’ll definitely be better over further and will learn a lot from the run.” Censori was offered through Inglis Digital in 2023, alongside her dam, to dissolve the original ownership structure. The filly remains in the O’Brien stable, continuing a proud family tradition. “We bred her dam Berkshire Lady, who was placed in a Tassie Oaks, and I also trained the grand-dam Placement, who was by Savabeel and went right through in the spring to place in a Wakeful Stakes and an Oaks,” O’Brien said. “It’s not often you have three generations of the same family to train.” By Star Witness, Berkshire Lady has a two-year-old colt by Russian Camelot and is due to foal to him again this spring. As for Censori, a patient path lies ahead, with O’Brien suggesting she may eventually emulate Placement and target the classics. “We never expected Russian Camelot to get 2YO winners, but he was a very talented and naturally gifted horse and I’ve had several through the stable that have all shown ability,” he said. “I have another two or three that will run over the next few months, so hopefully they will get some momentum going for him. People are far too quick to judge these classic-type sires. You have to give them right until the end of the autumn next year before you make any sort of judgement. I’m old enough to remember Zabeel and Savabeel and how it was for them – and even The Autumn Sun, he took right until the end of that season to show his worth.” Russian Camelot is by champion staying sire Camelot from an elite European female family and was purpose bought as a yearling at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale to race in Australia. “Russian Camelot was everything we always hoped he would be and even won the Gr1 SA Derby despite giving away six months in age to his rivals,” O’Brien recalled. “He won the Gr1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) and was third in a Cox Plate after drawing wide on a bottomless track and you could easily argue that with a better gate and better ground he would have won that Cox Plate.” Russian Camelot is the exact type of horse Australian owners are targeting at the European tried horse sales and he stands at Widden Victoria at a fee of $16,500.


  • Queman is Up to Behemoth Stakes Class

    Friday, 8th August 2025
    Although Queman (Mint Lane-Langreen, by Clangalang) heads into Saturday's Gr3 Behemoth Stakes (1200m) having not raced for more than 65 weeks, there are plenty of positives for the Shane and Cassie Oxlade-trained gelding. Queman has won first up in his last two campaigns with his most recent campaign seeing the gelding score at Listed level in Melbourne first up before winning the Gr1 Oakleigh Plate second up and, heading into Saturday's $150,000 contest, the Connor Murtagh ridden 7YO has won his two trials in impressive fashion. Remaining unbeaten, winning three from three, the Will Clarken-trained Cicala (Tamasa-Divertire, by Econsul) will be chasing her second stakes victory in as many starts after her last start win in the Listed Lightning Handicap (1050m). One of just three live foals by So You Think stallion Tamasa, Cicala has come from obscurity, and there is no reason to think she can't continue on her winning ways. Set to resume from a spell on Saturday, the Daniel Bowman-trained Is It Me (Iffraaj-Gosh, by Peintre Celebre) finished his most recent campaign with three consecutive wins including success at Group 3 level at Flemington – a race victory that should be good enough to see him feature here.

  • Hilal Jumps Through His First Sire Step

    Friday, 8th August 2025
    Grangewilliam Stud’s young stallion Hilal is off the mark as a sire, with the arrival of his very first foal – a well-made filly born early Thursday morning from the No Nay Never mare La Frox. The bay newcomer was delivered at the property of Shaun and Anna O’Leary, best known for racing Who Shot Thebarman, and has already impressed breeder Mark Corcoran. “She’s a lovely foal,” he said. “She is the second foal out of a No Nay Never mare called La Frox who was a $110,000 yearling and is a half-sister to a progressive stakes horse in Bourbon Proof from the family of Showella. The foal is very well put together. She is well-muscled with good size and bone and a lovely head. I couldn’t be happier. If they all look like that, I’d be very happy.” A striking son of Fastnet Rock, Hilal made a strong impression with breeders last season, covering 134 mares after Grangewilliam sold lifetime breeding rights to help drive early numbers. “It gives him every opportunity,” Corcoran explained. “We sold breeding rights in him which was a good way for us to get numbers to the horse initially and a great way for the breeders to get into a stallion at a good price for life. He was well supported beyond those breeding rights and we were really pleased with the support.” On the track, Hilal showed class from the beginning, beating King Of Sparta in a Kensington maiden before finishing second in both the Gr2 Skyline Stakes and the Gr1 Sires’ Produce Stakes behind Anamoe. He was also narrowly denied in the Gr1 Champagne Stakes by Captivant (see below). His standout three-year-old spring included victories in the Gr2 Stan Fox Stakes and the $1 million Bondi Stakes, while his autumn campaign was highlighted by a close second to Anamoe in the Gr2 Hobartville Stakes and a third in the Gr1 Randwick Guineas behind Converge and Anamoe. Corcoran believes Hilal’s profile has only grown stronger since his retirement. “Hilal is a lovely physical type. He is a strong horse with a good head for a Fastnet Rock and there has been a fair bit of upside since last spring with his half-sister Marhoona winning the Golden Slipper (Gr1, 1200m),” he said. “Straight after the Golden Slipper win, we had a few mares booked in and his bookings are really solid to this point. He is well ahead of where he was this time last year and I think he will be well-supported again, especially with foals like that.” Hilal is one of four stakes winners out of the Encosta de Lago mare Salma, along with Marhoona, Salateen and Trojan Harbour. Hilal will stand at $8,000+GST this spring.


    Marhoona

    Marhoona is a half-sister to Hilal (pic: Mark Gatt)

  • Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Blows Away Expectations

    Friday, 8th August 2025
    What began as a promising renewal quickly morphed into a historic high at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale, which wrapped up Tuesday evening with a staggering $100,715,000 in gross sales. According to tdn.com, all key metrics soared beyond last year’s benchmarks, with 160 yearlings averaging $629,469 and a median of $450,000 – well clear of the 2024 figures of $533,506 and $425,000 respectively from 154 yearlings. The sale continued its record-breaking streak, marking the third consecutive year of across-the-board statistical highs at Saratoga. The clearance rate also underscored the strength of the market. The buy-back rate dipped from 12.5% on Monday to 11.6% overall, with just 21 of the 181 yearlings offered over two days failing to meet reserve. Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning called it “a remarkable two days,” noting the result was not an overnight success but the result of “many, many years of hard work and sweat.” Still, even Browning admitted he didn’t see this coming. “If somebody had told me even last night at 6:25 p.m. that we were going to sell $100 million worth of horses, I would have told them you’ve lost your mind,” he said. “It was a record-smashing sale and we are so proud of that.” The sale’s top-priced offering came just four hips from the close: a colt by Into Mischief out of MGSP Stellar Sound (Tapit), who drew spirited bidding before selling for $4.1 million to Coolmore and White Birch Farm. Consigned by Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa on behalf of Don Alberto Corp., the bay colt is the first foal from a family that includes GISP Luminance and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner George Vancouver. He was one of 25 horses to fetch seven figures, with six of those breaking the $2 million mark – doubling last year’s tally of two. Browning highlighted the spread of investment across the catalogue as a sign of long-term market stability. “Someone told me before the sale that [the market] reminded them of the '80s, it's so good,” he said. “And I said, ‘Wait a second. It's got no resemblance to the '80s.’ The '80s was dominated by basically two or three buying groups… Today there is a broad base of both consignors and buyers. And it makes for a much, much healthier industry.” Fifteen different entities signed for the top 15 horses.
Amarina Farm
Arrowfield Stud
Bell River Thoroughbreds
Berkeley Park Stud
Bhima Thoroughbreds
Blue Gum Farm
Bombora Downs
Bowness Stud
Clear Mountain Fairview
Coolmore Stud
Cressfield
Evergreen Stud
Goodwood Farm
Kia Ora
Kingstar Farm
Lime Country Thoroughbreds
Mill Park Stud
Murrulla Stud
Newgate Farm
Newhaven Park
North
Segenhoe Stud
Silverdale Farm
Sledmere Stud
Torryburn Stud
Tyreel Stud
Vinery Stud
Widden Stud
Willow Park Stud
Yarraman Park Stud

2025 BTR Stud Stallions

BTP STUD STALLIONS

Sire
A Lot Established
Acrobat Established
Al Maher Established
Alabama Express Established
All American Established
All Too Hard Established
Alpine Eagle Established
Alpine Edge 2nd Season
Anders Established
Artie Schiller Established
Awesome Rock Established
Barbados Established
Barbaric 1st crop 2YOs
Best Of Bordeaux Established
Better Than Ready Established
Bivouac Established
Brave Smash Established
Brazen Beau Established
Bruckner 3rd Season
Bull Point Established
Bullbars Established
Cape Of Good Hope 3rd Season
Capitalist Established
Captivant 1st crop 2YOs
Castelvecchio Established
City Of Troy Established
Cliff's Edge Established
Cogburn 1st Season
Cool Aza Beel Established
D'argento Established
Danerich Established
Dash For Cash Established
De Gaulle Established
Delaware 1st crop 2YOs
Denman Established
Dirty Work Established
Dissident Established
Don Corleone 2nd Season
Doubtland Established
Dubious Established
Dundeel Established
Ellsberg 3rd Season
Encryption Established
Exceedance Established
Exosphere Established
Extreme Choice Established
Farnan Established
Flying Artie Established
Foxwedge Established
Frankel My Dear Established
Gingerbread Man Established
Gold Standard Established
Graff Established
Grunt Established
Hallowed Crown Established
Harry Angel Established
Hawaii Five Oh 2nd Season
Headwater Established
Hellbent Established
Hitotsu 3rd Season
Home Affairs Established
I Am Immortal Established
I Am Invincible Established
Ilovethiscity Established
Invader Established
Jacquinot 3rd Season
Ka Ying Master 3rd Season
Kermadec Established
King Colorado 2nd Season
King's Legacy Established
Lofty Strike 2nd Season
Lord Of The Sky Established
Love Conquers All Established
Manhattan Rain Established
Maschino Established
Master Of Design Established
Maurice Established
Merchant Navy Established
Mo'unga 2nd Season
Murtajill Established
My Admiration Established
Needs Further Established
Nicconi Established
Nostradamus Established
Officiating 2nd Season
Ole Kirk Established
Pariah Established
Pierata Established
Pierro Established
Pinatubo 1st crop 2YOs
Playing God Established
Portland Sky 1st crop 2YOs
Power Established
Prague Established
Pride Of Dubai Established
Private Life Established
Puissance De Lune Established
Rebel Dane Established
Rich Enuff Established
Rommel Established
Rubick Established
Russian Camelot Established
Russian Revolution Established
Safeguard Established
Sandbar Established
Sessions Established
Shaft Established
Shalaa Established
Shamoline Warrior Established
Shamus Award Established
Shinzo Established
Shooting To Win Established
Sidestep Established
Sizzling Established
Skilled Established
Smart Missile Established
Snitzel Established
So Secret Established
So You Think Established
Soul Patch Established
Southport Tycoon 1st Season
Spirit Of Boom Established
Squamosa Established
St Mark's Basilica Established
Star Turn Established
Star Witness Established
Street Boss Established
Super One Established
Supido Established
Swear Established
Sweet Ride 2nd Season
Switzerland Established
The Autumn Sun Established
The Brothers War Established
Time To Reign Established
Too Darn Hot Established
Toorak Toff Established
Top Echelon Established
Toronado Established
Trapeze Artist Established
Turffontein Established
Unite And Conquer Established
Universal Ruler Established
Vancouver Established
Vandeek Established
Victor Ludorum 1st crop 2YOs
Von Costa De Hero Established
Wandjina Established
Winning Rupert Established
Wooded 1st crop 2YOs
Wootton Bassett Established
Worthy Cause Established
Written By Established
Written Tycoon Established
Xtravagant Established
Your Song Established
Zousain Established
Zoustar Established