Thursday, 7th May 2026
All enquiries - Gary Knowles 0406 599 773

Global Breeding, Racing and Sales News

  • NEW Queensland Sire Spirit of Boom Passes Away

    Thursday, 7th May 2026
    A career that stretched from explosive juvenile promise to elite sprinting success has left an enduring imprint on Queensland racing and breeding, with Spirit Of Boom dying suddenly at the age of 18. Revered both on the track and later in the breeding barn, the dual Group 1 winner became one of the most influential stallions of the modern era in the Sunshine State and a horse whose impact extended far beyond statistics alone. Prepared throughout his racing career by trainer Tony Gollan, Spirit Of Boom announced himself as a colt of unusual talent when demolishing rivals by seven lengths in a Gold Coast maiden. By Sequalo, he matured into a durable and high-class sprinter who campaigned across Australia and saved some of his finest performances for later in life. His crowning moments came in 2014 when he captured the Gr1 William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley before adding the Gr1 Doomben 10,000 in Brisbane. By the time he retired, Spirit Of Boom had compiled nine wins and 20 placings from 52 starts while banking more than $2.4 million in prizemoney. Yet it was arguably at stud where his influence became even more profound. Standing at Eureka Stud, he transformed from elite racetrack performer into a genuine breed-shaping sire whose progeny consistently reflected his own toughness, speed and resilience. Gollan paid an emotional tribute following news of the stallion’s passing. “Deeply saddened to hear of the passing of stable legend Spirit Of Boom,” Gollan wrote on X. “A truly remarkable racehorse, his wins included the Gr 1 William Reid and Doomben 10,000 in a career that spanned success from a 2YO to 6YO. Words cannot describe the impact that he has had on our stable. RIP.” Spirit Of Boom’s stud career rapidly elevated him into rare company. Crowned Champion Australian and Queensland First Season Sire by winners in 2017/18, he would go on to claim four Queensland sires’ premierships while routinely ranking among the nation’s leading stallions by winners. His efficiency was striking, maintaining an outstanding winners-to-runners strike rate of more than 70 per cent while siring 32 individual stakes winners from only nine crops of racing age. Among his best performers were Gr1 Manikato Stakes winner Jonker (see below), who is expected to continue the family legacy at Eureka Stud, alongside Prince Of Boom, Outback Barbie, Boomsara, Ef Troop and Golden Boom. His popularity in the sales ring mirrored that racetrack success, with yearlings selling for as much as $575,000 after beginning his stud career at a comparatively modest $11,000 service fee before peaking at $55,000. For Queensland breeders and racing participants alike, Spirit Of Boom became far more than a successful stallion. He was a local champion who reshaped perceptions of what a Queensland-based sire could achieve on the national stage.

  • NEW Heyes Not Flying to Adelaide for Fun

    Thursday, 7th May 2026
    Agonisingly close to a breakthrough Group 1 triumph in Adelaide last month, Flying For Fun returns to Morphettville on Saturday with trainer Bryce Heys hoping fortune finally swings her way in the $1 million Goodwood. According to racenet.com.au, the Sydney mare emerged as the hard-luck story of the Robert Sangster Stakes after spending much of the straight searching desperately for clear galloping room before charging late along the inside to finish fourth, beaten only a head in a dramatic four-way finish behind Geegees Mistruth. Had the gaps appeared even slightly earlier, Heys may already have been celebrating a maiden Group 1 success. Instead, the Warwick Farm horseman is taking the philosophical route as Flying For Fun prepares for another crack at elite level over 1200m. “Unfortunately, it's racing,” Heys said. “She is very effective when she's ridden quiet, but obviously what comes with that is maybe not getting the necessary runs at the right time. “It's unfortunate for us, but that's just the way it goes. We were super proud of her, I thought her effort was terrific. “It's a hard result to cop, but I didn't want to sook or be disappointed about it – I was just really proud of the way she went. “No two things are the same, but hopefully we get there on Saturday and she can acquit herself well again.” The daughter of Spieth has continued to progress with each campaign and enters Saturday’s feature as a deserved contender after another consistent preparation. Heys said the Sangster performance (see below with the yellow cap) only strengthened the stable’s confidence to push on to The Goodwood, where regular rider Zac Lloyd again takes the mount from barrier 10. “She’s come on well. Running well in the Sangster has given us some form of confidence to go ahead to the Goodwood and we look forward to Saturday,” he said. One lingering concern is the weather, with recent rain in Adelaide leaving some uncertainty around track conditions for the multiple stakes-winning mare, who is yet to place on soft or heavy ground. “She’s probably better on top of the ground to be honest, I’ve been watching the forecast, I know there was a bit there on the weekend,” Heys said. “I’m not sure, providing it stays in the soft range, we should be OK – but it’s still a bit of an unknown.” For Heys, simply competing regularly at Group 1 level is something not taken for granted by a smaller stable, particularly given the emotional connection through Flying For Fun’s sire Spieth, who twice finished runner-up in elite sprint races for the stable during the 2016-17 season. “Any chance to have a horse good enough to run in a Group 1 for us – because we are only a small stable – we're really excited by,” he said. “We're just grateful that Flying For Fun has improved each prep. She’s had a good prep, deserves her spot in the race and we just hope that she comes home safe and acquits herself well.” Flying For Fun is a $5.50 second favourite for Saturday’s Goodwood.

  • NEW Big Ticket Sires Anchor MM National Yearling Sale

    Thursday, 7th May 2026
    Attention now turns to the Gold Coast, where another key fixture on the breeding calendar is set to unfold with the 2026 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale offering a diverse and commercially appealing catalogue for buyers across all levels of the market. Scheduled for June 1 and 2, the two-day auction will offer 371 lots, plus supplementaries, drawing together progeny by 122 individual sires in what shapes as one of the more varied editions of the sale in recent years. From established domestic heavyweights to emerging local and international influences, the depth of stallion power is expected to underpin strong demand. Among the proven names represented are Capitalist, Dundeel, Extreme Choice, I Am Invincible, Snitzel, So You Think and Zoustar, alongside a wave of younger stallions continuing to build their reputations, including Anamoe, Home Affairs, Pinatubo and Stay Inside. The inclusion of 14 first season sires further broadens the appeal, offering buyers a chance to secure early access to untested but highly regarded bloodlines. Beyond sire power, the catalogue is bolstered by a range of pedigrees with immediate racetrack relevance. Relations to current performers such as Warwoven, Eurocanto, Impulsive Reaction and Karinska add a contemporary edge, while links to a host of established stakes winners provide further confidence for investors seeking both performance and residual value. The depth extends through families associated with Group winners including Miami Bound, Sofia Rosa, Beau Rossa, Storm Rider and Victorem, ensuring that buyers are not limited to a handful of headline lots but can instead find quality throughout the offering. Yearlings from stakes-winning mares by sires such as Artorius, Farnan, Justify, Russian Revolution and Shamus Award add another layer of commercial appeal. Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch believes the sale continues to carve out a niche as a reliable source of high-quality stock. "Past editions of the National Yearling Sale on the Gold Coast have produced racetrack superstars across Australia and abroad," he said. "It's a sale that punches above its weight and presents astute buyers with quality stock from vendors who will be keen to meet the market." With eligibility for the lucrative Magic Millions Race Series remaining a key driver, the timing of the sale provides buyers with a final opportunity to secure horses capable of targeting some of the richest restricted races in the world. "We encourage prospective buyers to dive into the catalogue and see the opportunities that are there – and take up the last chance to purchase lots eligible to be paid up for the world's best $20 million plus Magic Millions Race Series," Bowditch said. As part of the broader National Sale series, which spans weanlings, broodmares and race fillies, the yearling component plays a pivotal role in maintaining the Gold Coast's status as a global hub for bloodstock trading, with the 2026 edition expected to reinforce that standing.

    Stay Inside

    Stay Inside is amongst a plethora of top sires represented (pic: Steve Hart)

  • NEW Options Loom in Queensland for Lord Horatio

    Thursday, 7th May 2026
    Early speed, natural toughness and a touch of professionalism combined to deliver an encouraging debut victory for Lord Horatio at Warwick Farm on Wednesday, with the promising colt now a possible candidate for a lucrative Queensland raid later this month. Prepared by Tom Charlton, the two-year-old overcame a difficult alley in the Drinkwise 2YO Maiden Plate (1000m), pressing forward under Dylan Gibbons before digging deep late to score by three-quarters of a length over the favourite Portico, with Celtic Spy close up in third. The son of Lord Kanaloa had to do plenty right from the outset and Charlton admitted there were anxious moments once the colt surged to the lead in the straight. "I was a bit concerned when he got to the front that he might have a look around which I think he probably did but credit to the horse, he obviously has a good level of ability to be able to do that on debut," Charlton said. Despite still looking raw in stages, the stable believes there is considerable upside to come from the colt, who was purchased for $300,000 at last year's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. "I think he is a big gross horse and there would be honest improvement you'd think going forward," Charlton said. "He is not just a two-year-old type we feel, so full credit to the whole staff and everyone who has educated him through the whole process." That performance has opened the door to a possible tilt at the $1 million Magic Millions National 2YO Classic (1000m) on the Gold Coast on May 22, a race that continues to grow in stature after wins by Arabian Summer and Isti Star in its first two editions. "I don't see any reason why we need to stop (with him now) and there is a valuable Magic Millions race in three weeks that we can consider," Charlton added. Lord Horatio was not the only debutant to make a strong impression on the program, with Michael Freedman unveiling another promising juvenile in Uncertain Glory. Given a composed ride by Tommy Berry, the daughter of Zoustar settled beautifully before finishing strongly to claim the Ranvet 2YO Maiden Plate (1000m). Uncertain Glory edged clear late to defeat Palmanova, while the well-supported La Barrita filled third. The manner of the win suggested the filly has a bright future ahead, with connections now weighing up whether to head north for the Queensland winter carnival. Both juveniles announced themselves as horses worth following, but it was Lord Horatio who perhaps left the deepest impression, combining natural pace with resilience in a performance that hinted there is far more to come.

  • Rey Magnerio Will Need to Overcome the Wet

    Thursday, 7th May 2026
    Weather has become the one variable no one can control, and it looms as the key factor in shaping Saturday’s Group 1 Goodwood at Morphettville, where Rey Magnerio will attempt to convert sustained consistency into a long-awaited breakthrough at the top level. The Cranbourne-trained gelding arrives off a narrow defeat in the Quokka, where he lost little in finishing second to Jigsaw, and has since been kept on the boil for another crack at elite company. Early markets have him at the head of betting for the 1200m feature, a position that reflects both his record and the sense that a Group 1 is within reach if conditions fall his way. Originally, a Queensland campaign had been mapped out, with the Doomben 10,000 pencilled in as a primary target before a tilt at the Stradbroke Handicap. Instead, a shift south was made in search of firmer ground, only for Adelaide to be hit by rain in the lead-up to the Derby meeting. That has left connections monitoring the forecast closely, hopeful that a drying track can bring the race back into play. “One of the main reasons we were keen to go there (Goodwood) is because it's been quite wet in Queensland, and he doesn't like it wet,” Robbie Griffiths said. “In saying that, Adelaide is wet too at the moment, but we're hoping that if it stops and we get a few decent days, we might have a reasonable surface.” Despite those concerns, there is enough in his profile to suggest he can be competitive regardless. Nine of his 10 victories have come on good ground, but he has shown he can still perform on softer surfaces, including that Quokka effort. Drawn ideally in barrier five, he is expected to settle in the middle to back half of the field, allowing William Pike the opportunity to pick a path as the race unfolds. “I think it's a good gate, I think it gives him a chance to get a cosy run in that middle to back half, and depending on how the track is playing at that time of the day Willie can navigate where he needs to go,” Griffiths said. The engagement of Pike, who partnered him to victory in the Gold Rush at Ascot, adds further confidence, particularly in a race that could hinge on tactical positioning and timing. Should conditions deteriorate beyond expectations, plans remain flexible, with a Queensland campaign still firmly on the agenda. “That was the mindset, and we are still going to go to Queensland after The Goodwood, and head up for the Kingsford Smith (May 30) and the Stradbroke (June 13) – depending on how he is,” Griffiths declared.

    Rey Magnerio

    Rey Magnerio is the class horse of the race (pic: Mark Gatt)

  • Inglis Australian Weanlings Reset Records

    Thursday, 7th May 2026
    Demand for quality bloodstock was on full display at Riverside this week, with the Australian Weanling Sale closing on a high after producing record figures across every major metric and reinforcing confidence at the top end of the breeding market. Buyers from Australia and abroad competed strongly throughout the two-day auction, helping drive the gross to $19,498,250, the highest in the sale's history. The average price climbed to a record $66,547 while the median reached an unprecedented $40,000, representing year-on-year increases of 22 and 33 per cent respectively. Trade at the elite end was equally robust. A total of 58 weanlings sold for $100,000 or more, while 21 lots reached $200,000-plus, both figures improving on last year's returns despite a smaller catalogue. Significantly, the sale achieved those benchmarks while offering 85 fewer weanlings than in 2025, underlining the emphasis placed on quality over quantity. Inglis Bloodstock CEO Sebastian Hutch said the result reflected years of work aimed at revitalising the sale and elevating the standard of stock on offer. "As a team we have worked incredibly hard over the past five years especially to ensure new life was breathed into this sale and to see it perform the way that it has over the past two days is extremely satisfying, especially considering we offered 85 less weanlings than last year," Hutch said. The stronger catalogue was met by a broad and active buying bench, with international participation again a feature of the market. Buyers from the United Kingdom, Japan, Ireland, Hong Kong, New Zealand, the Philippines, South Africa and throughout Australia all played their part across the two days of selling. "We asked breeders and vendors to support the sale with more quality and they have responded, so credit must go to them," Hutch said. "I'm so pleased to see the buying bench get behind the catalogue with such vigour and participate so strongly." While acknowledging ongoing pressures within parts of the bloodstock market, Hutch noted the appetite for quality remained exceptionally healthy. "It's not to say that there aren't challenges in the market – very evidently there are – but very evidently the rewards are significant for those who present quality stock and the appetite for that stock was strong here over the past two days," he said. Attention now shifts to The Chairman's Sale, which takes centre stage at Riverside on Thursday evening and is expected to continue the strong momentum generated by the weanling market. Hutch believes the results achieved this week should resonate strongly with buyers considering the pregnant mare offerings set to go under the hammer. "Results today and yesterday are a timely reminder of the significant returns that can be achieved through the weanling market," he said.

  • Vinnie and Shinzo Weanlings Share Top Honours

    Thursday, 7th May 2026
    Strong competition at Riverside ensured the headline acts on Day 2 of the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale did not come cheaply, with buyers forced to dig deep for two youngsters considered among the standouts of the entire auction. Top honours were shared at $400,000 by an I Am Invincible filly from Noor Sahara offered by Alma Vale and a Shinzo colt out of My Xanadu presented by Coolmore, capping another buoyant session of trade in Sydney. Peter Twomey of Wattle Bloodstock secured the prized I Am Invincible filly on behalf of an Asia-based owner with an international racing portfolio, although the youngster will remain in Australia to continue her education and racing career. "The client races horses in England, New Zealand and Australia, he's got a global view on things but this filly will stay here, she'll head to Twin Hills now and Chris Kent and Olly Tait will look after her, they're in Cootamundra just down the road from me in Wagga so I can keep a close eye on her which is perfect,'' Twomey said. Having endured frustration at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, Twomey arrived at the weanling auction determined to secure a high-end prospect. "The client was here for the Easter Sale and we were able to buy one Frankel filly but we missed out on a lot of others so the aim for me coming to the Inglis weanling sale was to find an Easter-quality horse to race. "We got beaten on the Frankel (ex Awhile) colt yesterday but this filly was our number one pick of the entire sale so we're really happy and somewhat relieved to get her.'' Alma Vale's Verna Metcalfe said the result vindicated the enormous interest the filly generated throughout inspections. "You bring a nice horse here and you get really well rewarded,'' Metcalfe said. "She was the busiest horse in our draft, she had over 180 inspections and 21 X-Ray hits. "She was a very good walker, very steady, she did everything right so we're really rapt with this result.'' The matching $400,000 paid for Coolmore's Shinzo colt underlined the growing enthusiasm around the Golden Slipper winner's first crop. "Shinzo had the sale topper on Day 1 and as we speak he's got the sale topper on Day 2,'' Coolmore's Tom Moore said. "While we had lofty expectations for his stock at this sale, he's exceeded those. There's plenty of high-class Shinzo's on the complex, they've gone down incredibly well with the buying bench. "There was a lot of competition on this particular colt, he was popular all week and he sold extremely well. There's a strong appetite for quality offerings at this sale and we feel there weren't too many better than him on the ground.'' Attention now turns to Thursday night's Chairman's Sale, which promises another high-profile evening at Riverside with 115 elite lots catalogued.

    I Am Invincible-Noor Sahara filly

    I Am Invincible's Noor Sahara filly was equal highest price on Day-2 (pic: inglis.com.au)

  • Gryllis Takes the Road Leading North-West

    Thursday, 7th May 2026
    A trans-Tasman opportunity has proven too good to ignore, with Craig Grylls set to link up again with promising filly Single Red as she steps onto the Australian stage this weekend on the Gold Coast. Fresh from another dominant season in New Zealand, the premiership-leading rider did not hesitate when offered the chance to partner the Andrew Forsman-trained three-year-old in Saturday’s Listed Gold Coast Bracelet over 1800m. The association has already yielded strong results, with Grylls aboard for two of her three victories, and he is eager to see how she measures up against new opposition. “I’m pretty lucky to be given the opportunity by Andrew and OTI Racing, they could have easily put on a local jockey, so I’m really stoked and appreciative,” Grylls said. The daughter of Vanbrugh arrives in Queensland on the back of an authoritative performance at Te Rapa, where she stamped her class on her own age group following a freshen-up. That effort reinforced the view within the camp that she is ready to take the next step, both in distance and grade. “Off a freshen up, I had to work a bit to cross them. She switched off once she got there and put them away pretty convincingly,” Grylls said. “The step up in trip from the mile the other day, when she was very good, to 1800m on Saturday should be ideal for her.” Her progression through the grades this season has been measured but consistent. After finishing fourth on debut, she quickly found her feet with successive wins at Te Rapa and Waverley, before testing herself against stronger company. A runner-up finish in the Sir Tristram Fillies’ Classic signalled her staying potential, while a subsequent placing in the New Zealand Oaks provided further evidence of her ability to compete at a higher level. That form has since been strengthened, with Ohope Wins, who finished ahead of her in both races, going on to claim the Australian Oaks, adding substance to the filly’s credentials as she embarks on this next phase. Plans beyond Saturday remain fluid, though a Queensland campaign is firmly in view should she acquit herself well. “I’ll just take it step by step and see what the connections want to do,” Grylls said, with potential targets including The Roses and the Queensland Oaks. Bred and raced initially by Ben Kwok, who retains a share after OTI Racing came on board, Single Red boasts a pedigree that supports her upward trajectory. She is a half-sister to stakes winner Russian Alliance, out of the High Chaparral mare Sea Dweller, suggesting both quality and stamina. For Grylls, the trip north-west comes amid another standout season in the saddle. “It’s been unbelievable again, week in and week out I’ve been getting on really good horses and been able to get the job done,” he said. “It’s been another whirlwind season, riding plenty of winners so I can’t grumble at all.”

  • City Slicker Purton Remains a Bushy at Heart

    Thursday, 7th May 2026
    For all the global success that has defined his career, it was a homecoming of sorts that framed the latest chapter for Zac Purton, whose victory aboard Chidiac in the $1 million Evergreen Turf Country Championships Final carried a resonance far deeper than the prizemoney attached. Now firmly established as Hong Kong’s unequivocal champion hoop, and the regular partner of the world’s leading sprinter Ka Ying Rising, Purton remains grounded in the landscape that shaped him. Raised on a farm near Casino in northern New South Wales, his reflections in the aftermath of the Randwick triumph were steeped in perspective, a reminder that even the brightest stages are built on quieter beginnings. “Everyone’s got their own story and their own journey, everything I’ve done in my life has helped me in some way to get me where I’ve got to,” Purton told racingnsw.com.au. “You probably can’t get too much more of an extreme from where I started. The first primary school I went to was called Mummulgum, out of Casino in Northern NSW, and I think there were only 50 kids at the school. I lived on a farm where we couldn’t see anyone else.” That upbringing, defined by isolation and freedom in equal measure, sits in stark contrast to the high-density world he now inhabits in Hong Kong. Yet it is a contrast he embraces. “I’ve gone from there to Hong Kong, which is probably one of the most densely populated places in the world with high rises everywhere and people on top of each other. I’ve started with one extreme and ended up at the other. But I did love the childhood I had and the freedom I had.” The win itself may not have been a Group 1, but it carried significance for connections and for a rider who understands the value of the journey as much as the destination. For Brett and Georgie Cavanough, it was a long-sought breakthrough in a race that has eluded the family since its inception, and one made more poignant by its role in the early stages of their training partnership. Purton’s association with the mare was seamless from the outset. “They’re making a great fist of things at the moment and they couldn’t have done a better job preparing the mare,” he said. “She was clean out of the gates, straight into the bridle, travelled cleanly and comfortably the whole way, she seemed to get through the ground nicely then it was a matter of holding her together and hoping she’d run the distance.” The broader concept of the Country Championships, a series designed to unite regional racing across New South Wales, has not been lost on him despite the geographical distance. “Social media is a great thing, you’re able to keep in touch with whatever you want around the world instantaneously,” he said. “So, I get to see and feel and hear about the build up to it and it’s a great that it goes out to all those areas then you have the Final on a big day like that. It’s a great idea, it’s about the whole journey and brings a lot of people from around the state together.”

  • Wangoom Winner Turns Clock Back 30 Years

    Thursday, 7th May 2026
    History was rewritten at Warrnambool on Wednesday when Oliveanotherday became the first three-year-old in almost 30 years to capture the Listed Wangoom Handicap, further cementing the rise of one of the country's emerging sprint talents. Trained locally by Tom Dabernig, the son of Nicconi carried just 54kg and travelled sweetly throughout for Harry Coffey before fending off all challengers to score by more than two lengths over Immortal Star. Despite absorbing pressure through the early and middle stages, the colt never truly looked vulnerable, extending his record to five wins from just seven starts. For owner-breeder Andrew Harrison, the result carried far deeper meaning than another black-type success. Oliveanotherday is the first foal to race from Olive, a mare Harrison had persisted with despite years of setbacks and frustration both on the track and in the breeding barn. A speedy mare whose own career was continually interrupted by injury, Olive showed enough ability to encourage Harrison to buy back into her future when he secured her through Inglis Digital for $22,500 in 2020. Even then, the road ahead was far from smooth. "We raced the mare, and she really didn't do much good – she was always injured, but she was fast," Harrison said. "I bought her at the end of the sale… the mare has been problematic, we've lost a couple of horses out of her, but this is the first one (on the racetrack). Tom Dabernig's done an amazing job with him." The decision to target Warrnambool rather than Adelaide proved inspired, with Harrison happy to defer to his trainer's judgement. "Very excited. We were going to go to Adelaide, but Tom wanted to come here, and I said, 'no drama,'" he said. Dabernig, who made it successive wins on the day after Dantooine had saluted earlier on the card, admitted the Wangoom had long been a race he hoped to attack with the gelding. While he had always rated Oliveanotherday highly, the horse's progression has exceeded even his own expectations. "We've actually known from early days that he's had a stack of ability, but he just keeps on improving," Dabernig said. "The main sprint of the carnival, I really wanted to be part of it. I've been lucky enough to train a lot of decent horses and win some good races, but that one…" And, now he has. Still lightly raced and continuing to furnish physically, Oliveanotherday appears far from the finished article. Dabernig certainly believes there is more to come. "I'd say there's another couple of decent wins in him for sure," he quipped.

  • Gavelhouse Boosted by Marsh’s Stakes Mares

    Thursday, 7th May 2026
    An upcoming Gavelhouse Plus auction that was already confirmed to contain Haunui Farm-Frantic Bloodstock mares Rondinella, Sudbina and Tinelly has been further boosted by the addition of two stakes winning members of Stephen Marsh’s Cambridge stable. Stephen Marsh Racing will offer Group 2 winner Hitabell (NZ) (Embellish) and dual Listed winner Glamour Tycoon (Written Tycoon) in a high-quality online offering. “They’ve been two standout mares for us and it’s now at the stage of their careers where it’s time to offer them to the market as breeding prospects,” Marsh said. “I’m sure they’ll all have their share of admirers on Gavelhouse Plus and will be quality additions to anyone’s broodmare band.” This will be the second time Hitabell has been auctioned on Gavelhouse Plus, according to racingnews.co.nz. The daughter of Embellish was offered by Henley Park during the 2023 National Online Yearling Sale, where Stephen Marsh Racing and Dylan Johnson Bloodstock bought her for $9,500. Hitabell has turned that small purchase price into more than $233,000 in stakes from an eight-race career. She won three times as a three-year-old last season including the Gr2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) and the Listed O’Learys Fillies’ Stakes (1340m). Her three appearances as a four-year-old this season included a close second behind the quality sprinter Master Fay in a 1200m open handicap at Ellerslie, followed by a sixth, only three lengths from the winner Ardalio, in the Gr3 Counties Bowl (1100m) at Pukekohe. “She’s been a very classy mare who was really fast over the sprint distances but also showed that she could run out a strong mile,” Marsh said. “She was a very good winner of the Listed race at Wanganui, then stepped up and beat a strong field in the Eight Carat at Ellerslie on Boxing Day, one of our premier fillies races. “She’s a high-class mare, beautifully put together and should be highly sought after.” Stephen Marsh Racing secured Glamour Tycoon from Book 1 of Karaka 2022, where she was a member of the Highline Thoroughbreds draft and cost $220,000. She has had 21 starts for five wins, 10 placings and $315,710 in prize-money. Like Hitabell, Glamour Tycon won the O’Learys Fillies’ Stakes at Wanganui as a spring three-year-old. She went on to add the Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m) at Trentham last season, and she also placed in the Gr3 Sweynesse Stakes (1215m) as well as the Listed Flying Handicap (1400m) and Waikato Equine Veterinary Centre 2YO Stakes (1200m). “She’s beautifully bred, being by Written Tycoon, and mares by him are absolute gold,” Marsh said. “She won twice at stakes level and recorded multiple other black-type placings, from her two-year-old season right through to as an older horse. I feel like we never really saw the absolute best of her, in my opinion she was a genuine Group 1 sprinter. She’s a cracking mare who should have a lot to offer in the broodmare paddock.” The auction of Hitabell and Glamour Tycoon, along with the previously announced Rondinella, Sudbina and Tinnelly, will run from May 13 to 20 on Gavelhouse Plus.

  • Berry Hits the Bulls Eye in Delayed Archer

    Thursday, 7th May 2026
    A chaotic lead-in did little to dull the quality on show, with Rockhampton ultimately staging one of its strongest race days as the $1 million Archer delivered a result worthy of the build-up. In the end, it was Yellow Brick who justified the hype, rewarding those willing to navigate the disrupted schedule and underlining his standing as one of Queensland’s headline acts. Tommy Berry’s decision to double back from Sydney after Sunday’s abandonment proved decisive, the jockey answering a call he credits to James McDonald. Having partnered the gelding to victory during the Gold Coast Magic Millions carnival earlier in the year, McDonald had urged Berry to take the opportunity, a tip that carried weight given the horse’s profile. “Thanks to James McDonald, he is the one who got me up here,” Berry said. “I will try to keep this ride and he can ride something else now, that would be nice.” The contest itself unfolded in scrappy fashion, with interference playing a role and several key chances denied clear running. Despite that, the Tony and Maddy Sears-trained galloper showed his class when it mattered, travelling strongly before being asked for an effort early in the straight and responding with authority. First-up and conceding fitness, he still had enough in reserve to assert late, suggesting there is more to come as his preparation deepens. “It was a good effort by the Sears team to get this horse up for this race, twice, and he was worth coming back for the second time,” Berry said. “He is a big horse and takes a bit of winding up, it was a good effort today as he was first-up.” That performance, on the back of his Stradbroke Handicap placing last season, positions him firmly on a path towards another tilt at Queensland’s premier sprint. Behind the winner, the race told several different stories. The Inflictor, sent out near the top of the market, finished fifth after failing to secure clear air at crucial stages, while veteran Rothfire never featured after encountering interference and later drawing comments about the firmness of the surface. Up front, local hope Cherry Rose ensured a genuine tempo but was overhauled late in a finish that saw the first six runners separated by less than two lengths. For Maddy Sears, the moment carried personal significance beyond the prizemoney. “We didn't bring him up here for fun, we brought him up here for a reason,” she said. “It is just really special, my grandma is even here to watch today. A very good trainer in Melbourne told me he was going to win for fun and that's what he did. He is the pivotal horse of my career, anyone that knows me and knows my family knows how special this horse is to us.

    Yellow Brick

    $20,000 MM National Yearling Sale graduate Yellow Brick (pic: magicmillions.com.au)

  • New Kembla Track Widely Endorsed

    Thursday, 7th May 2026
    A project years in the making has delivered an immediate dividend, with the new Illawarra Grange inner-track at Kembla Grange earning widespread approval after its inaugural meeting. Built with durability and consistency in mind, the $8 million Racing NSW-backed development appears to have passed its first major test with flying colours. According to punters.com.au, the Illawarra Turf Club opted for a measured rollout, subjecting the surface to more than a year of testing before race day, and those efforts were reflected in the feedback from jockeys and trainers alike. In conditions that often expose weaknesses in track design, the new circuit performed evenly throughout, offering opportunities to runners across a range of racing patterns. Fittingly, the honour of training the first winner on the track fell to local horseman Mitch Beer, who combined with George Carpenter to land the opening success through Above The Law. The result carried both novelty and satisfaction. “Terrific to train the first winner – I'm sure we'll turn up on a trivia night or under a bottle top somewhere one day,” Beer said, before turning his attention to the bigger picture. “But on a serious note the feedback all day was excellent. Chad Schofield jumped off and said that it's as good a provincial surface he's raced on which is a pretty big statement.” The way the track played was particularly pleasing, with no discernible bias emerging across the program. “Horses were leading and winning, coming from last and both from on and off the fence. Results were class and tempo related and that's what punters want,” Beer added, underlining the importance of fairness for both participants and wagering confidence. For Beer, the success also carried a sense of personal connection, having witnessed the project evolve from its earliest stages. “The month I moved here was when they started ripping it up and tearing it down,” he said. “So I've seen the project from start to finish… it's just a real credit to the club.” There was a degree of nervous anticipation leading into the meeting, particularly given recent scrutiny around track conditions elsewhere, but those concerns were quickly alleviated. “I must admit… I was a bit nervous for the club but it performed up to everyone's expectations. It's just a huge boost for racing in the region,” Beer said. The opening race itself was not without drama, with the heavily backed Above The Law forced to dig deep when challenged late before responding under Dylan Gibbons to secure victory. The young rider would go on to complete a treble on the program and was equally impressed by the new surface. “They'll need to run some Group 1 races there,” he said. “The track played fantastic… they were winning from every spot… I couldn't fault it.” With such a strong debut, the Illawarra Grange track has quickly established itself as a valuable addition to the NSW racing landscape, particularly as a reliable option in wet conditions, and looks set to play a significant role in the region’s future programming.
Amarina Farm
Arrowfield Stud
Bell River Thoroughbreds
Berkeley Park Stud
Bhima Thoroughbreds
Blue Gum Farm
Bombora Downs
Clear Mountain Fairview
Coolmore Stud
Cressfield
Evergreen Stud
Kingstar Farm
Lime Country Thoroughbreds
Mill Park Stud
Murrulla Stud
Newhaven Park
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 3rd Season
Anamoe 1st crop 2YOs
Anders Established
Artie Schiller Established
Awesome Rock Established
Barbados Established
Barbaric Established
Best Of Bordeaux Established
Better Than Ready Established
Bivouac Established
Brave Smash Established
Brazen Beau Established
Bruckner 1st crop 2YOs
Bull Point Established
Bullbars Established
Cape Of Good Hope 1st crop 2YOs
Capitalist Established
Castelvecchio Established
City Of Troy Established
Cliff's Edge Established
Cogburn 2nd Season
Cool Aza Beel Established
D'argento Established
Danerich Established
Dash For Cash Established
De Gaulle Established
Delaware Established
Denman Established
Dirty Work Established
Dissident Established
Don Corleone 3rd Season
Doubtland Established
Dubious Established
Dundeel Established
Ellsberg 1st crop 2YOs
Encryption Established
Exceedance Established
Exosphere Established
Extreme Choice 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 3rd Season
Headwater Established
Hellbent Established
Hitotsu 1st crop 2YOs
Home Affairs Established
I Am Immortal Established
I Am Invincible Established
Ilovethiscity Established
Invader Established
Jacquinot 1st crop 2YOs
Ka Ying Master 1st crop 2YOs
Kermadec Established
King Colorado 3rd Season
King's Legacy Established
Lofty Strike 3rd 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 3rd Season
Murtajill Established
My Admiration Established
Needs Further Established
Nicconi Established
Nostradamus Established
Officiating 3rd Season
Ole Kirk Established
Pariah Established
Pierata Established
Pierro Established
Pinatubo Established
Playing God Established
Portland Sky Established
Power 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 2nd 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 3rd 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 Established
Von Costa De Hero Established
Wandjina Established
Winning Rupert Established
Wooded Established
Wootton Bassett Established
Worthy Cause Established
Written By Established
Written Tycoon Established
Xtravagant Established
Your Song Established
Zousain Established
Zoustar Established