Tuesday, 3rd March 2026
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Global Breeding, Racing and Sales News

  • NEW Costa and Family Bunkered Down in Dubai

    Tuesday, 3rd March 2026
    A career move to Dubai to train thoroughbreds has taken a turn, with missiles and attack drones streaking overhead and an Australian horseman trying to keep his family steady amid crisis. Based at Jebel Ali as private trainer to Sheikh Ahmed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Michael Costa has been a witness as Iran launches missiles towards the United Arab Emirates.m Contacted from Dubai, Costa said he was limited in what he could say for security and safety reasons, but he described a week of little sleep and constant alertness. “It has all been a bit blurry, we didn't get much sleep the first night at all,” he revealed to racenet.com.au. “There [were] hundreds of missiles and drones and the major issue was the debris falling all around. It was very loud, obviously nothing like anything we have experienced before.” Inside their villa, the priority has been keeping the noise and the anxiety away from his four young children. Costa and his wife Mel have had everyone in one room, staying put as events unfold. “We have had all the family together in the villa and we have been all sleeping in the one room, we are just staying put. I certainly didn't have this on the cards for 2026.” He admitted the fear is real. “I have got my family here, so it's a natural instinct for me to feel a bit scared and for me to feel protective,” he said. He also paid tribute to the technology keeping the city safe. “The defence system that the UAE has is unbelievable, you are looking up in the sky and the way that these drones and missiles are being intercepted is incredible.” To dull what the kids might hear, white noise became part of the plan. “The first night we had the white noise music pumping inside the room, so it blocked out the noise outside,” Costa said. “The kids did about a month's work of screen time that night.” He added: “It's a very unique situation, but the kids don't really know what is going on.” Costa said: “We are just thankful that the Government has got this amazing defence system and it is doing its job. We are living on the news platforms to get all the latest information.” Racing has not been immune. While Saturday’s Meydan meeting went ahead, Sunday’s Jebel Ali card was cancelled and racing has since been suspended in the UAE. Living on-course at the Jebel Ali Stables, Costa is trying to keep the operation moving despite the track being shut. “The Jebel Ali track has been closed, but we have been running the horses on treadmills and swimming them,” he said. “We are playing it by ear and waiting for advice on what to do, we are taking it day-by-day.” With disruption spreading across the region, the March 28 Dubai World Cup meeting could yet come under a cloud, while Dubai airport and Jebel Ali seaport have been closed after suffering damage in retaliatory attacks.

    Meydan Racecourse

    Dubai's stunning racecourse, Meydan (pic: Venue Wise)

  • NEW Hong Kong Derby Optics Have Become Blurred

    Tuesday, 3rd March 2026
    Clarity is in short supply ahead of the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) after Sunday’s Classic Cup (1800m) reshaped the narrative around the HK$26 million feature, reports scmp.com. What once appeared a two-horse discussion has widened considerably, with a shock result and mixed fortunes for the leading fancies leaving the form puzzle far from settled. Stormy Grove, still a Hong Kong maiden just two starts ago and not even among the original Derby entries, has surged into serious contention following a pair of dazzling victories. The Australian import’s $22.25 triumph in the Classic Cup turned heads and upended the market, especially as it came at the expense of more established hopes Little Paradise and Numbers. Little Paradise, who had electrified the city with his Classic Mile win, endured a nightmare beginning. Jockey Vincent Ho later told stewards the $2.5 favourite had been fractious in the gates and blew the start badly. Although Ho called to the starter to delay proceedings, it was too late. The Jimmy Ting-trained galloper struggled to make an immediate impact before charging home over the final 200m to finish eighth, beaten three and a half lengths, in a run that hinted at better things with a smoother getaway. Numbers, regarded as the pick of Frankie Lor’s pair after consecutive victories, also had to work for his position. From barrier 11 he pressed forward to lead, rolling through solid sectionals that ultimately took their toll late in the race. He was collared by a sweeping Stormy Grove, with Invincible Ibis and Patch Of Cosmo also finishing over the top of him, yet his fourth placing carried merit given the effort expended early. Stewards questioned Derek Leung's tactics from the 800m mark, probing whether the tempo could have been steadied. The jockey responded that Numbers was “in a comfortable rhythm and as a result he elected to allow it to continue to stride forward without restraining his mount”. Importantly for Derby backers, Numbers continued strongly beyond the line, and the step up to 2000m appears well within his scope, having been runner-up in the Group One Queensland Derby over 2400m in Australia when racing as King Of Thunder. Elsewhere, Invincible Ibis rebounded from a Classic Mile sixth to reinsert himself into calculations, while Patch Of Cosmo, Dazzling Fit and Pope Cody all produced solid efforts that suggest they cannot be overlooked. In contrast, Sagacious Life’s standing suffered a significant blow after finishing a distant last, failing to settle and encountering interference at the 200m, a result that may prompt Zac Purton to seek alternative Derby prospects. With just weeks until March 22, the once-clear Derby picture has blurred, opening the door to new challengers and leaving punters with far more questions than answers.

  • NEW Final Field Locked in for Lucrative The Kiwi

    Tuesday, 3rd March 2026
    The final pieces have fallen into place for Saturday’s $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) at Ellerslie, with Slot Holder Kerri Spence Bloodstock and Clotworthy Racing confirming To Bravery Born as their representative and completing the field for Champions Day. According to racingnews.co.nz, the selection adds another layer of intrigue to a race already rich in storylines, while also lifting Te Akau Racing’s representation to four runners in the Southern Hemisphere’s richest three-year-old contest. To Bravery Born joins stablemates with their own strong claims, including He Who Dares, who will compete in Te Akau’s slot, and La Dorada, the popular filly dubbed “The People’s Horse”. In-form Belle Cheval, set to carry the colours of slot holder The King’s Men, rounds out a powerful Te Akau presence that is likely to shape how the race is run. Bred by Greg Tomlinson under his Nearco Stud banner, To Bravery Born is by Snitzel and out of Milunka, a mare with deep black-type ties. Milunka is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Kahma Lass, Group 1 performer Kuro, and emerging filly Drops Of God, giving the colt a pedigree that hints at quality and progression as distances rise. He was offered through Curraghmore’s 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 National Yearling Sale draft, where Te Akau principal David Ellis (CNZM) secured him for $200,000. On the track for trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, he made an immediate impact by winning his first two starts as a two-year-old. That early promise was followed by a fourth in the TAB Karaka Millions 2YO and a third in the Gr3 Fairview Matamata Slipper, performances that stamped him as a colt capable of mixing it with the best of his age. His three-year-old season began in style with a 3.25-length win at Taupo, and he backed it up at Te Rapa on Waikato Cup Day, scoring over 1200m in a race that included his Group 1-winning stablemate and fellow Kiwi contender La Dorada. Results since then have been mixed but suggest a colt looking for a touch more ground. He finished eighth in the Gr2 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy on TAB Karaka Millions night and seventh in last month’s Gr3 Eagle Technology Uncle Remus Stakes (1400m), a key lead-up that has thrown multiple Kiwi runners. For Clotworthy Racing, securing him came after a frustrating search that included a near miss with Australian raider Asakura. “It is a bit of a relief to get a nice horse like that,” Shaun Clotworthy said. “We were really targeting Asakura, and we thought we had secured him, but they went with Ozzie Kheir. That put us on the back foot a touch, but luckily this horse has become available, and I thought his run in the Uncle Remus was good.” Clotworthy added: “The stable thought he was more of a 1200 to 1400m horse but he is looking like he wants to stretch out to 1500m now… He has come at the right time for us and the right time for them, so we have managed to broker a deal.” Ellerslie holds special meaning for Shaun and Emma Clotworthy after training Willydoit to win last year’s Group 1 New Zealand Derby, and the stable expects to savour another big day on racing’s grand stage.

    To Bravery Born

    To Bravery Born adds intrigue to The Kiwi (pic: Race Images Peter Rubery)

  • NEW Thompson Aiming for Victory with Impunity

    Tuesday, 3rd March 2026
    A long-awaited return to the winner’s circle could be within reach at Warwick Farm on Wednesday, provided the conditions fall his way. Impunity, now a year removed from his last victory, lines up in the TAB Handicap (2110m) for what will be his fourth run this preparation, and trainer John Thompson told racingnsw.com.au, the signs are there that a breakthrough is close. Last start offered more frustration than form. In a similar race two weeks ago, there was quiet confidence in the camp that the five-year-old would be in the finish, only for interference at a crucial stage to derail his momentum and leave him sixth behind Stylebender. Thompson felt the effort was better than it reads on paper by the son of Dundeel. “He was going to run well the other day,’’ Thompson said. “We were expecting a big improvement, he was getting to his right distance. He’s a real 2400m horse but it’s far enough for him to get into it. “Just when he was starting to wind up the horse in front of him came back in his face and stopped him in his tracks. It was a non-event. He’s not a horse with a turn of foot, he’s got to wind up.” That grinding style makes positioning critical, and barrier draws have not been kind. Thompson noted the gelding has repeatedly been posted wide, leaving him further back than ideal. “He keeps drawing outside barriers which doesn’t help, with a good draw he could be two lengths closer in the run,” he said. Surface conditions are another variable. While a soft track holds no real fears, heavy going has proven problematic, with two defeats on rain-affected ground marking his record. “He seems to be going well, he’s no good on wet tracks that’s for sure, and he’s ready to win given the right circumstances,’’ Thompson said. “He has to start doing something now he’s at his right distance and he’s fit and well.” Chad Schofield, fresh from a Group 1 success last weekend, takes the reins and brings familiarity, having partnered the gelding in his last win in February 2025. Elsewhere in the stable, Starphistocated is being aimed higher after an effortless 1500m Midway win at Rosehill. Thompson is leaning toward Saturday’s Group 3 Aspiration Quality (1600m) at Randwick as a stepping stone to her primary goal. “Her aim is the Epona two weeks after this, it’s to get a mile run into her but she’s going very well. She’ll be a threat,’’ he said.

  • NEW Epsom Staves Off Housing Development Plan

    Tuesday, 3rd March 2026
    Plans to construct 110 homes on land near Epsom racecourse in England have been refused by local councillors, delivering a setback to proposals linked to Jockey Club member and Cheltenham chairman Martin St Quinton. The decision followed strong opposition from racing bodies, residents and conservation campaigners concerned about the implications for both the equine population and the surrounding environment, reports racingpost.com. The proposed development at Langley Vale Road sits close to the start of the Derby course and a bridleway regularly used by Epsom trainers to access the gallops. The Jockey Club, which owns the racecourse and training grounds, formally objected to the scheme last year, warning it would “have a significant adverse impact upon the operations of the horseracing industry within the vicinity”. Central to the objections were fears that additional traffic would heighten risks to horses and riders navigating the area. Councillors at Epsom & Ewell borough council’s planning committee cited increased vehicle movements, potential wildlife disruption and the proximity to established training routes as decisive factors in rejecting the application. Public resistance proved substantial. The council received 364 written objections, alongside an online petition attracting more than 2,000 signatures. Councillor Bernice Froud said, “Once we pour concrete over it, we will destroy this site of nature conservation importance forever”, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Fellow councillor Steven McCormick highlighted the potential danger posed by added traffic, stating: “By placing 110 homes and hundreds of daily car movements at the mouth of the Warren, a known site for unseated riders, we are creating a collision corridor.” Developer Fairfax Aspire argued that revised designs could incorporate measures to mitigate harm to the adjacent green belt and surrounding landscape. However, those assurances failed to convince the committee. St Quinton, who will step down as chair of Cheltenham in May after seven years in the role, acknowledged the outcome while signalling that the matter may not be closed. “We are disappointed that the members chose to refuse the application despite the officer's recommendation for approval, but we will take advice and consider next steps,” he said. The Jockey Club declined to expand on its earlier submissions, maintaining its previously stated position. For now, the decision preserves the status quo around one of British racing’s most storied venues, though the prospect of further appeals or revised proposals means the debate over development near Epsom is unlikely to fade quickly.

    Epsom Downs

    Epsom Downs is one of the most famous racecourses in the world

  • NEW Gluyas Stable Banking on Promising 3YOs

    Tuesday, 3rd March 2026
    Momentum is building within the Andrew Gluyas yard as two progressive three-year-olds shape as key players for the remainder of the carnival. Dirty Old Town and Freedom Flame fought out a compelling finish on the Parks track at Morphettville last weekend, and their paths now diverge toward separate autumn targets. Dirty Old Town has scarcely put a foot wrong in her debut preparation, chalking up a third straight victory when charging home from off the speed to edge out her stablemate. The manner in which she attacked the line has fuelled confidence that there is more to come as distances increase and pressure rises. “She’s been really good this prep,’’ Joe Gluyas said. “We weren’t too sure where her ceiling is, she just attacks the line.” Plans are already in place to press on. “The Morphettville Guineas on the Cup Day, that’s where we’ll head all being well,’’ he added. Freedom Flame, brave in defeat at her second run back from a spell, remains on course for the Group 1 Australasian Oaks later in April. While she could not match the finishing burst of her stablemate, her effort suggested she is building fitness at the right time. “We’ve set her for a few races for later in the Carnival,’’ Gluyas said, signalling patience rather than haste as she progresses. Elsewhere on the card, Acapella Moon delivered a moment to savour for Hannah Bryce, who saddled her first winner as a trainer when the mare swept home to overhaul Autumn Frost under Connor Murtagh. Overcome by the occasion, Bryce admitted, “I haven’t been training for year, I’m overwhelmed.’’ She added simply, “It’s unbelievable.’’ Placo further enhanced his South Australian record with a fourth win from nine local starts since joining Luke O’Connor, dictating terms in front under Teagan Voorham. O’Connor felt a rain-affected surface and a heavier workload between runs proved decisive. “Probably trainer error first-up, he was a bit fresh,’’ he said. “We’ve served the work up to him, he just loves the hard work and was very impressive today.” With bigger ambitions floating, he conceded the CS Hayes Stakes on Cup Day was a possibility, though he cautioned against getting carried away. At Port Lincoln on Friday, Tala Hutchinson seized the biggest success of her riding career aboard Excelman, replacing the injured Sophie Potter and steering the grey to a narrow victory in the Cup. “I feel for Sophie,’’ Hutchinson said. “I got stuck three-wide but had cover, he was tough.’’ The win capped a riding double and shared honours with Sairyn Fawke, underlining a weekend of emerging talent across the state.

  • Gilgai Walks Tall on Day 2 of Premier

    Tuesday, 3rd March 2026
    Sustained competition and a string of headline lots ensured Gilgai Farm emerged as the standout vendor of Premier Sale Book 1 at Oaklands, finishing with the top two lots on Day 2 and four of the six highest-priced yearlings overall. In a market that rewarded athletic colts and elite fillies, the Victorian nursery’s draft repeatedly drew the deepest bidding and set the tone for the session. The centrepiece was lot 499, a Too Darn Hot-Baveno colt who ignited the ring before being secured by X Bloodstock for $750,000. Gilgai’s Kelly Skillecorn had long known the colt would attract attention, but even he was taken aback by the intensity of demand. “Ever since he was a foal we’ve had people turning up trying to buy him but we’ve wrapped him up for here at Inglis Premier. It’s a lot of money, we’re most grateful,’’ he said. For Skillecorn, the result reinforced what he believes has become a defining characteristic of Premier. “I cannot tell people enough that if they have a good horse, just lob it here [at Premier]… It’s just a sale that people want to go shopping at and they’ll find good horses here.’’ He added: “This sale just keeps going forward… The results are there every year with Group 1 winners coming out of the sale so there’s no doubts as to why they’re coming here.’’ Two more significant results followed from the same draft. Astute Bloodstock and Ciaron Maher Racing went to $625,000 for Gilgai’s Kermadec-Turaath filly (lot 419), while the preceding Written By-Tune Doubt filly made $450,000 to Astute as well. Astute’s Louis Le Metayer outlined the thinking behind the purchases. “Part of our strategy is to be buying elite fillies that we can win Stakes races with and put back through our consignment at the broodmare sales,’’ he said. “We’ve looked at thousands of fillies all year and I think she’s the best athlete we’ve seen all year.’’ Skillecorn was equally complimentary, noting the fillies would head to Maher and expressing gratitude to Inglis’ James Price for introducing X Bloodstock, who spent more than $1m across four colts.

    Too Darn Hot-Baveno colt

    Gilgai's Too Darn Hot-Baveno colt (pic: inglis.com.au)

  • Strong Gains Across Inglis Premier Metrics

    Tuesday, 3rd March 2026
    Momentum that had been building across the opening day of Premier Sale Book 1 was confirmed in emphatic fashion at Oaklands, with all major financial indicators posting healthy gains. By the close of trade the gross reached $60,707,000, representing a 15 per cent year-on-year lift, while the median rose 20 per cent to $120,000 and the average improved 5 per cent to $146,990. Inglis Bloodstock CEO Sebastian Hutch said the strength of the result was no accident, crediting both the catalogue and the depth of buyer recruitment. “As I said yesterday, we were always of the belief in the lead-up to the sale that we were being supported with a really strong catalogue and worked hard to recruit a large and diverse buying bench and I think a combination of those two things created a fantastic atmosphere which led to strong and consistent bidding over the past two days,” Hutch said. Importantly, he stressed the gains were not confined to the top end. “All the key metrics have improved markedly – the gross is up over $8.1m on the same stage last year, the clearance is up, the average is up and the median is up,” he said, describing the two days as “plenty of fun and exceptionally rewarding’’. Diversity of participation was another talking point. “A lot of people have commented on the diversity of the buying bench here and you only need to look at the buyer sheet to understand why, with participation from Hong Kong, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa, Vietnam etc and of course all around Australia,’’ Hutch said. That breadth, he noted, ensures consistent competition and greater confidence for vendors. Hutch believes the outcome should encourage breeders to continue sending their best yearlings to Oaklands. “We have worked hard over a number of years to give vendors and breeders confidence that we can deliver the best results… hopefully the results this year create a platform for us to progress this sale even further in the years to come,” he said. With 227 lots catalogued for Book 2, he expects disappointed buyers to remain active. “I know there are plenty of buyers that have left the complex today disappointed they were unable to acquire the stock they wanted and there are plenty of opportunities to fill those orders in Book 2.…” he said.

  • Playing God Stakes Streak Continues Ad Nauseam

    Tuesday, 3rd March 2026
    Another significant tick was added to Champion WA Sire Playing God’s remarkable February when his three-year-old daughter Wonderfully Made justified heavy support in the Listed Ascot 1000 Guineas (1800m) on Saturday, delivering both authority and promise in equal measure. Settled one-out and one-back throughout, the China Horse Club filly travelled sweetly before angling clear in the straight to reel in front-runner Admire Astra. Once balanced, she asserted her class, and under a hands-and-heels steer from Willie Pike, she strode away to score convincingly. Pike, who enjoyed four winners on the ten-race programme, suggested there was plenty left in reserve. “She won well within herself and it was soft through the line,” he said. “She’s a nice filly and there’s sure to be more improvement to come.” Bred on the cross of Playing God and Precious Cargo, by Trade Fair, she has become the fourth black-type winner for her sire in a single month. Earlier February successes came via Playin’it Sweet in the Listed TBWA Breeders’ Classic and the Listed Challenge Stakes, along with Almighty Class in the Listed Cyril Flower Stakes, underlining the depth of form emanating from the Yarradale Stud stallion this season. The Ascot 1000 Guineas traditionally marks the opening step on Western Australia’s staying path for three-year-old fillies, with the Listed Natasha Stakes (2200m) on March 14 acting as a bridge toward the Group 3 WA Oaks (2400m) on March 28. Trainer Dan Morton indicated that longer trips are firmly on the agenda. “That was a nice watch today although we were a bit concerned about tactics in the small field,” he said. “It was a steady tempo and then she had to sprint home in the straight. We will be stretching her out work-wise and we’re looking forward to the longer journeys.” Her backstory traces to the 2024 Perth Magic Millions, where Waroona-based J Farms, acting for owner-breeder Colin Loxton, sold her for $250,000. She is the second of two winners by Playing God from Precious Cargo, a mare who stayed up to 2200m at Belmont when trained by Paula Wagg. Janey Napoli’s J Farms operation also enjoyed a productive sale series this year. A Playing God colt from Awesome Rival topped her Perth draft when purchased by Morton for $120,000, while another filly by the same sire, from Our Sustar, was secured by China Horse Club for $50,000 in the Swan Valley. Napoli noted both youngsters were “well-balanced, compact first foals” and added, “And hopefully, they both go as good as Wonderfully Made.”

  • Interstate Raiders Dominate Adelaide Cup Noms

    Tuesday, 3rd March 2026
    A strong interstate contingent is set to shape Monday’s $350,000 Adelaide Cup, with 25 horses nominated for the Group 2 feature and 15 of them travelling in to take on 10 local hopes. The two-mile contest always draws a mix of proven stayers and emerging types, and this year’s shortlist has depth across both camps. Heading the entries is Berkeley Square, the Ballarat Cup winner who firmed as a leading contender after an impressive 2500m victory at Flemington. Trainer Dan O’Sullivan flagged Adelaide Cup intentions straight away, particularly given the manner in which the gelding worked to the line when defeating Garachico, another serious staying prospect who is also nominated for Dominic Sutton. Garachico has already shown he belongs at this level after winning the Australian Heritage Cup (2800m), a race in which he previously accounted for Newfoundland. That formline may come back into focus if Newfoundland can go one better in his second Adelaide Cup attempt for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. He finished runner-up in last year’s edition behind the locally trained Silent Surrente, and his return adds a genuine Group-performed yardstick to the field. With Silent Surrente not in play this time, Will Clarken’s hopes of retaining the trophy rest with Komachi, who comes through the Lord Reims Stakes (2800m) after finishing eighth. The Premier’s Plate (2006m) winner can improve on that effort if he settles into a rhythm over the testing trip, and he will be partnered by West Australian rider Lucy Fiore. Among the South Australian challengers, a notable story sits with Sarah Rutten’s stable after a career-defining Lord Reims result, with Eventually winning and Crimson Vine finishing third. Rutten’s pair are both nominated for the Cup, while Strathalbyn Cup winner Kirkliston Blu also earned his place in calculations when a solid fourth in the Lord Reims for trainer Roslyn Day. Phillip Stokes, a two-time Adelaide Cup-winning trainer, looks poised to saddle Highland Bling, who chased home Eventually in the Lord Reims and profiles as a progressive stayer. Melbourne Cup-winning trainers John Symons and Sheila Laxon have nominated Urban Outlook, a European gelding who has strung together back-to-back Victorian wins and has already proven stamina with victories at 2916m and 3000m. Other Victorian nominees include El James and Samuel Langhorne, while John Moloney’s stayer Dictionary is also in the mix after finishing strongly for fifth behind Berkeley Square last start. Dictionary carries an extra thread of sentiment, as he is a nephew to the legendary Makybe Diva, who died aged 27 on Saturday. Rider moves add further interest, with Group 1-winning jockey Luke Nolen set to partner Berkeley Square, and Jamie Melham and Lachlan Neindorf returning ‘home’ to ride Hurry Curry and Highland Bling.

  • Elite Stallion Prospect Savaglee on the Market

    Tuesday, 3rd March 2026
    The curtain has come down on a career that promised much and delivered at the highest level, with Savaglee retired from racing and now set to embark on the next chapter as a stallion prospect. According to loveracing.nz, the four-year-old entire, a Group 1-winning son of Savabeel, will soon be offered a new home as connections weigh up whether to stand or sell him. Bred by Waikato Stud, he is out of Glee, a full-sister to Group 3 performer Symphonic and the dam of dual Group 1 winner Orchestral, placing him in one of the most potent families in the New Zealand Stud Book. Offered through Waikato’s 2023 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft, he caught the attention of The Oaks Stud’s general manager Rick Williams, who stretched to $400,000 to secure him for principal Dick Karreman. “He had a great head and eye and she (dam) was from a great family,” Williams said. “He has turned out to be a full-brother in blood to Orchestral, and there are four or five Group 1 winners in the first three dams, and many of the top horses from that family have been by Savabeel. There was no surprise in terms of pedigree to go and buy him, he was a beautifully balanced horse, he wasn’t too big and we were lucky to get him, it was my last bid, and sometimes you get lucky.” Initially purchased as a stallion prospect, his performances for trainer Pam Gerard justified that faith. He won seven of his 17 starts, headlined by victory in the Gr1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m). After placing in the Gr1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m), he crossed the Tasman and went within three-quarters of a length of Feroce in the Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m), a performance that enhanced his profile on both sides of the Tasman. His four-year-old campaign, however, was compromised by physical issues, and he was unable to recapture his three-year-old brilliance. Unplaced efforts in the BCD Group Sprint and Rabobank Cup (1400m) at Taupo last month prompted further assessment. “He just had a little bit of a fusion in the joint after Taupo so we have retired him and he will go to stud,” Williams said. “He was an absolute standout and the form around him in the Australian Guineas was great.” With the farm’s future in transition, a final decision on his standing location is pending. “I would like him to stand in New Zealand because even if we sell him to another farm, we will probably stay in him,” Williams said. “We love the horse, he is a wonderfully intelligent animal, and I am sure he will be very successful in stage two of his career.”

    Savaglee

    Savaglee is beautifully pedigreed and performed (pic: Race Images Peter Rubery)

  • Foreign Racing Participants Marooned in Dubai

    Tuesday, 3rd March 2026
    Travel uncertainty lingered over Meydan on Sunday as Europe’s jockeys and trainers waited for clarity on when they could leave Dubai, after another day of Iranian drones and missiles disrupted the Gulf. Despite parts of the region’s airspace closed, organisers still pressed ahead with the Super Saturday meeting, but the logistical fallout quickly became the main story for those on the ground, reports racingpost.com. With Dubai International Airport among the transport hubs hit and services curtailed, a number of participants remained confined to the luxury hotel that adjoins the track. Dual-purpose trainer James Owen, who saddled Burdett Road to finish third behind Rebel’s Romance in the Group 2 Dubai City of Gold, said his plans had been upended as Cheltenham approaches. “With Cheltenham just round the corner, we’ve got horses galloping today at Huntingdon,” Owen said on Sunday afternoon. “I was planning to get back this morning for that on the early flight, but we’re beholden to what happens. Hopefully things will calm down and the airports will open up.” Owen, like others contacted, described a day punctuated by the sound of interceptions. "There was a good bit [of noise] early on and then a bit more at lunchtime, but it’s been quiet the last few hours," he said. "You just feel that more will happen in the evening, and you wouldn’t feel safe up in the air at the minute." The UAE’s defence ministry said the country had been targeted by 165 ballistic missiles, two cruise missiles and 541 drones, with all but a handful intercepted, and put the toll at three dead and 58 injured. Dubai’s government media office confirmed a fire at the Fairmont Hotel in the Jumeirah Palm Beach area and incidents of falling debris at Jebel Ali port and in residential districts. Authorities also confirmed minor damage to a terminal building at Dubai International, while online videos of an alleged second strike on Sunday remained unverified. Trainer Jamie Osborne, in the same predicament, praised the air defences and said the mood remained calm despite the frustration of being stranded. "We’re in the Meydan Hotel, and we don’t feel like we’re in a war zone," Osborne said. "They are doing a fantastic job in keeping everybody safe." He added: "The latest information from Emirates [Airlines] is that there will be no flights before Monday afternoon… There’s no precedent for anything like this, and so trying to make plans and say anything for definite is just a waste of time." Jockey Kieran Shoemark, who had expected to return home after Saturday’s fixture, said the interceptions had become an unsettling backdrop. "We were hearing it all through the night, and again this morning. It's very clear," he said. "I'm hearing that nothing is going to change for two to three days, and we've just been advised to sit tight… There are just a lot of unknowns here right now." What is known is that as of Monday afternoon in Australia, all flights into and out of the United Arab Emirates remained suspended.

  • Warrior Has Hoof on a HK$10 million Bonus

    Tuesday, 3rd March 2026
    A small but select field gathered at Sha Tin on Sunday, yet the result carried the weight of history as Romantic Warrior strode clear to claim a second Gr1 Citi Hong Kong Gold Cup (2000m). The imperious eight-year-old dismissed five rivals with authority, adding the HK$13 million feature to his earlier Stewards’ Cup success and tightening his grip on this season’s Triple Crown. Settled sweetly in third from barrier four as Beauty Joy dictated terms, he travelled within himself before James McDonald angled him into clear running on straightening. According to racingnews.hkjc.com, what followed was familiar theatre. The Acclamation gelding lengthened effortlessly, surging past the leader and quickly putting the race beyond doubt. Ensued boxed on for second and Winning Wing finished third, but all were left chasing shadows as Romantic Warrior crossed the line four lengths in front. The victory was his 13th at Group 1 level, extending his own benchmark as the most prolific Hong Kong-trained elite winner. McDonald was quick to credit the preparation behind the performance. “He’s just beautifully prepared. Danny’s just done a marvellous job, and each and every time I hop on him, I cherish the moment. I feel so special every time and you look between his ears and he’s just so alert.” Trainer Danny Shum, overseeing a champion in rare form, believes the 2000m journey remains his sweet spot. “It’s a small field, and he’s very fit, actually. His condition is getting better and better. The 2000 metres is his best trip. I think he can handle it (2400m), but I don’t know if any overseas horses will come (in May), but I think they have a lot of potential.” The Triple Crown concludes with the Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) on 24 May, where a HK$10 million bonus awaits should he complete the treble. Purchased for HK$4.8 million by owner Peter Lau at the 2021 Hong Kong International Sale, the Irish-bred star has now amassed world-record earnings of HK$254.66 million (AUD$46 million). His latest triumph was achieved in 1m 59.77s, the final 400m reeled off in a slick 22.52s. Along the way he has captured major prizes in Australia, Japan and the United Arab Emirates, confirming his standing as a global force. Shum indicated the immediate target is a fourth G1 FWD QEII Cup (2000m) on 26 April before the season’s final leg at 2400m. “I think he will now go to the QEII Cup and then to the Champions & Chater before he finishes the season,” he said. “Maybe next season we will go to the Saudi Cup – we will keep everything open for now.” His Gold Cup success places him alongside Viva Pataca, Military Attack, Designs On Rome, Time Warp and Golden Sixty as dual winners of the race this century, while only River Verdon and Voyage Bubble have completed Hong Kong’s Triple Crown. For now, Romantic Warrior stands poised to chase that rarefied company once more.

  • Inglis Continues Hong Kong Classic Supremacy

    Tuesday, 3rd March 2026
    Another chapter in the Inglis tale of Hong Kong’s 4YO Series was written at Sha Tin on Sunday night when Stormy Grove unleashed a withering sprint to land the Hong Kong Classic Cup, the second leg of the sequence. Settling where he is most comfortable near the tail, the Toronado 4YO was still giving his rivals a start before producing a turn of foot that swept him past Hong Kong’s rising middle-distance set. The win carried extra weight, with Stormy Grove leading home an Inglis graduates quinella by defeating Invincible Ibis, and it set up a genuine tilt at the finale. Owners Marc Chan and Lili Chan Li Lei will now press on to the Hong Kong Derby on March 22, a race that can define a horse’s legacy and reshape a season in a single afternoon. Stormy Grove’s rise has been swift and cross-continental. He began his career in Australia for Patrick and Michelle Payne, winning on debut at Geelong in December 2024 before flashing home for second in a Flemington BM70 on a Saturday. Those two runs were enough to convince Jamie McCalmont to buy him for Chan, and he has since delivered consecutive Hong Kong wins as his reputation gathers speed. Bred by Adam Sangster, Rebecca and Simon Lurati’s Ealing Park, John Dickson’s Sandown Lodge and Tim Jones, Stormy Grove was originally a $135,000 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale purchase for Nardoo Valley Stud’s Philip George from the Collingrove Stud draft. Sangster said: “It’s a great thrill to co-breed a horse like this, it’s a fabulous result for Toronado who has an incredible record in Hong Kong and it’s a great boon for our home sale, the Inglis Premier Sale which showed again today just how strong it is.” He added: “Full credit to Jamie McCalmont, who purchased Stormy Grove on behalf of Marc Chan following his two Australian runs. Those who handled him early have long felt the raw ability was there, and Hong Kong is now getting the full picture as he begins to be recognised for what he is. For his breeders, carrying a genuine Derby chance is the ultimate measure of progress. Stormy Grove became the fourth consecutive Inglis graduate to win the Hong Kong Classic Cup, following Rubylot, Helios Express and Super Sunny Sing, and with Little Paradise having already taken the Classic Mile four weeks ago, Inglis graduates have now claimed the first two legs of this year’s series as the Derby beckons.

  • Waller Walking a Path That Few Understand

    Tuesday, 3rd March 2026
    Expectation has followed her from the sale ring to the saddling enclosure, intensifying with every unbeaten stride. When Autumn Glow stepped out on 17 August 2024, she carried not only pedigree and price, but anticipation forged by a $600,000 weanling purchase by Silverdale Far, from Newhaven Park at the Magic Millions Gold Coast National Sale and a subsequent $1.8 million yearling price at the Inglis Australian Easter Sale, when Arrowfield and Hermitage combined to buy the half-sister to Group 1 winner In The Congo. Ten starts later, the daughter of The Autumn Sun and Via Africa remains perfect, and the narrative has shifted from promise fulfilled to legacy in motion. What she has achieved in such a short span invites inevitable comparisons. Under the care of Chris Waller, she has drawn parallels with another of his erstwhile stable stars in Winx, a mare who shouldered the hopes of a nation and thrived. Few understand the swell of expectation better than the likes of David Hayes with Ka Ying Rising, and Peter Moody, who guided Black Caviar through her own flawless ascent of 25 unbroken wins (15 at Group 1 level). This time he watches from the outside, recognising familiar patterns in the public response. Moody told racing.com, “It’s always exciting watching a good horse and watching the reaction a good horse gets,” Moody said after Autumn Glow made it a perfect 10 from 10 with her first weight-for-age Group 1 victory in Sydney on Saturday. “It’s just great for racing.” He recalls how momentum gathered around Black Caviar once she reached a similar milestone. “It just kept snowballing with each win, especially once she made it to win No.10, but it brings such a new audience and new eyeballs to the sport so it’s great.” Autumn Glow’s record maps a steady rise through the grades. She began with a BM72 win at Rosehill, quickly adding the Group 3 Up And Coming Stakes and Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes. After resuming to claim the Listed Darby Munro, she returned in her four-year-old season to win the Toy Show Quality and Theo Marks Stakes before capturing the Group 1 Epsom Handicap. A $10 million Golden Eagle success followed, and this preparation’s Apollo Stakes and Verry Elleegant Stakes rubber-stamped  her authority at the elite level. Each victory has deepened the emotional investment of owners and supporters. Moody believes she is well placed to handle the scrutiny that accompanies an unbeaten star. “Chris (Waller) has been there and done it with Winx (33 straight victories) so he’s been down that road and will have things in place to control that,” he said. “No one is better versed. It’s actually a nice problem to have.” He also expects ambition rather than caution to guide her path. “She is raced by a sportsman in (John) Messara, so I don’t think it’s a matter of protecting her and picking races. It’ll be great to see her go on her way.” For now, the unbeaten sequence continues to build, drawing crowds, conversation and a growing sense that racing may again be witnessing something rare.

    Winx

    Winx has prepared Waller for what lies ahead (pic: Steve Hart)

  • Ceolwulf Connections Take the Long View

    Tuesday, 3rd March 2026
    Plans for a high-profile autumn campaign have been shelved after Joe Pride opted to send Ceolwulf to the paddock, drawing a line through the remainder of the Sydney carnival for the four-time Group 1 winner. According to racenet.com.au, the decision follows his sixth placing in Saturday’s Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick and came after a series of veterinary assessments in the days that followed. Post-race examinations revealed blood in the gelding’s right nostril, and an endoscopic scope detected a low-grade presence of blood in the trachea. It was an unwelcome echo of his first-up run in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes, where the earner of more than $10 million in prize money had returned with blood visible from both nostrils. On that occasion, Pride elected to have the horse scoped, which cleared him of a pulmonary haemorrhage and blood in the lungs. Under the rules of racing, bleeding from both nostrils would ordinarily trigger an automatic three-month stand-down. However, further tests were conducted in consultation with Racing NSW Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Carly Garling, who subsequently gave the gelding the all clear. That provided stewards with sufficient comfort not to impose the mandatory ban. Had Pride pressed ahead with the preparation, he would have been required to gallop Ceolwulf over 1000m under the supervision of stewards before being permitted to race again. Instead, the trainer chose a more conservative route, advising authorities on Monday that the stable star would be spelled. “Trainer Joe Pride has advised Racing NSW Stewards that following Ceolwulf’s run in the Verry Elleegant Stakes at Royal Randwick on Saturday, a decision has been made to spell the gelding,” a Racing NSW statement read. “All wagering operators are requested to remove Ceolwulf from all betting markets for the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.” The call leaves a notable void in the autumn features, with Ceolwulf widely expected to play a major role in upcoming weight-for-age contests. Pride’s decision reflects a long-term view, prioritising the gelding’s wellbeing and future campaigns over pressing on under scrutiny. He is not alone in heading for a break. Group 1-winning filly Apocalyptic will also miss the carnival after connections elected to reset for the spring following two below-par performances this preparation. With two headline acts sidelined, the complexion of the autumn has shifted, and attention now turns to who might step into the breach.

    Ceolwulf

    Ceolwulf is out for the autumn (pic: Steve Hart)
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