Thursday, 16th July 2026
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Global Breeding, Racing and Sales News

  • NEW Eustace Closes Hong Kong Season with Treble

    Thursday, 16th July 2026
    A memorable second campaign in Hong Kong ended on an emphatic note for David Eustace when Gratifide, Kyrus Treasure and Fashion Legend supplied the trainer with a treble at the Happy Valley season finale, reports scmp.com. The three victories lifted Eustace’s total to 38 for the term and completed a campaign highlighted by Light Years Charm’s success in the Gr3 Lion Rock Trophy over 1600m. Gratifide sealed Wednesday night’s three-timer in the third section of the Class Four Super Oasis Handicap, benefiting from a return to 1200m and the continued use of blinkers. Richard Kingscote placed the Shamus Award gelding ideally from barrier three before moving to challenge Double Alpha, with Gratifide taking control and narrowly resisting Forza Leader’s late surge to score by a short head. The victory followed his improved third at his previous appearance and confirmed Eustace’s belief that the horse had required time to understand Hong Kong’s racing patterns. Although the shorter distance and blinkers produced an immediate result, Eustace expects Gratifide to remain versatile and believes he could eventually cope with a mile around Happy Valley after a restorative break. The success completed a double for Kingscote, who had earlier partnered Starry Show to victory for David Hayes. Joao Moreira combined with Eustace for the remaining two legs, beginning with Kyrus Treasure in the Class Four Turin Warrior Handicap over 1800m. After settling behind the leaders, Moreira responded when the pace increased from the 800m and brought the Smart Missile gelding into contention before the home turn. Kyrus Treasure ran down Firefoot and held Romantic Laos by half a length, completing successive wins over the Happy Valley course and distance after previously scoring in Class Five. Fashion Legend also capitalised on a drop in grade when recording his first victory of the season in the Class Five Silver Grecian Handicap over 1650m. Moreira rode patiently three pairs back along the rail before securing clear running in the straight, overhauling Lucky Blessing and defeating Telecom Power by half a length. Eustace felt the rain had significantly improved Fashion Legend’s prospects because the gelding prefers some give in the ground but had not encountered a wet turf surface since arriving in Hong Kong. The trainer also appreciated securing a victory with Moreira, whose regular association with championship-winning trainer Caspar Fownes can make his services difficult to obtain. Elsewhere, Crimson Flash gave Mark Newnham his 61st winner of the season in the Class Two Lucky Patch Handicap, while Hayes completed a double through Harmony N Blessed. Yet the evening belonged principally to Eustace, whose closing treble provided an appropriate conclusion to a season in which he strengthened his position among Hong Kong’s rising training forces.

    David Eustace

    David Eustace boasts 38 winners for the season (pic: hkjc.com)

  • NEW O’Brien Denies A Boy Named Susie Sale

    Thursday, 16th July 2026
    Reports that exciting middle-distance performer A Boy Named Susie had been sold to Australian interests have been rejected by Donnacha O’Brien, who confirmed the Coral-Eclipse runner-up remains in his stable with several major international targets under consideration. According to racingpost.com, Australian media outlets had suggested a seven-figure transaction had been completed and that the colt would relocate after contesting the Cox Plate, but O’Brien stated that no agreement had been reached despite significant interest and discussions with several parties. The trainer expressed disappointment that claims of a completed sale had circulated without confirmation from the stable, adding that connections had decided to retain A Boy Named Susie for the immediate future. The Irish Champion Stakes, Cox Plate and Breeders’ Cup are all among the races being examined for later in the year, giving the progressive colt the opportunity to build on his excellent second to Constitution River in the Gr1 Coral-Eclipse. That performance formed part of an exceptional international period for O’Brien’s operation, which was represented in four Gr1 races across two weeks. Kensington Lane travelled successfully to the United States to win the Belmont Oaks, Comanche Brave claimed the July Cup at Newmarket, Balantina finished third in the Falmouth Stakes and A Boy Named Susie performed with distinction against established weight-for-age opposition at Sandown. The stable’s Breeders’ Cup ambitions have grown since Balantina supplied O’Brien with his first victory at the meeting in last season’s Juvenile Fillies Turf at Del Mar. Comanche Brave is now being considered for a return to the United States after emerging from his July Cup success in good condition. Fast ground remains essential to the sprinter, leaving O’Brien prepared to select his next appearance according to weather and track conditions. Possible European targets include Haydock, the Gr1 Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh and the Prix de l’Abbaye, before the Breeders’ Cup in November becomes a realistic end-of-season objective. Havana Anna provides the stable with another strong sprinting representative and was supplemented for the Gr2 Sapphire Stakes at the Curragh following her fourth-place finish in the Commonwealth Cup. O’Brien believes dropping the filly to five furlongs will suit her natural speed and could produce further improvement. The stable’s expanding international profile has inevitably increased outside interest in its best horses, particularly from Australian buyers seeking proven European middle-distance talent. In the case of A Boy Named Susie, however, negotiations have not produced a sale, and connections retain the flexibility to pursue an ambitious programme spanning Ireland, Australia and the United States. Any future transfer may depend on his performances and the offers presented, but for now O’Brien remains firmly responsible for guiding one of the season’s most progressive horses towards the world’s leading late-year contests.

  • Randwick Trials Offer First Spring Glimpse

    Thursday, 16th July 2026
    An early indication of the strength assembling for the 2026-27 season will be provided at Royal Randwick on Friday when some of Australia's most exciting gallopers make their first public appearances of the new campaign. The opening set of Group and Listed barrier trials will be staged on the course proper at the eastern Sydney venue, with three 900m heats, each containing seven runners, forming the centrepiece of the morning. Proceedings begin at 9am with a particularly strong opening trial featuring Autumn Glow alongside fellow Chris Waller-trained stars Autumn Boy and Lady Shenandoah, while Fully Lit, Napoleonic and Ninja add further depth. Waller has been delighted with Autumn Glow's return to work, describing her preparation as faultless and confirming that she is expected to resume in the Winx Stakes before connections determine her most suitable spring distances and targets. The second heat, scheduled for 9.10am, will be headed by Aeliana, who is joined by stablemates Barnavara, Ohope Wins and Wootton Verni. Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott will be represented by Campaldino, while Michael Freedman has Incognito and Ohope engaged. Aeliana is being considered for either the Winx Stakes or the Memsie Stakes first-up, with Waller mindful that the talented mare is capable of winning fresh and therefore requires careful placement. Another four Waller runners feature in the third Group and Listed trial at 9.20am, with River Of Stars, Soul Of Spain, Soulcombe and Valiant King set to meet Piggyback, Profoundly and Screen Icon. The later session will also provide interest for followers of the juvenile ranks when promising two-year-olds Agrarian Girl and Central Europe clash in a 740m trial on the Steeple Grass track at 11.10am. With several established performers and lightly raced prospects beginning their preparations, the morning should offer valuable clues ahead of the major spring carnivals. All trials will be broadcast live on Sky Thoroughbred Central through the Foxtel platform and will also be available via the TAB app.

    Autumn Boy

    Autumn Boy will be amongst the leading spring hopes (pic: Mark Gatt)

  • Newnham Builds on Breakout Campaign

    Thursday, 16th July 2026
    A season that surpassed even the stable's internal expectations has confirmed Mark Newnham as one of Hong Kong's most influential trainers, with the Australian preparing to finish the campaign on 60 winners and already looking towards an even stronger challenge next term. Having advanced from 31 victories in his first season to 44 in his second, Newnham climbed to third in the trainers' premiership before Wednesday night's Happy Valley finale, complementing the numerical improvement with major successes at the highest level. Invincible Ibis delivered his first Hong Kong Derby triumph, My Wish fulfilled his potential in the Gr1 Champions Mile and a five-timer at Happy Valley supplied another defining moment in a campaign Newnham described as fantastic. The Derby carried particular satisfaction after the stable had gone agonisingly close the previous year, while My Wish established himself among Hong Kong's elite by winning at Gr1, Gr2 and Gr3 level during the season. Newnham views 50 winners as the benchmark for a successful Hong Kong campaign and hopes his latest performance provides the foundation for a sustained position inside the championship's leading five. Much of the attention surrounding next season will centre on Invincible Ibis, who was recognised as Champion Four-Year-Old and Most Improved Horse after rising from a rating of 55 to 112. The Hellbent gelding won five races during the campaign, headed by his emphatic Derby performance, and has returned from six weeks at Conghua looking physically stronger. Newnham rode him in a gentle gallop and was encouraged by the development he had made during the break, although the trainer acknowledged the considerable challenge involved in progressing from four-year-old company to competing against seasoned rivals at level weights. My Wish's eventual rise provides encouragement that the transition can be achieved, and Invincible Ibis possesses the attributes Newnham believes are necessary to establish himself in open Group company. A September return in the Gr3 Celebration Cup over 1400m is under consideration, while My Wish is expected to resume in October and defend his Gr2 Sha Tin Trophy crown over 1600m. Both horses completed their final work at Conghua before the tracks closed and will receive only a short interruption before their preparations begin. Newnham also carried a seven-runner team into the Happy Valley finale, including Crimson Flash in the Class Two Lucky Patch Handicap and the consistent Loving Vibes, who had finished runner-up at his previous two appearances. The immediate assignments offered an opportunity to embellish an already exceptional campaign, but the broader significance lies in a stable now equipped with proven topliners, increasing depth and a trainer firmly established among Hong Kong's championship contenders.

  • Trawlerman Set for Scandinavia Rematch

    Thursday, 16th July 2026
    One of Royal Ascot's most absorbing finishes is poised to be replayed on the Sussex Downs, with Trawlerman (see below) on course to renew his rivalry with Gold Cup conqueror Scandinavia in the Gr1 Goodwood Cup. Only a head separated the pair after two and a half miles at Ascot, where Scandinavia narrowly denied the Godolphin veteran following a prolonged duel, and the Gosden stable believes its eight-year-old has recovered sufficiently to take his place at Goodwood on July 28. The performance carried additional merit because Trawlerman was returning from an eight-month absence, having endured an interrupted preparation caused by a persistent eye condition. That problem forced him to miss his customary seasonal starting point in the Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan and prevented connections from giving him a preparatory run before Royal Ascot. Special goggles were introduced to protect his eyes and became one of the meeting's most recognisable images, with the equipment now incorporated into his everyday work. Trawlerman wore the goggles while completing two routine canters on Warren Hill and joint-trainer Thady Gosden reported that the stayer had returned from Ascot in good condition and was moving comfortably at home. His delayed start to the season means he has accumulated fewer miles than at the corresponding stage last year, encouraging connections to consider a Goodwood appearance rather than waiting for later targets. Trawlerman is quoted at 5-2 to reverse the Ascot result, with Scandinavia heading early markets at 10-11. The Goodwood Cup would be only his second start at the circuit, four years after he won a handicap over a mile and six furlongs there. Connections adopted a different path last season after he captured the Gold Cup, bypassing Goodwood before winning the Gr2 Lonsdale Cup at York and concluding his campaign with victory in the Gr1 British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot. His narrow defeat this year showed that age and the unusual preparation had done little to diminish his staying powers. The Gosden team could also be represented by Rahiebb, who finished eighth when attempting the Gold Cup distance for the first time. Last season's St Leger runner-up retains the Gr1 Irish St Leger at the Curragh as another significant objective. Other Goodwood Cup entries include Al Riffa, Amiloc, Caballo De Mar, Illinois, French Master and Lazy Griff, but the prospect of Scandinavia and Trawlerman meeting again provides the race with an immediate focal point. Royal Ascot produced only the narrowest verdict between them, and Trawlerman's connections are hopeful that a cleaner preparation and the benefit of that demanding return will allow him to mount an even stronger challenge at Goodwood.

  • NYRA Turns to AI to Assist Everyday Punters

    Thursday, 16th July 2026
    An initiative designed to place sophisticated handicapping assistance in the hands of ordinary racegoers will see the New York Racing Association work with artificial intelligence wagering platform Waigr. The partnership is intended to help customers interpret the enormous volume of information surrounding a race, combining factors such as form, statistics, handicapping angles and live odds before ultimately producing selections and possible betting tickets. NYRA has previously taken measures to protect the integrity of its parimutuel pools by introducing restrictions around computer-assisted wagering operators, whose technology, speed and scale can place recreational customers at a substantial disadvantage. The Waigr collaboration represents another approach to narrowing that gap, not by preventing technology from being used but by making advanced analytical tools more readily available to the broader wagering public. Modern racing customers are confronted by past performances, speed figures, trainer and jockey statistics, sectional information, track biases, pedigree data, equipment changes and continuously fluctuating odds. Experienced handicappers may weigh those elements through established methods, but casual patrons can find the process intimidating and may struggle to convert information into a practical wagering decision. Waigr uses AI-driven technology to blend numerous inputs and identify combinations that may be relevant to the user's preferred race or betting strategy. The product is expected to develop beyond straightforward picks, helping customers construct tickets based on several considerations rather than presenting a single unexplained selection. That distinction is important for an industry seeking to improve engagement without removing the judgement and personal involvement that make wagering appealing. The introduction also reflects racing's wider effort to compete for customers who are increasingly accustomed to personalised digital products in sport, finance and entertainment. Although algorithmic wagering is already deeply embedded at the professional end of the market, NYRA's involvement could demonstrate how similar capabilities can be offered in a more accessible form to people betting smaller amounts. Any AI-based racing product will still be dependent on the quality and timeliness of its underlying information, while unforeseen race circumstances ensure that no model can remove risk or guarantee a return. Responsible presentation and clarity over how recommendations are produced will therefore be essential as the technology develops. NYRA's decision to align with Waigr nevertheless signals a willingness to use innovation as part of its customer strategy while continuing to address the influence of highly automated wagering groups. By offering patrons a tool capable of organising complex data and translating it into usable betting options, the association hopes to make handicapping less daunting and allow everyday customers to participate with greater information, confidence and understanding.

  • Fall Forces Carr to Terminate Riding Career

    Thursday, 16th July 2026
    Almost two years after a devastating Hobart trials fall, Siggy Carr has accepted that her distinguished career in the saddle is over and will not renew her jockey's licence. The Tasmanian rider had continued working towards a comeback after being dislodged from unraced two-year-old Star Toff approaching the home turn during a trial on July 31, 2024. Carr sustained concussion, a fractured clavicle and a serious neck injury, requiring operations and a lengthy rehabilitation that initially left considerable uncertainty over whether riding again would be medically possible. Encouraging progress allowed her to return aboard her own mare Lovin' Bev at the Longford trials in July last year, where victory in a low-key heat appeared to represent an important step towards resuming her race career. The experience reunited Carr with the speed and competitive rhythm she had missed, but her longer-term recovery did not develop sufficiently to permit a safe return under race conditions. She has now resigned herself to the reality that she will never race ride again, bringing to an end a career in which she became one of Tasmania's most successful and recognisable jockeys. Among her signature achievements was victory aboard Geegees Blackflash in the 2015 Hobart Cup, a result that secured her place in the history of her home state's premier race. Carr also attracted national attention during a period in South Australia, including an exceptional Morphettville meeting at which she rode four Gr3 winners on a seven-race program. Her involvement in racing had already expanded beyond race riding before the accident, with Carr taking out a trainer's licence in 2018 after growing up around the stable operated by her father, Royston. Training provided both a professional focus and an emotional anchor during her recovery, allowing her to remain closely involved with the horses while supported by partner Troy Baker, staff and loyal owners. The Brighton-based operation has developed several notable performers, including Miss Tasmania, Pennine and Thespian Waters, and Carr remains determined to achieve major success from the other side of the running rail. She has previously expressed confidence that she can one day prepare a Hobart Cup winner, an ambition that now assumes even greater importance as the riding chapter closes. Retirement has been imposed by injury rather than diminishing desire, making the decision especially difficult after Carr had completed so much rehabilitation and briefly returned to trial riding. Her health and long-term safety ultimately outweighed the attraction of another comeback. Although racegoers will no longer see Carr wearing silks, her knowledge, resilience and competitive instincts will remain part of Tasmanian racing through a training career shaped by the same determination that defined her years in the saddle.

    Siggy Carr

    Siggy Carr has called time as a jockey (pic: tasracing.com.au)

  • Proisir Closes in On Second Sires' Crown

    Thursday, 16th July 2026
    A powerful late-season run by his progeny has placed Rich Hill Stud's Proisir within reach of a second New Zealand Sires' Premiership, with the established stallion opening a $330,000 advantage over Savabeel as the 2025-26 campaign enters its final three weeks. The title contest had appeared likely to extend to the closing days of July after the pair remained closely matched for much of the season, but a succession of recent winners has given Proisir a valuable cushion. His position was strengthened by four winners across Australasia last Saturday, demonstrating both the geographical reach and versatility that have become central to his record. Prioress began the sequence in New Zealand with a determined victory in an open 1200m handicap at Hawera, before two-year-old debutante Latoya produced one of the day's most promising performances at Ruakaka. Forced to travel three wide throughout, Latoya still accelerated clear of her rivals and recorded a decisive success that suggested she could progress into stronger company next season. The performance carried additional pedigree interest because she is a sister to Proisir's outstanding daughter Legarto, whose five Gr1 victories have played an important part in establishing her sire among New Zealand's elite. Further success followed across the Tasman when Leovanni displayed a sharp turn of foot to win the Highway Plate over 1600m at Randwick. It was her second consecutive victory and added valuable Australian earnings to Proisir's premiership total. Coeur Volante completed the quartet at Caulfield, extending her winning sequence to three with another polished performance and maintaining the fine form that has revitalised her campaign. Those results widened Proisir's lead over perennial champion Savabeel, whose sustained excellence has set the standard for New Zealand stallions across numerous seasons. Proisir previously captured the premiership in 2022-23, becoming the first stallion other than Savabeel to win the title since Thorn Park in 2013-14. His latest challenge has been supported by horses competing successfully from sprinting distances through to middle-distance races, while his progeny's achievements in Australia have increased both earnings and international recognition. Rich Hill Stud also has substantial depth approaching the racetrack, with Proisir's largest and most highly credentialled crops about to turn two and three. Approximately 120 rising juveniles and three-year-olds are spread among prominent Australasian stables, giving the farm confidence that his current results can be sustained beyond the present premiership campaign. Savabeel remains capable of closing the deficit through late-season feature racing, but Proisir's recent surge has shifted the contest firmly in his favour. Another title would confirm that his first premiership was no isolated achievement and further enhance the reputation of a sire whose best-bred and most numerous crops are only now beginning to emerge.

    Proisir

    A second Champion Sire title seems a given for Proisir (pic: Rich Hill Stud)

  • Equus Joins Thorough Care SA Support Network

    Thursday, 16th July 2026
    A broader range of veterinary assistance will be available to retired racehorses in South Australia following a new partnership between Equus Veterinary Services, Thorough Care SA and Racing SA, reports racingsa.com.au. The arrangement brings an experienced mobile equine practice into Thorough Care SA’s expanding network of service providers, supporting horses as they move away from the structured environment of racing and adjust to new disciplines or recreational homes. Equus Veterinary Services operates throughout the Barossa Valley, Gawler, the Adelaide Plains, Greater Adelaide and the Adelaide Hills, treating horses ranging from elite racing and performance animals to family companions. Its veterinarians’ familiarity with racehorses and the physical demands of training is expected to be particularly valuable when assessing recently retired thoroughbreds. Services available through the practice include general consultations, dentistry, gastroscopy and digital radiography, giving owners access to several important areas of preventative and diagnostic care. Retirement can involve substantial changes to a thoroughbred’s diet, exercise, shoeing and daily routine, while issues that were managed within a racing stable may require reassessment when a horse begins its second career. Thorough Care SA was established to improve welfare outcomes beyond the racetrack and has developed assistance packs, educational programs, clinics and partnerships intended to support both horses and their new custodians. The Equus agreement extends that practical framework by linking owners with veterinary professionals who understand the breed and the transition process. Equus Veterinary Services said it was pleased to join Thorough Care SA and Racing SA in helping retired horses during an important stage of their lives. The partnership also underlines the shared responsibility required to produce successful long-term outcomes, with trainers, owners, rehomers, veterinarians and new riders each contributing to a horse’s progress after racing. Thorough Care SA has steadily increased the reach of its welfare initiatives, providing hundreds of assistance packs, supporting equestrian events and directing resources towards horses requiring additional care. Earlier veterinary collaborations have offered new owners incentives to obtain timely examinations and treatments during the first year after adoption, when professional guidance can help identify health concerns and establish appropriate management. By adding Equus to its group of partners, the program gains another service capable of reaching horses across a large section of metropolitan and regional South Australia. The initiative is not limited to treating illness or injury; it also encourages routine care that can prevent manageable conditions from becoming more serious. With many retired thoroughbreds progressing into showing, eventing, dressage, jumping, pleasure riding or companion roles, access to informed veterinary support can provide the stable foundation required for those horses to enjoy productive and secure lives beyond the racecourse.

  • Landmark Agreement Clears National Tote Path

    Thursday, 16th July 2026
    According to a newscorp.com.au report, decades of discussion surrounding the fragmentation of Australia’s parimutuel wagering system have moved significantly closer to resolution after racing authorities and Tabcorp reached agreement on the introduction of a National Tote. The landmark arrangement follows extensive negotiations between Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys and Tabcorp managing director and chief executive Gillon McLachlan, clearing one of the largest remaining obstacles to combining the country’s separate totalisator pools. Australia presently operates three principal tote pools, an arrangement that divides liquidity, produces different dividends between jurisdictions and weakens the capacity of parimutuel wagering to compete with fixed-odds betting. Under the proposed model, investments placed through participating operators would be consolidated into a single national pool, creating greater depth and reducing the volatility that can occur when substantial bets enter smaller state-based pools. The agreement had originally been pursued with a July 1 commencement in mind, but the complexity of aligning commercial arrangements, technology and regulatory requirements delayed the proposed launch. An August introduction is now being targeted, with Winx Stakes day on August 22 emerging as a possible starting point if the remaining approvals and operational work are completed. Supporters believe the unified structure will deliver greater certainty to punters, improve the attractiveness of tote betting and strengthen returns to racing by making the national product more competitive. Larger pools should also make it more difficult for individual wagers to cause dramatic late changes to dividends, an issue that has frustrated recreational customers and contributed to migration towards fixed prices. The agreement represents an important achievement for McLachlan, who has identified the creation of a National Tote as a central element of Tabcorp’s strategy, while V’landys has long argued that Australian racing must overcome jurisdictional divisions when national cooperation offers a clear commercial benefit. Considerable work nevertheless remains before the system can begin. Regulators must approve the final framework, participating bodies must complete the required contractual arrangements and technology must be tested to ensure investments are transferred and settled accurately across all jurisdictions. The interests of the thoroughbred, harness and greyhound codes will also need to be accommodated within the completed structure. Even with those steps outstanding, the agreement between Tabcorp and Racing NSW is regarded as the decisive breakthrough. Should implementation proceed as planned, the change will mark the most significant restructuring of Australian tote wagering in generations and establish a single national pool capable of offering customers greater liquidity, more stable dividends and a simpler betting proposition.

    National Tote

    A national tote would create one major pool with significant liquidity

  • Brown Returns Home with Spring Ambitions

    Thursday, 16th July 2026
    A demanding three-month education in one of world racing’s most competitive jurisdictions has left Ethan Brown refreshed, sharper and eager to re-establish himself among Melbourne’s leading riders during the approaching Spring Carnival. The multiple Gr1-winning jockey has concluded his short-term Hong Kong contract after riding at Sha Tin and Happy Valley from late April, an experience that required him to adapt quickly to unfamiliar horses, tightly controlled tactics and the relentless pressure associated with securing opportunities in a compact riding room. Brown initially found winners difficult to come by, but his persistence was rewarded as his stint developed, with a breakthrough aboard Shooting To Top followed by a memorable Sha Tin treble in June. Country Dancer, Prestige Hall and Endued supplied the three victories, doubling his tally in a single afternoon and providing tangible proof that he could succeed when given competitive mounts. Brown received valuable backing from trainers including John Size and David Hall, while opportunities aboard higher-rated gallopers such as Patch Of Theta and Chancheng Glory gave him further exposure to Hong Kong’s upper levels. Although remaining abroad was considered as his licence approached its expiry, the 26-year-old ultimately elected to return to Victoria and pursue the spring opportunities awaiting him at home. Brown believes Hong Kong’s unforgiving environment has strengthened several aspects of his riding, particularly his tactical awareness, positioning and ability to make rapid decisions in races where small errors are rarely recoverable. The experience also reinforced the importance of maintaining relationships and making the most of limited chances, with every ride scrutinised by owners, trainers and a wagering public accustomed to detailed analysis. His return adds further depth to Victoria’s senior riding ranks ahead of the carnival and reunites him with the scene of his most important achievements. Brown has already won the Gr1 Australian Guineas on Southport Tycoon, the Gr1 Memsie Stakes on Pinstriped and the Gr1 Blue Diamond Stakes aboard Little Brose, while his association with several prominent stables has established him as a proven rider on major racedays. He now intends to use the physical and mental benefits of Hong Kong as a springboard into the new Australian season, rather than viewing the trip solely through the number of winners achieved. With leading horses beginning their preparations and crucial carnival mounts soon to be decided, Brown returns at an opportune time, carrying an enhanced understanding of racecraft and renewed determination to add to his elite record.

    Patch of Theta

    Patch of Theta was one of Brown's Hong Kong mounts (pic: hkjc.com)

  • Savill Condemns BHA Chair Selection Process

    Thursday, 16th July 2026
    Fresh controversy has surrounded the search for British racing's next leader after Peter Savill criticised the process that ended his attempt to become chair of the British Horseracing Authority, according to racingpost.com. Savill, who chaired the governing body's predecessor, the British Horseracing Board, from 1998 until 2004, was informed that his application would not progress, while two other candidates are understood to have advanced to the next stage. The position became vacant when Lord Allen resigned in March after only six months in office, forcing the BHA to begin another search during a period of significant political, financial and structural pressure on the sport. Savill returned to prominence in racing politics through the formation of the Professional Racing Association, his position on the Racehorse Owners Association board and his ownership of Plumpton racecourse. He announced his candidacy in May and said he had initially received backing from more than 200 industry participants, a figure he later placed at 250 owners, trainers, breeders, agents, racing managers and other professionals. Savill described himself as extremely disappointed by the outcome but reserved his strongest criticism for the interview conducted by the BHA's interim nominations committee. He said he was not asked to identify British racing's principal challenges or explain what he would do to address them, while the detailed plan he had refined through months of consultation was not examined. According to Savill, the committee appeared more interested in style, collaboration and further consultation than in the substantive problems confronting the industry. He warned that racing had become vulnerable to "death by consultation" after spending years diagnosing its difficulties without displaying sufficient confidence to implement solutions. Savill also questioned whether the chair of British racing should be chosen by a small committee, operating privately and comprised largely of independent directors from outside the industry. He argued that greater transparency would allow candidates' plans and vision to be examined by people whose livelihoods depend on the sport's future. The interim committee consists of independent BHA directors Kyrsten Halley, Tara Warren and Raj Parker, Chester chief executive Louise Stewart and Thoroughbred Breeders Association chair Philip Newton. Responding to Savill's criticism, the BHA said it had published details of the selection procedure, committee composition and candidate specification. A spokesman said the desired chair required active knowledge of racing, its financial model, stakeholder environment, political relationships, connection with gambling and the broader challenges facing the sport. The authority emphasised that the appointment involved several stages, remained in progress and would be subject to further updates, leaving Savill's rejection as the latest flashpoint in an already turbulent period of British racing governance.
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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
Captivant Established
Castelvecchio Established
City Of Troy Established
Cliff's Edge Established
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
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 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
Lead Artist 1st Season
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
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Tropicus 1st Season
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Vancouver Established
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Wandjina Established
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Written By Established
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Your Song Established
Zousain Established
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