Thursday, 5th March 2026
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Global Breeding, Racing and Sales News

  • Royal Ascot Bound Joliestar Can Win Again

    Friday, 6th March 2026
    While multiple Gr1-winning mare Joliestar (Zoustar-Jolie Bay, by Fastnet Rock) is the clear favourite ahead of Saturday's $750,000 Gr1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick, it's worth noting that only three of the ten-strong field is currently rated at 11/1 or shorter, suggesting that the race will surely be a thriller. Dominant first up when winning the Gr2 Expressway Stakes where she defeated defeating Bjorn Baker's Caballus (I Am Invincible) who contests the Gr1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington, with the winner's stablemate Lady Shenandoah (Snitzel-Star Pupil, by Starcraft) who she will also race against here after finishing in third, jockey James McDonald is sticking strong with the favourite and from barrier four looks capable of adding another elite level score to her already impressive resume ahead of a possible Royal Ascot tilt. "It's an aspirational thing for us, we've been invited by Ascot, and we've been talking to Nick Smith about it, so we've done some preliminary planning for her," said Cambridge Stud chief executive Henry Plumptre. "There's a flight booked in May and, at this stage, she will probably go if she comes through the next two runs okay."  Connections will be hoping to see an improved run from Gr1 Golden Rose winner Beiwacht (Bivouac-Metastasio, by Street Cry) who steps up to a more favourable trip on Saturday after his last in the Gr1 Lightning Stakes (1000m) behind fellow Godolphin-bred and raced colt Tentyris (Street Boss).

    Joliestar

    Joliestar looks ready to peak (pic: Mark Gatt)

  • Tempted's Half Zambales Chasing First Stakes Win

    Friday, 6th March 2026
    Off the back of an outstanding fourth placed effort in the Gr1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) when beaten just over a length, the Anthony and Sam Fredman-trained Zambales (Pinatubo-Calliope, by Exceed And Excel) has been installed the short priced favourite ahead of Saturday's Gr2 Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) at Flemington. A half-brother to last Saturday's Gr1 Surround Stakes winner Tempted (Street Boss), the 2YO colt finished second two starts back in the Listed Talindert Stakes behind the exciting Hard Kick (All Too Hard). Racing as if the step up in trip will suit him, if successful, the colt will become the first local stakes winner for his Darley-based sire. With only one other runner in the 12-horse field being under double figure odds, the Ben, Will and JD Hayes trained Regal Ambition (Palace Pier-Dame Pattie, by Snitzel) is the slightly surprising second favourite off the back of a debut Pakenham second. Purchased for $230,000 from the Magic Millions draft of Arrowfield Stud by The Racing League and her trainers, if she can secure the win, the close relation to Champion filly Alinghi (Encosta de Lago) will also become the first local stakes winner from the lone Australian foaled crop of her sire. Jumping considerably in class, Clayton Douglas' Leopard Shark (Churchill-Stylish Missile, by Smart Missile) is the winner of her last two starts, and while they were in lesser class, it has been the manner in which she has worked home late to score which suggests the 1400m should not pose any issues.

  • Autumn Boy Seasoned for Second Guineas Win

    Friday, 6th March 2026
    With only one filly proving successful since the former Gr1 Canterbury Guineas (1900m) was changed to the Gr1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) back in 2006, this year's field sees the Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained Sheza Albi (Saxon Warrior-Sheza Gypsy, by Shaft) having come up from her Pakenham base off the back of a stunning win in the Gr2 Angus Armanasco (1400m) first up. Having met just once in their careers, the Chris Waller trained Autumn Boy (The Autumn Sun-Rosegarden, by Savabeel) had the better of Sheza Albi last season, defeating the filly by just shy of two lengths when they contested the Listed Tatts Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm back in June last year. With Autumn Boy going on to win the Gr1 Caulfield Guineas in style at his only start over 1600m, where he defeated Planet Red (Admire Mars) and Observer (Ghaiyyath). it's worth noting that Observer has been unbeaten in his four runs since, winning a pair of Group 1 races as well as a pair of Group 2 races. He resumed in the Gr2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) first up when beaten into third behind Ninja (Farnan-Impulsive, by So You Think) who he will meet again here with the second placed Napoleonic (Wootton Bassett), going to the Gr1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) the race after the Guineas. With Autumn Boy and Sheza Alibi currently equal favourites, it will be interesting to see how the filly steps up to Gr1 class for the first time. Another who will race at Gr1 level for the first time – in fact he has never contested a black-type race in his three starts – the Michael Freedman trained Decorum (Snitzel-Ms Bad Behavior, by Blame) is an interesting runner. Impressive with consecutive wins off the back of his debut second, behind Attica (Lonhro-Savatiano, by Street Cry) who went on to win the Gr1 Spring Champion Stakes and will race here, Decorum is a full brother to Gr1 Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Switzerland (Snitzel).

  • Tentyris Can Own the Flemington Straight

    Friday, 6th March 2026
    It could be another fantastic day for team Godolphin in Melbourne at Flemington, with each of their runners in stakes races given serious chances, highlighted by star colt Tentyris (Street Boss-Deity, by Exceed And Excel) who is chasing three straight Group 1 victories when he contests the $2m Newmarket Handicap (1200m). With the famed blue silks of Godolphin having won the race twice in the last three years with In Secret and Bivouac, and then add Cylinder to take it to three winners in the last six years, it's interesting to note that all were 3YOs, but none had the record of Tentyris leading into the race nor were asked to lumped 57kgs. Having won the Lighting Stakes by only three parts of a length, the chestnut colt defeated My Gladiola (I Am Invincible-Villa Verde, by Not a Single Doubt) who will carrying just 51.5kg on Saturday while the third placed My Benedetta (Hellbent-Whatalovelyday, by Domesday) who will be better suited over the 1200m, will carry 54kgs, two and a half less than her last start placing. While he has not won over 1200m since September last year, and is yet to have a race day start down the Flemington straight, the Chris Waller-trained Angel Capital (Harry Angel-Bahamas, by Teofilo) did run well first up, and while he is probably going to be better over 1400m, if he can get cover with plenty of speed up front, he does have a lethal sprint that could see him run home very well.

  • Golden Slipper Status On the Line

    Friday, 6th March 2026
    A week is a long time in racing, and from one Saturday to the next we've seen many 2YOs go from leading Gr1 Golden Slipper contenders, to down in the market after unexpected defeats. Once such runner was the Chris Waller trained Hidrix (Extreme Choice-Shadow, by Medaglia D'oro) who was elevated the Slipper favouritism after his stylish Canonbury Stakes debut win, before losing his place towards the top of the betting after his third place finish in the Gr2 Silver Slipper behind Melbourne visitor Stretan Angel (Wild Ruler-Sretan, by Bernardini) who is also out to assert her Slipper authority in this Saturday's Gr2 Todman Stakes (1200m). The Silver Slipper is a race with a rich history of producing outstanding future runners with five of the last six winners - Farnan, Anamoe, Cylinder, Switzerland and Tentyris – all going on to win at Group 1 level. With Hidrix and Stretan Angel appearing capable of being right in the finish, the colt many people want to see is the Bjorn Baker trained Paradoxium (Extreme Choice-Paredo, by Better Than Ready). One-time Magic Millions 2YO Classic favourite before travel sickness put an end to his campaign, the Magic Millions Wyong 2YO Classic winner looked good winning a recent barrier trial by more than four lengths with last Saturday's narrow Gr2 Skyline Stakes runner up Central Europe (Frankel) having finished more than five lengths off him in that trial.

  • Racing SA Confirms Additional Strathalbyn Land

    Friday, 6th March 2026
    Settlement has been completed on a previously announced land purchase beside Strathalbyn Racecourse, giving Racing SA extra room to plan for the state's thoroughbred future. According to racingsa.com, the 11-hectare parcel sits on the southern boundary of the track and is intended to help meet growing demand across South Australia's racing and training network. With the additional footprint now secured, Racing SA says it can start mapping out expanded facilities at Strathalbyn, with the long-range vision spanning year-round access to quality racing and training surfaces, plus the potential for long-term on-course stabling. Importantly, the extra land provides breathing space for a coordinated, multi-year approach rather than piecemeal upgrades. The concept is to create capacity that supports horses and horsemen across seasons, improves day-to-day training options, and keeps Strathalbyn positioned as a meaningful hub within the region's equine landscape for the years ahead. Chief executive Nick Bawden said finalising the deal marked a meaningful milestone for the industry's infrastructure planning. "This is an important milestone for Racing SA and for the broader South Australian thoroughbred industry. Securing this land gives Racing SA the opportunity to cater for current demand and ensure we have the infrastructure capacity to support the industry over the long term," Bawden said. "A key priority is improving access to quality surfaces for racing and training across the year, which is critical as we continue to manage demand across the state's racing and training network," he added, pointing to the everyday pressure created by busy training centres and packed racing calendars. Chairman Rob Rorrison said the acquisition underlined a commitment to long-term planning rather than short-term fixes. "This purchase is about making sure we are well placed to meet the needs of participants into the future. Strathalbyn is located within an important racing and equine region, and this land provides a strong foundation for future development." Racing SA said any development timeline will be dependent on funding, with progress expected to be staged and advanced in consultation with key stakeholders as plans are refined and priorities set.

  • Has History Already Been Written at Ellerslie?

    Friday, 6th March 2026
    A remarkable unbeaten filly will carry more than just the colours of a powerhouse owner when she steps out in Saturday’s $4 million NZB Kiwi at Ellerslie, with a large group of enthusiastic co-owners eagerly anticipating another chapter in a story that has already delivered a string of high-profile victories. Among the headline contenders for the running of the 1500m feature is Well Written, the daughter of Written Tycoon's rise through the ranks has been swift and emphatic. While Yulong Investments holds the controlling interest in the filly, loveracing.nz reports the ownership structure extends well beyond a single entity, with a total of 16 individual interests sharing in the ride. Prepared by Stephen Marsh, the Group 1-winning three-year-old arrives at Ellerslie unbeaten from five starts, a sequence that has steadily elevated her profile on both sides of the Tasman. Yulong secured its stake after she captured the Gr2 Soliloquy Stakes over 1400m last October, and the filly has continued to repay that confidence with a series of major wins. Since then, she has compiled a notable Group race hat-trick, landing the Gr1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas over 1600m before adding the Gr2 Auckland Guineas and the rich Karaka Millions 3YO over the same trip. Those performances have transformed the filly into one of the most exciting young horses in training while delivering an unforgettable experience for her extended group of owners. For Greg Pope, a member of the 8 Mates Syndicate, the journey began much earlier when shares were purchased in the filly as a yearling. What followed has been a mixture of racing success and camaraderie, with friendships forming among a diverse ownership group. “There is a large ownership group with a lot of friends, and we have made a lot of new friends along the way,” Pope said. “8 Mates have had horses with Stephen before. We are a bunch of guys around retirement age that have been mates for years. We are not in it for the money, we are only a small shareholder in the horse, and it’s all about going to the races with mates and having some fun. We all head to the races with our wives and get to go on a trip somewhere and this horse has taken us on those trips.” Having spent three decades working for equine airfreight company IRT before recently retiring, Pope has long been immersed in the industry, though few experiences have matched the scale of this campaign. “We have raced horses with Stephen Marsh and Chris Waller, and we had a horse called Gold Rush with Lance O’Sullivan who won the Matamata Breeders’,” he said. “During summer around the bar leaner at Whangamata we were told we needed to be in on this horse, so we bought a piece of her. So far, so good, and the journey she has taken us on has been a lot of fun.” The syndicate’s enjoyment has been heightened by the friendships formed with fellow owners, many of whom met for the first time on the eve of the New Zealand 1000 Guineas. “In advance of the 1000 Guineas we teed up on the Friday night down in Christchurch that we all met each other at a bar,” Pope said. “We have now got a great group of people that we can talk to easily and each race those relationships get stronger and stronger. We are fortunate to be with a group of good people.”

    Well Written

    Well Written is world class (pic: Race Images Kenton Wright)

  • Changing Fortunes at Hong Kong's Happy Valley

    Friday, 6th March 2026
    A busy night of racing at Happy Valley produced a series of standout performances, reports scmp.com, with Caspar Fownes tightening his grip on the trainers' championship while Luke Ferraris and Zac Purton shared riding honours with trebles across the card. The evening began strongly for Fownes when Super Sicario delivered in the Class Five Kwoon Chung Motors Handicap (1800m), maintaining Hugh Bowman's unbeaten association with the horse. Settling just behind the leaders after displaying early keenness, the gelding travelled comfortably before asserting his authority late to score by a length. Fownes credited Bowman's handling of the headstrong galloper as key to the result. "Hugh handled him well – he started off a bit untractable but once the race started to progress he was good. Once he passed the second bend, I was very confident," said Fownes. "He just needs to learn to chill out – we gave him a nice break away and prepared him well for this. He's more than capable of getting into and being competitive in Class Four races, as long as he starts to respect the bit, respect the jockey, and says 'all right, let's take a chill pill'." The trainer quickly doubled his tally when Verbier justified strong market support to claim the Class Five Intercontinental Limousine Handicap (1200m). Backed from $17 into $6.3, the sprinter benefited from a return to Happy Valley and a drop back in distance, with Ferraris producing a confident ride. Those victories pushed Fownes further ahead in the title race, extending his championship lead to 39 wins, three clear of Mark Newnham and David Hayes. Ferraris went on to complete a memorable treble later in the meeting. The South African rider landed the Class Three Kwoon Chung Bus Cup (1200m) aboard Symbol Of Strength for Frankie Lor before adding the Class Three Sichuan Bipenggou Tourist Attractions Handicap (1650m) on Derby hopeful Fivefortwo. Douglas Whyte also enjoyed a change in fortune when Gameplayer Elite ended a lengthy run without a winner for the stable in the opening section of the Class Four KC Smart Mobility Handicap (1200m). Ridden by Harry Bentley, the gelding capitalised on a favourable draw and tempo to finish strongly. "He's been running consistently in his last two starts. He's been a victim of circumstance due to draws and pace – it's been a bit of a frustrating run of things with him," Whyte said. Purton completed the night with a treble of his own, adding victories aboard Ace War and California Moxie to cap another typically polished display from the champion jockey.

  • Home Time for NZ Derby Hero Willydoit

    Friday, 6th March 2026
    A return across the Tasman is on the cards for last season’s New Zealand Derby winner after a short, frustrating Australian campaign failed to deliver on early promise. According to NZ Racing Desk, Willydoit will head back to New Zealand to rejoin trainers Shaun and Emma Clotworthy, with the stable opting for a reset after the gelding finished last in the G2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on Saturday. The son of Tarzino was one of the standout three-year-olds of his generation in New Zealand, winning four of six starts last term and peaking with a Classic triumph in the Gr1 New Zealand Derby. Midway through that breakout season, MyRacehorse Australia purchased 50 per cent of the gelding, with the Clotworthys and Bryan Black retaining the balance of the ownership. His first Australian test came when he crossed the Tasman and finished fourth in the Gr1 ATC Derby (2400m). He then joined the powerful Ciaron Maher operation, but five subsequent runs failed to yield a placing, prompting connections to pull up stumps and send him home to recover. “I was talking with Ben (Willis) from MyRacehorse Australia after his last run in the Blamey Stakes,” Shaun Clotworthy said. “He just hasn’t come up this time, which often four-year-olds don’t come up after their three-year-old year. “Ciaron has done a great job with him over there and he has really matured into a professional horse in their big operation. “We decided to step back a little bit and bring him back to New Zealand and give him some lush grass and look after him for three or four months and then we will reassess after that.” Saturday’s Ellerslie meeting still looms large for the Clotworthy stable, with their slot in the $4 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) to be carried by To Bravery Born, trained by Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson. The son of Snitzel will jump from barrier five with Rory Hutchings aboard and is rated an outsider at 81-1 in a race where Well Written is hot favourite.

  • Long Arm of The Law Warns Social Influencers

    Friday, 6th March 2026
    A sharper line is being drawn around the way wagering products are marketed online, with NSW Liquor & Gaming putting operators on notice over the growing use of social media influencers to promote betting and gaming. The regulator's message follows a surge in high-reach personalities broadcasting their wagering exploits to build engagement and funnel new customers towards affiliated bookmakers and gaming interests. NSW Liquor & Gaming director of compliance and enforcement Tarek Barakat said the trend will sit squarely within the agency's priorities this year, and that operators will be held accountable for what is published on their behalf. "L&GNSW is responsible for monitoring online wagering and gaming machine advertising visible to the NSW community, including posts on social media, to ensure they comply with NSW laws," Barakat said. "With the rise of social media influencers promoting gambling, it was important businesses including online bookmakers and gaming machine operators understood the law and their responsibilities. "We are putting gambling operators on notice that a key priority for us this year is examining their marketing and customer retention practices, including the use of social media personalities. "Gambling operators should be careful about any affiliate or partnership arrangements as we are holding them responsible for the advertising of their products." The shift comes as conventional advertising channels face tighter constraints and more controls, pushing some corporate bookmakers towards influencer-led promotion as an alternative route to scale. Barakat made clear that both paid and unpaid arrangements will be scrutinised. "The things we are targeting include paid and unpaid promotional partnerships with wagering operators and gaming machine operators," he said. A key concern is content that blurs the boundary between entertainment and advertising, particularly where audiences include young people or those at risk. "Also, influencer content that normalises betting behaviour or glamorises gaming products, and in particular, the use of platforms, including podcasts, with large youth or vulnerable audiences," Barakat said. "These practices may increase the risk of gambling harm by blurring the line between entertainment and marketing, and by exposing at risk groups to persuasive promotional content."Beyond warnings, the regulator has signalled it expects content creators to be able to demonstrate compliance. "L&GNSW will require social media content creators to demonstrate that their social media and website content complies with legal requirements," Barakat said. "We also work with other responsible agencies as required to ensure people abide by the law and gambling harm is minimised." The influencer crackdown is part of a broader sweep across marketing and retention tactics. Barakat said other regulatory priorities include barriers that make it difficult to close accounts, VIP and loyalty programs, and additional promotional activity such as direct advertising used by casino and gaming venue operators. The intent, he indicated, is to ensure the industry's customer acquisition strategies do not come at the cost of legal compliance or increased gambling harm.
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2025 BTR Stud Stallions

BTP STUD STALLIONS

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