Sunday, 19th July 2026
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  • Asfoora Given Goodwood Chance to Rebound

    Weekend, 20th July 2026
    Another opportunity to recapture her finest European form awaits Asfoora after Henry Dwyer confirmed the decorated Australian sprinter will contest the Gr2 King George Stakes over 1000m at Goodwood on July 31. Retirement had entered calculations following a four-start campaign in which the eight-year-old failed to reproduce the performances that established her as one of Australia's most accomplished international travellers, but Dwyer and owner Noor Elaine Farm have elected to continue after finding no physical reason to stop. Asfoora finished seventh in the Gr1 King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot before disappointing in the Gr3 Coral Charge at Sandown, prompting an exhaustive assessment of her health, attitude and future. Dwyer believes the mare remains sound and has retained sufficient enthusiasm to warrant another appearance, while acknowledging that Goodwood will provide an important guide to whether she continues deeper into the European season. The King George Stakes has long occupied a significant place in Asfoora's career. She finished a close second to Big Evs in the 2024 edition after winning the Gr1 King Charles III Stakes at Royal Ascot, then returned to Goodwood the following year as part of another ambitious international program. Her overall record now stands at 12 wins from approximately 30 starts, with career earnings exceeding $3.6 million, and includes three Gr1 victories achieved in three different European jurisdictions. The Flying Artie mare's landmark Royal Ascot success in 2024 made her the sixth Australian-trained winner at the famous meeting, while her 2025 campaign elevated her standing further through victories in the Gr1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York and Gr1 Prix de l'Abbaye (see below) at Longchamp. Those achievements led to her being recognised as Europe's champion sprinter for 2025 and transformed a mare who began her career in modest Australian company into a genuine international figure. At home, Asfoora's earlier highlights included the Gr2 Caulfield Sprint, Gr2 Schillaci Stakes and Listed The Heath, along with placings in races such as the Gr1 Moir Stakes and Gr1 Oakleigh Plate. Dwyer has never hidden the emotional and logistical strain of campaigning her overseas, but her adaptability, durability and sustained elite-level speed have justified the undertaking. Goodwood now offers an opportunity to show that the brilliance has not entirely deserted her. A competitive performance could lead to further European sprint targets, while another below-par result may bring the curtain down on a career already secure among Australia's most adventurous and successful international sprinting campaigns.

  • Kelly Quits Over QRIC Independence Fears

    Weekend, 20th July 2026
    Deep concerns about the future independence of racing regulation in Queensland have prompted internationally respected integrity official Kim Kelly to resign as deputy commissioner of the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission. Kelly, who joined QRIC in September 2024 after a distinguished career that included serving as Hong Kong's chief steward, believes governance changes proposed under The Next Lap review risk creating an unacceptable dependence between the regulator and Racing Queensland, the commercial body responsible for administering the state's thoroughbred, harness and greyhound industries. Among the review's 110 recommendations was a plan to transfer several corporate and operational functions from QRIC to Racing Queensland, with the state government accepting 79 recommendations after the report was released last December. Stewarding and integrity decisions are intended to remain formally independent, but Kelly argues that a regulator relying on the principal racing authority for finance, staffing and business services cannot remain fully detached in practice. He views that dependence as creating an inherent conflict because Racing Queensland must promote the codes, maximise wagering turnover and compete with other jurisdictions while QRIC is responsible for enforcing rules and investigating participants. Kelly said his understanding of independence, governance and transparency no longer aligned with the direction being taken and concluded that stepping aside was preferable to remaining within a structure he could not support. His resignation represents a substantial loss for QRIC at a time when confidence in the organisation had begun to improve. Kelly recalled that the commission was frequently portrayed negatively before his arrival but believes stakeholder perceptions and community survey results had shifted during his two years as deputy commissioner. His international standing was built through decades of senior stewarding experience, particularly in Hong Kong's tightly regulated and heavily scrutinised racing environment. Kelly will retain honorary positions with the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, the Anti-Illegal Betting and Related Financial Crime Council and the international stewards' conference, reflecting his continued commitment to global cooperation and common regulatory standards. Queensland Racing Minister Tim Mander thanked Kelly for his service and maintained that the government remained committed to high integrity standards, while describing the review recommendations as an attempt to streamline governance and reduce duplicated operations. The dispute nevertheless exposes a fundamental philosophical divide. Supporters of the hybrid model believe back-office efficiencies can be achieved without weakening independent decision-making, whereas Kelly considers corporate reliance itself sufficient to compromise genuine separation. His departure ensures that implementation of The Next Lap recommendations will face heightened scrutiny from participants concerned that commercial and regulatory functions could become too closely entwined.

  • Kimberley Rose Headlines Digital Offering

    Weekend, 20th July 2026
    Stakes-performed mare Kimberley Rose provides the centrepiece of a varied Magic Millions Digital catalogue that combines breeding prospects, racehorses, racing shares, weanlings and yearlings ahead of the July 22 conclusion. Offered as Lot 41, the four-year-old daughter of Hellbent enters the sale with both racetrack credentials and a commercially appealing female family, making her a timely proposition only weeks before the southern hemisphere breeding season. Kimberley Rose won in metropolitan company and finished runner-up in the Listed Belmont Oaks – see below – having been purchased for $200,000 as a yearling by trainer Stephen Miller. Her dam Amber's Waltz was herself Group placed and finished second in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic, giving prospective buyers access to a family containing juvenile speed, black-type performance and direct links to the Magic Millions program. The catalogue also offers several racehorses capable of continuing their careers immediately. Warrior Smile, a lightly raced three-year-old gelding with only nine starts, was placed at Flemington as a juvenile, while Corpulent arrives with encouraging recent form after breaking his maiden at Kembla Grange two starts ago. Fine Wine is among the more attractive racing fillies and will be offered without reserve. The three-year-old daughter of Snitzel has already recorded two provincial victories in New South Wales, providing a buyer with the option of racing on before eventually retaining her for breeding. Sky Blue is another unreserved filly carrying strong current pedigree appeal as a half-sister to Actionbelle, the dominant recent winner of New Zealand's Listed Castletown Stakes. Ownership interests in proven black-type horses add further depth. Two 10 per cent shares in stakes winner and Gr1 VRC Oaks placegetter Basilinna are available, along with a five per cent interest in multiple Gr1-placed filly Within The Law. A 2.5 per cent share in Cristal Clear is also catalogued, with the Gr1 Epsom Handicap and $3 million Big Dance identified among his possible spring objectives. Bhima Thoroughbreds will offer six broodmares for a client reducing numbers, three of them carrying pregnancies. Super Oasis, an Exceed And Excel mare in foal to City Of Troy, is a notable inclusion, while Gagumaru is being sold in foal to So You Think following a September cover. Bidding opened on July 17 and will close progressively from noon AEST on July 22. With Kimberley Rose supplying a proven young breeding prospect and the supporting catalogue encompassing immediate racing opportunities, valuable shares and in-foal mares, the online auction has been assembled to appeal across several sectors of the bloodstock market.

  • Tengun Tommy Books Summer Carnival Path

    Weekend, 20th July 2026
    A lucrative Magic Millions assignment has emerged as the longer-term objective for Tengun Tommy after Tony Gollan's progressive youngster strengthened his growing reputation with another polished Queensland victory. The two-year-old produced the second win of his short career in a QTIS handicap over 1000m at the Sunshine Coast, giving his trainer reason to believe the gelding can develop into a genuine contender for the $3 million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas during the summer carnival. Tengun Tommy has displayed natural speed and professionalism from the outset, attributes that have allowed Gollan to educate him through racing without placing him under excessive pressure late in his juvenile season. The son of Flying Artie travelled strongly for Ben Thompson before responding when required, showing enough determination to complement the early pace that had initially marked him as a promising sprinting prospect. Gollan intends to give the gelding the opportunity to progress through suitable races during the new season, with the Magic Millions program providing a clear destination if his form and development justify the trip to the Gold Coast. The 3YO Guineas, run over 1400m under set-weight conditions, demands more than raw speed, but Tengun Tommy's trainer believes there is scope for him to stretch beyond the shortest distances as he strengthens and learns to conserve energy. His pedigree also offers encouragement, with Flying Artie responsible for elite sprinters including international Gr1 winner Asfoora and Golden Slipper winner Artorius, while Tengun Tommy's early racing style suggests he can settle rather than rely solely on leading. Gollan has become particularly adept at developing juveniles and three-year-olds towards Queensland's richest restricted races, and the stable's depth allows promising horses to be placed patiently rather than hurried through unsuitable company. Any attempt to reach the Magic Millions Guineas will require Tengun Tommy to continue improving through the spring and early summer, when competition for qualification and prizemoney intensifies. The gelding's two victories have nevertheless placed him in a favourable position and shown he can cope with the pressure of metropolitan-standard juvenile racing. Gollan is unlikely to make firm commitments months in advance, but identifying the $3 million feature demonstrates the esteem in which Tengun Tommy is held. A break and gradual build towards longer assignments appear logical, with intermediate races likely to establish whether 1400m is within his range. For now, his early record has supplied connections with a valuable commodity: a lightly raced, tractable youngster possessing both the speed to win immediately and sufficient potential to justify aiming at one of Queensland racing's richest summer prizes.
  • Hong Kong Season Delivers Record Tourist Surge

    Weekend, 20th July 2026
    Stronger wagering, unprecedented visitor numbers and exceptional performances from two global stars have allowed the Hong Kong Jockey Club to close an outstanding 2025-26 season with plans already advanced for a historic expansion into mainland China. Total turnover reached HK$143.31 billion, representing a 3.2 per cent increase on the previous campaign, while 401,259 visitors from mainland China and overseas attended Hong Kong's racecourses. That figure was more than double the previous season's total and four times the number recorded in 2023-24, reinforcing racing's growing role in the city's sports tourism strategy. International participation in Hong Kong betting pools also continued to rise. Commingling turnover on local races reached a record HK$34.4 billion, up 8.3 per cent, while World Pool turnover increased by 27.7 per cent. Expanded simulcasting of overseas races, used partly to counter illegal wagering activity, generated HK$16.2 billion after improving by 23.5 per cent. Jockey Club chief executive Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges believes the results demonstrate the distinctive appeal of the Sha Tin and Happy Valley experience and provide a strong foundation for attracting additional visitors from across Asia and beyond. The season's commercial success was matched by extraordinary achievements on the track. Ka Ying Rising and Romantic Warrior became the first joint recipients of Hong Kong's Horse of the Year title, having occupied the top two positions in the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings for much of the season. Ka Ying Rising extended his winning sequence beyond Silent Witness' longstanding Hong Kong record and travelled to Australia to capture the $20 million Everest, while Romantic Warrior continued to perform with distinction on the international stage. Attention now turns to Conghua, where regular racing is scheduled to begin on October 31 at the Jockey Club's 150-hectare training and racing complex near Guangzhou. The inaugural meeting will mark the launch of thoroughbred speed racing on a continuing basis in mainland China under the National Equine Industry Development Plan. Wagering will not be offered on Conghua races, but the Jockey Club intends to present the same sporting and entertainment standards associated with Hong Kong and eventually introduce competitive team racing, special events and carnivals. Officials hope the venue will stimulate high-end tourism and support economic activity across culture, sport and hospitality within the Greater Bay Area. The final Happy Valley meeting and its fireworks display therefore represented more than the close of another successful campaign. It preceded a season in which Hong Kong racing will attempt to convert commercial growth, elite equine performance and rising tourist interest into the most significant geographical expansion in the Jockey Club's modern history.

    Hong Kong racing

    Hong Kong racing is booming (pic: hkjc.com)
  • Tasmanian 3YO Cup Gains Listed Recognition

    Weekend, 20th July 2026
    Tasmania's three-year-old racing program has received an important endorsement with the elevation of the 3YO Cup at Launceston to Listed status from the beginning of the 2026-27 season. Traditionally staged over 1200m at Mowbray during the Tasmanian Turf Club's November carnival, the race will now offer black-type recognition while forming an increasingly valuable early-season target for the state's leading young sprinters. The upgrade adds another Listed contest to Tasmania's three-year-old schedule alongside races including the Tasmanian Guineas, creating a stronger progression through the summer carnival and enhancing the potential value of locally bred and trained horses. From its origins as a $50,000 event, the 3YO Cup has grown substantially in prizemoney and profile, with its enhanced status reflecting the quality of recent fields and the performances of its graduates in later stakes company. The race is expected to carry prizemoney of $150,000 at Listed level, a figure designed to attract the best Tasmanian three-year-olds while encouraging interstate stables to consider an early summer campaign. Black type is particularly important to breeders and owners because a stakes win or placing can materially increase the value of a filly or colt beyond the immediate prizemoney earned. For the local breeding sector, the decision offers another opportunity for Tasbred horses to enhance their pedigrees without travelling to the mainland, while the prospect of interstate participation should strengthen the depth and national relevance of the race. The 1200m distance also provides a logical stepping stone for horses progressing towards longer three-year-old features later in the season, allowing trainers to begin with a high-quality sprint before considering the Tasmanian Guineas, Hobart Guineas or Tasmanian Derby pathways. Tasmania has worked progressively to protect and expand its black-type program despite the challenges facing smaller jurisdictions, and the 3YO Cup's elevation rewards a race that has become a central feature of the Mowbray calendar. Its traditional Friday-night setting, alongside the Newmarket Handicap program, has helped create one of Launceston racing's most recognisable early-summer fixtures. Listed status should increase nomination interest, enhance wagering appeal and give the carnival a second black-type focal point around its established sprint feature. The change will also place greater emphasis on preserving the quality of future renewals, with field strength and subsequent performances important to retaining recognition under national and international pattern-race standards. For Tasmanian participants, however, the immediate result is unequivocally positive: another valuable black-type opportunity, a clearer three-year-old pathway and greater incentive to keep talented young horses racing within the state.

    Deroche

    Deroche is a previous winner of the 3YO Cup (pic: tasracing.com.au)
  • Ted Noffey Nears Return to Pletcher Team

    Weekend, 20th July 2026
    A return to Todd Pletcher's Saratoga stable is approaching for unbeaten champion Ted Noffey as the colt continues his rehabilitation from bone bruising that eliminated him from the 2026 Triple Crown series. Spendthrift Farm's Eclipse Award winner has not raced since completing a perfect juvenile campaign in the Gr1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile, but recent progress has encouraged connections that he may soon be ready to resume full training. Ted Noffey was sent away from Pletcher's barn after bone bruising was discovered during preparations for his three-year-old debut, forcing the stable to abandon a Kentucky Derby campaign for which he had been the early divisional leader. Time, controlled exercise and patient management were chosen over attempting to accelerate his recovery, with Spendthrift determined to preserve a colt who remains an important racing and future stallion prospect. The son of Into Mischief won all four starts at two and earned more than US$1.65 million. After beginning his career successfully, he progressed rapidly through the Gr1 Hopeful Stakes at Saratoga, Gr1 Breeders' Futurity at Keeneland and Breeders' Cup Juvenile, becoming the clear choice as America's champion two-year-old male. His composure, tactical adaptability and ability to maintain his finishing strength around two turns made him the early favourite for the Kentucky Derby and placed him at the head of the Road to the Kentucky Derby standings before injury intervened. Ted Noffey was purchased by Spendthrift for US$650,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale and is out of the stakes-winning, graded-placed Old Fashioned mare Streak Of Luck. His unusual name arose after a social media reference to Spendthrift general manager Ned Toffey accidentally transposed the first letters, creating a nickname that was later adopted for the colt. Although his absence left a major gap in the American three-year-old division, connections have resisted identifying a specific comeback race before he returns to Pletcher and demonstrates how he handles more demanding work. Saratoga's summer program provides numerous possibilities, but the first objective will be rebuilding fitness without compromising the healing that has taken place. A late-season campaign could potentially incorporate races such as the Travers Stakes or targets during the autumn, although timing rather than prestige will govern the decision. Ted Noffey's undefeated record and championship status ensure any reappearance will attract considerable attention, yet Spendthrift has already demonstrated that long-term value outweighs short-term ambition. Returning to Pletcher's barn will represent an important milestone rather than the completion of the process, but it would bring America's outstanding juvenile of 2025 one significant step closer to resuming a career interrupted before his three-year-old qualities could be tested.
  • Owner Parts With Preakness Hero Napoleon Solo

    Weekend, 20th July 2026
    An offer described as impossible to reject has persuaded Gold Square principal Al Gold to sell Gr1 Preakness Stakes winner Napoleon Solo, although the commercial logic did little to soften the emotional cost of parting with the colt who delivered his greatest racing achievement. Espoir USA has purchased the three-year-old for an undisclosed sum, ending Gold's ownership only two months after Napoleon Solo prevailed in the middle leg of America's Triple Crown. The decision was particularly difficult because the colt's rise embodied the type of story Gold had spent decades pursuing through racing. Napoleon Solo progressed from a promising juvenile campaign into a legitimate classic contender, overcoming the disappointment of missing the Kentucky Derby to capture the Preakness at Laurel Park. His victory elevated both owner and trainer Chad Summers onto one of the sport's most prominent stages and ensured the colt's value increased dramatically. Gold has regularly traded horses when an offer was commercially persuasive, but acknowledged that selling a classic winner differed from moving an ordinary stakes prospect. The financial return provides security and the capacity to reinvest, yet it also removes a horse capable of contesting the most valuable and prestigious races in North America. Napoleon Solo had already accumulated significant Kentucky Derby qualifying points through his earlier stakes performances, but connections ultimately bypassed Churchill Downs before being rewarded by targeting the Preakness. His profile, pedigree and continuing racing potential made him an obvious target for buyers seeking a proven American dirt colt with residual stallion value. Espoir USA's acquisition comes before the Gr1 Haskell Stakes, for which Napoleon Solo remains a major contender, and the horse is expected to continue under Summers at least for his immediate engagements. Maintaining continuity should assist a colt whose personality has been described as difficult and highly individual, but whose competitive qualities become evident once he reaches the racetrack. For Gold, the sale is another illustration of the tension confronting owners when life-changing offers arrive for horses carrying immense personal significance. Retaining Napoleon Solo would have preserved the emotional connection and potential access to further classic or Breeders' Cup glory; accepting the bid crystallised an extraordinary financial return while transferring those future possibilities elsewhere. Gold's decision was not a reflection of reduced faith in the colt, but the opposite: Napoleon Solo's Preakness success had made him too valuable for a rational businessman to ignore the proposal. The owner now watches the next phase from a different position, proud of having campaigned the horse to a classic triumph yet understandably conscious that the familiar Gold Square colours will no longer accompany him into America's major summer races.

  • King Pedro Powers Into Spring Contention

    Weekend, 20th July 2026
    A spring staying campaign carrying Gr1 possibilities is taking shape for King Pedro after the New Zealand-bred gelding produced a powerful finish to win the Listed Grafton Cup over 2350m. Sent out the $2.30 favourite following his success in the Stayers Cup, the Tom Charlton-trained galloper faced a race pattern that threatened to blunt his strongest asset, with leader Kaluakoi allowed to reduce the tempo noticeably on a firm Good 3 surface that had favoured horses racing near the speed. Charlton watched from his Sydney office with growing concern as the field dawdled through the middle stages, believing the slowly run contest and lack of assistance for backmarkers had left King Pedro with a formidable task. Kerrin McEvoy remained composed, however, resisting any temptation to force the issue prematurely before angling his mount into clear running and asking him to bridge the considerable gap. King Pedro responded with a sweeping run through the centre of the course, gathering in Etna Rosso and Kaluakoi after they had appeared set to fight out the finish. The victory supplied McEvoy, a three-time Melbourne Cup-winning rider, with his first success in the Grafton Cup and reinforced his confidence that the gelding can progress into stronger staying company during the spring. Charlton intends to give King Pedro a brief freshen-up before mapping out the next phase of his preparation, with the Gr1 Metropolitan over 2400m at Randwick in October already identified as a realistic option. The manner in which he overcame an unsuitable tempo was particularly encouraging, demonstrating that he could produce a sustained finish even when the race was not run to expose stamina. Bred by Ray Johnson, whose name is also associated with multiple Gr1 winner Mr Brightside, King Pedro is by Brighthill Farm stallion Eminent from the unraced O'Reilly mare Jiving. His rise has been underpinned by humble beginnings, having originally raced in New Zealand as Don Pedro after Peter Jeffcoat purchased him for only $3,900 through Gavelhouse.com in October 2022. He recorded a win and four placings from six appearances for the Opaki trainer before finishing sixth behind Willydoit in last year's Gr1 New Zealand Derby at Ellerslie. A subsequent sale to OTI Racing and transfer to Charlton have allowed the gelding to continue developing, with consecutive staying victories now establishing him as a legitimate spring prospect. The Grafton Cup success therefore represented more than another country feature; it confirmed that King Pedro possesses the patience, stamina and finishing power required to be tested against a higher class of opposition when the major metropolitan staying races arrive.

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
Trapeze Artist Established
Tropicus 1st Season
Turffontein Established
Unite And Conquer Established
Universal Ruler Established
Vancouver Established
Vandeek Established
Victor Ludorum Established
Von Costa De Hero Established
Wandjina Established
Winning Rupert Established
Wooded Established
Wootton Bassett Established
Worthy Cause Established
Written By Established
Written Tycoon Established
Xtravagant Established
Your Song Established
Zousain Established
Zoustar Established