Rarely does an elite juvenile with a résumé as complete as O’ Ole come to market, yet that is precisely the opportunity awaiting breeders at May’s Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast. The brilliant filly will headline a draft from Attunga Stud that is shaping as one of the most compelling consignments in recent memory. Her race record speaks in bold type. A member of the exclusive club to complete the Magic Millions Wyong 2YO and Gold Coast 2YO Classic double, she amassed almost $2 million from just nine starts. Purchased for $325,000 at the Gold Coast Yearling Sale, the daughter of Ole Kirk quickly vindicated the faith shown in her by connections, evolving from a striking yearling into one of the standout juveniles of her generation. From the outset, trainer Bjorn Baker sensed he had something out of the ordinary. “The team and myself loved her from the first time we saw her,” Baker said. “She had the looks and the attitude. Right from day dot we knew early on we had a horse of immense ability. She showed very early on she was fast.” That early speed translated into feature-race success. “It was no surprise to us to see her featuring in the early two-year-old feature races. We bought her to win the Magic Millions (2YO Classic) and she was able to achieve it.” Her impending sale brings both pride and poignancy. “It will obviously be mixed emotions for connections (when she is sold). It’s been very special to be involved with her and she has a great bunch of owners. We have been on a mighty ride with her.” Baker believes her credentials extend beyond the track. “She has two of the big things required to make a success at stud - speed and great temperament. Along with that obviously she is a great type - she is good sized and well balanced and will continue letting down to be very much a beautiful mare.” He added with a smile, “I really look forward to seeing what she can produce. I will be the first one there to inspect her progeny, and would love to be able to buy one of her progeny at the Magic Millions (Yearling Sale) and win the race again.” Attunga’s Brian Nutt is assembling a draft he rates among the finest he has presented. “I haven’t put together a draft like this for many, many years,” he said, noting past highlights but suggesting this group stands alongside them. The offering is set to include champion New Zealand mare Legarto, Group 2 winner Double Market and the progressive Bonita Queen, with further entries to be unveiled. Entries remain open for the 2026 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, scheduled for May 26 and 27 on the Gold Coast.
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Pembrey Can Give Prague First Stakes Winner
Friday, 27th February 2026
While we need to go back to the 2007 victory of Chinchilla Rose (Lion Hunter) in the Sweet Embrace Stakes to see the last time a Queensland trained filly won the race, the Tony Gollan-trained Pembrey (Prague-Se Sauver, by Bel Esprit) will out to do the same this coming Saturday when she lines up in the Group 3 fillies race, and like Chinchilla Rose, it will be off an impressive debut victory. Winning by just shy of five and a half lengths on debut off the back of two trial wins, the Kia Ora Stud bred and raced filly is one of the 13 in the race, and with James McDonald set to partner the filly from barrier 6, the duo is sure to get every chance. While the unknown may be the step up in class, she did win with some authority on debut, and there is no reason to think that the race is not well within her grasp. Set to do her best to ensure the Queensland visitor doesn't take the prize, the Ciaron Maher trained Spicy Miss (Trapeze Artist-Sweet Gisel, by Street Boss) has been beaten less than a length in both her starts, recording consecutive stakes placed efforts, and while she steps up to the 1200m for the first time come Saturday, the Darby race owned filly is has a pedigree that suggesst it will not be an issue.
Street Boss Filly Tempting in Surround Stakes
Friday, 27th February 2026
Won by some outstanding 3yo fillies since it's elevation to elite level status, Saturday's G1 Surround Stakes (1400m) has assembled a small, but select field of eight runners, with two Spring Gr1 winners, and another filly who is yet to win at the top level but has more than shown she is ready for her own. Resuming with victory in the Gr3 Eskimo Prince Stakes where she defeated the boys, the Ciaron Maher trained Tempted (Street Boss-Calliope, by Exceed And Excel) has finished outside the top three just once in her ten starts, and based off her second in the Everest behind Ka Ying Rising (Shamexpress) just two starts back, the Godolphin bred and raced filly has all the makings of a potential superstar. Having only had one start over 1400m, when third behind the fellow Godolphin bred and raced Beiwacht (Bivouac), the question remains if Tempted will run out a strong 1400m on Saturday, but against this class, she looks more than capable. A winner of the Gr1 Flight Stakes (1600m) last time in before going down in the Gr1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) behind Ole Dancer (Ole Kirk-Dancers, by Husson), who she will again meet on Saturday, the Michael Freedman trained Apocalyptic (Extreme Choice-Shadow, by Medaglia D'oro) resumed in the Gr2 Light Fingers Stakes where she was surprisingly beaten by the race fit Savvy Hallie (Hellbent-Rose of Savannah, by Fastnet Rock) who is another chasing Gr1 success this Saturday in the Surround Stakes.
Observing His Second Group 1 Success
Friday, 27th February 2026
Ratings wise, Godolphin's imposing colt Observer (Ghaiyyath-Smooth, by Lonhro) looks ready to record his second elite level win from his last three starts, possibly adding Saturday's Gr1 Australian Guineas (1600m) to his Gr1 VRC Derby victory from the spring. Resuming with a length and a quarter win in the Gr2 Autumn Stakes over 1400m, the colt has plenty of options for him, but connections highlighted this race as his immediate goal after his last start win. Drawn barrier 6 in the field of ten, it is likely that jockey Ethan Brown will take the colt forward, and like his usual form, he kicks off the turn and proves too hard to run down. With only one other runner in the field looking capable of matching it with the favourite, the Chris Waller-trained Sixties (Flying Artie-Gracie's Lass, by Redoute's Choice) comes into the race off two wins since resuming from a spell highlighted by his win in the Gr3 CS Hayes Stakes last start where the full-brother to dual Gr1 winner Artorius scored by a length and a quarter. Second in the Gr1 Caulfield Guines when running Autumn Boy (The Autumn Su) to three-quarters of a length, Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr's Planet Red (Admire Mars-Lucky Helmet, by Helmet) resumed with second behind Observer, and while his only second up run in the past resulted in a fourth placed effort, the Jamie Melham ridden gelding looks capable of finishing in the money once again.
Warwoven Reaching for Unbeaten Skies
Friday, 27th February 2026
Scratched on the morning of the Magic Millions 2YO Classic when the short-priced favourite, the Bjorn Baker trained Warwoven (Sword Of State-Needle And Thread, by Makfi) will be out to continue his unbeaten run and highlight his G1 Golden Slipper chances when he lines up in Saturday's $300,000 G2 Skyline Stakes (1200m). Although we must look all the way back to the 2004 Skyline Stakes victory of Dance Hero (Danzero) to see the most recent winner who then went on to capture the Golden Slipper, Warwoven does appear capable of winning on Saturday and maintaining his favouritism for the G1 feature. The most intriguing runner set to run on Saturday is the Chris Waller trained Central Europe (Frankel-Tiggy Wiggy, by Kodiac). Highly touted the Coolmore and partners raced colt is the only unraced runner in the top 15 in the betting for the upcoming Slipper, suggesting that what he's doing at home is good enough to be competitive here. Sold for $750,000 at the Inglis Easter yearling sale to his trainer and agent Guy Mulcaster, the Frankel colt is the first Australian-bred foal out of the European Champion 2yo Filly Tiggy Wiggy. Unbeaten in his two runs to date, the James Harron colourer bearer Fireball (Snitzel-Advance Party, by Charge Forward) won the Restricted Listed Inglis Millennium last time out and while he can only win, he still needs to show he is up to the better class of his generation but should run well here.
Highgrove Invests in Bling at Inglis Digital
Friday, 27th February 2026
Bidding climbed steadily before settling at $275,000 for Manolo Bling, who emerged as the headline act of Wednesday’s Inglis Digital February (Late) Online Sale. The four-year-old daughter of Grunt was secured by Highgrove Stud’s Ron Gilbert after being offered by Anthony Freedman Racing on behalf of Rob Cummings and her ownership group. Plans for the mare straddle racetrack and breeding barn. Gilbert confirmed she will relocate north to join Kelly Schweida’s Queensland stable, with the intention of racing through to season’s end before taking her place in Highgrove’s broodmare band. “We’ll mix things up with her, new trainer, new surroundings, sometimes that helps these mares switch on a bit more again so we’ll try that but either way, she will go to stud later this year,” he said. While a stallion decision remains pending, Gilbert sees significant upside in her residual value. “I haven’t sat down and given a stallion much thought yet to be honest but being Stakes placed and out of a family as good as this, she could be going to one of the top-end stallions.” He acknowledged the purchase sat at the upper end of his budget. “I don’t normally buy race mares like her to breed with, I normally buy mares in foal because it’s closer to a result but I just really liked the look of this mare, I liked the family, I liked her pedigree, she’s won over $400,000 and she’s already Stakes placed and just really fitted the mould so I’m really happy to have her. She was at the top end of the budget, I thought she was a $250,000 mare and if someone had gone another bid to $280,000 I probably would have been out of play but I got the win so it’s great.” For Cummings, the result marked a satisfying return as his team trims numbers. “We’re really happy with the result, she’s been a nice mare and we’re just scaling down a bit and Will [Stott] has always been amazing for us, I can’t thank him enough, he’s fantastic.” North England provided the next major highlight, the Newgate Farm-offered three-year-old son of Farnan selling to Lofty Thoroughbreds for $200,000. “He’s been a terrific colt for our partnership,” Henry Field said. “We bought him for $280,000 at the Inglis Classic Sale, he won a Golden Gift and Kindergarten Stakes and almost $1m in prizemoney along the way and we’re really pleased with today’s result in the Inglis Digital sale with his price of $200,000. Wishing the new owners all the very best with him.” Three further lots cracked six figures, including Absolute Flirt at $160,000, Sense Of Honour at $150,000 and Reeh at $120,000, contributing to a total sale gross of $4,783,100.
Ten Out Of Ten Likely for Autumn Glow
Friday, 27th February 2026
With plenty of rain over the next few days in Sydney, Saturday's Randwick track could be downgraded from its current Good 4 rating, which may see some runners not take their place in the $1m Gr1 Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m). Short odds to extend her unbeaten run to ten from ten, the Chirs Waller-trained Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun-Via Africa, by Var) does have success on a heavy 10, so the rain should not pose any concern for the star mare. Many of Saturday's runners finished behind Autumn Glow last time out in the Gr2 Apollo Stakes, and while they'll all improve their first up run, so will the Magic Millions/Newhaven Park and $1.8m Inglis Easter Yearling Sale Silverdale Farm graduate Autumn Glow. "Naturally she will improve, so will Aeliana and Lindermann and Ceolwulf so she has to keep improving. But the beauty about her is she's got room to move," said McDonald when speaking to Racing NSW during the week. With Waller set to saddle up seven of the nine runners in the feature race, if successful it will be his twelfth victory in the Gr1 contest with his fist coming back in 2011 with Danleigh. The most interesting runner in the race will sport the Yulong silks, just like last year's winner Via Sistina (Fastnet Rock). Set to have his first Australian start, Trinity College (Dubawi-Hermosa, by Galileo) could not be better bred and success here could see him an instant stallion prospect. By Champion Sire Dubawi out of a dual G1-winning daughter of Galileo, Trinity College comes from a family that has performed here in Australia in the past through he deeds of Gr1 Ranvet Stakes winner The United States (Galileo), himself a full-brother to the dam of the Gr3-winning, Gr1 placed Waller trained 4YO.
London Painting a Profitable Stakes Image
Friday, 27th February 2026
Another slice of black type added lustre to Headwater’s daughter London’s Image when she lunged late to claim the Listed Pinjarra Classic (1300m) in a thrilling four-way finish on Sunday. The Peters Investments-bred mare, now a three-time Listed winner, edged out Talkanco, Fast Flicker and Elite Missile in a blanket result that reinforced her standing among Western Australia’s elite mares. Her latest success followed victories in the Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m) and the TBWA Breeders Classic (1400m), both achieved in the blue and white stripes of owner-trainer Ryan Hill. Purchased for just $20,000 from Holbrook Stud at the 2023 Adelaide Magic Millions, she returned more than $460,000 in prizemoney before Hill opted to capitalise on her rising residual value. The mare realised $360,000 at the 2025 Inglis Chairman’s Sale, a decision Hill conceded was as pragmatic as it was emotional. “It’s definitely a business decision knowing it will help build our operation going forward,” he said. “My heart tells me to keep her, she’s given us great thrills, no doubt about that. There were some memorable performances especially the win in the Burgess Queen.” Her new home is with Ultra Racing Syndicate, racing in the Black & Emerald Green colours of principal Sean Buckley, and she has transferred to the Karnup base of Grant and Alana Williams. The purchase coincided with a milestone for Buckley, marking two decades since he acquired Miss Andretti from David Mueller following an unplaced run in the 2006 Newmarket Handicap. That celebrated sprinter would go on to win five Group 1 races and the G2 King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot, claiming Australian Horse of the Year honours in the same colours While Miss Andretti’s stud career has yet to replicate her racetrack brilliance, Buckley will hope London’s Image can provide the return that has so far proved elusive. By Headwater from the Listed-winning New Image, she carries a pedigree carefully cultivated by Bob and Sandra Peters. Her dam claimed the Belmont Oaks and Matchmaker Classic, and she is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Perfect Reflection, Ideal Image and Elusive Image. The family’s depth traces back to Reflected Image, winner of the G2 WA Oaks in 1999. Meanwhile, the Peters operation continues to invest significantly in the future. During Book 1 of the Perth Magic Millions, Liam Peters secured three yearlings for the family’s banner, including a Playing God colt from Morning Song for $160,000 and a Maschino gelding from Smart Promise for $100,000, before stretching to $340,000 for a Playing God filly from Dainty Tess. For now, though, the spotlight belongs to London’s Image, a mare whose value has been enhanced with every decisive stride.
Waller/JMac Combo Paused on 499 Wins
Friday, 27th February 2026
History was paused rather than denied at Rosehill on Wednesday, as the formidable partnership of Chris Waller and James McDonald edged tantalisingly close to a landmark 500 winners together. According to racenet.com.au, two seconds were as near as they came, first with Almaaz, whose narrow defeat prompted an unsuccessful protest, and later with Soverato, leaving the celebrated duo stranded on 499. The Almaaz result carried further consequence when McDonald weighed in 1kg above his declared weight. Stewards handed the champion jockey a three-meeting suspension, though the penalty was framed with context, acknowledging both the tight margin and his otherwise exemplary record regarding overweight breaches. Crucially, the ban will not rule him out of Randwick Guineas Day, preserving the stage for a potential milestone under brighter lights. Opportunity knocks quickly. Canterbury on Friday night offers four Waller-trained runners for McDonald to steer before they reconvene at Royal Randwick on Saturday with six more chances to reach the half-thousand mark. Given the stable’s depth, the achievement feels inevitable, yet racing has a habit of testing assumptions. Of their 499 wins to date, 50 have come at the elite Group 1 level, underscoring not merely quantity but quality. The most recent arrived when Via Sistina claimed the Champion Stakes at Flemington last November, a victory that doubled as her farewell to racing. In terms of scale, only Peter Moody and Luke Nolen’s 908-win alliance surpasses the Waller–McDonald tally, while Andrew Gibbons and Kris Lees sit close behind on 484. Within Waller’s expansive operation, McDonald stands as his most prolific ally, comfortably ahead of Hugh Bowman, Tommy Berry, Nash Rawiller, Kerrin McEvoy and the retired Glyn Schofield on the stable’s all-time list. It is a statistic that reflects not only durability but trust in the biggest moments. A poetic twist remains possible. Should Autumn Glow salute in the Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m), the unbeaten filly would deliver the milestone in the most fitting fashion. McDonald then jets to Hong Kong to reunite with Romantic Warrior in the Hong Kong Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on Sunday, setting up a weekend that bridges hemispheres. Autumn Glow on Saturday, Romantic Warrior on Sunday – an itinerary befitting the sport’s premier rider and a partnership poised to etch another figure into the record books.
Highview Deplenishing Sale Just Weeks Away
Friday, 27th February 2026
A sense of purpose continues to build ahead of Highview’s Unreserved Deplenishing Sale, with the 43-lot catalogue now live and interest filtering in for the on-farm auction at the Hamilton property on Sunday 15 March. Conducted by NZB from 1pm, the sale presents a deliberate reshaping of numbers as the Gillovic family streamlines its broodmare band and young stock portfolio. The draft spans yearlings, two-year-olds, unraced horses, broodmares and mares with foals at foot, offering a cross-section designed to appeal to breeders and traders alike. Seventeen yearlings headline the commercial appeal, featuring progeny of Armory, Divine Prophet, Embellish, Xtravagant, Hello Youmzain, Santos, Sweynesse and Wrote among others. Adding further depth are two-year-olds and unraced stock by Shocking and Sword of State, while the broodmare contingent includes mares in foal to Santos, Wrote and freshman sire Mr Mozart, alongside eight mares selling with foals at foot. A generational transition provides context to the offering, with Kurtis Gillovic stepping forward in the family enterprise established by his father. He describes the sale as a practical recalibration rather than a departure from established standards. “This is a genuine sale, numbers have accumulated quite quickly over the last couple of years, and we are just tidying up the operation to make it a little more boutique,” he said. Any suggestion of retreat was swiftly dismissed. “Nothing is going to change here in the future, it’s business as usual.” Commercial confidence underpins the draft. “There are 17 yearlings by commercial sires, colts and fillies, some nice trade horses. There’s money to be made,” Gillovic noted, reinforcing the opportunity for buyers seeking value in a transparent, unreserved environment. All broodmares in foal will be pregnancy-tested in the week leading into the sale to confirm status, providing additional assurance for investors assessing residual value and breeding upside. Gates will open from 10am at 1544 Kakaramea Road, with inspections welcomed throughout the morning. While online bidding will not be available, NZB and BAFNZ agents can act on behalf of clients unable to attend, ensuring wider participation. Existing NZB account holders may register with the team on site prior to selling, while new buyers are encouraged to establish accounts ahead of time to facilitate a smooth process under the special terms and conditions available online. With something for every level of the market and a clear intent to refine rather than retreat, Highview’s Sunday offering shapes as a genuine dispersal-style opportunity.
Sword Of State will be represented at the sale (pic: Trish Dunell)
