Friday, 3rd October 2025
All enquiries - Gary Knowles 0406 599 773

Global Breeding, Racing and Sales News

  • Valley Debut for HOTY Melody Belle's Daughter

    Friday, 3rd October 2025
    The next generation of Te Akau stars will be unveiled under lights at The Valley on Friday night when Lyrics 'N' Song, the first foal out of champion mare Melody Belle, makes her debut. It represents a poignant return for a stable that guided her dam through one of the most decorated careers in New Zealand racing history. Melody Belle won 19 races, including 14 at Group 1 level, earned more than $4 million in prizemoney, and was twice crowned New Zealand Horse of the Year before Yulong Investments purchased her for $2.6 million at the 2021 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale. Bred to Written Tycoon, she produced Lyrics 'N' Song, entrusted to Mark Walker at Te Akau's Cranbourne base. The three-year-old filly has trialled three times and looked professional when winning her most recent jumpout at Cranbourne over 1000m. "She has jumped out nicely and she has inherited some of mum's ability, I don't know how much yet, but I think she is well above average at this stage," Walker said. "We are very grateful that Yulong gave us the first foal to train, and hopefully she is a good broodmare for them." Drawn barrier one, Lyrics 'N' Song will contest the Drummond Gold Plate (1200m), facing what her trainer described as a strong and competitive field. The stable is eager to see how she handles the pressure of raceday conditions as she begins her career in the famous tangerine silks. Attention quickly turns to Flemington on Saturday, where Walker will test further young stock. Azazel, a strong debut winner, is aimed at the Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m) after displaying fight and determination to win first-up. "I liked it because he was headed and he fought back and he was really strong through the line," Walker said. "I think Flemington will suit him over 1800m, it is just hard weighing up different form lines. I see they have put him up as a $23 shot, but I certainly rate him a better chance than that." Earlier on the card, Walker will saddle Harry Met Sally and Flash Of Class in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial Stakes (1000m). Both youngsters have benefitted from jumpouts down the straight and will carry the stable's hopes against a line-up of fellow first starters. Meanwhile, across the Tasman, Te Akau's Matamata team is targeting their local feature, the Listed Team Wealleans Matamata Cup (1600m), with My Lips Are Sealed. Although her trials left connections underwhelmed, her first-up effort at Ellerslie gave renewed confidence. "Her trials before her first start were a bit below par, but I thought her run first-up was quite good and she has improved," Walker said. "She is down on the minimum and a wet track shouldn't worry her." The weekend, then, shapes as a showcase of emerging talent mixed with familiar ambition, as Te Akau's dual bases look to stamp their mark both at home and abroad.

    Melody Belle

     14-times Gr1 heroine Melody Belle was simply a freak (pic: Bruno Cannatelli)

  • Riverside Gearing Up for Inglis Ready2Race

    Friday, 3rd October 2025
    With the Inglis Ready2Race Sale fast approaching, attention turned this week to breeze-up sessions across Australia and New Zealand, producing a number of standout performances. Progeny of leading sires Toronado, Exceed and Excel, Harry Angel, Zoustar and Ole Kirk all caught the eye, with footage of their gallops now available online. The Warwick Farm session showcased youngsters by a mix of proven and emerging stallions including Too Darn Hot, Farnan, Bivouac and The Autumn Sun, highlighting the depth of talent that will step into the Riverside ring on October 16. The fastest performance came from the Toronado colt out of Baccarat Bay, offered by Cade Hunter and Liam Ruddy's Hunter's Lodge, who stopped the clock at 10.05 seconds for 200 metres. "We're really happy with the draft we've put together," Ruddy said. "The Toronado colt has been an absolute stand out, every piece of work that we've done with him has been easy, he's got the best temperament, he's just so relaxed. Cade's got a really good breaking and pre-training business and Sara Ryan is obviously a very established trainer so we joined forces and hopefully it makes a good recipe to have a successful sale." Hannover Lodge also produced notable times, with an All Too Hard gelding recording 10.10 and a Dirty Work colt 10.13, while Hueppe Racing's Hinnerk Hueppe praised his All Too Hard youngster as "very intelligent, good moving" with trial potential already evident. Vendors across the Tasman were equally enthusiastic, with seven New Zealand consignors presenting drafts at Taupo. Prima Park led the way, producing the two fastest times of the session, an Exceed and Excel colt and a Farnan gelding who breezed in 10.38 and 10.45 respectively. "We've thought a lot of the Exceed and Excel colt since the first time we galloped him, so it was really encouraging to see all our hard work over the last few months come to fruition today," Kelly Van Dyke said. Jamie Beatson's Ohukia Lodge was also prominent, with an Autumn Sun colt breezing in 10.45, one of four he will bring to Sydney. Meanwhile at Wangaratta, Nolen Racing's Pinatubo colt delivered a slick 10.22 under Luke Nolen, with the rider describing him as one of the best he had ever breezed. His brother Peter Nolen also pointed to the Portland Sky colt as another highlight of their draft. Among the individual prospects attracting attention was a Zoustar filly from Baystone Farm's draft, already named Rachini, who trainer Troy Corstens believes can make an immediate impact. "She's had a busy week, she trialled on Friday down the straight at Flemington and ran third and she was very good. We breezed her today and she's run 10.81, looking superb, but we've always had a massive opinion of her. As long as she continues to do well, I think she would be a very legitimate candidate for the Debutant – she's that good." Inglis Bloodstock Sales Manager Harry Bailey said the sessions had exceeded expectations, with 85 percent of the catalogue purchased specifically for this sale. "Our expectations were that the breeze sessions would showcase a very high standard of horse and I think it's fair to say they exceeded our expectations," Bailey said. With inspections beginning October 13, the sale leads into an action-packed week in Sydney, culminating with the $20 million Everest at Randwick on the Saturday.

  • Strong Breeders' Plate Hopes for Waterhouse & Bott

    Friday, 3rd October 2025
    A look back over the past 15 years or so of the Breeders' Plate reveals that Gai Waterhouse has produced two outstanding colts in Pierro and Vancouver, while Peter Snowden was responsible for Capitalist, and come this Saturday it is only the Waterhouse/Bott stable who has involvement in this year's Gr3 Breeders' Plate (1000m) aiming to produce the next Gr1-winning stallion prospect. Set to saddle up three runners, all of the Waterhouse/Bott representatives were winners at the September 22 barrier trials. Of the trio, it was the Newgate Farm, Magic Millions sold Eviction Notice (Stay Inside-Euroboss, by Street Boss) who recorded a better time, only marginally ahead of I'm Ya Huckleberry (Home Affairs-Key, by Exceed And Excel), while the third of the trio is Darby Racing's Revengeance (Hellbent-Havasu, by Sacred Falls). It's interesting to note that both Eviction Notice and the Kia Ora Stud yearling sale graduate I'm Ya Huckleberry are by first season sires, joining Annabel and Rob Archibald's Half Pipe (Extreme Warrior-Thurlow, by Sebring) and the James Harron's $1m Magic Millions yearling purchase Ingognito (Stay Inside-Bleu Zebra, by I Am Invincible) – the highest priced yearling from the first crop of his Golden Slipper winning sire. With Eviction Notice marginally ahead of I'm Ya Huckleberry in the betting, it looks as if the Waterhouse/Bott yard will add another Breeders' Plate to their record.

    Home Affairs

    Home Affairs could theoretically have 3 stakes winners on Saturday (pic: Mark Gatt)

  • Leading Stable Looking to Improve Gimcrack Record

    Friday, 3rd October 2025
    Just like the Gr3 Breeders' Plate, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable saddles up three runners in Saturday's Gr3 Gimcrack Stakes (1000m) for the fillies. While the stable's record in the race is nowhere near as good as with the colts, having only produced one winner since 1999, the stable goes into this year's race with two trial winners, and another who ran third to her stablemate. Winning her trial by a little over a half-length margin, Shiki (Too Darn Hot-Jest Excel, by Exceed And Excel) races in the silks of Kurrinda Bloodstock and also in the same trial was stablemate The Wilding (Wild Ruler-Tarabai, Sepoy), with the first crop daughter of her sire finishing third, three-quarters of a length off the winner. The final runner for the stable who impressed with an almost two length trial win was the Darby Racing purchased Home Invasion (Home Affairs-Catwalk, by Foxwedge), and like the stable's leading chance in the Breeders' Plate I'm Ya Huckleberry (Home Affairs-Key, by Exceed And Excel), is from the first crop of Coolmore's dual Gr1-winning I Am Invincible stallion Home Affairs. Another who looked quite smart at the September 22 trials was the Tyreel Stud yearling graduate Oh Yes She Did (Yes Yes Yes-Lanikai, by I Am Invincible). Winning her heat by a little over a length and a half, the time that the Mitchell and Desiree Kearney trained filly recorded was a little slower than some of the others, but she appeared to do it with plenty in hand and could be the one to defeat the leading hoples.

  • Coolmore Stud Stakes Chances Head Danehill Stakes

    Friday, 3rd October 2025
    With Clinton McDonald's exciting Listed McKenzie Stakes winner Rosberg (Deep Field-Sheer Pleasure, by Birdonthewire) on the second line of betting behind last week's Gr1 Golden Rose winner Beiwacht (Bivouac) for the upcoming Gr1 Coolmore Stud Stakes along with Tentryis (Street Boss-Deity, by Exceed And Excel) being equal fourth favourite for the 1200m sprint, Saturday's Gr2 Danehill Stakes is sure to be an exciting race. Interestingly, Jamie Melham who rode Rosberg last start sticks with Gr3 Vain Stakes winner Jimmy Recard (I Am Invincible-Aquamosa, by Alamosa), while her husband Ben partners the McDonald-trained colt, having ridden him in a recent jumpout at Flemington where he finished fourth, with Tentryis in second. Likely to have taken a leading role in the results of the Gr1 Golden Slipper had he not injured himself after winning the Gr2 Todman Stakes, the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Tentryis may need the run on Saturday considering he will be first up, but the Gr1 placed colt has shown huge potential and could just be too classy for the race fit brigade. The unbeaten Legacy Bound (Ole Kirk-Sanaya, by More Than Ready) who is currently around 20/1 for the Coolmore Stud Stakes was a last start winner of the Listed Poseidon Stakes (1100m) down the Flemington straight where he narrowly defeated Navy Pilot (I Am Invincible), with the colt then coming out and winning last Saturday to further frank the form.

  • $750k Knightsbridge Tackles Maribyrnong Trial

    Friday, 3rd October 2025
    With Bodyguard (I Am Invincible) winning the Listed Maribyrnong Trial two years back for James Harron Bloodstock, the leading syndicator will be back this year with Knightsbridge (Farnan-Festivity, by Nicconi). Purchased for $750,000 by James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership and Tony Fung Colts from the draft of Lime Country Thoroughbreds at the Magic Millions yearling sale, Knightsbridge is half-brother to Gr3-winning, multiple Gr1 placed Semana (Winning Rupert), who was purchased by Yulong earlier this year at the Inglis Chairman's Sale for $1.55m. Trained by G Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, the leading Randwick based stable look likely to have the favourite here, and also in both the Gr3 Gimcrack Stakes and Gr3 Breeders' Plate at Randwick – so it could be a great 35 minutes for the stable should they win all three. Knightsbridge was one of six barrier trials winner on September 22 from the nine heats conducted for the stable and has been dispatched to Melbourne where he looks a leading chance to commence his campaign in winning form. The Tony and Calvin McEvoy yard have accepted with three of the 12 runners with both Knurl (Brazen Beau-Mollycoddle, by Lonhro) and Sabrina (Blue Point-Witchfulthinking, by War Chant) coming into the race unbeaten in two public jumpouts. The third of the trio is the Rosemont Stud bred and sold One Day At A Time (Bivouac-Everyday Lady, by Charge Forward) who comes from the family of Horse of the Year Weekend Hussler (Hussonet), and should the colt possess an ounce of his ability, then he is in with a show.

  • Turnbull Stakes the Key to Spring Prospects

    Friday, 3rd October 2025
    In a race that 12 months prior saw the future Gr1 Caulfield Cup quinella, Gr1 WS Cox Plate winner as well as the Gr1 Melbourne Cup winner all line up, surely this year's $750,000 Gr1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) field looks capable of following suit. Coming off a defeat in the Gr1 Makybe Diva Stakes, as she did last year before winning the Turnbull Stakes, the C J Waller trained Via Sistina (Fastnet Rock-Nigh, by Galileo) looks likely to start the favourite where she is more than ready to bounce back to winning form. Now out to 2000m, a distance she has tried just once, when finishing a narrow second to Broadsiding (Too Darn Hot) in the Gr1 Rosehill Guineas at 3, Via Sistina's stablemate Aeliana (Castelvecchio-Temolie, by Star Witness) will tackle arguably the hardest field she has come up against, but with two second placed efforts from her last two starts, the Gr1 ATC Derby winner is sure to once again run an outstanding race and put herself right in the picture for future spring goals. Unfortunately drawing wide in the outside barrier of 14, the G Waterhouse and A Bott trained Sir Delius (Frankel-Whatami, by Daylami) is in great form, having defeating Buckaroo (Fastnet Rock) last start in the Gr1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at just his second start of the campaign. Second favourite for the upcoming Cox Plate and equal favourite for the Melbourne Cup, the 2024 Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale topper will once again have the services of Craig William and if the stallion can match it with Via Sistina, both this race, as well as the Cox Plate will be extremely interesting races.

    Aeliana

    Aeliana is spoiling for a fight (pic: Bradley Photographers)

  • Gilgai Stakes Winner is Anyone's Guess

    Friday, 3rd October 2025
    Although trainer Joe Pride used the Gr2 Gilgai Stakes as a lead up race to The Everest a few years back when Private Eye (Al Maher) won down the Flemington straight before beating all bar Giga Kick (Scissor Kick) in the $15m sprint, there doesn't appear to be an Everest candidate in Saturday's race, at least not on paper anyway. While the Ben, Will and JD Hayes trained War Machine (Harry Angel-Caserta, by Hussonet) went to another level last time in, winning the Gr3 BRC Sprint before success in the Gr1 Stradbroke Handicap, the 5YO gelding is yet to win at 1200m, and surely connections would like to see him charging home late. Having just his second start for the Ciaron Maher stable and now resuming after a spell, the former Matthew Smith trained Buenos Noches (Supido-Koi, by Northern Meteor) has solid Flemington straight form on his side, winning the Listed Poseidon Stakes (1100m), finishing second in the Gr2 Danehill Stakes (1200m) before third in the Gr1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at 3, while the 6YO also has a second to Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) in the Gr1 Darley Champions Sprint (1200m) in November 2023. Given two easy trials into Saturday's race and with fair first up form, the Widden Stud bred gelding is not without a chance. Having won three of her last five starts including two at black type level, 4YO mare Bridal Waltz (Snitzel-Charleston Dancer, by Lonhro) comes into the race off a Pakenham jumpout victory. Drawn barrier 13 of 17, it's hard to know what side of the track may be favoured, but if she can get a cosy run up on the speed without too much pressure, then she may have enough in the tank when it matters.

  • History Favours Minnie Hauk for Gr1 Arc

    Friday, 3rd October 2025
    Clarity has arrived for the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe market with news that triple Group 1 heroine Minnie Hauk will be supplemented at a cost of €120,000. According to racingpost.com, the Coolmore partners confirmed their commitment after arranging for Christophe Soumillon to partner the filly in work last week, ensuring he was familiar with the Oaks winner and her victories at Chester, Curragh and York. The move has been reflected in betting markets, where she is now a $4.50 chance with most operators, save for William Hill and Coral, who continue to resist trimming her to shorter odds. Since Zarkava ended a lengthy drought for fillies in 2008, the Arc has regularly fallen to the fairer sex, with ten of the past 17 editions won by mares or three-year-old fillies. Minnie Hauk is being lined up to join that illustrious roll alongside Zarkava, Danedream, Treve and Enable, and Aidan O’Brien believes both the weight allowance and the time of year are significant advantages. “This filly looks like a progressive three-year-old and everyone says that type of filly has a good chance in the Arc,” he said during a France Galop press conference. O’Brien stressed her campaign had been measured, with ample spacing between runs and a careful progression through elite races to ensure she peaked as autumn arrived. “With a three-year-old filly they can progress into another gear at this time of year. They’re slowly turning into four-year-olds so it’s going to be interesting. We’re as fascinated as everyone else to see which way it falls,” O’Brien explained. “We’re very happy with her. She’s done everything we’ve asked since York. Christophe sat on her for the first time during the week and he was very happy. He did a nice half-speed piece of work with her on Wednesday and it seemed to go well.” The Ballydoyle trainer confirmed there were no additional Arc entries coming from his yard, with Whirl heading instead to the Prix de l’Opera and Los Angeles, last year’s third, set to represent the stable again under Wayne Lordan. Confidence in Los Angeles has also been bolstered. “We’re very happy with his work since the Prix Foy,” O’Brien said. “We felt maybe he was a week behind last time and two weeks behind for his first run back, and we think he’s nearly caught up. He’s doing well and we couldn’t be happier.” When asked whether the colt could concede ten pounds under the weight-for-age and sex allowance conditions to Minnie Hauk, O’Brien was pragmatic. “I’m never surprised, anything can happen in a race and there are so many variables that you have no control over. They’ve never worked together and had completely different preparations. It will be interesting. She looks a very good filly and he is slowly returning to his best. All we can do is have them right, hope for clean runs, and see how they measure up.” O’Brien, who won the Arc with Dylan Thomas and Found, has Coolmore’s backing once again to test Europe’s most searching examination.

  • New Black Type Opportunities for Saint Bathans

    Friday, 3rd October 2025
    A fresh chapter awaits Saint Bathans in Southland, where the seasoned performer is being readied for a tilt at stakes company under the care of Ascot Park trainer Robert Dennis. Formerly with Andrew Forsman in Cambridge and later Flemington, the son of Maurice has banked five victories on both sides of the Tasman and ran second in last year’s Rich Hill Mile. Now leased to a syndicate of Dennis’ clients, he has settled into his new surroundings and is being aimed at Friday’s Olphert Contracting Handicap over 1600m. His first-up outing over 1100m at Gore was treated as little more than a trial, and with a step up in trip and a lighter weight, Dennis is optimistic the gelding will be far more competitive, provided he handles a Heavy10 surface. Should he recapture form, the TAB Racing Club Mile looms as a Group Three option. Dennis will also saddle Stolen Magic in the same race, a mare who has been specifically targeted for the contest. With just 54kg on her back and an affinity for wet conditions, the four-year-old arrives second-up after a trial and a run that should have her close to peak. Elsewhere on the Ascot Park programme, the stable will mount a strong hand in the Vale Tony Dennis, run in honour of the trainer’s late father. Sir Sterling, bred and owned by Greg McCarthy, spearheads the quartet after resuming with a smart win at Gore last month. Up in weight but partnered again by Daniel Bothamley, the gelding is expected to relish a return to Invercargill, where he has a perfect record. The Radiant One and On Song add depth to the team in the STAC Weddings Handicap. For The Radiant One, the 1200m assignment is a first-up stepping stone en route to New Zealand Cup Week in Christchurch, with fitness rather than results the immediate focus. By contrast, On Song is known to strike fresh and carries only a light impost with Tina Comignaghi booked. Though she tackles open company for the first time, Dennis believes that at her best she can be competitive. Their efforts will provide an early gauge of the stable’s prospects heading into a busy southern spring. Beyond the older brigade, the barn’s rising stock will also be showcased. Three-year-old filly Swoomee Swan, by Darci Brahma, is using the Nigel Robertson Building Maiden as a trial for the New Zealand 1000 Guineas. Runner-up on debut, her credentials have been boosted by subsequent form from that race, and Dennis regards her highly despite preferring firmer footing. Another to watch is Pretty Fly, resuming in the One Agency Maiden. Close to a breakthrough last term, Dennis is hopeful maturity will enable her to find the improvement needed to turn promise into victory.
Amarina Farm
Arrowfield Stud
Bell River Thoroughbreds
Berkeley Park Stud
Bhima Thoroughbreds
Blue Gum Farm
Bombora Downs
Bowness Stud
Clear Mountain Fairview
Coolmore Stud
Cressfield
Evergreen Stud
Goodwood Farm
Kia Ora
Kingstar Farm
Lime Country Thoroughbreds
Mill Park Stud
Murrulla Stud
Newgate Farm
Newhaven Park
North
Segenhoe Stud
Silverdale Farm
Sledmere Stud
Torryburn Stud
Tyreel Stud
Vinery Stud
Widden Stud
Willow Park Stud
Yarraman Park Stud

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 2nd Season
Anders Established
Artie Schiller Established
Awesome Rock Established
Barbados Established
Barbaric 1st crop 2YOs
Best Of Bordeaux Established
Better Than Ready Established
Bivouac Established
Brave Smash Established
Brazen Beau Established
Bruckner 3rd Season
Bull Point Established
Bullbars Established
Cape Of Good Hope 3rd Season
Capitalist Established
Captivant 1st crop 2YOs
Castelvecchio Established
City Of Troy Established
Cliff's Edge Established
Cogburn 1st Season
Cool Aza Beel Established
D'argento Established
Danerich Established
Dash For Cash Established
De Gaulle Established
Delaware 1st crop 2YOs
Denman Established
Dirty Work Established
Dissident Established
Don Corleone 2nd Season
Doubtland Established
Dubious Established
Dundeel Established
Ellsberg 3rd Season
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 2nd Season
Headwater Established
Hellbent Established
Hitotsu 3rd Season
Home Affairs Established
I Am Immortal Established
I Am Invincible Established
Ilovethiscity Established
Invader Established
Jacquinot 3rd Season
Ka Ying Master 3rd Season
Kermadec Established
King Colorado 2nd Season
King's Legacy Established
Lofty Strike 2nd 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 2nd Season
Murtajill Established
My Admiration Established
Needs Further Established
Nicconi Established
Nostradamus Established
Officiating 2nd Season
Ole Kirk Established
Pariah Established
Pierata Established
Pierro Established
Pinatubo 1st crop 2YOs
Playing God Established
Portland Sky 1st crop 2YOs
Power Established
Prague 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 1st 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 2nd 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
Turffontein Established
Unite And Conquer Established
Universal Ruler Established
Vancouver Established
Vandeek Established
Victor Ludorum 1st crop 2YOs
Von Costa De Hero Established
Wandjina Established
Winning Rupert Established
Wooded 1st crop 2YOs
Wootton Bassett Established
Worthy Cause Established
Written By Established
Written Tycoon Established
Xtravagant Established
Your Song Established
Zousain Established
Zoustar Established