The Inglis Ready2Race Sale reached an unprecedented high with a record-breaking top lot and the largest turnover in the event’s history. Momentum built early at Riverside and never slowed, culminating in a Toronado colt out of Baccarat Baby from Hunters Lodge fetching $900,000 from Hermitage Thoroughbreds. That result propelled the sale’s gross to $19,054,000, eclipsing last year’s mark by more than $2.3 million and underscoring a vibrant market for ready-to-run juveniles. The atmosphere around the complex matched the numbers. A record 64 lots exceeded $100,000, while 39 surpassed $200,000, pushing the clearance rate to 75 per cent. Among them, the Toronado colt – destined for Caspar Fownes in Hong Kong – had been one of the most discussed prospects heading into the sale. Hunters Lodge partners Cade Hunter and Liam Ruddy, who bought the colt for $250,000 at this year’s Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, could scarcely believe their return in their first foray as breeze-up vendors. “It couldn’t feel any better to be honest, it couldn’t have gone any better,” said Ruddy. “The whole draft has sold really well, the clearance rate has been good, and everybody is getting a good return on investment so we’re really, really over the moon.” Bidding opened at their reserve of $400,000, immediately sending a charge through the auditorium. “That was just the best feeling,” Ruddy said. “We took a deep breath and after that it was just fun. We were trying to keep track of who was bidding but there were so many bids coming from so many directions.” His partner was equally stunned. “I’m speechless,” Hunter admitted. “It’s so great to get a result like that. It’s a great feeling, an unbelievable feeling, especially with the bidding going up in $100,000 increments. The result for the draft as a whole has just been unbelievable for our first year. It’s overwhelming, we appreciate the support from everyone.” Hermitage’s long-time bloodstock ally Guy Mulcaster described the colt as an obvious standout. “We identified him off the breeze ups and then we saw him physically and he matched his breeze so it was a no-brainer,” he said. “It was a great result for them. When you saw him physically you could see there was a fair bit of improvement in him too.” Hermitage’s second major purchase came in the form of an I Am Invincible colt out of Maroon Bay offered by Crossley Thoroughbreds for $675,000, another highlight of the session. “This colt has paraded beautifully all week, he’s a vendor’s dream,” said Mitch Pearce. “I just can’t wait to watch his racetrack future.” Hermitage led all buyers with six purchases totalling $2,585,000, while Tal Nolen topped the vendors’ list, selling all 15 lots for $2,188,000. Inglis Bloodstock CEO Sebastian Hutch was ecstatic with the outcome of the auction. “We felt before the sale that we were better prepared than ever before, in terms of our work with both vendors and buyers, which in turn bred a level of confidence that the sale would go well,’’ Hutch said. “That was a very, very strong breeze up sale. You only need to look at the buying bench – great international support with buyers from China, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines etc but also good domestic support from the likes of Waterhouse/Bott, Price/Kent, Ciaron Maher, Bjorn Baker, Darby Racing, Archibald Racing, James Harron, Matthew Smith, Triple Crown, Lloyd Kennewell etc – and the fact it ended with a gross that eclipses the previous record for the sale by over $2.3m coupled with a really strong clearance rate, it’s a quite exceptional outcome."
The record-setting $900k Toronado colt will go to Hong Kong (pic: inglis.com.au)
JMac Still Believes Ka Ying Rising is Beatable
Friday, 17th October 2025
The only jockey who's twice beaten Ka Ying Rising now shapes as the biggest threat to his domination, with James McDonald set to partner Joliestar against the Hong Kong star in Saturday's A$20 million The Everest at Randwick. McDonald's victories aboard Wunderbar last year remain the only blemishes on the record of Ka Ying Rising, who arrives rated the world's best sprinter and a commanding favourite. While others have faltered chasing him, McDonald has also placed behind him at Group level with Howdeepisyourlove, and brings quiet confidence into his latest challenge. Aboard Joliestar for Chris Waller, he'll carry both local expectations and a well-informed gauge of what it takes to topple the Hong Kong invader. "He's a superstar, he's an absolute superstar," said McDonald after a gallop at Rosehill. "If he brings his Sha Tin form, he's almost impossible to beat. I've ridden some good horses against him and he's made them look pretty second-rate, to be fair." But the local ace isn't bowing just yet. "This is a different kettle of fish. It's probably the toughest test to date for him and he's going to know he's in a horse race, especially with the likes of Jimmysstar, Briasa, Joliestar and Lady Shenandoah coming at him. He'll need to be at the top of his game." Waller has three runners in The Everest this year – Joliestar, Lady Shenandoah and Angel Capital—and is embracing the spotlight Ka Ying Rising brings. Having already claimed two Everests, Waller knows how to prepare for the occasion and sees the international presence as raising the race to new heights. "The best thing about Ka Ying Rising being in the race is that it brings an international flavour to this year's event and that's what we want to see here in Australia," he said. "We've got the best sprinters in the world and we take them overseas and normally get it right. To see the horse coming here with the world's highest rating – Australia has got something to prove." Joliestar's win in The Shorts last start, sweeping late from wide, showcased her readiness for this clash. Yet Waller sees all three of his charges as capable of rising to the occasion. "All three of ours are, in my eyes, good enough to win the race and every horse will have to be at their best to do it," he said. "It's just a great contest. It's not that different to an Olympic sprint final, everyone has to be on their game, get a good clean start and have everything go their way. There's only going to be two or three metres from first to sixth placing. It's the best of the best coming together on Saturday at Randwick."
James McDonald will be aboard Joliestar in The Everest (pic: Mark Gatt)
Stallion Status On The Line in Everest
Friday, 17th October 2025
Surprisingly, of the 12 final slot runners in Saturday's $20m Gr1 The Everest (1200m), only one runner could elevate his stallion appeal if successful in the Royal Randwick sprint – that's right, Angel Capital (Harry Angel-Bahamas, by Teofilo) is the only male runner in the field who could benefit commercially from a forward showing. While to date, Yes Yes Yes (Rubick) is the only winner in the eight previous years to have won the race as a colt, and the Gooree Park based stallion is doing a reasonable job at stud as the sire of eight stakes performers amongst his 60 individual winners. In the earlier years of the Everest, runners such as Brave Smash, Trapeze Artist, Graff, Pierata and Bivouac have all performed well at stud after contesting the race, while the likes of future prospects such as Home Affairs, Wild Ruler and Jacquinot are sure to step up to the plate as stallions in the near future. With nothing really going to plan in the Gr1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) last start for Angel Capital where jockey Damian Lane's post-race one-liner stated summed it up perfectly "Pilot had a nightmare," the Yulong-raced 4YO is hopefully in for a change of luck. A winner twice at 1200m, both at Listed level, Angel Capital has never raced the Sydney way of going but has had five barrier trials in Sydney suggesting that the clockwise way of going shouldn't pose any issues. Bred by David Peacock and sold through Mill Park's draft at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, Angel Capital is the equal second highest priced Australian yearling sold by Darley's Harry Angel to date and being one of three stakes winners out of his dam clearly suggests he has pedigree on his side. Angel Capital's dam Bahamas is due to foal this season to Harry Angel, producing a full relation to the Yulong-owned stallion prospect.
Freedman Filly to Appreciate Ethereal Stks Journey
Friday, 17th October 2025
With only four of the 13 final acceptances for Saturday's Gr3 Ethereal Stakes (2000m) currently under double figure odds, the race appears slightly wide open, and a rough result would not surprise. Current favourite is the narrow last start Gr2 Manifold Stakes runner-up Just A Journey (Justify-Caravan, by Snitzel). Trained by Michael Freedman, the filly is yet to finish outside the top five in all her seven starts and with master tactician Blake Shinn in the saddle, the filly is sure to be given every chance. The second foal out of a half-sister to Group 1 sprinter Wild Ruler (Snitzel), Just A Journey is also out of a half-sister to Pavitra (American Pharoah) who placed in the Gr1 VRC Oaks, Gr1 Vinery Stud Stakes, Gr2 Wakeful Stakes and also this very race a few years back, clearly suggesting that the pedigree is capable of producing both sprinters and stayers. Another on pedigree who should not find the distance an issue is the Dom Sutton-trained After Summer (The Autumn Sun-Al Jasrah, by Shirocco), who broke her maiden last time out over 1800m when having her third career start. With her sire experiencing a great run at present highlighted by two recent Group 1 winners, After Summer is a half-sister to the stakes placed Calling The Wind (Authorized), a winner over 4000m, while they are both out of a half-sister to the dam of four-time Group 1 winner Hartnell (Authorized). Another runner of interest who will be having just her second start off the back of a debut third over 1600m is the Mark Walker trained Future Frankie (Frankel-Mirai E, by Deep Impact). Bred by Ozzie Kheir, the filly is out of a sister to multiple Australian Group 1 winner Tosen Stardom (Deep Impact) from the family of Gr1 Tokyo Tenno Sho (2000m) winner Tosen Jordan (Jungle Pocket).
Ingham's Queen Set To Be Crowned King, Again
Friday, 17th October 2025
A winner two years ago in the Gr1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m), the C J Waller trained Fangirl (Sebring-Little Surfer Girl, by Encosta de Lago) disappointed last year in the race as the second favourite, but as everyone knows the mare simply does not like wet tracks - and it was rated slow last year. Likely to start favourite this year, the $10.6m earner comes into the race off the back of two impressive wins, and with both being over the Randwick 1600m, she is once again set to run one hell of a race with James McDonald in the saddle. Although drawn wide in barrier 11, it will not be an issue as the 7YO does like to get back, but the one concern is if Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai-Sancerre, by O'Reilly) is able to use her speed to lead and stretch the field out, leaving many lengths to make up in the straight. Although the Ciaron Maher-trained mare may not be in quite the form that we have seen in the past, her last start win was impressive, and you only need to think back to the Gr1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes of 2024 when she brained a world class field by more than six lengths at Randwick. The main danger to the mares is likely to come from 8YO gelding Mr Brightside (Bullbars-Lilahjay, by Tavistock) who comes into the race off a victory over Waller's Aeliana (NZ) (Castelvecchio) and Via Sistina (Fastnet Rock) in the Gr1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m). A winner of consecutive Gr1 Doncaster Handicaps over the famed Randwick Mile, aged hasn't wearied Mr Brightside and a win here would not surprise.
Fangirl loves Randwick's mile (pic: Steve Hart)
Favourite Already Appears Half Way Home
Friday, 17th October 2025
With short-priced favourites in many of the leading races on Saturday, the $5m Gr1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) is another with the Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained Half Yours (St Jean-La Gazelle, by Desert King) coming into the race with as many boxes ticked as possible. His three runs this time in have been nothing but sensational, even in defeat. Classy in winning the Gr3 Naturalism Stakes two runs back when ensuring his ballot-free position in the Caulfield Cup, the 5YO then finished fourth in the Gr1 Turnbull Stakes with 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 5th in that race being the top four in betting for the Cox Plate. Dropping from the 56kg he carried that day to just 52.5kg on Saturday, a half kilo more than last year's winner carried (who interestingly also finished fourth in the Turnbull Stakes), jockey Jamie Melham looks ready to add a first Caulfield Cup win to her resume. With the Gr1 Metropolitan (2400m) often used as a key lead up race, we have just three coming through that race. Metrop winner Royal Supremacy (IRE) (Make Believe-Adelasia, by Iffraaj) goes up two and a half kilos from his win while the seventh placed Birdman (GB) (Free Eagle-Carol, by Acclamation) who had just three behind him on the home turn to work home for seventh only rises one kilo and could be the one to watch. While it has been a few years since an internationally-trained runner has won the Cup, this year's race sees four in the race. With all four coming into the feature off last start placed efforts, the money has come for the Simon and Ed Crisford trained Meydan (IRE) (Frankel-Nezwaah, by Dubawi), and while his form is hard to gauge, it is worth keeping an eye on him.
Snitzel is First to a Black Type Century
Friday, 17th October 2025
It is, to be fair, a veritable case of “Round up the usual suspects.” Two-and-a-half months into the new racing season finds a familiar pattern emerging at the top end of the Stallion Premiership. In drama writ large, Snitzel triumphed at the eleventh hour of the 2024-25 Black Type season. To date in a fresh competition, the ill-fated champion sire-son of Redoute’s Choice has gathered fifteen on-the-board entries since 23 August when he bagged a double, courtesy of Baraqiel and Lazzura. Since then, he has continued his momentum every weekend – but for that of 31 August – to the point that he is now free-wheeling on 100 points at the top of the 2025-26 Black Type Stallion table. Just like T20 statistics lay bare, it’s difficult to win matches without batters achieving ‘maximums’. Ergo, with the most points on offer, Group 1 performances – worth 13, 11 and 10 points for placegetters – add significantly to aggregation. To date, Snitzel’s points tally has been augmented by three efforts. They include victories by the afore-mentioned Baraqiel in the Gr1 Moir Stakes – he also finished runner-up in the Gr1 Manikato – and last Saturday’s success by Transatlantic in the Gr1 Toorak Handicap. Outside of that duo, Snitzel’s run of form has been aided by cameo stakes performances from, in alpahabetical order, Amur, Bridal Waltz, Lady Shenandoah, Lazzura, and Marhoona. Not yet mentioned is well-named colt Beadman who caught the eye in dramatic fashion when gutting his opponents in last season’s Gr3 Ken Russell Memorial Classic at the Gold Coast. Subsequently awarded a very high 99 rating after the 8.3-length drubbing, there were some questioning whether the son of Snitzel could perform on a firmer track. After finishing third, beaten less than a length, in the Listed Heritage Stakes (Good) on 27 September, he backed up last Saturday in the Gr2 Roman Consul (Good) where most pundits concur he was a good thing beaten after struggling to escape a traffic jam. There’s little doubt Beadman’s a big watch who may well go on to challenge in elite company in the not-too-distant future. Meanwhile, albeit he holds a 23-point buffer, Snitzel has serious company in his slipstream and there’s an awful lot of water to go under the bridge before the end of next July.
2025 Tassie 3YO Cohort a Formidable Bunch
Friday, 17th October 2025
Confidence in Tasmania’s blossoming three-year-old ranks lifted again following the dominant debut win of Swift Force in Launceston on Sunday, further strengthening what is already being hailed as one of the strongest crops in recent years, according to tasracing.com.au. Sent out short in the market after firming from as much as $8, the Magnus filly proved the hype was warranted in the 3YO Maiden (1100m), exploding to the front under Georgie Catania and putting 4.5 lengths on her rivals. Her last 600m clocked 34.18s, the fastest of the meeting, and the performance immediately prompted discussion about what targets may lie ahead. Trainer John Keys wasn’t surprised but admitted there was some relief mixed in. “We’ve been waiting for a while, she’s been hard work and to see her do it like she did was a big relief.” Purchased for $30,000 at the 2024 Tasmanian Magic Millions Yearling Sale, she banked $36,550 at her first outing. The stable is weighing up whether to press on to the $125,000 3YO Cup (1200m) on 21 November, the same night as the Listed Newmarket Handicap. Keys didn’t rule it out but hinted other options may suit better. What’s certain is that Swift Force has emerged among a strong pool of recent maiden winners including Crack The Shutters, Geegees Missile, Sanniya, Mazzini and Zany Girl – all shaping as genuine players heading into the Summer Racing Festival. “We’re certainly going to tackle them. In my opinion, she’s above average, so who knows where next.” It was part of a stellar weekend for the Keys name, with Tasmanian-bred Cartoon Graveyard landing the $120,000 Listed Murray Bridge Cup (1600m) the day prior. The six-year-old gelding, now with Will Clarken, was always aimed at the South Australian feature and delivered stylishly. From barrier one, Kayla Crowther – she celebrated winning the feature race in consecutive years – guided the $3.30 second elect to a strong win by nearly two lengths, cementing his status as a versatile and now stakes-winning campaigner. Connections are undecided on whether to return home or target opportunities further west, but with a Cup win now on his record, the road ahead is wide open.
Aggregate & Median Records for Tatts Book 2
Friday, 17th October 2025
Tattersalls’ Book 2 October Yearling Sale signed off with fresh benchmarks across key metrics, headlined by a buoyant final session that saw trade crest 70 million guineas for the first time. The aggregate reached 70,124,500 guineas, a new high-water mark comfortably surpassing 2024’s record figure. Median prices climbed 9% year-on-year to 76,000 guineas, while clearance hovered at a robust 92% – confirmation of the market’s appetite for depth and quality. As if to underline the week’s dominant theme, Night Of Thunder stamped both the top and second-top lots on the final day of Book 2. A colt consigned by New England Stud triggered a fierce bidding war between trainer George Boughey and agent Anthony Stroud before being knocked down to Boughey for 800,000 guineas. It was a fitting peak to a week that had seen the stallion’s stock rise sharply with each session. Boughey, who trains the Night Of Thunder colt Bow Echo – winner of the Gr2 Royal Lodge Stakes and prominent in early betting for next year’s 2000 Guineas – confirmed that the new acquisition had been secured on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed Obaid. “We had some stiff competition,” he said. “He has been bought for Sheikh Mohammed Obaid. He looks very similar to Bow Echo. Sheikh Obaid picked him out – obviously we are delighted to train him.” The colt’s dam, Quenelle D’Or, was a Listed-winning daughter of Golden Horn from the celebrated Ouija Board family, adding further depth to a February foal already glowing on pedigree. Boughey added: “The colt is from a good family, the mare was a Listed winner. He looks like he will be one for next summer onwards. Sheikh Obaid is a patient owner and hopefully this colt can emulate what Bow Echo did. We have had three or four by the sire, they have all won their maidens but Bow Echo is the first with us to go on and look like a better horse.” He joked about Sheikh Obaid’s determination to secure the colt: “I had to pick the phone up twice to the Sheikh! We were well over, but he wanted the horse and it is great to have the horse in the barn.” Another Night Of Thunder yearling to command attention was a Ballyhimikin Stud-bred filly who drew an opening online bid of 200,000 guineas before Henry Lascelles secured her for 700,000 guineas. “We loved the filly,” said Lascelles. “She is going to be a two-year-old, and she is out of a fast dam who was Group placed at two.” The dam, Princesse De Saba, is a Group 3-placed daughter of Dariyan. Her first foal sold for 270,000 guineas in 2024 (to Australian agent John Foote), and she has since produced a Havana Grey colt and was covered by Blue Point.
Flight-Guineas Double On The Cards
Friday, 17th October 2025
Although in the last 12 years we have only seen two fillies – Global Glamour in 2016 and Guelph in 2013 – win the Gr1 Flight Stakes before taking out the Gr1 Thousand Guineas, this year's Flight Stakes winner, baring bad luck, looks already over the line in this year's Gr1 Thousand Guineas (1600m). Dominant this campaign, unbeaten in all three runs highlighted by a facile display in the Flight Stakes, the Michael Freedman trained Apocalyptic (Extreme Choice-Shadow, by Medaglia D'oro) looks ready to do the same down south. With no other runner in Saturday's field looking to have the class of the daughter of Newgate Farm's super sire Extreme Choice, at this stage we're really just really just trying to sort out the placegetters. C J Waller's third-placed Flight Stakes performer Karinska (Spirit of Boom-Show Some Leg, by Sebring) has continued to improve in each of her runs, and from barrier seven she looks in with a show. There is the form out of the Gr2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) and the Gr2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) that appear the leading form lines for the Melbourne fillies. The Ben, Will and JD Hayes trained Ethereum Girl (Maurice-Moonchild, by Charge Forward) ran up to win in the Prelude before her condition ran out ever so slightly, suggesting she could be the one with natural improvement here. Mark Walker's lightly raced Chateau Eze (GB) (Frankel-Antibes, Lonhro) looks an interesting prospect. Foaled in the UK, the filly does come from a mainly sprinting pedigree, but it is the family of Gr1 VRC Oaks winner Personal (Fastnet Rock) which should assist the improving filly.
Former Star Apprentice Returns to Ellerslie
Friday, 17th October 2025
A returning figure in the Ellerslie jockeys’ room this Saturday will be Kozzi Asano, who quietly resumes his New Zealand riding career after a 15-month stint in South Korea and a recent shift in family priorities. The Japanese-born rider made a swift impression after arriving in New Zealand, rising through the apprentice ranks to clinch the 2019/20 premiership. Across eight domestic seasons, he compiled 336 winners – including 20 at stakes level and two Group 1s – before taking up a contract in Korea, where he added another 40 victories to his tally. But the birth of his second child has drawn him back to Cambridge, where his young family is now based. “This is actually my maternity leave,” Asano reasoned. “We had our second baby on the 1st of October. My parents are coming over to help look after the grandchildren, so I thought I might as well get back into racing – not too much, more part-time. I won’t be travelling too far or riding every day, but it’ll be good to be out there.” In preparation, Asano has been riding trackwork for the past month, primarily for Stephen Marsh, and recently returned to the trials at Te Awamutu. He’s easing back into race fitness, content to rebuild gradually. “It’s been a while since I rode in a race here, just over 15 months, so I’ll see if I still remember how to do it,” he said with a smile. He’s booked for four mounts at Saturday’s feature meeting, highlighted by his ride aboard Savvy Donna in the Gr2 Windsor Park Stud Soliloquy Stakes (1400m). He also partners The Trendsetter in the Kingmakers Syndication 1400, Gentian Blue in the Horizon By SkyCity 1600, and Sasperella in the Trackside.co.nz 1200. Ellerslie’s revamped StrathAyr surface is another point of intrigue. Asano had only a handful of rides there before leaving, but he’s eager to reacquaint himself. “When I left, they’d just introduced the StrathAyr and said it would get better with use. It seems that way, so it’ll be good to ride at a proper headquarters track for New Zealand racing. I feel pretty privileged to get four rides on a day like this. Hopefully I can bring in some results.” Asano holds quiet hopes for his rides, particularly Savvy Donna and the seasoned Gentian Blue, who trialled up well and has proven form in stronger company.
Prima Park Primed for Big 72 Hours
Friday, 17th October 2025
From the auction ring in Sydney to the stakes spotlight at Ellerslie, Kelly Van Dyk’s Prima Park Bloodstock will have both commercial and racing interests engaged this week. While four juveniles step through the Inglis Ready2Race Sale on Thursday, her talented filly Places To Be will tackle Group company across the Tasman in Saturday’s Gr2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) — her first opportunity to earn black type. Prepared from Van Dyk’s Matamata base, Places To Be was unraced at two but made an instant impression when cruising to a dominant four-length win on debut at Taupo. A planned second-up run was aborted due to heavy ground, prompting a quiet but efficient trial outing last week at Waipa. “The trial was Plan B,” Van Dyk explained. “We planned to race her at Matamata but with the rain that came, we weren’t prepared to start her on that heavy track. We took her to the trials and tried to go as quietly as we possibly could. I think the jockey did as best as he could to keep her under a strong hold through the line and she’s come through it really well.” While the jump from maiden class to Group level is significant, the team has been buoyed by the filly’s demeanour and continued progression. “We’re under no illusion that it is a big step-up in class, but she’s given us no reason to doubt her,” said Van Dyk. “We really believe in her ability and she was not only impressive in her first start, but also her trial last week. She’s bang on – I don’t think we could have her any better.” Places To Be is the first foal out of the Pierro mare Socialights, who Van Dyk co-raced. Rather than offer the Hello Youmzain filly at public auction, she and co-breeder Ben Kwok elected to keep her, describing her as small and perhaps not suited to sales. Bevan Smith joined the ownership to race her, and she’s delivered promise from the outset. Prima Park’s draft for Thursday includes an Exceed And Excel colt out of Sebring mare Sharapova (Lot 128), while Lot 194, a Shamexpress gelding out of Blinkie has drawn particular interest following the Everest-bound rise of Ka Ying Rising. “We were keen to get involved in one of the early Ready to Run sales,” said Van Dyk. “Inglis does a fantastic job of assembling a good buying bench here, particularly from Hong Kong, so we’ve done our best to target that market.”
Places To Be tackles Group 2 company (pic: Peter Rubery Race Images)
