Monday, 7th July 2025
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  • NEW Resolute Racing Investment Pays Off

    Weekend, 7th July 2025
    A thrilling renewal of the Gr1 Prix Jean Prat unfolded at Deauville, culminating in a dramatic blanket finish between a pair of recent high-priced purchases. According to racingpost.com, local hopes Woodshauna and Maranoa Charlie battled out the final strides for a one-two result for the home team, while British-trained duo The Lion In Winter and Shadow Of Light were not far behind in a pulsating four-way conclusion. Victory went to Christophe Soumillon aboard the Francis Graffard-trained Woodshauna, who produced a storming late run from last to first to continue France’s recent grip on the race with a third consecutive win. Just half a length separated the top four, with Shadow Of Light narrowly denied a placing and The Lion In Winter showing signs of resurgence in third after recent disappointments. Favourite Cosmic Year, also trained in Britain, travelled menacingly into the race but faded badly late, finishing a disappointing seventh. For Woodshauna, it marked a swift return on a sizeable investment. Purchased by Resolute Bloodstock for £625,000 at last month’s Goffs London Sale, the Prix Texanita winner delivered immediate Group 1 success for American owner John Stewart and trainer Graffard. “He’s a lovely horse and his form was strong,” said Graffard, who notched four winners on the Deauville card. “I decided to skip Ascot for this race, so it worked out well. It was a big step. He’s got a great attitude and is improving physically, and he was given a great ride. He has a lot of speed and seven furlongs is the maximum. The Prix Maurice de Gheest (1300m) is definitely a race we can target and I think he will be better dropped back in distance.” Stewart, who launched Resolute in 2023 as a branch of his private equity firm MiddleGround Capital, has also invested in runners such as Goliath and Believing, and has active thoroughbred investments in Australia. Graffard paid tribute to his owner’s trust in the process. “I’m so happy for John, he’s a lovely, enthusiastic man for the industry,” he said. “He keeps the faith in me and my belief in the horses and lets me do what I think is best for the horses. He’s been rewarded with a nice win.”

  • NEW SA Jockey Title is Within Milne’s Grasp

    Weekend, 7th July 2025
    Over the weekend, Rochelle Milnes tightened her grip on the Adelaide Jockeys Premiership with a polished Gawler performance that not only restored her four-win buffer over Tayla Johnstone but also came moments after Lachie Neindorf had briefly closed the gap with a win of his own. According to racingsa.com.au, Neindorf had partnered The Western Front to victory for Victoria, but Milnes hit back immediately, guiding the Jon O’Connor-trained Winning Revolution to a smart success on the rain-affected track. The 5YO gelding, a veteran of seven wins and now with over $320,000 in prizemoney, was able to use barrier one to full effect, settling closer than usual thanks to Milnes’ assertive ride. O’Connor praised both horse and jockey post-race, noting the positive shift in tactics. “He’s probably described as a backmarker, but the only reason he gets so far back is that he’s had a shocking run with barriers his whole life,” he said. “On the odd occasion, he draws a gate, he can park as close as you like, and today, from the one gate, Rochelle was able to use it, and he always looked good in the run. It’s only her second ride on him, and she did a great job.” Also at Gawler, trainer Michael Hickmott enjoyed a winning double with Motorace and Wine Barron, the latter ridden by visiting Victorian apprentice Emily Pozman, who may now have a Darwin Cup tilt to look forward to. Meanwhile, over at Port Augusta on Sunday, Ichibansan claimed the City of Port Augusta Cup for Kylie McKerlie and jockey Dylan Caboche. The gelding led all the way and held off a determined late challenge from Our Destrier, giving McKerlie a satisfying result with a horse once considered a reluctant competitor. “He’s turned into a horse that tries,” she said. “He used to be a horse that threw the towel in when he got challenged, but now he seems to love the dirt.” The win took Ichibansan’s tally to nine and prizemoney to nearly $400,000 – an impressive record, even if it falls short of the exploits of his more celebrated Group 1-winning half-brother Dalasan.

  • NEW Golden Eagle Possible for Castelvecchio Colt

    Weekend, 7th July 2025
    Following Saturday, where he celebrated a Rosehill stakes victory and a winning double, trainer Joe Pride is weighing up a spring campaign centred around the $10 million Golden Eagle for El Castello, a promising colt recently transferred to his Warwick Farm stable following the departure of previous trainer Anthony Cummings. Although no firm plans have been made, racingnsw.com.au revealed Pride is seriously considering the lucrative Rosehill feature for 4YOs on November 1, calling it an “appealing” option despite the race not carrying Group 1 status. El Castello hasn’t raced since finishing fifth in the Victoria Derby, capping a stunning spring in which he jumped from a Warwick Farm maiden to Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes success in just over 50 days. His absence from the autumn was attributed by Cummings to minor issues and a potential “hangover” from that whirlwind spring campaign. Now under Pride’s guidance, the colt is being gradually brought back, though he’s unlikely to trial this month. “He’s still a colt, so you’ve got to train him and place him like that,” said Pride. “He’s not here to go through the grades, he’s a Group 1 winner already and we’ve got to improve on his record.” While Pride admits El Castello is “a bit behind some of my other spring horses”, he sees similarities to former stable star Private Eye, particularly with the Golden Eagle in mind. He also acknowledged the limited breeding value of staying Group 1 races in Australia, saying, “He’s a Spring Champion winner but those races aren’t attractive to Australian breeders so he’s got to win something at a mile or below.” Since his arrival, Pride has been pleased with what he’s seen. “I’m really happy to get him, he’s my style of horse,” he said. “He’s obviously come off the back of a setback, but he’s had time to get over that and we’ll see what we can do with him.” In other stable news, dual Group 1 winner Ceolwulf is preparing to resume in the Gr1 Winx Stakes (1400m) on August 23, though a trial date has yet to be confirmed. Meanwhile, Private Eye is on track for a first-up run in the Gr2 Missile Stakes (1200m) two weeks earlier, though Pride has not committed to that path. The rising 8YO returned from a short break after placing third in last month’s Gr1 Stradbroke Handicap and could instead head straight to the Winx Stakes to begin his spring preparation.

    El Castello

    Group 1 winner El Castello (pic: Steve Hart)

  • NEW Dangerous Hendra Virus Rears Its Head Again

    Weekend, 7th July 2025
    Queensland authorities are urging horse owners to vaccinate their animals against Hendra virus after a fatal case in the southeast marked the state’s first outbreak in three years, reports racenet.com.au. The infected horse, which was unvaccinated, died shortly after testing positive, prompting a health response to assess potential human exposure. Biosecurity Queensland confirmed the death on Sunday, with Queensland Health moving swiftly to monitor anyone who came into contact with the horse. Although human infections are rare, the virus can be deadly when transmitted from horses to people. “While the virus can spread from horses to people, it is rare,” said Queensland’s chief health officer Dr Heidi Carroll. “People assessed as having a high level of exposure to the infected horse will undergo prioritised testing.” A Racing Queensland (RQ) spokesman confirmed the horse was not a racehorse but nonetheless reiterated the organisation’s stance on prevention. “Racing Queensland recommends vaccination and disseminates information to its industry participants on prevention and appropriate management of any ill horses,” the spokesman said. There is no human vaccine for Hendra virus, which is most commonly passed from flying foxes to horses, and occasionally from horses to humans. The last reported case in Queensland occurred in Mackay in 2022. The virus was first identified in 1994 when it swept through a Brisbane racing stable, killing a trainer and 13 horses. Since then, 66 outbreaks have been recorded across Australia, resulting in the deaths of four people and 90 horses. In this latest incident, Biosecurity Queensland reported that the horse’s condition had “rapidly deteriorated” after testing positive last Friday. The case serves as a grim reminder of the virus’s deadly potential and the critical importance of vaccination in preventing further tragedies.

  • NEW Purton Dominance Like Poetry in Motion

    Weekend, 7th July 2025
    Running amok again at Sha Tin, where he nearly grabbed a five-fa, champion hoop Zac Purton made another emphatic statement in the jockeys’ championship race with a sparkling four-win haul at Sha Tin on Saturday night, reaffirming his dominance as Hong Kong’s leading rider. With clinical precision and trademark timing, the Australian surged past last season’s total, lifting his tally to 132 victories in a campaign marked by consistency and class, reports scmp.com. The standout among his quartet came aboard Magnifique in the Class Three Chow Silver Plate (1200m), where Purton settled midfield before unleashing a powerful run at the 200m. The David Hall-trained 3YO surged to the lead and held off a late dive from Righteous Arion to win narrowly, capping off a tense but rewarding ride that showcased Purton’s cool judgement under pressure. His night began with another Hall-trained runner, Mr Energia, in the Class Four Wong Cup (1200m). Sent out a firm $2.20 favourite, the gelding sat wide without cover for much of the trip, but Purton never panicked. He moved up confidently on the turn and drew away in the straight to win by one and three-quarter lengths, underlining his ability to overcome tricky positions with poise. Purton’s third winner came aboard Igor Stravinsky in the Class Four Stevenson Cup (1200m), trained by Tony Cruz. The Irish import took time to find his rhythm, and Purton was hard at work early, but once into stride, the pair stormed home down the outside to snatch victory with 200m to go, securing a satisfying result from what had looked an unlikely position. He then partnered Fortune Boy to another well-judged success in the Class Four Ip Jug (1800m). The $2.20 market elect had to dig deep when Forever Folks loomed large late, but Purton kept the gelding balanced and focused to win by a narrow margin, completing his fourth win of the meeting. “It’s been good, all the horses have run well. It’s nice to have a reasonable day towards the end of the season,” Purton reflected after the meeting, haing been denied a fifth win in the night’s finale when odds-on pop Patch Of Stars couldn’t reel in Beauty Crescent in the Class Three Chairmen’s Day Handicap (1400m).

    Zac Purton

    Zac Purton is riding as well as ever (pic: hkjc.com)

  • NEW Beaufine Winner Possesses Great Tenacity

    Weekend, 7th July 2025
    Repossession’s tenacity and talent were on full display at Pinjarra on Saturday, where the promising 3YO notched his maiden black-type victory in the Listed Beaufine Stakes (1000m) to cap off a rewarding campaign for Gangemi Thoroughbreds and Oakland Park sire Sessions. The gelding has now won three straight this prep, despite setbacks including a hoof abscess that interrupted his lead-up to the Beaufine. Co-trainer Chris Gangemi credited jockey Brad Parnham for keeping the horse out of trouble in the run. “Brad worked him this week and said he had recovered and was ready even though it had been a month between starts,” he said. “Brad was positive early and kept him out of trouble. He’s off to the paddock now and that will get his rating up nicely for the better races next season.” According to tbwa.net.au, Gangemi declined to compare Repossession to Rock Magic, the stable’s 2015 Beaufine winner who retired with 9 black-type victories and over $1.72 million in earnings. Still, Repossession is building a record of his own. A front-runner in last year’s Placid Ark Prelude (1000m) at Ascot, his latest win improves his tally to 5 from 7 starts with earnings of $435,000, including $182,000 in Westspeed Bonuses. Parnham admitted the ride required extra effort. “I got down to 54kg today and haven’t ridden that low for a few months,” he said. “I was confident Repossession could handle the step up in grade against older horses. I tracked up behind Toropa and came down the centre of the course for a very good win.”Bred and sold by Siobhan Campbell of Bellbridge Park, Repossession was purchased for $62,500 by Gangemi Thoroughbreds at the 2023 Perth Magic Millions. He’s the penultimate foal of Can Time (Danetime), dam of five winners including five-time Belmont scorer Ohbeeh, also by Sessions. Can Time hails from the family of Gr1 Railway Stakes winner Willoughby (Fimiston), and her final foal, a 2YO filly by Manhattan Rain, was secured by Gangemi Thoroughbreds for $50,000 earlier this year. Repossession is the sixth stakes winner for Sessions, joining fellow 3YO Sail Session (LR John Roberts Stakes & LR Melvista Stakes) among the stallion’s current-season stars. Completing a double at Pinjarra for Sessions was Fancy Red, who scored in the Stable Affairs Hcp (1412m). The Adam Durrant-trained filly now boasts 4 wins from 8 starts. Sessions (Lonhro) stands at Oakland Park for $9,900 and is finishing his most successful season to date.

  • Snitzel Adds 30th Seasonal Stakes Winner

    Weekend, 7th July 2025
    Meeting a hot favourite at level weights that had beaten her last start intimidated neither 3YO filly Bridal Waltz nor her jockey Ben Melham in Saturday’s $175,000 Listed VRC A.R. Creswick Stakes (1200m). The pair went straight to the front, setting a strong pace, with Fieldelo and favourite She’s An Artist (by Snitzel’s champion son Trapeze Artist) looming outside her until the 300-metre mark, when they were asked to extend – and found that Bridal Waltz had an even faster dance in her repertoire. She held off exciting She’s An Artist to score by 0.75-length in 1:09.75, becoming Champion Sire Snitzel’s first stakes-winner since his death on 11 June, and the 161st stakeswinner of his extraordinary career. He retains his lead on the 2024/25 Australian General Sires’ Premiership by stakeswinners (18) and stakes wins (24). Return To Conquer & Little Black Dress (in New Zealand) and Cap Ferrat (in Hong Kong) take Snitzel’s worldwide season tally to 21 winners of 30 Group & Listed Races. Jockey Ben Melham said, “We drew the right barrier to be able to control the speed, I felt from that draw, I’d be able to dictate the rest of the field out to probably what’s the little bit worse going. That was probably the difference. In saying that, my filly dug really deep when I needed her to, she got into a lovely rhythm for me… she was a fit horse, and she let down too good for them in the end.” Bridal Waltz has now won four of her 11 starts and $351,000 for owner-breeder Deanna Pope’s Pope Racing, which has also placed her 2YO full sister Eyes Of Blue with the Moody & Coleman stable. The fillies’ dam Charleston Dancer (by Lonhro), a daughter of multiple Group winner & stakes producer Innovation Girl, has also left She Dances (7 wins inc. Northwood Plume S. G3). The Snitzel/Lonhro cross has produced 5 stakeswinners from only 24 named foals, including this season’s 2YO Group 1 winner Return To Conquer. Meanwhile, back within four points of Zoustar – who took a small lead on the Australian Black Type Stallion Premiership the weekend before last – multiple Champion Sire Snitzel has around 400 unraced and in- utero progeny from his final four crops to continue building his exceptional record in the seasons to come.

    Bridal Waltz

    Bridal Waltz defeated the highly rated She's An Artist (pic: Mark Gatt)

  • Self Belief Takes Apprentice Okubo a Long Way

    Weekend, 7th July 2025
    At Te Rapa in New Zealand on Saturday, Japanese apprentice Yuga Okubo nearly backed up his own bold pre-raceday prediction with a stunning treble – falling just one win short of going four-for-four from his limited book of rides. The final leg of his hat-trick came in the feature event, the UBP Te Awamutu Cup (1600m), aboard the Wayne Hillis-trained Drop Of Something. According to loveracing.nz, Okubo, who arrived in New Zealand in early 2024 after riding four winners in Japan, has quickly made an impression on the local scene. His first win of the day came with Ribkraka for Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott in race three, followed by a composed ride on Family Folks in race six for Tim and Margaret Carter, navigating the inside rail to victory. He repeated the dose a race later with Drop Of Something, again punching through closer to the inside as others fanned wide on the home turn. Drop Of Something, a 5YO gelding by Telperion, had signalled his readiness with a placing behind Soldier Boy at the venue last month. Settled well back early, Okubo bided his time before producing a well-timed burst through a narrowing gap to hit the front inside the final 100m. Race favourite Joshua Brown fought hard but had to settle for second, with Diamond Jak sticking on for third. Hillis admitted he had doubts watching the run unfold. "I was thinking we were no chance on the corner as we were back and he didn't look like he was going that good while I thought the place to be was wider out and not on the inner," Hillis said. "To his credit the boy stuck to his guns and he had won on a similar path in the previous race so he knew it wasn't that bad down there." Hillis was full of praise for his young rider. "I've had him (Okubo) on a few now and he is very balanced and has a lot of potential. You don't get many 4kg claimers who are as strong as he is and I would expect he is going to be very popular over the next few months." Looking ahead, the stable has mapped out a path for Drop Of Something, starting with an 1800m open handicap at New Plymouth on Opunake Cup Day, then backing up a week later in the Callinan Family Taumarunui Gold Cup (2100m) on July 26. Bred by the late Emma Evans, Drop Of Something has now won seven of 42 starts and banked over $224,000 in prizemoney.

  • Profitable Tried Purchase Bounces Back

    Weekend, 7th July 2025
    A bold change of tactics and early application of blinkers paid off handsomely for trainer Joe Pride on Saturday as Estadio Mestalla caused a major boilover in the Listed Winter Stakes at Rosehill, saluting at $61 in a commanding front-running performance. Acording to smh.com.au, it was part of a double for the Pride stable and one leg of a treble for in-form jockey Dylan Gibbons, whose younger brother Ryan was on hand in valet duties and may now be his lucky charm. Pride admitted he was puzzled by the gelding's first two unplaced runs this prep, describing Estadio Mestalla (Galileo Gold) as a "very genuine horse" who simply hadn't been firing. "He hasn't got a poor run in him, but his last two have been average," Pride said. "I've been telling the jocks, watch him going to the gates because he'll pull and be a bit ferocious, but the first two runs back he's been like a little kid's pony. Today he took off a bit on the rider and I thought, this is better." The shift to a forward ride from gate 10 proved decisive as Gibbons rated the 6YO perfectly in front, never headed in the 1400m feature and pulling clear late to beat Robusto by a length and a half. Purchased for $65,000 from Chris Waller's stable in November 2023, Estadio Mestalla has since proven a brilliant buy for connections, earning around $600,000. "He's been a fantastic money-spinner," Pride said, with a possible tilt at the Winter Challenge in two weeks now on the radar. Pride was also full of praise for Gibbons, who earlier piloted Good Banter (for John O'Shea and Tom Charlton) and Brave One (for Team Hawkes) to victory. "He's going better than me, so I'll have to keep him around," Gibbons joked about brother Ryan, adding, "He reckon he must have done four or five meetings now and I've had eight to 10 winners." The stable's successful afternoon was rounded off by the win of Storm The Ramparts, who defied a betting drift and 60kg impost in a benchmark 78 handicap. The four-year-old, coming off a shoulder fracture, has now won three of his past four starts and appears to be thriving on rain-affected tracks. A start in the July Sprint at Rosehill is under strong consideration.

  • Some Anomalous Nominations for HKJC Titles

    Weekend, 7th July 2025
    A new low in ratings could be set for Hong Kong's Champion Griffin title this season, with none of the leading contenders cracking the 80-mark threshold. That hasn't happened since Bear Hero, rated just 75, claimed the accolade at the close of the 2010-11 season, but based on current standings, the trend looks likely to repeat. The Hong Kong Jockey Club unveiled its initial list of nominees on Wednesday, pointing to a particularly modest edition of the award. John Size-trained duo Sky Jewellery and Crossborderpegasus head the nominations, with respective ratings of 79 and 77, and neither expected to race again before the season's close. That makes them frontrunners to join recent Champion Griffin winners such as Ka Ying Rising, Howdeepisyourlove, Lucky Sweynesse, Champion's Way and Mr Stunning on the honour board. Although there's still room for late bloomers to stake their claim in the final four meetings, it's improbable any new contender will surge to an 80 or higher rating in time. Eligibility for the Champion Griffin title is limited to unraced imports carrying the 'K' brand, who were either 2YO or 3YO at the start of the 2024-25 Hong Kong racing season and arrived in the jurisdiction on or after June 1 last year. Juneau Pride, another Size runner rated 80, misses out due to a March arrival despite not racing last season and kicking off this campaign as a 3YO. That technicality rules him out of contention, leaving a slim field of qualifiers with little competition. The broader focus of the season's accolades will shift to the Jockey Club's Champion Awards night on July 11, where Horse of the Year honours will be fiercely contested by Voyage Bubble, Ka Ying Rising and Romantic Warrior. Ka Ying Rising is the sole nominee for Champion Sprinter, while Voyage Bubble and Red Lion will vie for Champion Miler. In the middle-distance category, Romantic Warrior and Voyage Bubble are the main players, while Voyage Bubble has a clear run for Champion Stayer. The 4YO bracket features Ka Ying Rising, Cap Ferrat, My Wish and Rubylot.

    Ka Ying Rising

    Ka Ying Rising is the only nominee for HK Sprinter of the Year (pic: hkjc.com)

  • NZB Ready to Run Sale Follows Record '24 Renewal

    Weekend, 7th July 2025
    Entries are now open for NZB's 2025 Ready to Run Sale of Juveniles, returning to Karaka on 13 and 14 November. Widely regarded as the world's premier breeze up auction, this sale continues to set benchmarks both in the ring and on the track, drawing increasing international attention thanks to the performance of its graduates. The 2024 edition delivered a remarkable $39 million in aggregate sales, up 11% year-on-year, with an 80% clearance rate and an Australasian record price of $1,650,000 for an I Am Invincible colt from Kiltannon Stables. But it's the graduates' racetrack achievements that continue to define the sale's standing. This season alone, ten Group One victories were recorded by the likes of Antino, Feroce, Mr Brightside, Ceolwulf, War Machine, and Gringotts. Promising types such as Hong Kong's Patch of Stars and J.J. Atkins runner-up Hidden Achievement add further gloss to the Sale's reputation. NZB Managing Director Andrew Seabrook remains in awe of the consistency. "Off the back of the record-breaking 2023 Sale which was the most successful 2YO sale I had been involved with, the 2024 Sale managed to surpass those results again which was phenomenal," he said. "The reputation that this Sale has garnered worldwide as the best of its kind is certainly warranted with the number of top-level horses that continue to come out of it. To have ten Group 1 wins this season from a relatively small catalogue in the scheme of things is incredible." He also noted the early interest from overseas. "Our team are already busy canvassing buyers internationally and the bookings already made by Hong Kong, Malaysian and Australian buyers is very exciting, they can't wait to get back here in November. I have no doubt that we are in for another big year, with a Sale that continues to blow everyone away with its unwavering results for both vendors and buyers." Breeze Ups are scheduled for 13 and 14 October at Te Rapa, giving each catalogued horse the chance to showcase its galloping ability under timed and filmed conditions, enabling buyers to assess potential before the auction proper.

  • Shocking Daughter Gets Mahogany Shockletz

    Weekend, 7th July 2025
    According to NZ Racing Desk, overcoming both a wide draw and a testing run, progressive staying filly Shockletz delivered a gritty performance to land Saturday's Mahogany Challenge Final (2500m) at Flemington. Ridden with tactical precision by Harry Coffey, the Ciaron Maher-trained daughter of Shocking dug deep in the final strides to repel a surging inside challenge from Ant, earning her third victory of the campaign and confirming her staying credentials. Stable representative Leigh Allen praised both horse and rider after the narrow win. "She was drawn really wide (13) and Harry was initially going to be posted deep but he rolled the dice and decided to go a little bit forward and he ended up getting the position that we exactly wanted," Allen said. "One went around and put a bit of speed into it in the end and she just blended into the race nicely." The filly, bred by Eales Racing, has always promised to stay and relished the step up to 2500m. "It has come a lot too early for her, but to get another win at Flemington is great for them, so we're stoked," Allen added. Coffey admitted the race required quick thinking. "The jockeys to the inside were aware of that and kicked up and it became quite awkward for a bit but after a while we were able to slot in," he said. "She rested for about 400m and then the pace came out of the race and she was wanting to go and was over-racing. I just had to work with her and keep her in as good a rhythm as possible and then protect my ground so that when it was time to go I had room." Describing the final push, he added, "She actually quickened at the top of the straight like the winner but I wasn't aware of the one coming on the inside (Ant) and she was probably emptying out and petering on her run and somehow she found the will to win and got her head down." By Shocking out of a proven staying family, Shockletz is a full sister to Horrifying, a Group 3-placed stayer with seven career wins. Her own record now stands at four wins and two placings from just eight starts. "She is on the up, she is still green, so there is improvement there and she is bred to do it and bred to race well at Flemington, so it will be a lot of fun for the owners," Coffey said.

  • Black Book This 2026 Caulfield Cup Chance

    Weekend, 7th July 2025
    Half Yours may not be ready for this year's Caulfield Cup, but the gelding gave co-trainer Tony McEvoy every reason to dream after a dominant staying performance in Saturday's $300,000 Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m) at the Sunshine Coast. Relishing the soft ground at Corbould Park, the 4YO stamped himself as a genuine Cups contender by powering away to win by 4.5-lengths from Bear On The Loose, with Tony Gollan's Felix The Scat a further two lengths adrift in third. "When you look at his form and how he's kept progressing, to come out and do what he did there (in the Caloundra Cup), I mean that was a dominant win," McEvoy said. "Of course this is a long way from the Caulfield Cup, I'm a realist. But we've bought this horse (for $305,000), he's the right age and if he's well then we'll head down that path and we can always divert. There are so many options, aren't there? But you've got to have a target and the Caulfield Cup is a pretty good one to target." The 2400m test was a query going in, but Half Yours handled it with authority as he cemented himself as a horse for the future. Purchased by Belmont Bloodstock and McEvoy Mitchell Racing at the Inglis Digital November (Late) Sale, Half Yours was transferred from the care of leading trainer Ciaron Maher. "Ciaron was the underbidder and he was disappointed he didn't retain him," McEvoy told punters.com.au. "He dropped the ball there but I'm glad he did." Plans are now in place to give the gelding a spell before targeting the $500,000 Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) on December 6. Welsh-born jockey Ash Morgan, who had earlier partnered Mr Verse to victory for the McEvoys, for whom he was having his firstn rides, was full of praise for his Caloundra Cup mount. "It was a muddily run race," Morgan said. "When I went for him he exploded. I think he's a proper horse. His strength is that he relaxes really well in the run and has an explosive turn of foot. He put them to bed. Down in the weights, and there's a lot of good races over two miles, there's not really any ceiling for that." Last year's edition of the Caloundra Cup was taken out by Angela Jones on Mission Of Love, but this year's winner might prove to be going places altogether more ambitious.

  • Suspended Jones Retains Brisbane Lead

    Weekend, 7th July 2025
    Angela Jones made the most of her final day in the saddle before serving a suspension, landing a stunning win aboard The Three Hundred in the Gr3 Winx Guineas at the Sunshine Coast and tightening her grip on the Brisbane jockeys’ premiership in the process. With two victories on the day – including King Yoshi in an earlier Benchmark 80 sprint – Jones extended her lead over Emily Lang from three to five metro wins as the curtain fell on the Queensland winter carnival, reports cairnspost.com.au. Her Guineas triumph aboard the Adrian Bott and Gai Waterhouse-trained The Three Hundred ($11) was especially emphatic, the pair dashing away to beat $34 outsider Ramp It Up by 1.25-lengths, with Toowoomba galloper Apuntar ($6.50) in third on a Soft 6 surface. Jones will now serve a 10-day suspension for careless riding from last weekend’s Group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara on Floozie, though she plans to appeal the severity of the penalty at a Queensland Racing Appeals Panel hearing on Monday. There was further drama on Saturday when Ryan Maloney suffered a back injury while riding Caspernova to second behind King Yoshi, forcing him to forfeit the ride on Winx Guineas favourite Mister Bianco. Gold Coast trainer Paul Shailer was unable to find a replacement jockey and had to scratch the horse from the $300,000 feature. "You know their horses are fit," Jones said of The Three Hundred. "Maybe he wasn’t putting it all into his races when he gets back so we really made a point that if we can get him away cleanly, we’d send him to the front and he’d be winning. We were able to do that, lovely and relaxed, and he is a different horse when he doesn’t have other horses to look around at. It was a super dominant win today. It has been a good season and hopefully I get a few more [wins] before I serve my suspension next week.” Neil Paine, representing the Waterhouse-Bott stable, praised both Jones and the sometimes-difficult gelding. “The problem with this horse is that he’s a bugger at the machines,” he said. “We told Ang to keep him warmed up and if he jumps, to put him right into the race. Over the last one or two starts, he was slowly away and he gets back and starts to lose interest. I was really happy when he jumped and Ang kept pushing forward. The pace was a little bit fast early but she pushed him forward and got him balanced once she got him to the lead. Gee he surprised me when he kicked away. He is a horse with promise but there’s two of them!”

  • Coolmore Gets Prized Dubawi Son for Stud

    Weekend, 7th July 2025
    Bred in the purple, Delacroix (Dubawi) produced a sensational late burst to land Saturday's Gr1 Coral-Eclipse in England, upstaging the heavily favoured Ombudsman (Night of Thunder) in a thrilling finish that once again underlined Ryan Moore's mastery of this race. The Ballydoyle ace, who had made headlines by switching from a Classic winner to ride the Dubawi colt, was forced to dig deep after being trapped mid-pack in a slowly run affair, reports tdn.com. Ombudsman surged first, appearing to have it won, but Moore conjured an explosive turn of foot from Delacroix to get up in the final strides, handing Aidan O'Brien his 10th win in the Sandown feature and making it five Eclipse wins for Moore – four in the past five years. "It was a steadily-run race for that class of race, but this horse has a really good turn of foot and it made the difference," Moore said of the 3-1 second favourite. "It wasn't the first or the second or the third plan! He began okay, but nobody really wanted to make the running and I had to give way to William [Buick]… so we had to wait again, but it was a good turn of foot that got him out of trouble." He added, "He was the only horse here that hadn't won a Group 1, but he'd threatened to and right from the start as a two-year-old he's been held in high regard and he's obviously out of a great racemare and by Dubawi." Ombudsman, the Prince of Wales's winner, may have paid for early exertions climbing the testing final furlong, while third-placed Ruling Court was 1.75-lengths back. Delacroix had been a steady improver through his juvenile season, showing toughness despite near-misses in the Futurity Trophy and other Pattern races. He looked a Derby horse in the making after emphatic wins in the Ballysax and Trial at Leopardstown, but floundered when ninth in the main event. Even so, Moore's choice to abandon French Derby runner-up Camille Pissarro for him raised eyebrows. On Saturday, the market clearly anticipated something special. "I'd say it was one of his best rides," said O'Brien. "There was so much happening but it looked incredible… He makes himself better all the time. He was calm, collected and clinical there." O'Brien was equally effusive about the colt's future. "I can't tell you how important Delacroix is. The lads [Coolmore's principals] have been looking for a Dubawi all their life and he is out of a champion. He is a total outcross for all the mares and has power and strength – a beautiful, big horse."

  • Trump Bill Boosts US Thoroughbred Industry

    Weekend, 7th July 2025
    In the United States, Thoroughbred breeders and owners are celebrating a major legislative win, with the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act permanently enshrining 100% bonus depreciation into law, according to bloodhorse.com. Signed by President Trump on July 3, the move is expected to deliver long-term financial benefits to the industry by preserving a key tax incentive that had been scheduled to phase out. Previously part of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, bonus depreciation was set to gradually decline – dropping to 40% in 2025, 20% in 2026, and disappearing altogether by 2027. Now, under the new law, it will remain at 100%, retroactive to January 20, 2025. The National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) praised the effort, highlighting the role of several lawmakers in preserving this measure and ensuring Thoroughbred racing's interests were safeguarded. Kentucky Republican Rep. Andy Barr reportedly played a leading role, along with Senators John Thune and Mitch McConnell, in removing language that would have changed the treatment of excess business losses. NTRA President and CEO Tom Rooney said their intervention was critical: "Thanks to the leadership of Senators Thune and McConnell, and particularly the efforts spearheaded by Congressman Barr, Thoroughbred racing will come away with significant gains from the One Big Beautiful Bill. It can't be overstated how important permanent 100% bonus depreciation is to the sport." Rooney added that removing proposed changes to Section 461(l), which governs excess business losses, was equally vital. "Those changes would have wiped out many gains that those in the horse industry would have seen with 100% bonus depreciation," he said. Barr, who helped lead negotiations to strike the language, emphasised the industry-specific impact: "By making bonus depreciation permanent and protecting small-business loss carryovers, OBBBA delivers a targeted but critical boost for our signature horse industry." He said the Thoroughbred racing sector was "a special part of Kentucky," and the bill would help ensure its future. Despite the gains, one provision of the bill may limit the deductibility of gambling losses to 90% of winnings, effective from January 1, 2026. The NTRA acknowledged the issue in a Thursday statement, noting: "While there are many victories for the horse racing industry in the OBBBA, there is still work to be done to offset some losses by horseplayers in their ability to deduct tax losses. The NTRA is committed to working on that fix moving forward."

  • The Three Hundred Wins Gr3 Winx Stakes

    Weekend, 7th July 2025
    BTP
    Yarraman Park graduate

    • Track: Sunshine Coast
    • Race: $300,000 Gr3 Winx Stakes (1600m)
    • Winner: The Three Hundred (I Am Invincible–Sassy 'n' Smart, by Smart Missile)
    • Placings: 3YO colt Ramp It Up and 3YO gelding Apuntar
    • Winning Sire: I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit-Cannarelle, by Canny Lad)
    • Stud Farm: Yarraman Park Stud
    • Trainer: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
    • Jockey: Angela Jones
    • Race Record: 3 wins and 3 placings from 13 starts for $319,175 in earnings
    • Sales Info: $400,000 yearling sold by Yarraman Park Stud at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale

    Yarraman Park graduate

    Magic graduate

  • Buccleuch wins LR Taj Rossi Series Final

    Weekend, 7th July 2025
    BTP

  • Marble Nine wins LR Santa Ana Lane Sprint Final

    Weekend, 7th July 2025
    BTP

    • Track: Flemington
    • Race: $150,000 LR Santa Ana Lane Sprint Final (1200m)
    • Winner: 4YO gelding Marble Nine (Kobayashi-Aura Lee, by O’Reilly)
    • Placings: 5YO gelding Pereille and 4YO mare Inhibitions
    • Winning Sire: Kobayashi (I Am Invincible-Woodstock Hussey, by Hussonet)
    • Stud Farm: Aquis Farm
    • Trainer: Danny O'Brien
    • Jockey: Damian Lane
    • Race Record: 7 wins and 5 placings from 19 starts for $577,500 in earnings
    • Sales Info: N/A

  • Repossession wins LR Beaufine Stakes

    Weekend, 7th July 2025
    BTP

    • Track: Pinjarra Park
    • Race: $125,000 LR Beaufine Stakes (1000m)
    • Winner: 3YO gelding Repossession
    • Placings: 4YO mare Torapa (Sessions-Can Time, by Danetime)
    • Winning Sire: Sessions (Lonhro-Seances, by Canny Lad)
    • Stud Farm: Oakland Park Stud
    • Trainer: Chris and Michael Gangemi
    • Jockey: Brad Parnham
    • Race Record: 5 wins from 7 starts for $394,910 in earnings
    • Sales Info: $62,500 yearling at the 2023 Magic Millions Perth Sale

    Magic graduate

  • Bridal Waltz wins LR A.R. Creswick Stakes

    Weekend, 7th July 2025
    BTP

    Arrowfield stallion

    • Track: Flemington
    • Race: $175,000 LR A.R. Creswick Stakes (1200m)
    • Winner: 2YO filly Bridal Waltz (Snitzel–Charleston Dancer, by Lonhro)
    • Placings: 2YO filly She’s An Artist and 2YO filly Duchess Zou
    • Winning Sire: Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice-Snippets' Lass, by Snippets)
    • Stud Farm: Arrowfield Stud
    • Trainer: Ciaron Maher
    • Jockey: Ben Melham
    • Race Record: 4 wins and 3 placings from 11 starts for $344,150 in earnings
    • Sales Info: N/A

  • Fortunate Kiss wins LR Glasshouse Handicap

    Weekend, 7th July 2025
    BTP

    • Track: Sunshine Coast
    • Race: $200,000 LR Glasshouse Handicap (1400m)
    • Winner: Fortunate Kiss (Divine Prophet–Kiss Me Goodbye, by Savabeel)
    • Placings: 6YO gelding Oughton and 4YO gelding The Inflictor
    • Winning Sire: Divine Prophet (Choisir-Prophet Jewel, by Encosta de Lago)
    • Stud Farm: Highview Stud
    • Trainer: Lloyd Kennewell and Lucy Yeomans
    • Jockey: Luke Tarrant
    • Race Record: 5 wins and 9 placings from 36 starts for $624,725 in earnings
    • Sales Info: $80,000 yearling at the 2020 Inglis Classic Sale

  • Estadio Mestalla wins LR Winter Stakes

    Weekend, 7th July 2025
    BTP

    • Track: Rosehill
    • Race: $160,000 LR Winter Stakes (1400m)
    • Winner: 6YO gelding Estadio Mestalla (Galileo Gold–Superior Charm, by Elusive Quality)
    • Placings: 5YO gelding Robusto and 5YO gelding Accredited
    • Winning Sire: Galileo Gold (Paco Boy-Galicuix, by Galileo)
    • Stud Farm: N/A
    • Trainer: Joseph Pride
    • Jockey: Dylan Gibbons
    • Race Record: 6 wins and 9 placings from 27 starts for $784,352 in earnings
    • Sales Info: N/A

  • Jimmy The Bear wins LR Winter Ch’Ship Series Final

    Weekend, 7th July 2025
    BTP

    • Track: Flemington
    • Race: $200,000 LR Winter Ch’Ship Series Final (1600m)
    • Winner: 6YO gelding Jimmy The Bear (Jimmy Creed-Belvedere Road, by Street Boss)
    • Placings: 9YO gelding Munhamek and 6YO gelding Forgot You
    • Winning Sire: Jimmy Creed (Distorted Humor-Hookedonthefeelin, by Citidancer
    • Trainer: Patrick and Michelle Payne
    • Jockey: Billy Egan
    • Race Record: 11 wins and 10 placings from 38 starts for $1,234,925 earnings
    • Sales Info: N/A

  • Half Yours wins LR Caloundra Cup

    Weekend, 7th July 2025
    BTP

    • Track: Sunshine Coast
    • Race: $300,000 LR Caloundra Cup (2400m)
    • Winner: 4YO gelding Half Yours (St Jean-La Gazelle, by Desert King)
    • Placings: 5YO gelding Bear on The Loose and 4YO gelding Felix The Scat
    • Winning Sire: St Jean (Teofilo-Oriental Fashion, by Marju)
    • Stud Farm: Brackley Park
    • Trainer: Tony & Calvin McEvoy
    • Jockey: Kyle Wilson-Taylor
    • Race Record: 5 wins and 3 placings from 10 starts for $350,890 in earnings
    • Sales Info: $305,000 tried horse at the 2023 Inglis Digital November (Late) Sale

    WI graduate

  • Ginger Baker Wins LR South West Cup

    Weekend, 7th July 2025
    BTP

    • Track: Bunbury
    • Race: $125,000 Listed South West Cup (2200m)
    • Winner: Ginger Baker (Gingerbread Man–Spring Violet, by Encosta de Lago)
    • Placings: 5YO gelding Playhouse Patron and 7YO gelding Fear The Wind
    • Winning Sire: Gingerbread Man (Shamardal–Quaffle, by Hurricane Sky)
    • Stud Farm: Yarradale Stud
    • Trainer: Daniel & Ben Pearce
    • Jockey: Brad Parnham
    • Race Record: 10 wins and 7 placings from 52 starts for $606,580 in earnings
    • Sales Info: N/A
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
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Kingstar Farm
Lime Country Thoroughbreds
Mill Park Stud
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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