Wandering Eyes

Whether or not you liked the 'Bill and Ben' analogies of the Racing For Change days, or the removal of the Champion Stakes from Newmarket to Ascot, you cannot fail to like the man who played a part in some of these attempts to modernise and market racing: Rod Street. This QIPCO British Champions Day – the 14th since the significant shake-up to the autumnal racing programme in 2011 – will be Street's last as CEO of British Champions Series. He stepped down from his role as CEO of Great British Racing (GBR) at the end of April. “Obviously with traditionalists and diehards, it wasn't the most popular decision,” he says of the creation of British Champions Day as the culmination of 35 Group 1 races throughout the season being brought together under the single Champions Series banner. “But since it launched in 2011, the day has grown and by many has become accepted as a really important day's racing. It's certainly the last day of high-quality older horse Flat racing in the UK season. It comes after the Arc, so it's really the the European finale, and it has become embedded now.” From Frankel to Frankie, Street has been there for every momentous renewal. “We were very fortunate in the first two years that Frankel came along when he did,” he acknowledges. “And that couldn't have launched the day more successfully. And since then we've had all sorts of milestones, fast-forwarding to Frankie Dettori's exit, which couldn't have been better, especially that he did it in the Champion Stakes on King of Steel. “It's a £4 million race day, full of high-class group races and I think we've created a really nice platform in the autumn for such stories to be told.” QIPCO was the key sponsor from the start and, though it remains the brand behind Champions Day, it will no longer sponsor the Champions Series from 2025. A new partner will be sought, along with a new person at the helm of the project. To crib from Joni Mitchell, sometimes we don't know what we've got 'til it's gone and British racing will be without one of its most steadfast supporters when the dust settles after this weekend. Street has that rare ability to be not only relentlessly positive but also unfailingly nice. Being nice is an underrated quality, in life generally and perhaps especially in racing. If you can keep your head while all about you others are squabbling then you may just be able to see it out, and that it is what Street has done, splitting his time almost equally over the last 30 years between racecourse management and promoting the sport itself. But everyone has that 'time's up' moment, and he has decided that it is time to pursue his own mentoring business. Time perhaps to let someone else deal with those on the inside whose failure to put aside vested interests can place the sport into something of a tailspin. “I started with Uttoxeter Racecourse in 1994 as an assistant commercial manager,” Street says, casting his mind back to the days working for Sir Stanley Clarke, the owner of the 'bomb scare' Grand National winner Lord Gyllene who would become the head of the Northern Racing group. “I'd come from a background in travel and entertainment and my immediate job before starting there was performing stand-up comedy. I was promoting music and comedy in the Midlands and, through the challenge of rarely being able to secure a warm-up act for gigs, I started doing the warm-up myself. It saved money. But I'd quite recently been married and I was never going to hit the heights as a comedian.” The Comedy Club's loss then was racing's gain as Street turned his love of entertainment into working out what would keep the racegoers entertained, and ideally becoming repeat customers. “Because I've come from an environment of promoting comedy or music or working in travel and tourism, the consumers have always been at the very forefront of my thinking,” he says. “The question you're always asking yourself, whether you're promoting a a race day or something in racing, is 'Why would someone be interested in this?' “Racing's got something for everyone and I think as a sport we're terribly down on ourselves. We love to talk about the latest crisis and we undoubtedly have challenges in generating new followers for the sport. There's so much competition and we know it's been a challenge since Covid with admissions, for example. But we're still, despite that, an incredibly popular choice for a a day out.” During Street's tenure, GBR has been behind the National Racehorse Week initiative, which was the brainchild of trainer Richard Phillips and this year saw more than 80 racing yards and stud farms open their doors to the public across the nation. “The horse is at the centre of racing, and we should never drift away from that. We can put on any number of music events or themes to race days, but if the horse isn't central, we're losing our purpose,” Street says. “National Racehorse Week has been a really big success. It has to be a good thing for people to make their own minds up about the sport, especially with the challenge we've got now with perceptions around equine welfare. “The world is changing. All sports other than football are facing this challenge. Cricket and rugby, particularly, are also facing real challenges about relevance and new customers, so we're not alone. And racing isn't due anything that it hasn't worked or strived for, so we mustn't think that things should come to us any easier than they come to anyone else. We've got to fight for customers. But we have great assets, and I think that other sports would look at some of the assets we've got and be full of envy. We have more than our fair share of iconic moments – Grand Nationals or Cheltenham Festivals or Derbys or Royal Ascot. And we've got that heritage which other sports just don't have, that connection to royalty, which is really powerful.” He's on a roll now, and it is hard not to wonder who will pick up this baton of enthusiasm in his wake. “The other thing is that you can play at any level in racing if you want to. You can be an expert, you can come and be a paddock watcher, but you can engage on a very basic level too, and turn up and with your friends and have a flutter and enjoy the action. And it's fast and dramatic and colourful. I think we're much more accessible than we think we are.” One also wonders if that early experience in stand-up comedy, with its rowdy hecklers, gave Street a good preparation for delivering marketing strategies and new ideas to an often inward-looking in-crowd. “It did, really,” he admits. “When Racing For Change then GBR came around I think there were quite a few constituents that hadn't really acknowledged that I'd already been working in the sport for 14 years prior to that point. So I think some would say, 'Oh, look, there's that marketing man.' “When 'marketing man' is used in racing it's invariably pejorative. But I think, over time, anyone who got to know me understood that I've been a lifelong fan and that I actually had a lot of racing experience. It was bumpy early doors when we were trying to do new things and talk about promoting the sport, and it was particularly bumpy around the Champions Series because it was such an emotive topic. That actually went away quite quickly but, yes, it certainly helped to have a thick skin, and when you've had things said to you on stage as a comedian, or even things thrown at you, it prepares you in going into certain racing boards and committees. “And I think one of the things that helped me do my job is recognising that at the heart of it, there's passion. There's passion for the sport, there's passion for the horse, there's passion for the jockeys and passion for the participants, and National Racehorse Week is a really good example of everyone uniting around that passion.” It is clear that there will be no looking back in anger from Street. It's not his style to carp at others from the sidelines and, after all, as he says, he's been a lifelong fan of the sport. “To have been close over the years to so many superstars, often in the paddock, because you work so closely in the sport and you're always there doing your job, you can forget what it's like to be a fan,” he says. “That's something I'm looking forward to next year – going racing for racing's sake.” He adds, “I don't want to be that person that has something to say about the racing industry. Having served in it for 30 years, I know it's really tough to be in the thick of it, whether you're trying to promote the sport or whether you're trying to administer the sport or you're trying to do veterinary work or you're trying to work out the fixture list. Dealing with a multitude of stakeholders is challenging. It really is like herding cats. “I'm still very aware of how hard it is to be trying to do that and trying to make progress, with any number of people making helpful comments about how you do your job. So I don't want to add to the challenge of whichever executives are running racing in the future by having an opinion on how well they're doing their job or not.” He adds, “I do always want to be a cheerleader for the sport, and I think I'm much better suited to that than being a racing Cassandra.” The post No More Mr Nice Guy: Rod Street Waves Farewell appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

A total of 40 networks, covering over 170 territories, will broadcast QIPCO British Champions Day. Racecourse Media Group (RMG) and HBA Media (HBA), working with QIPCO British Champions Series, have secured global coverage of the £4.1m raceday, which includes four Group 1 races. Fox Sports US will showcase the full card for the first time on Fox Sports 1, while ESPN / Disney + and SuperSport will broadcast to their significant South American and African audiences. The Green Channel (Japan) and HKJC, Cable TV, TVB and Now TV (Hong Kong) will serve Asian viewers, while the Middle East will be served by Dubai Racing Channel. First-time broadcasters include Racing.com (Australia), Sportsnet (Canada), Transvision (Indonesia), NTV (Mongolia) and Eurovision (Europe). The broadcast will be shown in the UK and Ireland by ITV, Virgin Media, Racing TV and Sky Sports Racing. Rod Street, CEO of British Champions Series, said, “All six races are set to be of the highest quality, and we are delighted that TV audiences from all corners of the globe will share in the excitement. Thank you to the teams at RMG and HBA for helping facilitate this record coverage.” The post QIPCO British Champions Day To Be Aired On 40 Networks Worldwide appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Airdrie Stud's 2025 stallion roster will be headlined by four young stallions all being offered for a fee of $25,000, according to a press release from Airdrie Friday. The quartet includes breakout freshman sire Complexity. Currently ranked fourth in earnings according to TDN's Sire List, Complexity has three stakes winners–including two graded winners–and five stakes horses from his first crop of 2-year-olds. The 8-year-old stallion joins GI Kentucky Derby winner Mage (Good Magic), as well as Girvin (Tale of Ekati) and Upstart (Flatter), who all come in at the price tag of $25,000. Coming off of an initial season at stud in which he bred a full book of 171 mares, Mage enters his second season with a pedigree further bolstered by his GI Belmont Stakes-winning full brother, Dornoch, who became the second Classic winner in as many years for Good Magic and dam Puca, a favorite to be named Broodmare of the Year. Grade I sires Upstart and Girvin, who each register lifetime stakes winners to named foals of more than 8%, will see their best-bred crops reach the racetrack in 2025 and 2026, respectively. Rounding out Airdrie's list of proven stallions is Cairo Prince (Pioneerof the Nile), already the sire of 10 individual stakes winners in 2024, and Collected (City Zip), who has 15 stakes winners from his first three crops, trailing just Justify and Good Magic from their intake year. The latter stands to be represented by a pair of juveniles at the upcoming Breeders' Cup in Thought Process and Iron Man Cal. From those stallions yet to have runners, at the sales this season Beau Liam (Liam's Map) achieved the highest return-on-investment of any first-year yearling sire. Highly Motivated (Into Mischief), is a two-time track record setter and claims GISWs like Ways and Means and Surge Capacity. Finally, GISW Happy Saver (Super Saver) has his first weanlings headed to auction this November. “Our stallion roster is a tremendous point of pride for our team at Airdrie,” said the farm's Bret Jones. “We've been fortunate to have had a very strong year on the track in 2024 and we really believe we've laid the foundation for some very special seasons ahead. It is a young roster that, in our opinion, has a very high ceiling. We also take great pride in our ability to give our breeders a genuine opportunity to be profitable with their matings, as our stallions punch well above their stud fees in their abilities to produce stakes winners and return value in the sales ring. “As always, we will be breeding the overwhelming majority of our own mares to our stallions as we will never ask a breeder to support a stallion that we're unwilling to support ourselves,” said Jones. “We will also limit our book sizes so as to give our fellow commercial breeders what we believe is their best opportunity to sell and sell well. We look forward to continuing the momentum we've been able to build with our stallions and to working with the wonderful and loyal breeders that have paved the way for their success.” Airdrie's 2025 Stud Fees: Complexity-$25,000 Girvin-$25,000 Mage-$25,000 Upstart-$25,000 Cairo Prince-$15,000 Collected-$10,000 Happy Saver-$7,500 Highly Motivated-$7,500 Beau Liam-$6,000 Divisidero-$5,000 The post First-Crop Sire Complexity Set At $25k As Airdrie Releases 2025 Fee Schedule appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk Consistency was the key as Crystal Hackett clinched her first McMillan Equine Feeds New Zealand Junior Drivers’ Championship at Addington on Friday night. At her third attempt to win the coveted title, Hackett finished with 45 points from this week’s five heats at Cambridge and Addington to win by just three points from 2020 champion Kerryn Tomlinson and Olivia Thornley one point further back on 41. It was the first time since the championships started in the mid 1970s that female drivers have claimed all three places on the podium. Female drivers have also now taken out the seven championships in a row, with Sarah O’Reilly winning four of the last five being graduating to the open ranks this year. “I’m pretty stoked,” said Hackett to Harness Unhinged’s Nigel Armstrong post race, “to follow in Sarah’s footsteps, she’s been a great friend of mine and my cousin Robbie Close also won it (in 2015) so it’s cool to be on the board alongside him.” Hackett was a solid points accumulator during the series with three seconds in the five heats. “After the first day I was second to last.” Going into the final heat she was equal third on 33 points, four behind Zev Meredith. She clinched the championship when Winnzyback charged home late into second, 10 lengths behind runaway winner and hot favourite Borrisokane. Meredith finished ninth with The Coalman. In what was the tightest championship in recent years Meredith ended up fourth overall, with Olivia Thornley grabbing bronze on a countback after finishing third with Katherine. Before the championships Hackett spoke of her keenness to win the Championships saying it was something “every junior driver wants to tick off.” Now she’s not only achieved a career goal she’s also booked a spot at the Australasian Young Drivers’ Championships in December. Final points McMillan Equine Feeds NZ Junior Drivers’ Championships : Crystal Hackett 45 Kerryn Tomlinson 42 Olivia Thornley 41 Zev Meredith 41 Sam Thornley 38 Seth Hill 38 Max Hill 37 Monika Ranger 34 Carter Dalgety 33 Wilson House 30 Riley Harrison 28 Emily Johnson 19 View the full article

Strawberry Lace (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) will be offered during the first day of Arqana's Vente d'Elevage, the sales company announced on Friday. The sale will run from Dec. 7-10. The dam of GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf hero Unquestionable (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) is carrying a full-sibling to the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere runner-up. Offered by Normandie Breeding, the 9-year-old mare was bred by Swettenham Stud Bloodstock, Ltd., and is out of the listed winner Crying Lightening (Ire) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}). The extended family features Group 1 winners Cityscape (GB) (Selkirk), Logician (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Whitebeam (GB) (Caravaggio). The Vente d'Elevage catalogue will be published online on Monday, Oct. 28. The post Dam Of Unquestionable To Be Offered At Arqana Vente D’Elevage appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Ramatuelle (Justify–Raven's Lady {GB}, by Raven's Pass), a 'TDN Rising Star' and recent winner of the G1 Prix de la Foret Stakes at ParisLongchamp, headlines the latest group of supplemental entries to Fasig-Tipton's November Sale which will take place on Monday, Nov. 4 beginning at 2 p.m. ET in Lexington, Kentucky, the auction company said in a release early Friday morning. The 3-year-old daughter of the Triple Crown winner and top sire will be offered as hip 310, and is consigned as a racing/broodmare prospect by Bedouin Bloodstock, agent. Winner of the Prix de la Foret by three lengths, Ramatuelle tackled older males for the first time, and in the process defeated a deep field that included Group 1 resumes like Kinross (GB) (Kingman {GB}). The race at ParisLongchamp capped a 3-year-old season which included a classic placing in the G1 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, as well as a third in the G1 Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot this summer. Racing as a juvenile at Chantilly, the filly earned her 'Rising Star' badge on debut that April. Over the same surface that summer Ramatuelle captured the G2 Prix Robert Papin Stakes and G3 Prix du Bois Stakes, then she finished as the runner-up in the G1 Prix Morny Stakes at Deauville. She faced males in all five of her starts that year. Under the care of trainer Christopher Head throughout her career, the latest edition to the Fasig-Tipton catalogue is slated to make her next start at Del Mar in the GI FanDuel Breeders' Cup Mile. Ramatuelle is the first foal out of German champion and MGSW Raven's Lady. Her second dam, Pivotal Lady (GB) (Pivotal {GB}), is a daughter of GSW Sueboog (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}), who is also the dam of G1 Prix d' Ispahan Stakes winner Best Of The Bests (Ire) (Machiavellian). “Ramatuelle is a true international collector's item,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “She is a beautifully bred three-year-old daughter of Justify, in the best form of her career, and headed for the Breeders' Cup after a dominating performance over older males in one of France's great races. Ramatuelle is one of the most exciting offerings to be sold in the world this year and Fasig-Tipton is honored to have the opportunity to showcase her at our marquee November Sale.” Additional supplemental entries to the Fasig-Tipton November Sale: Flightline-Ghostslayer weanling filly (Hip 311): Daughter of champion Flightline is from the immediate family of Grade I winners Forte, Contrail, and Essential Quality. Consigned by Woods Edge Farm, agent. Street Sense-My Philly Girl weanling colt (Hip 312): Half-brother to a pair of stakes winners, the colt is consigned by Shawhan Place, agent. Olympiad-Protect weanling colt (Hip 313): Colt from the first crop of Olympiad, he is consigned by Ballysax, agent. Click here to view the catalogue. The post G1SW And ‘TDN Rising Star’ Ramatuelle Supplemented To Fasig-Tipton November Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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Amo Racing's King Of Steel, who provided Frankie Dettori with a fairytale ending to his riding career in Britain by winning the G1 Champion Stakes this time last year, has been retired to Tally-Ho Stud in Ireland. “It was one of the most memorable moments of my racing career,” Dettori said. “King Of Steel excelled and gave me the perfect Ascot finale. I have no doubt he'll become a stallion to be reckoned with, and I'm deeply grateful to him for helping me close my Ascot career in such an incredible way.” The statuesque son of Wootton Bassett (GB), who was trained by Roger Varian, was also second to Auguste Rodin (Ire) in the Derby on only the third start of his life, as well as winning the G2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot. He has not been seen in action since finishing fifth in last year's GI Breeders' Cup Turf with an unspecified injury announced back in May ruling him out of competing this season. Bred in Kentucky by Bonne Chance Farm, King Of Steel is a son of the Verglas (Ire) mare Eldacar, herself a dual-winning stayer in France and close relation to the dual Group 1 winner Contributer (Ire). He was bought as a yearling at Keeneland for $200,000 by Amo Racing, the operation headed by Kia Joorabchian which has been a notably dominant player at this season's yearling sales. “King Of Steel has been an outstanding flagbearer for Amo Racing, perfectly exemplifying the ambitions of our operation,” said Kia Joorabchian, who plans to support the stallion “strongly” at stud. “Last year's Champions Day was one of the greatest moments in racing history, as we witnessed King Of Steel deliver a stunning performance for Frankie Dettori on his final ride at Ascot. Over the past season, he truly established himself as one of the standout horses of his generation. We are incredibly proud to have such a top-class son of Wootton Bassett standing at a prestigious farm, and we are committed to supporting him fully in the years ahead.” He added, “I've never been more excited about a stallion, and I can't wait to see his offspring excel.” The four-year-old King Of Steel, who broke his maiden at two with a wide-margin debut win at Nottingham, retires with a rating of 122. Recalling his partnership with the horse, Dettori said, “King Of Steel wrote an Ascot Champion Stakes finale that not even Steven Spielberg could have imagined. He's a horse blessed with everything you want from a champion — physicality, cruising speed, a change of gear, and above all, the will to win. I will never forget that emotional day. I wish him all the best at stud and thank him for the unforgettable memories.” King Of Steel joins the O'Callaghan family's Tally-Ho Stud roster which includes the redoubtable Kodiac (GB) and Mehmas (Ire). “When we were given the chance to stand King Of Steel, we had absolutely no hesitation,” said Roger O'Callaghan. “His size, speed, agility, and mentality make him the perfect stallion to complement our existing roster. Being the flagbearer of an operation like Amo Racing, which has been growing from strength to strength in the last few years, his offspring will have every opportunity to succeed and excel. We are excited to be standing him and look forward to helping him and Amo achieve their goals.” King Of Steel's stud fee will be announced in due course. The post ‘A Horse Blessed With Everything’: Dettori Hails King Of Steel as he Retires to Tally-Ho Stud appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The NZB Ready to Run Sale’s class of 2023 has wasted little time in delivering returns to buyers with several having already won races, including highly impressive starts to the careers of three of the highest-priced lots. The buyers of $825,000 sale-topper Megastar Heart (Star Turn), $725,000 purchase Mayne (Written Tycoon) and $700,000 filly Rapid Cheval (NZ) (Super Seth) have all made quick returns on their investments with early wins that hold the promise of much more to come. Megastar Heart was bought by Pato Leung and Solari Bloodstock from the draft of KB Bloodstock. The Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald-trained colt has had two wins, a placing and A$139,850 in stakes from only four starts to date. Runner-up on debut at Kembla Grange in late April, Megastar Heart cleared maiden ranks in his second start with a smart performance on Randwick’s Kensington track on May 15. Mayne ringside at Karaka for the 2023 Ready to Run Sale. That earned Megastar Heart a shot at the A$1m Group Two Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) in Brisbane, where he finished a creditable and unlucky eighth. In his only other start, Megastar Heart was a super-impressive winner of the Listed Oxlade Stakes (1300m) at Eagle Farm on June 15. “I think he’s a really nice colt and he’ll be better again next year. He’s just very natural. I’d say he is well up there with one of the nicest two-year-olds I’ve had.” Mayne was offered by Kilgravin Lodge at Karaka last November, where he was bought by Blandford Bloodstock and Andrew Williams Bloodstock. Also trained by Neasham and Archibald, Mayne finished third on debut at Warwick Farm in late August, then took a big step forward with a two-length maiden victory in his only other start on the Kensington track on September 11. Kilgravin Lodge’s 2023 Ready to Run Sale draft also featured Rapid Cheval, who was purchased by Laming Racing and John White Bloodstock. The Bevan Laming-trained filly finished fourth on debut on the Sunshine Coast on September 4, then won with a touch of authority at Eagle Farm on September 20 in her only other start. She lines up in the Group Two Thousand Guineas Prelude this weekend. Feroce (NZ) was a $160,000 purchase & already Group One runner up with A$667,625 in stakes. Feroce (NZ) (Super Seth), who was bought by McKeever Bloodstock and Sutton Racing for $160,000 from Kilgravin Lodge’s draft, has won twice in his six-start career, scoring victories at Pakenham and Caulfield, and he was a close fourth in the Group Three Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) and recently runner up in the prolific Group One Caulfield Guineas, with a total earnings so far of A$667,625. Stable mate Khadime (NZ) (Star Turn) was also a winner on debut for the young trainer earlier in the year. Purchased for $200,000 from the same draft, the filly has since won $74,500 in stakes earning from just a handful of starts. Other early winners among 2023 Ready to Run Sale graduates include: Promising Hong Kong prospect Patch Of Cosmo (NZ) (Super Seth), who was a $260,000 purchase from the Riversley Park draft. He has five starts for two wins so far in Hong Kong and opened his winning account in good style at Sha Tin on September 22. He has already earned HK$1,457,650 (NZ$309,313.33). Truth or Dare (NZ), a striking son of Vanbrugh was impressive at Cranbourne on debut recently for Te Akau Racing. The chestnut gelding was knocked down to his trainers for $120,000 from Riversley Park’s 2023 draft. With one win from three starts and $30,245 already in the bank and the VCR Derby in sight. Domain Ace (NZ) (Swiss Ace), who was offered by Rogerson Bloodstock and was passed in with a reserve of only $50,000. His seven-start career has produced two wins including the Listed Star Way Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie in April, and he has earned $83,035,00. Giddy Up Warrior (NZ) (Saxon Warrior) broke his maiden on his second start at Sandown for Lindsay Park Racing. Purchased by Lindsay Park Racing, Gareth Hall and Guy Mulcaster for $140,000 from Riversley Park’s draft, with already $59,025 in stakes earnings from five light starts. Duma (NZ) – A bright new talent in Malaysian racing stepped on to the stage at Selangor Turf Club. The son of Too Darn Hot made a stylish winning debut in the RM50,000 NZB Ready to Run Sale Trophy (1200m). Duma was and was offered by Prima Park, where Esther Quan Hui Lim bought him for $45,000. On the same day, Bold Runner (NZ), another 2023 graduate took out the NZB Airfreight Trophy (1200m). The son of the late Contributer and first foal from the Makfi mare McPhoebe was a $60,000 purchase by Tan Tiang Huat from Riverrock Farm’s draft. Trelawney Stud prepared Anushka Shesastar (NZ) (Proisir), was secured by the N & P Balia Family Trust for $130,000, and since won on debut for trainer John Bary. Perfumist (NZ) was quick off the back of selling, winning on debut in April for trainer Bjorn Baker. The filly by El Roca was knocked down to Bjorn Baker, OTI Racing, Phill Cataldo and Clarke Bloodstock for $190,000 from Westbury Stud’s draft. In more recent times, Kasukedo (Lonhro) joins the impressive list of winning graduates since going under the hammer at the 2023 edition of the Sale. Purchased by Hong Kong’s C Tsoi for $100,000 from Kiltannon Stable’s draft and trained to win on debut for local Cambridge preparer and trainer Mark Forbes. Stage N Screen (NZ) (Ace High) showed class ability when she romped home on debut at for Te Akau Racing. Hailing from the lines of NZB Filly of The Year Amarelinha (NZ) (Savabeel), and half-brother to Group One Australian Guineas placed Japanese Emperor (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) this filly has a bright future ahead. Knocked down to Te Akau Racing for $200,000 from Kiltannon Stables draft. Buyers will be able to secure the next racetrack star from the 404-lot quality catalogue on offer at the 2024 edition of the Ready to Run Sale. Taking place at the Karaka Sales Centre from 11am (NZT) on 20 & 21 November, with Breeze Ups to be held at Te Rapa Racecourse on 21 & 22 October. View the full article

The NZB Ready to Run Sale’s class of 2023 has wasted little time in delivering returns to buyers with several having already won races, including highly impressive starts to the careers of three of the highest-priced lots. The buyers of $825,000 sale-topper Megastar Heart (Star Turn), $725,000 purchase Mayne (Written Tycoon) and $700,000 filly Rapid Cheval (NZ) (Super Seth) have all made quick returns on their investments with early wins that hold the promise of much more to come. Megastar Heart was bought by Pato Leung and Solari Bloodstock from the draft of KB Bloodstock. The Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald-trained colt has had two wins, a placing and A$139,850 in stakes from only four starts to date. Runner-up on debut at Kembla Grange in late April, Megastar Heart cleared maiden ranks in his second start with a smart performance on Randwick’s Kensington track on May 15. Mayne ringside at Karaka for the 2023 Ready to Run Sale. That earned Megastar Heart a shot at the A$1m Group Two Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) in Brisbane, where he finished a creditable and unlucky eighth. In his only other start, Megastar Heart was a super-impressive winner of the Listed Oxlade Stakes (1300m) at Eagle Farm on June 15. “I think he’s a really nice colt and he’ll be better again next year. He’s just very natural. I’d say he is well up there with one of the nicest two-year-olds I’ve had.” Mayne was offered by Kilgravin Lodge at Karaka last November, where he was bought by Blandford Bloodstock and Andrew Williams Bloodstock. Also trained by Neasham and Archibald, Mayne finished third on debut at Warwick Farm in late August, then took a big step forward with a two-length maiden victory in his only other start on the Kensington track on September 11. Kilgravin Lodge’s 2023 Ready to Run Sale draft also featured Rapid Cheval, who was purchased by Laming Racing and John White Bloodstock. The Bevan Laming-trained filly finished fourth on debut on the Sunshine Coast on September 4, then won with a touch of authority at Eagle Farm on September 20 in her only other start. She lines up in the Group Two Thousand Guineas Prelude this weekend. Feroce (NZ) was a $160,000 purchase & already Group One runner up with A$667,625 in stakes. Feroce (NZ) (Super Seth), who was bought by McKeever Bloodstock and Sutton Racing for $160,000 from Kilgravin Lodge’s draft, has won twice in his six-start career, scoring victories at Pakenham and Caulfield, and he was a close fourth in the Group Three Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) and recently runner up in the prolific Group One Caulfield Guineas, with a total earnings so far of A$667,625. Stable mate Khadime (NZ) (Star Turn) was also a winner on debut for the young trainer earlier in the year. Purchased for $200,000 from the same draft, the filly has since won $74,500 in stakes earning from just a handful of starts. Other early winners among 2023 Ready to Run Sale graduates include: Promising Hong Kong prospect Patch Of Cosmo (NZ) (Super Seth), who was a $260,000 purchase from the Riversley Park draft. He has five starts for two wins so far in Hong Kong and opened his winning account in good style at Sha Tin on September 22. He has already earned HK$1,457,650 (NZ$309,313.33). Truth or Dare (NZ), a striking son of Vanbrugh was impressive at Cranbourne on debut recently for Te Akau Racing. The chestnut gelding was knocked down to his trainers for $120,000 from Riversley Park’s 2023 draft. With one win from three starts and $30,245 already in the bank and the VCR Derby in sight. Domain Ace (NZ) (Swiss Ace), who was offered by Rogerson Bloodstock and was passed in with a reserve of only $50,000. His seven-start career has produced two wins including the Listed Star Way Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie in April, and he has earned $83,035,00. Giddy Up Warrior (NZ) (Saxon Warrior) broke his maiden on his second start at Sandown for Lindsay Park Racing. Purchased by Lindsay Park Racing, Gareth Hall and Guy Mulcaster for $140,000 from Riversley Park’s draft, with already $59,025 in stakes earnings from five light starts. Duma (NZ) – A bright new talent in Malaysian racing stepped on to the stage at Selangor Turf Club. The son of Too Darn Hot made a stylish winning debut in the RM50,000 NZB Ready to Run Sale Trophy (1200m). Duma was and was offered by Prima Park, where Esther Quan Hui Lim bought him for $45,000. On the same day, Bold Runner (NZ), another 2023 graduate took out the NZB Airfreight Trophy (1200m). The son of the late Contributer and first foal from the Makfi mare McPhoebe was a $60,000 purchase by Tan Tiang Huat from Riverrock Farm’s draft. Trelawney Stud prepared Anushka Shesastar (NZ) (Proisir), was secured by the N & P Balia Family Trust for $130,000, and since won on debut for trainer John Bary. Perfumist (NZ) was quick off the back of selling, winning on debut in April for trainer Bjorn Baker. The filly by El Roca was knocked down to Bjorn Baker, OTI Racing, Phill Cataldo and Clarke Bloodstock for $190,000 from Westbury Stud’s draft. In more recent times, Kasukedo (Lonhro) joins the impressive list of winning graduates since going under the hammer at the 2023 edition of the Sale. Purchased by Hong Kong’s C Tsoi for $100,000 from Kiltannon Stable’s draft and trained to win on debut for local Cambridge preparer and trainer Mark Forbes. Stage N Screen (NZ) (Ace High) showed class ability when she romped home on debut at for Te Akau Racing. Hailing from the lines of NZB Filly of The Year Amarelinha (NZ) (Savabeel), and half-brother to Group One Australian Guineas placed Japanese Emperor (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) this filly has a bright future ahead. Knocked down to Te Akau Racing for $200,000 from Kiltannon Stables draft. Buyers will be able to secure the next racetrack star from the 404-lot quality catalogue on offer at the 2024 edition of the Ready to Run Sale. Taking place at the Karaka Sales Centre from 11am (NZT) on 20 & 21 November, with Breeze Ups to be held at Te Rapa Racecourse on 21 & 22 October. View the full article

The NZB Ready to Run Sale’s class of 2023 has wasted little time in delivering returns to buyers with several having already won races, including highly impressive starts to the careers of three of the highest-priced lots. The buyers of $825,000 sale-topper Megastar Heart (Star Turn), $725,000 purchase Mayne (Written Tycoon) and $700,000 filly Rapid Cheval (NZ) (Super Seth) have all made quick returns on their investments with early wins that hold the promise of much more to come. Megastar Heart was bought by Pato Leung and Solari Bloodstock from the draft of KB Bloodstock. The Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald-trained colt has had two wins, a placing and A$139,850 in stakes from only four starts to date. Runner-up on debut at Kembla Grange in late April, Megastar Heart cleared maiden ranks in his second start with a smart performance on Randwick’s Kensington track on May 15. Mayne ringside at Karaka for the 2023 Ready to Run Sale. That earned Megastar Heart a shot at the A$1m Group Two Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) in Brisbane, where he finished a creditable and unlucky eighth. In his only other start, Megastar Heart was a super-impressive winner of the Listed Oxlade Stakes (1300m) at Eagle Farm on June 15. “I think he’s a really nice colt and he’ll be better again next year. He’s just very natural. I’d say he is well up there with one of the nicest two-year-olds I’ve had.” Mayne was offered by Kilgravin Lodge at Karaka last November, where he was bought by Blandford Bloodstock and Andrew Williams Bloodstock. Also trained by Neasham and Archibald, Mayne finished third on debut at Warwick Farm in late August, then took a big step forward with a two-length maiden victory in his only other start on the Kensington track on September 11. Kilgravin Lodge’s 2023 Ready to Run Sale draft also featured Rapid Cheval, who was purchased by Laming Racing and John White Bloodstock. The Bevan Laming-trained filly finished fourth on debut on the Sunshine Coast on September 4, then won with a touch of authority at Eagle Farm on September 20 in her only other start. She lines up in the Group Two Thousand Guineas Prelude this weekend. Feroce (NZ) was a $160,000 purchase & already Group One runner up with A$667,625 in stakes. Feroce (NZ) (Super Seth), who was bought by McKeever Bloodstock and Sutton Racing for $160,000 from Kilgravin Lodge’s draft, has won twice in his six-start career, scoring victories at Pakenham and Caulfield, and he was a close fourth in the Group Three Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) and recently runner up in the prolific Group One Caulfield Guineas, with a total earnings so far of A$667,625. Stable mate Khadime (NZ) (Star Turn) was also a winner on debut for the young trainer earlier in the year. Purchased for $200,000 from the same draft, the filly has since won $74,500 in stakes earning from just a handful of starts. Other early winners among 2023 Ready to Run Sale graduates include: Promising Hong Kong prospect Patch Of Cosmo (NZ) (Super Seth), who was a $260,000 purchase from the Riversley Park draft. He has five starts for two wins so far in Hong Kong and opened his winning account in good style at Sha Tin on September 22. He has already earned HK$1,457,650 (NZ$309,313.33). Truth or Dare (NZ), a striking son of Vanbrugh was impressive at Cranbourne on debut recently for Te Akau Racing. The chestnut gelding was knocked down to his trainers for $120,000 from Riversley Park’s 2023 draft. With one win from three starts and $30,245 already in the bank and the VCR Derby in sight. Domain Ace (NZ) (Swiss Ace), who was offered by Rogerson Bloodstock and was passed in with a reserve of only $50,000. His seven-start career has produced two wins including the Listed Star Way Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie in April, and he has earned $83,035,00. Giddy Up Warrior (NZ) (Saxon Warrior) broke his maiden on his second start at Sandown for Lindsay Park Racing. Purchased by Lindsay Park Racing, Gareth Hall and Guy Mulcaster for $140,000 from Riversley Park’s draft, with already $59,025 in stakes earnings from five light starts. Duma (NZ) – A bright new talent in Malaysian racing stepped on to the stage at Selangor Turf Club. The son of Too Darn Hot made a stylish winning debut in the RM50,000 NZB Ready to Run Sale Trophy (1200m). Duma was and was offered by Prima Park, where Esther Quan Hui Lim bought him for $45,000. On the same day, Bold Runner (NZ), another 2023 graduate took out the NZB Airfreight Trophy (1200m). The son of the late Contributer and first foal from the Makfi mare McPhoebe was a $60,000 purchase by Tan Tiang Huat from Riverrock Farm’s draft. Trelawney Stud prepared Anushka Shesastar (NZ) (Proisir), was secured by the N & P Balia Family Trust for $130,000, and since won on debut for trainer John Bary. Perfumist (NZ) was quick off the back of selling, winning on debut in April for trainer Bjorn Baker. The filly by El Roca was knocked down to Bjorn Baker, OTI Racing, Phill Cataldo and Clarke Bloodstock for $190,000 from Westbury Stud’s draft. In more recent times, Kasukedo (Lonhro) joins the impressive list of winning graduates since going under the hammer at the 2023 edition of the Sale. Purchased by Hong Kong’s C Tsoi for $100,000 from Kiltannon Stable’s draft and trained to win on debut for local Cambridge preparer and trainer Mark Forbes. Stage N Screen (NZ) (Ace High) showed class ability when she romped home on debut at for Te Akau Racing. Hailing from the lines of NZB Filly of The Year Amarelinha (NZ) (Savabeel), and half-brother to Group One Australian Guineas placed Japanese Emperor (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) this filly has a bright future ahead. Knocked down to Te Akau Racing for $200,000 from Kiltannon Stables draft. Buyers will be able to secure the next racetrack star from the 404-lot quality catalogue on offer at the 2024 edition of the Ready to Run Sale. Taking place at the Karaka Sales Centre from 11am (NZT) on 20 & 21 November, with Breeze Ups to be held at Te Rapa Racecourse on 21 & 22 October. View the full article

Breeze Ups for the world’s best sale of two-year-olds are set to take place next week on Monday 21 and Tuesday 22 October at Te Rapa Racecourse. All two-year-olds entered in NZB’s Ready to Run Sale have the opportunity to breeze on the same turf track at Te Rapa Racecourse over two consecutive days. Commencing at 10am each day, there will be a total of 183 heats filmed and timed from the near the 600m mark to past the winning post. Further footage will be recorded of all lots mounted in the Parade Ring before their breeze up to give buyers a 360 degree view of each horse on the day. View them here. To assist buyers, NZB will be recording various details during the Breeze Ups including timing the last 200m of their gallop, penetrometer readings of the track, an outline of the weather conditions and a wind anemometer reading against each Lot. This data will be displayed on the NZB website against each horse for easy analysis and comparison and will be available alongside the video clips of the Breeze Up and Parade Ring footage by Friday 25 October. All prospective buyers are welcome to attend the Breeze Ups, with the full schedule and order of heats available to view here. For bloodstock enquiries or inspections, NZB’s Bloodstock team can be contacted here. Keep up to date with stories and content throughout both days here, or over on our social media channels, Facebook, Instagram or X. View the full article

There are 16 horse racing meetings set for Australia on Saturday, October 19. Our racing analysts here at horsebetting.com.au have found you the best bets and the quaddie numbers for Caulfield, Randwick, Eagle Farm, Ascot & Darwin. Saturday’s Free Horse Racing Tips – October 19, 2024 Caulfield Racing Tips Randwick Racing Tips Eagle Farm Racing Tips Ascot Racing Tips Darwin Racing Tips As always, there are plenty of promotions available for Australian racing fans. Check out all the top online bookmakers to see what daily promotions they have. If you are looking for a new bookmaker for the horse racing taking place on October 19, 2024 check out our guide to the best online racing betting sites. Neds Code GETON 1 Take It To The Neds Level Neds Only orange bookie! Check Out Neds Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you prepared to lose today? Full terms. 2 It Pays To Play PlayUp Aussie-owned horse racing specialists! Check Out PlayUp Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Full terms. Dabble Signup Code AUSRACING 3 Say Hey to the social bet! Dabble Have a Dabble with friends! Join Dabble Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. THINK. IS THIS A BET YOU REALLY WANT TO PLACE? Full terms. Recommended! Bet365 Signup Code GETON 4 Never Ordinary Bet365 World Favourite! Visit Bet365 Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. GETON is not a bonus code. bet365 does not offer bonus codes in Australia and this referral code does not grant access to offers. What’s gambling really costing you? Full terms. 5 Next Gen Racing Betting PickleBet Top 4 Betting. Extra Place. Every Race. Join Picklebet Review 18+ Gamble Responsibly. What are you really gambling with? Full terms. 6 Bet With A Boom BoomBet Daily Racing Promotions – Login to view! Join Boombet Review 18+ Gamble responsibly. Think. Is this a bet you really want to place. Full terms. Horse racing tips View the full article

Chris Taylor will make his debut at Darwin’s Fannie Bay on Saturday. He debuted at Kununurra in WA in August, and now Tweed Heads-based jockey Chris Taylor will make his first Darwin appearance on Saturday. Taylor, who started his career in South Africa, has four rides at Fannie Bay and will partner Dick Leech’s stablemates Envenomate, Boomerconi and Miracoli, as well as Patrick Johnston’s Ankle Rolex. Taylor strives to join a long list of fellow interstate riders who have tasted success when visiting the NT for the first time. The form guide suggests that Miracoli and Ankle Rolex are his best hopes. “I’m riding a few horses for Phil Brittain in Darwin,” he said. “I met Phil at Kununurra and did some trackwork for him and Chris Pollard while I was over there, and they said to give them a bell if ever I wanted to ride in Darwin. “I thought I’d give it a go up that way, it’s just a new experience and if I get a winner happy days. “I haven’t gone through the form properly yet, but the rides look competitive enough.” Pollard was training Brittain’s horses with Leech serving a suspension, but Leech made his return at Fannie Bay a fortnight ago. Having the opportunity to ride in south-east Queensland and northern NSW during the week, Taylor featured at Kununurra after replying to an advert on Facebook. He had four wins at the Kununurra meetings on August 24 and 31, which included a double for prominent NT trainer Kerry Petrick. “I always want to travel and try new places, I’m more than happy to ride wherever as long as there’s chances,” Taylor said. “I lived in Dubai for seven years, so the Darwin conditions won’t be a problem. “I’m no stranger to dirt racing, and Fannie Bay looks like a nicely designed track.” Taylor, 45, arrived in Australia in December 2016, and with visa issues restricting him to trackwork, he finally got his first race start at the Gold Coast in January 2018. He completed his apprenticeship in South Africa in the late 1990s before moving to Dubai in the early 2000s where he rode the Middle Eastern circuit. After also riding in Korea and Zimbabwe, Taylor returned to South Africa and all was going well until his neighbour was hijacked, which prompted the move to Australia. “Heading to Darwin is less travelling time to some of the tracks I’ve been going to in Queensland,” he said. “Some of the trips I have been doing of late have been five, six or seven hours in the car. “Just drive to the airport and relax on the plane for four hours.” Horse racing news
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Bella Nipotina has won The Everest in a sweet victory for jockey Craig Williams. View the full article

Positivity has been scratched from the Caulfield Cup. (Photo by Scott Barbour/Racing Photos) Positivity, the Naturalism Stakes winner, has been withdrawn from Saturday’s Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) after failing to satisfy trainer Andrew Forsman during a Friday trot-up. The four-year-old mare, who had secured a guaranteed start in the Caulfield Cup with her victory in the Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield last month, was set to be ridden by jockey Winona Costin. However, following her midfield in The Bart Cummings (2520m) in her final lead-up, she was ruled out on Friday afternoon due to a minor hoof issue. Positivity’s withdrawal opens the door for Fancy Man, who placed in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) last start. Trained by Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald, Fancy Man will now jump from barrier three with Ron Stewart aboard. Meanwhile, the connections of Deny Knowledge and Young Werther are anxiously awaiting results from re-inspections after Racing Victoria vets found both horses displaying irregular gaits during Thursday’s assessments. Horse racing news
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The departure of 10-time Group One winner Imperatriz has done little to slow Te Akau Racing’s progress in Australia, and trainer Mark Walker hopes the stable’s strong spring momentum will continue at Caulfield on Saturday. Walker trained nine black-type winners on Australian soil last season, six of them with Imperatriz in a sparkling campaign that earned her New Zealand Horse of the Year honours. Imperatriz has since been retired and sold for A$6.6 million at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, but Te Akau’s black-type successes have continued to come thick and fast. Walker has already trained five Group or Listed winners in Australia this spring, headed by Fortuna Racing’s flying filly Bellatrix Star in the Gr.2 Schillaci Stakes (1100m), Gr.3 Scarborough Stakes (1200m) and Listed Cap D’Antibes Stakes (1100m). Quintessa carried Te Akau’s tangerine colours to victory in the Gr.3 Cockram Stakes (1200m), while Midnight Blue took out last Sunday’s Listed Seymour Cup (1600m). Te Akau will be represented on Caulfield Cup Day on Saturday by a trio of Group Two contenders – Quintessa in the Gr.2 Sharp EIT Solutions Tristarc Stakes (1400m), Sans Doute in the Gr.2 Millennium Sprint (1000m) and Exuberance in the Gr.2 Manhari Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m). Quintessa was a Group One winner in New Zealand last season in the Levin Classic (1600m) at Trentham, and she went on to prove herself across the Tasman with a second in the Gr.2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) and fourth placings in the Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m) and Australian Oaks (2400m). The daughter of Shamus Award kicked off her four-year-old season with an outstanding win in the Cockram Stakes at Caulfield on August 31, then was tripped up by a heavy track when unplaced in the Gr.2 Let’s Elope Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on September 14. A minor setback later ruled her out of a run in the Gr.2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes (1400m) on October 5. “She just had a bit of a hoof issue that forced her out of that race, but she’s well and truly over that now,” Walker said. “She went to Caulfield this week and galloped particularly well. “Caulfield seemed to suit her nicely in her first-up win in the Cockram, which was her first start at the course. It’s good that we were able to book Zac Purton to ride her this weekend as well. We know he’ll give her every chance.” Sans Doute won four consecutive races between December and March last season, culminating in a black-type success in the Listed Bob Hoysted Handicap (1000m). She resumed with an eye-catching finish from last to run third in the Listed Norman Carlyon Stakes (1000m), which was won by subsequent Group One winner Mornington Glory, but then finished only seventh in the Gr.2 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m). The five-year-old was nominated for Saturday’s Listed Alinghi Stakes (1100m) as well as the Millennium Sprint, but Walker opted for the Group Two. “I had a conversation with Ben (Gleeson, assistant trainer) and we came to the conclusion that the Group Two would be the more suitable target,” he said. “We think she gets in well enough at the weights. She’s already a Listed winner, so we’re looking to increase her value if we can with a run in the 1000m race at Group Two level. “A wet track brought her unstuck last time out, but she’s pleased us since then and also galloped well at Caulfield this week.” Te Akau’s Caulfield contingent is completed by the three-year-old Savabeel filly Exuberance, who steps up into Group Two class after a last-start maiden win at Cranbourne on October 2. “She’s a talented filly,” Walker said. “It’s obviously a big step up from a maiden to a Group Two, but she deserves her opportunity. She’s another one that had a nice look around Caulfield this week and did everything well. We’re very happy with her.” Exuberance will be ridden by world-renowned jockey Joao Moreira, who formed a highly successful association with Walker when the multiple premiership-winning trainer was based in Singapore. Moreira rode 48 winners from just 204 rides on Walker-trained runners at Kranji. View the full article

Bill Thurlow’s stable has hit the ground running in the early stages of the season and one of his in-form runners, Battle Secret, will chase local spoils in Sunday’s Steelformers Waverley Cup (2200m). A seven-year-old by Battle Paint, Battle Secret has been lightly raced through his career due to injury, but he has found career best form of late, winning three in a row before finishing second to Sacred Pearl in the Egmont Cup (2100m) a fortnight ago. “I thought it was a really good run in the Egmont Cup, he went super well and just got a little bit tucked away on the inside for a little bit too long,” Thurlow said. “He didn’t get out and he is a rolling type of horse, it’s hard for him as a big long-striding type to sit and sprint. Once he got out, he found the line really well, so we were very pleased. “I think he’s just really matured this year, he’s sound and a very happy horse. “That’s all I can put it down too, but he’s found a very good patch of form and if he can carry on like that, long may it continue.” Thurlow has a further six representatives at the Waverley meeting, including Frank The Tank, who faces a similar assignment in the Chris Grace / Tony Wilson Livestock (1650m) to his last start victory at the venue. “He’s come through that run well, his work this week has been very good and we’ve had no issues with him,” he said. “It’s a similar field to what he raced against last time, so we’re hoping he’ll run well again. “We’d be pretty keen to see where he ends up after Sunday, he’s obviously Rating 75 so if he doesn’t win, he’ll stay in that grade and we can pick a nice race for him. “If he does and goes up to open company, we’ve probably got to look at one or two of those Country Cup-type races and we’d like to get him over 2000m. “I haven’t really mapped out a plan for him, but possibly something like a Feilding Cup could be on the cards in a couple of weeks, we’ll just see what happens on Sunday.” The meeting will also mark the start of Movin Out’s career, a filly by Staphanos that impressed Thurlow through her juvenile trials. “She’s a really progressive filly and we really like her, she won a couple of trials as a two-year-old and she’s come back and it’s taken her a little while to come up this time,” he said. “We’ve had to be a little bit patient with her, but going forward she’s going to be a nice filly and even though she’s drawn wide, she’ll run well. “It’s not the best draw, but we’re probably quite lucky in the fact that the 1400m at Waverley has quite a long run down the back, so she should be able to get into a reasonable position.” Movin Out will be ridden by apprentice jockey Triston Moodley, who also partners stablemates Frank The Tank, Crunchie Boy, Elivaber and The Big Picture in their respective races. One of Thurlow’s stable headliners, No Compromise, is safely back at his Waverley property after a strong run into third in last Saturday’s Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Te Rapa. The eight-year-old is a previous Group One winner of the Metropolitan Handicap (2400m) in Australia, and since returning to his homeland, has also placed in last season’s Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2050m) behind Campionessa. “He went really well, I thought it was a good run and he had a nice trip, he acquitted himself well,” Thurlow said. “He’s nice and bright and travelled home well, he’s an older horse now with a few campaigns so they seem to handle it a bit better than the younger ones. A bit of travelling and having a race like that is nothing to him at this stage, he has come through it nicely. “He’ll probably have one more run on Melbourne Cup Day in the Balmerino Stakes (Gr.3, 2000m) and then there won’t be much for him for a little while. “He’s at the stage where there’s nowhere to hide, he’s weight-for-age and that’s where he’s at.” View the full article

Multiple stakes winner Chantilly Lace has plenty of credentials to take into life as a broodmare, which may come swiftly after her recent mating with Windsor Park Stud’s exciting new shuttle stallion Paddington. The daughter of U S Navy Flag has a multitude of black-type to her name with victories in the Listed Castletown Stakes (1200m) and Listed Wanganui Guineas (1200m), alongside placings in the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes (1200m), Gr.3 Wellington Stakes (1600m), Listed Futurity Stakes (1400m) and Listed Oaks Prelude (1800m). Bambry, who owns Chantilly Lace alongside her parents Tony and Judith Bambry, will continue to race the mare over the coming months, kicking off in the AR Painters Handicap (1400m) at Otaki on Saturday. “She nearly won last start, she was just pipped at the line,” Bambry said. “She’s been served by Paddington and we’ll find out next week whether she’s in foal, so she missed a little bit of work and may need the run on Saturday. “They can race up to 120 days, so she’ll probably keep racing until the end of the year so hopefully we can win back her service fee.” Also on the Otaki card, Bambry will have a pair of homebred fillies lining up in the Cavallo Farms and Chris Rutten Bloodstock 2YO (800m), with Ensign Aria and Blondmoon. Ensign Aria has had a pair of race-day starts to date, while Blondmoon, a daughter of the Bambry’s five-win mare Blondlign, will make her debut. “Ensign Aria is a filly that has shown us a bit of ability, she’s a natural early type but with a lack of two-year-old trials down here in the CD, it made sense to give her further education at the races,” Bambry said. “She’s been a little bit green at her first two starts, but hopefully the race experience will hold her in good stead for Saturday. “Blondmoon has done a lot of education as well, she’s done plenty of jump-outs and she’s a quick little filly. “She’s out of a mare that was very good to us, and with three kilos off, I think she’ll be a big chance as well.” Alongside the pair, Bambry has a number of young stock coming through her stable, many of which the family have bred or co-bred themselves. “It’s really satisfying to see them going to the races, Mark and Lorraine Forbes break all of ours in and the horses go up to them in January, so they’ve been well-educated early on,” she said. “That is probably the important thing in getting them running early. “Mark and Lorraine do a great job with them, they do their second prep and they basically come to me like little racehorses. It’s nice to have a system that works for us. “Those two are probably the most natural two-year-old’s of the dozen that I have here, so it’s nice to see them out on the track.” Bambry will keep a close eye on the weather forecast when considering a start for The Finnster in the Vets On Riverbank Handicap (2100m), while Lets Get Loose will take her place in the Tim Faith Memorial (1600m). The Turn Me Loose mare capped off a string of good performances with her maiden success at Woodville last month, with apprentice Elle Sole retaining the ride on Saturday. “It was a really satisfying result, she’s a little mare but she’s got a huge heart and tries so hard,” Bambry said. “If they all tried as hard as her, it would be an easy game. “It’s a big step-up in grade and now the tracks are getting a bit firmer, she may be looking for a bit more ground. But, we’ve got to step up at some stage, so she can go there and then there’s a nice 1800m race for her in a couple of weeks.” View the full article

Andrew Forsman is no stranger to big-race success on Caulfield Cup Day, and he is hoping the 2024 edition of one of Australia’s biggest racedays will deliver more of that winning feeling. Forsman will saddle Positivity in Saturday’s A$5 million Gr.1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), while Aegon will contest the A$200,000 Gr.3 Moonga Stakes (1400m). The Cambridge trainer is attempting to win both of those races for the second time. Mongolian Khan delivered a Kiwi triumph in the 2015 Caulfield Cup for Forsman and his former training partner Murray Baker, while Aegon took out the Moonga Stakes in 2022. Forsman has also had further Caulfield Cup Day success in the Gr.3 Ethereal Stakes (2000m) for three-year-old fillies, which he won with Eleonora in 2016. Like Mongolian Khan nine years ago, Positivity heads into Saturday’s Caulfield Cup as a spring four-year-old. A late-developer who made her debut only 10 months ago, Positivity scored Group Three wins on both sides of the Tasman as an autumn three-year-old, capturing the Sunline Vase (2100m) at Ellerslie and the SA Fillies’ Classic (2500m) at Morphettville. The daughter of Almanzor was also runner-up in the Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m). Positivity kicked off her spring campaign in Melbourne with a second placing in the Listed Heatherlie Stakes (1700m), then earned a ballot-free ticket into the Caulfield Cup with her second-up victory in the Gr.3 MRC Foundation Cup (2000m) on September 21. In her only start since then, Positivity finished a close seventh in the Gr.3 Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington on October 5. “I thought she did a good job that day,” Forsman said. “The way the race was run didn’t particularly suit her, and there was also a fair bit of rain during that afternoon. She’s a mare that really needs better footing. “All things considered, I didn’t think it was a bad run at all. I liked the fact that she didn’t throw it away. She kept coming and was doing some of her best work at the line.” Forsman has been more than satisfied with Positivity’s progress leading into Saturday’s race, in which she will carry the minimum weight of 50kg and will jump from gate nine. The TAB rates her a $35 chance. “She’s trained on really well since her Flemington run,” Forsman said. “She had a good, strong gallop over ground on the course proper at Flemington on Tuesday morning. “She’s drawn well and gets in at the bottom of the weights. Obviously a few other talented horses have light weights too, and it’s worked out that the topweight has only 55kg. But it’s always nice to have a decent drop from the weights she’s been carrying lately. “Winona Costin will ride her. She’s a good natural lightweight and has helped us a lot with riding trackwork when we’ve had horses in Melbourne.” Aegon, meanwhile, brings mixed form into his shot at a second Moonga Stakes victory. He resumed with a bold finish for fourth in the Gr.2 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) on August 17, but then finished last in the Gr.1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) two weeks later. “That was too bad to be true and we’re still scratching our heads about his performance that day,” Forsman said. “He pulled up a little bit indifferently, but seemed to be completely right again within a few days. “We gave him an easy time of it for a few weeks after that race, then started to work him back up again. He’s had a jumpout, where he went well. I’m hoping to see him put his best foot forward this week. He won this race a couple of years ago and it suits him well – it’s just that level down from Group One weight-for-age company.” View the full article

Hong Kong-based jockey hopes to replicate Sydney Cup win when he rides lightweight mare in Melbourne.View the full article

Friends in the right places could help Hong Kong-based Italian jockey Andrea Atzeni build on his Australian Group 1 record with victory in the $5m Caulfield Cup. View the full article

Qatar Racing manager David Redvers, highlighted the sharp rise in crowd numbers at this year’s Kentucky Derby and Melbourne Cup.View the full article

Andrew Forsman already has a Caulfield Cup (G1) victory on his CV from his joint venture with Murray Baker, and the Kiwi horseman is plotting another raid on the Oct. 19 race with his stakes-winning mare Positivity.View the full article

Breeders’ Cup World Championships hopefuls Mufasa, Gold Phoenix, Kilwin, and Pandora’s Gift are part of the 12 offerings by Keeneland for their Championship Sale Oct. 30.View the full article