Thompson gains Flemington stables
Trainer Glen Thompson will set up on his own at Flemington after the Ballymore stables were leased to Lindsay Park, following the death of his co-trainer Mike Moroney. “I've been lucky enough to have been given 20 boxes at Flemington to press on with,” Thompson told racing.com.
“I've trained in my own right previously, I was in Brisbane and then spent a little while in Sydney - I moved back to Sydney because my old man (Vic) got really sick, it's really hard to get going in Sydney.
Glen Thompson | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“I got the opportunity to come down to Melbourne with Mike, it was great. I learnt a lot from Mike, it was great to be able to spend some time with him, he was obviously a great trainer and his record speaks for itself, it was an honour to spend that time with him.
“I'll take a lot of what I learnt from Mike, as I will with all the trainers I've worked with along the way. It's disappointing the way things have worked out, but I now get the opportunity to go back out on my own, I've just got to hope the support and new owners come and get involved in the stable.”
Autumn Glow to spell
Part-owner John Messara confirmed on Monday that unbeaten Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) will spell, and won't be running in Saturday's G1 All-Aged Stakes.
John Messara | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Melbourne Cup winner heads to Queensland
The Queensland Winter Carnival will mark the track returns of G1 Melbourne Cup winner Without A Fight (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) and stablemate 4-year-old mare Isthmus (I Am Invincible) for trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman. “(Without A Fight is fresh and well and moving well so hopefully we can get a nice preparation into him there in Queensland,” Sam Freedman told racing.com.
“It's all form dependent, he owes us nothing, we will obviously get a guide on his trials and if he goes to Queensland, but he's moving well and feeling fresh.
Anthony and Sam Freedman | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“(Isthmus) is moving freely and we don't really want to rush her to get her to a race like the Sangster. I think we will just wait and maybe get up to Queensland for some of the sprints up there.”
Capricornia Yearlings median rises
The 2025 Capricornia Yearling Sale concluded on Sunday evening with 69 of the 125 lots selling at a clearance rate of 66 per cent (21 withdrawn) and a gross over $1 million. The average rose from 2024 to hit $15,899 (up for $12,287 in 2024), and the median leaped up from $6000 to $10,000. In 2024, the gross was similar at just a tick of $1 million, but with 89 horses sold at a clearance rate of 81 per cent.
The top price in 2025 was lower than 2024’s top price of $80,000, and was achieved by KBL Thoroughbreds’ Lot 115, a Lean Mean Machine colt who was purchased by William Bain for $68,000. Sunday’s second top lot, Lot 87 was Ellay Bloodstock’s Dracarys colt who was bought by Bloodstock Solutions for $60,000.
Lot 115 - Lean Mean Machine x Brushed (colt) | Image courtesy of the Rockhampton Jockey Club
Saturday’s Capricornia Yearling Sale 2YO Classic at Rockhampton was won by 2-year-old gelding Kerzner (Sun City) who cost $18,000 at the 2024 sale, while the race for three and 4-year-olds was won by Ricky Vale-trained 4-year-old mare Track Tale (Whittington) who cost $8000 in 2022.
Les Young scholarship opens
Applications are open for the 2025 Les Young Scholarship, offering a paid placement and training program at The National Stud in the UK — a prestigious and highly sought-after experience for emerging leaders in the sector.
The scholarship honours the late Les Young, a respected bloodstock agent and industry leader, and upholds his legacy of mentorship and talent development through AgriFutures Australia's commitment to supporting future professionals.
Racing Victoria announce VOBIS review
Racing Victoria have announced a review into their Victorian Owners and Breeders Incentive Scheme (VOBIS), and are inviting comments from participants prior to the review finalising in June 2025. “The VOBIS review will look at all facets of the VOBIS program including its structure, as well as analysing a number of trends including field sizes, race ratings and wagering revenue,” said the press release.
Participants with a knowledge of the current VOBIS system can complete the survey below or email their submission to vobisreview@racingvictoria.net.au before May 16.
Hickman takes Pierata son to Kembla
On Saturday, it’ll be five years since trainer Greg Hickman took his stable star Pierata to the 2020 G1 All-Aged Stakes for his final start, where he ran second by a nose to Tofane (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}). Pierata won the race the year before. “Even if he didn't win he was still beating the best of the best,” Hickman told racenet.com.au.
“We probably didn't see the best of him. Another 12 months, if he was a gelding, you would have but it was off to stud and he's doing a super job there, too.”
On Tuesday, Hickman will saddle up Prorata (Pierata) at Kembla Grange. “He got bumped and poked and bashed about in the running (of the Canberra Guineas Preview) so was unlucky. He was still very game in his run. The horse that won the race came out and ran second in the Oaks so there is a bit of form behind him.
“I gave him a trial and tried the blinkers for the first time and that helped heaps. Kerrin (McEvoy) rode him in the trial and was keen to ride him on Tuesday.”
Small stable has juvenile on Tuesday
Trainer Bonnie Thomson has only six horses in work, but one is the exciting juvenile Look ‘N’ Win (Winning Rupert) owned by Tom Hedley. Look ‘N’ Win will debut at Toowoomba on Tuesday. “I was doing pre-training for Roy Chillemi and when he decided to cut his numbers back, Tom (Hedley) gave me these two horses to train as I had already been pre-training them,” Thomson told racingqueensland.com.au. The other horse is 3-year-old filly Better Show (Better Than Ready).
Bonnie Thomson | Image courtesy of Racing Queensland
“Look ‘N’ Win has won a couple of jump-outs but she’s only tiny and I’d like to see her grow a bit more, so she’ll probably go out to the paddock soon."
Western Empire trials well ahead of The Quokka
Jockey William Pike was pleased with the trial of The Quokka runner Western Empire (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) on Monday. “He felt really good and we were a bit more positive in the trial,” Pike told racingwa.com.au.
“We just wanted to make sure he got a good hit out; they ran the trial a bit steady last time. We bounced out and made sure he got everything out of it, and I think he did. He loafed around a bit in front, and I got a bit more serious when they ran up to him.
William Pike | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“It was just about perfect the way the trial went. They came up and pressured him a little bit, so he got more out of it. I was very happy with him and it tunes him up nice. His attitude was really good which is a key factor for that horse.”
Around the nation: Monday’s highlights
A quiet Monday saw three race meetings across Australia. At Scone, 3-year-old gelding Speedy Harry (Hellbent) stayed unbeaten in winning for the second time. The QTIS 2-year-old handicap at Mackay was won by Darryl Johnston-trained gelding Krackacan (Wanted) who is now unbeaten in two starts. He won by 1.5l from Clinton Taylor-trained pair of geldings Bitter Spirit (Spirit Of Boom) and Whiskey Road (Invader).
One of only 26 live foals from Wanted’s current juvenile crop, Krackacan is the first foal of Lingalonga Lass (Mossman) who won seven races and over $100,000.
Nereus heads to Queensland
Trainers Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray have been guided by owner Waikato Stud on the next step for Group 2 winner Nereus (NZ) (Savabeel). “There’s really a limited amount left for him in New Zealand now, so at the sales, Mark Chittick (owner) suggested that we take him to Queensland for the Brisbane Winter Carnival,” Ritchie said.
“There is a stream of races that will suit him over there. I’ve still got to confirm with Mark, but he’ll probably fly over in early May and the first run for him would be the Chairman’s Handicap then the Premier’s Cup, but there is a laundry list of cups races for him, like the Caloundra Cup and Ipswich Cup as well.
Nereus (NZ) | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
“He doesn’t mind a bit of cut in the track and you can often get a bit of rain in Queensland through the winter carnival there, so I’m sure that won’t be a bother to him at all.”
Queensland Derby plan for Croupier
Trainer Andrew Campbell will set 3-year-old gelding Croupier (NZ) (Ace High) for the G1 Queensland Derby if he passes one more test on Saturday, backing him up after a win last Saturday. “He’s come through the race super, he hasn’t left an oat,” Campbell told Loveracing.nz.
“He’s got plenty of tricks up his sleeve and you have to go with the flow with him, you wouldn’t beat him even if you tried. His nickname’s Bully and just does what he wants.
“He’s a grouse horse though and when the penny really drops, he’s going to be pretty good. I’m going to back him up at Auckland in a Rating 65 mile on Saturday and Michael McNab is booked to ride him again, which is great. He’d have to win, or be really unlucky, to go over (to Queensland).
“There’s the Queensland Guineas, the Rough Habit Plate and then the Derby. I think he’ll stay all day, he’s by Ace High and he relaxes and drops the bit, we’re all pretty excited.”
Injured jockey finds a way towards recovery
Injured jockey Darren Danis passed the next test in his recovery, competing in the Ultimate Athlete Obstacle Race at Mount Maunganui Beach last Saturday. The 32-year-old fractured C4 and C5 vertebrae at a fall at the trials last November. “It is an obstacle course with some running as well,” Danis told Loveracing.nz.
“The physio said to give it a month before I try to run. I have been going a lot to the gym and I having been doing a lot of bike work. In the last two weeks I thought I would try running and see how my neck held up, and it held up quite well.
Darren Danis (far left) competing in the Ultimate Athlete Obstacle Race at Mount Maunganui Beach on Saturday | Image supplied
“I was quite confident with the obstacle course because jockeys are quite small, but we are strong for our size. There were a couple of things I thought I would struggle with, like the 25kg sandbag carry and the 20kg jerry can carry. I am 55.5kg, so that’s half of my body weight. But it was good. It was always going to be a challenge because six weeks isn’t a long time (to train), and it was just a question of how I felt after I pulled up after the run and I pulled up pretty good, the course itself didn’t affect the neck.
“There is still a question mark on riding with my neck. The doctor said it’s always going to be a dangerous job, but they know it is our livelihood, and you just have to let your body tell you. I will come back in June to ride trackwork, so I might try to ride someone’s pony in May and see what happens. I don’t really want to give up riding, but we have to listen to our body, so I will just do whatever I have to until I can ride.”
Cap Ferrat trials well ahead of Group 1
Trainer Francis Lui’s Listed Hong Kong Derby winner Cap Ferrat (Snitzel) ran fifth in a trial on Monday ahead his G1 QEII Cup task on April 27. “Keith (Yeung) said he was ok. He trialled well and it’s just to keep his condition. He’s fit and happy,” Lui told hkjc.com.
“I think it’s a tough race. He won the Derby but we don’t know his quality yet and what grade. It’s open age now and he will face international horses. I think he can do something but we don’t know. It’ll be an exciting race.”
Quartet for Barzalona in Paris
Rounding off a spectacular black-type four-timer on ParisLongchamp's Sunday card including all the Group race Classic trials, jockey Mickael Barzalona steered the Wertheimers' Uther (GB) (Camelot {GB}) to a straightforward success in the G3 Prix Noailles. “He was fit, but will progress from here as he's a big strong horse who will get better with racing,” trainer Christophe Ferland said of the half-brother to last year's G1 Grand Prix de Paris hero Sosie (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}).
“He's a very nice horse - he was a little bit unbalanced when he accelerated, but will stay a mile and a half no problem.” Uther is the fourth black-type winner for the Listed Prix Coronation-placed Sosia (Ger) (Shamardal {USA}), with the aforementioned Sosie her best followed by the dual listed scorer and multiple group-placed Anasia (GB) (Intello {Ger}). Sosia is a half to the G1 Premio Lydia Tesio winner Sortilege (Ire) (Tiger Hill {Ire}) and the G3 Prince d'Orange winner Soudania (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), with the former being also the second dam of the G2 Union-Rennen winner and G1 Grosser Preis von Baden runner-up Straight (Ger) (Zarak {Fr}).
Aga Khan’s Zarigana has Classic hopes
Entering Sunday's G3 Prix de la Grotte at ParisLongchamp with her reputation still sky-high, The Aga Khan's Studs' Zarigana (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) duly emerged with it intact ahead of what could be a big Classic campaign. Remaining calm as she was re-shod before the start, the Francis-Henri Graffard-trained grandaughter of Zarkava (Ire) (Zamindar) denied the British raider Shes Perfect (Ire) (Sioux Nation) by a neck.
“There is so much expectation and pressure with this filly, but this job is easy for her mechanically which is not a surprise when you look at her pedigree,” Graffard said. “She has a lot of quality and excitement in her, so we need to manage her properly and it is obviously very important to win a Group 1 with her.”
Zarigana is the second foal out of the Listed Prix de Thiberville winner and G1 Prix Vermeille third Zarkamiya (Fr) (Frankel {GB}), one of three black-type performers out of the ground-breaking unbeaten champion Zarkava who after winning the Marcel Boussac arrived here to warm up for a season that included glory in the two fillies' Classics and the Arc. Zarkava's G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud-winning Dubawi-sired son Zarak (Fr) is making a name for himself at the Stud, while another recent flagbearer for this branch is the G1 Prix Ganay runner-up Zarir (Ire) (Frankel {GB}).
Fixed Odds betting passed in third USA state
Joining New Jersey and Colorado, West Virginia has become the third state to legalise fixed odds wagering on horse racing. The legislation was fully completed on Saturday and the state's racetracks, sports book and gambling apps can begin accepting the bets whenever they are ready to go. The Legislature passed the bill by a 55-43 count.
“I am the general counsel and lobbyist for the Charles Town HBPA, and so that was the impetus for me trying to get this started,” said lobbyist Philip Reale. “Fixed odds has been popular in Australia and in Europe for a long time. I think it will help make a new market for horse racing, and bring in some bettors who might not otherwise be interested in horse racing. It's just an easier way to do things, in my opinion.
“I always tell a story about the college frat boys sitting on their couch on a Saturday afternoon betting on their apps. They've got their phones out. They'll play a couple of football games and then they'll see a horse that's going to pay 15-1 and they'll sees what that does to their odds on their parlay. They'll bet the horse to try to increase their pay out. That will be the real boon for sports books…odds boost from horses on their standard parlays and people are going to see the potential of big money. But we all know picking a winner of a horse race is not terribly easy. There will become a market for this eventually. How long this takes, I don't know? Hopefully, we can start this and it will snowball and we can get other states to bring it on line.”
