Cover image courtesy of Inglis

At A Glance

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A new record top price of $775,000 headlined the 2025 Inglis Australian Weanling Sale, being the full brother to Too Darn Lizzie (Too Darn Hot {GB}) bought by Equine Growth Fund out of the Widden Stud’s draft.

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The $19,216,950 aggregate (356 sold) represented a larger catalogue and was up from 2024’s $16,104,000 aggregate (292 weanlings sold) which was up from 2023’s figure $12,991,000 with 253 sold.

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The average across the two day sale was a new record of $53,980 up from 2024’s record average of $53,553 whilst the median remained the same at $30,000. The clearance rate of 76 per cent compared to last year’s 78 per cent.

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With the sale topper, Too Darn Hot (GB) led on average and aggregate with sales of $1.825 million for seven horses sold at an average of $260,700. Of the first season sires, Hitotsu led by average with seven weanlings sold at an average of $61,000. Artorius was close behind with an average of $55,200 for 12 sales.

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The leading vendor was Alma Vale who sold 15 weanlings for $1.4 million, while the leading vendor by average was Widden Stud whose five weanlings averaged $213,000.

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Equine Growth Fund, who purchased the sale topper, was the leading buyer by gross spending $1.23 million on three weanlings, making them also the leading buyer by average at $411,000.

Hutch very pleased with how the weanling sale played out

The most successful Inglis Australian Weanling Sale in history concluded at Riverside today with a record individual top price, record gross and record average.

The sale average, median and clearance rate are in line with the standard-setting sale of 12 months ago, despite an additional 92 weanlings having been offered for sale over the past two days.

The top weanling on Day 2 doubled as the highest-priced weanling to ever sell at an Inglis Australian Weanling Sale, a Too Darn Hot (GB) x Enbihaar colt (pictured) which sold to Equine Growth Fund for $775,000.

The colt was offered by Widden Stud, on behalf of Rob Cummings and partners, and eclipsed the previous sale record of $650,000, which was set yesterday.

Inglis Bloodstock CEO Sebastian Hutch was very pleased with how the weanling sale played out.

“Year after year, it has been a source of frustration at this sale that the demand for quality weanlings has exceeded supply, so we felt confident in advance of the sale that we could generate good demand across the catalogue,’’ Hutch said.

“That said, I fully expected that each of the average, median and clearance would fall markedly, noting that tends to happen as catalogues grow, so to have reached the end of the sale with those metrics in line with 12 months ago is a very pleasant surprise.

“The growth in this sale over the past number of years has been extraordinary, to the point where now, it is the premier weanling sale in the country.

“We are incredibly grateful to vendors for their continued support of the sale and look forward to seeing buyers achieve positive results with their purchases over the next number of years.

“This has been a really positive start to the week and we now look ahead to Thursday evening’s Chairman’s Sale, which is going to be a memorable evening, and then the Australian Broodmare Sale on Friday.’’

The only Vinnie offered was highly sought after

The momentum of I Am Invincible as a sire capable of producing elite performers both on the racetrack and in the sales ring shows no signs of slowing down, even at age 20, when some might suggest he’s entering the twilight of his career.

As the only lot by the Champion stallion catalogued in the sale, the filly was always going to be in high demand. That proved true when Mark and Shelley Treweek’s Lyndhurst Farm went to $290,000 to secure her from the draft of Yarraman Park Stud.

She is the first foal out of Chasing Fireflies (USA), a Listed placed, two-time winning sprinter by Twirling Candy (USA). The filly boasts a strong international pedigree, which is well supported by proven local performers deeper in the family, including Mumbai Muse (Zoustar), Mumbai Jewel (I Am Invincible), and Splendoronthegrass (So You Think {NZ}).

When asked what stood out most about the filly, Mark Treweek said, “First of all being by I Am Invincible, one of the leading sires around, it’s always difficult to buy them as weanlings.

“For us, we don’t breed, so if we want to get into these families, we have to buy them. I really liked the type, as an October foal she has lots of improvement to come.

“She was well prepared by Yarraman Park, a very nice filly with a pedigree, a very young pedigree, all American. But under the third dam, there are horses there that have done well in Australia.”

One of those notable performers is Mumbai Muse (Zoustar), a Group 3 and Listed winner. Her presence in the pedigree could receive a timely update, as she is set to go through the ring as Lot 87 at the Chairman’s Sale on Thursday night.

“Hopefully that goes well and it will reflect well on this filly later on,” Treweek said.

As for future plans, Treweek was open-minded but suggested a likely return to Easter.

“This filly will probably go to Easter; we will take her home and see how she grows out. But we have plenty of options, and we’ve bought her with a view of coming back for Easter.”

Anamoe makes an impact with his first progeny to sell

Anamoe captivated the racing public throughout his glittering career, winning 14 races across three seasons, including an incredible nine at Group 1 level.

Retired to Darley Stud in 2023 at a service fee of $121,000 inc GST, he covered an elite book of 149 mares in his debut season.

After Lot 144 was passed in short of her reserve earlier in the sale, it was Lot 362 who made history as his first of the stallion's progeny to sell at public auction, and she certainly didn’t disappoint.

The strong chestnut filly was knocked down for $340,000 to Lime Country Thoroughbreds, from the draft of Alma Vale Thoroughbreds.

Out of the stakes-winning juvenile Eawase (Sebring), the filly hails from a strong maternal line. Her granddam is the exceptional Karuta Queen (Not A Single Doubt), a six-time winner including the G3 Red Anchor Stakes, Listed Heritage Stakes, and the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic.

Oscar Engelbrecht of Alma Vale Thoroughbreds, who consigned the filly, was full of praise for the youngster, “She’s a queen of a filly, she ended up with 32 x-ray hits, she was out of her box more than she was in. She was actually busier than many horses I have brought to Easter and she never turned a hair.

“It’s super to do it for Reg Ryan, he’s a very dear friend and a long-term client of ours. The dam is a stakes-winning daughter of a freak (Karuta Queen) of a mare, so it’s a proper pedigree.”

Asked what appealed most about the filly, Engelbrecht continued, “The page has 2-year-old speed — and Anamoe is a 9-time Group 1 winner, so you can see why she was easily found.

“We thought if we got $200,000 for her, it would be good money. $340,000 is great money for a weanling. I really do want to thank the team at home, it really is a massive team effort and they all do a great job.”

As for Anamoe himself, Engelbrecht was enthusiastic about what lies ahead for the stallion, “We’ve got a good crop of foals on the ground by Anamoe. I think he is going to be a very, very good sire. We have five or six at home and they are very nice, he stamps them.

"I’ve talked to a lot of studmasters and farms, and they all have a really good feel about Anamoe.”

Jo Griffin from Lime Country Thoroughbreds was naturally very excited to get her hands on the filly who she will re-offer as a furnished yearling next year.

“Lovely filly, Alma Vale are across from us, Greg watched her parade all week and fell in love with her. When we asked Verna about her she said she was an absolute queen and had done everything right from day one.

“She is strong, beautifully balanced, and just a lovely filly so she was a no-brainer for us.”

When questioned about her pedigree and what stood out to her, Griffin said “Her first, second and third dam are all stakes winners as 2-year-olds, there is genuine speed in all dams, and I love the broodmare sires, Sebring and Not A Single Doubt.”

Griffin is another fan of Anamoe, she went on to say, "We have three other weanlings by Anamoe on the farm, we are very happy to make it four. We really like what we have seen of the stallion."

Lot 367 – Too Darn Hot (GB) x Enbihaar (Magnus) colt – $775,000

Lot 367, an imposing colt by Too Darn Hot presented by Widden Stud, made headlines when selling to the Equine Growth Fund for an Inglis Weanling Sale record of $775,000, with Stefan Pardi doing the successful bidding.

He is the fourth foal out of the Group 2-winning juvenile Enbihaar, a mare who combines racetrack performance with early broodmare success. She is also a half-sister to the Listed Debutant Stakes winner Miss Celine (Magnus), further adding to the depth of the pedigree.

The best performer of Enbihaar to date is the high-class Too Darn Lizzie (Too Darn Hot {GB}), a $1 million yearling purchase, who has gone on to win at Group 2 level and place in the G1 Thousand Guineas. Too Darn Lizzie is set to command major attention when she goes through the ring at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale on Thursday.

Following the birth of this record-breaking colt, Enbihaar was covered last spring by Widden Stud’s outstanding sire Zoustar.

Lot 362 – Anamoe x Eawase (Sebring) filly – $340,000

Secured by Lime Country Thoroughbreds for $340,000, Lot 362 is a beautifully related Anamoe filly offered by Alma Vale Thoroughbreds.

She is the fourth foal out of Eawase (Sebring), a Listed-winning 2-year-old and half-sister to the stakes-placed pair Bezique (Spirit Of Boom) and Sensical (Zoustar).

Her granddam is the brilliant Karuta Queen (Not A Single Doubt), a six-time winner, whose major victories included the G3 Red Anchor Stakes, Listed Heritage Stakes, and the R. Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic.

Eawase has produced one winner to date in Zouwase (Zoustar), and is currently back in foal to Anamoe.

Lot 453 – Too Darn Hot (GB) x Josdesanimaux (USA) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz}) colt – $340,000

An eye-catching colt by Too Darn Hot contributed to a standout day for his sire, selling for $340,000 to Silverdale Farm.

Offered by Alma Vale Thoroughbreds, Lot 453 is out of Josdesanimaux (USA), a five-time winner in the United States who scored twice at Listed level. The colt boasts a strong international pedigree, blending American class with the elite genetics of Too Darn Hot, who returns to Australia this spring at a service fee of $275,000 inc GST.

Following the birth of this well-balanced colt, Josdesanimaux was covered by Golden Slipper winner Shinzo, adding further appeal to the dam’s ongoing production profile.

Lot 319 – I Am Invincible x Chasing Fireflies (USA) (Twirling Candy {USA}) filly – $290,000

Lot 319, a lovely I Am Invincible filly, was purchased by Mark and Shelley Treweek's Lyndhurst Farm as they secured the filly for $290,000 from Yarraman Park Stud.

She is the first foal out of Chasing Fireflies (USA) (Twirling Candy {USA}), a Listed-placed, two-time winning sprinter in America.

Her international pedigree is complemented by strong local form further back in the family, including Australian stakes performers Mumbai Muse (Zoustar), Mumbai Jewel (I Am Invincible), and Splendoronthegrass (So You Think {NZ}).

Since foaling this filly, Chasing Fireflies has been served by the Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside.

Lot 555 - Zoustar x Miss Canada (Exceed And Excel), colt - $270,000

Glenbeigh Farm struck late in the session, going to $270,000 to secure Lot 555, a striking Zoustar colt from the draft of Milburn Creek.

Zoustar needs no introduction. As a proven source of elite performers, he continues to build his case as he builds towards potential being a Champion sire in waiting, he has also had three of his Group 1-performed sons recently retired to stud in the last few weeks.

This colt is the second foal from Miss Canada (Exceed And Excel), a two-time winner who was also placed in the G2 Silver Shadow Stakes. She is out of Inglorious (Can) (Hennessy {USA}), who was crowned Champion 3-year-old filly in Canada in 2011 after winning five races, all at Listed level.

After producing this colt, Miss Canada unfortunately missed to Ozzmosis last season.

Lot 339 – Home Affairs x Dancing Express (Oratorio) colt – $240,000

Kaha Nui Farm added to its active buying spree at the sale by picking up Lot 339, a quality Home Affairs colt, for $240,000 from Yarraman Park Stud.

He is the fifth foal from Dancing Express (Oratorio), a talented 2-year-old who won twice and placed in both the G3 Sires’ Produce Stakes and G3 Champion Fillies Stakes.

She has already produced Minsk Moment (I Am Invincible), a six-time winner including at Listed level in Perth.

Further pedigree highlights include G1 New Zealand Derby winner Coniston Bluebird (Scenic {Ire}) and G1 Queensland Derby placegetter Lords A Leaping (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}).

After foaling this colt, Dancing Express was covered by Brave Smash (Jpn).

Top lots

Vendors by aggregate

Vendors by average (2 or more sold)

Buyers by aggregate

Buyers by average (2 or more bought)

Sires by aggregate

Sires by average (2 or more sold)

Cover image courtesy of Inglis

Inglis was still celebrating selling the highest priced weanling in this sale’s history when $650,000 was received for the Stay Inside filly out of the G1 Oakleigh Plate winner Sheidel (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}) and the team had even more reason to celebrate after Lot 367 went through the ring on the second day of the sale.

The result of a spirited bidding war, the son of Darley's emerging young stallion Too Darn Hot (GB) was knocked down to the Equine Growth Fund Pty Ltd for $775,000; a big result in anyone's book and all the more so when considering that he was purchased as a pinhooking prospect.

The Equine Growth Fund's Stefan Pardi was unperturbed by the price he had to pay, jokingly noting that, “we actually had more, sorry Widden!”

Pardi has a rating system, scoring the horses he inspects out of 10, awarding this colt 9.75 whilst recalling that, “last time I rated a weanling at 9 he went for $300,000 and later sold for a million.”

“I didn't want to leave without this colt,” he said, adding that “I pulled him out five or six times. The last time I had him paraded he was half asleep, he is such a relaxed colt!

“All I can say is that he is exceptional,” he enthused, “his movement, everything about him.”

Too Darn Hot: one of the best in the world

Pardi is a fan of Too Darn Hot, noting that, “he is one of the best in the land, maybe one of the best in world. He gets fillies, he gets colts.

“It is hard to find these quality colts,” he continued. "I spoke to a few of my clients who I have bought for and who are in our fund and we did have more to spend. We have a model of sophisticated investors, 10 to 20 of them who have an appetite to pinhook.

“They have been successful over the last couple of years doing it, we put all our money together and just try to find the right horses.

“We mostly buy at the top end and with this colt, we will try to turn him into something for the future, if not we will race him.

“I won't say it was a no-brainer to buy him but I am pretty happy. The family is outstanding and another key element to buying him is that I think his sister will make pretty good money here on Thursday night.”

Already plotting likely buyers for next year's yearling sales, Pardi said that, “he could easily be a colt syndicate sort of horse for someone to make a stallion of if he does anything on the track.

“Or the trainers of his sister might be hanging around ready to put their hands up!”

That sister being the talented Too Darn Lizzie, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained 3-year-old who has done such a good job winning the G2 1000 Guineas Prelude whilst finishing in the placings in another six stakes races.

Included in that tally was her tough G1 1000 Guineas third, making the pace and trying hard on a day that suited the swoopers.

“She towed me into that position and did well to run third,” jockey Jye McNeil reported on the day.

Too Darn Lizzie: a Chairman's Sale star

Too Darn Lizzie is one of the star lots of Thursday evening's Chairman's Sale, going through the ring as Lot 17 as a member of the Yarraman Park draft.

Raced by Lord Lloyd Webber and Lizzie Spender (widow of another famed entertainer in Barry Humphries), Too Darn Lizzie has ownership ties to her sire who was bred and raced by Lloyd Webber's Watership Down Stud.

Lord Lloyd Webber expressed a desire to support Too Darn Hot's career in the this part of the world and to that end he teamed with McKeever Bloodstock and the Waterhouse and Bott stable to secure Too Darn Lizzie for $1 million at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

That was a quick return on the $825,000 Bahen Bloodstock paid for her dam Enbihaar (Magnus) at the 2021 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale where she was sold in foal with her classy daughter.

Her first foal Extremely Wicked (Zoustar) (bred by Shadwell Stud) had also sold well, that $550,000 weanling purchase racing for Sharon Cummings, Fraser Brown and Rohan Ford who bred Too Darn Lizzie.

Extremely Wicked is still a maiden though the 4-year-old member of the Richard and Chantelle Jolly stable does have her hoof firmly on the till.

After breeding Too Darn Lizzie, Enbihaar's owners sent her to Champion Sire I Am Invincible and the resulting colt was another to attract plenty of attention in the sale ring, purchased by Rosemont Stud, Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) and Mick Price for $700,000 at last year's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

Named Celtics, the Mick Price and Michael Kent (Jnr) trained colt is yet to race but was second in a Cranbourne jump-out a few weeks ago.

Enbihaar: another Chairman's highlight

Served last year by Zoustar, Enbihaar is also due to be sold on Thursday evening with Widden Stud taking her through the ring as Lot 55.

They also had the honour of selling the record breaking weanling with the stud's Matt Comerford already happy but all the more so when the Equine Growth Fund's Stefan Pardi told him that Widden could prepare him for the yearling sales.

“We consigned him for another client and it was a big thrill when Stefan and the team asked us to take him home and prep him for a sale next year, there is massive excitement amongst everyone at the farm.”

Comerford was always confident of a big result for the colt who kept staff busy during the inspection phase.

“He had Easter yearling sale numbers of inspections, nearly 200, which is unheard of for a weanling sale,” he said. “He will be ready for a break now!

“Physically he is really good, he has scope, quality and strength, showing that if you send the right sort of of mare to Too Darn Hot you can get the right result.

“He will continue to furnish, he will grow into a fantastic individual,” he said, adding that “he has a great mind.

“For a young horse to have as many inspections as he did and still move as well for the last parade as he did for the first, that's really important.”

Amongst those spending time admiring the colt were other pinhookers as well as end-users including, “several elite trainers here were here trying to buy him.”

“It was a fantastic result and certainly a good pinhook play for Stefan and the team,” Comerford said, noting that Widden's own pinhooking venture was in action though finding it tough.

“It has been hard to buy,” he said. "It has been like that at all the sales we have been to this year.”

Red Hot stallion

When asked why the Too Darn Hot colt's breeders decided to sell as a weanling Comerford said that, “they wanted to capitalize on the market and the fact that the stallion is red hot.”

Comerford is looking forward to selling Enbihaar, expecting her to be “a seven-figure mare.”

As a 9-year-old Enbihaar still has plenty to offer and her page is certainly an impressive one. Bred by Robert Crabtree who bred the record-breaking Stay Inside filly, she is a full sister to last spring's Listed Debutant Stakes winner Miss Celine (Magnus) out of the Listed Mode Plate winner Charm's Honour (Strada).

Still at stud, that four-time winner from 11 starts missed last spring having produced a filly by Too Darn Hot.

Also from this family, one which has its matriarch the famed mare Eulogy (GB) (Cicero {GB}), are the big race winners Quick Star (Success Express {USA}), Rouslan (Ideal Planet), Unpainted (NZ) (The Cobbler {GB}) and Plush (NZ).

The Equine Growth Fund also purchased two weanlings on the first day of the sale, a filly (Lot 187) by The Autumn Sun out of a daughter of the dual stakes winner Dowager Queen (NZ) (Savabeel) for $280,000 from the Rheinwood Pastoral draft and a colt (Lot 261) by Home Affairs out of a half-sister to the triple Group 1 winner Arcadia Queen (Pierro) for $180,000 from Cannon Hayes Stud.

Lot 540 - State Of Rest (Ire) x Matronymic (Russian Revolution), colt - $80,000

Buyer: Jim Carey

Vendor: Kia Ora Stud

Jim Carey enjoyed a fruitful second day of buying at Riverside during the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale, with three purchases added to his growing pinhook portfolio. One stood out in particular, Lot 540, a chestnut colt by G1 Cox Plate winner State Of Rest (Ire), and it turned out to be the highest-priced weanling sold across both days by the sire.

He may have been the top priced but with his looks and pedigree, it could well and truly end up a value buy when he is sold next year.

The colt was secured for $80,000, and Carey is cautiously optimistic the son of Newgate Farm’s first-season sire will deliver a healthy return when he reappears as a yearling in 2026.

“The stallion (State Of Rest) is a beautiful specimen, and he has left a really nice colt,” Carey said.

“He danced every dance worldwide, and was a seriously good racehorse. He showed his class when he gave weight to Anamoe, and beat him in a Cox Plate.”

Carey was taken by the colt’s strength and physique, describing him as up there with the most impressive colts he’s seen by the young sire.

“This colt has a great hip and hind quarter, and lots of strength. We have a lot of progeny by State Of Rest at home on the farm (Newgate Farm), and I thought that this one compared favourably to them, so I am very happy to get him.”

There’s also a bit of unique symmetry in the story, The Newgate Consignment offered Matronymic (Russian Revolution) for sale at the 2024 Australian Inglis Broodmare Sale where Kia Ora Stud bought the mare for $75,000 in foal to State Of Rest, with the resultant foal being the colt purchased today.

“We actually sold this mare carrying this colt to Kia Ora Stud, and the colt has grown out in a great nursery like Kia Ora. It’s great to be able to repay them for buying the mare, by purchasing this colt.”

The price tag was slightly higher than expected, but Carey said it reflects the market’s appetite for quality.

“I had to go a little more than I wanted to, but nice colts in the market are making that kind of money.”

Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

On Tuesday, Australian Turf Club (ATC) members received a 110-page Notice of Meeting, the most detailed and expansive proposal yet, concerning the potential sale of Rosehill Gardens.

The vote, now scheduled for 27 May, will determine whether the club proceeds with a $5 billion transaction to sell Rosehill to the New South Wales Government or a nominated entity. In return, the ATC has outlined a major infrastructure investment plan, including a complete redevelopment of Warwick Farm and upgrades to Royal Randwick and Canterbury Park.

A previous vote, originally slated for early April, was postponed after Racing NSW raised concerns that the information provided to members lacked sufficient clarity. The ATC subsequently withdrew the motion and used the intervening weeks to revise the proposal. The result: a significantly expanded document - and the addition of a $57 million Member Loyalty Program designed to reward current members and encourage broader support.

ATC Chairman Peter McGauran said the revised documentation was developed in response to direct feedback from members. “We have listened to the Members and racing industry who have called for full information on many aspects of this proposal,” he said. “The information pack has comprehensive details on Members’ benefits, racing infrastructure, timelines and clear funding certainty.”

While the additional material has been welcomed by some, others have questioned how the delay was used. Rather than simply address the gaps identified in the original proposal, some members say the ATC has repackaged the offer with financial incentives, while key uncertainties remain unresolved.

As the Save Rosehill group stated in its latest communication to members:

“Although repackaged in a shiny new document with personal incentives designed to distract from the flaws, the ATC has delivered yet another proposal that fails to address members’ concerns about the sale of Rosehill.”

At the heart of the debate are two competing views: one that sees the sale as a strategic opportunity to modernise and secure the Club’s future; and another that argues the proposal is still missing critical safeguards, transparency, and long-term planning.

The Club’s position is that the proposal represents a historic opportunity - unlocking capital for large-scale improvements while positioning Sydney to maintain two world-class racing venues beyond Rosehill’s closure in 2031.

McGauran emphasised that the infrastructure plan is designed to ensure long-term viability for the Club: “Without significant investment in year-round engagement strategies and modern facilities that appeal to contemporary audiences, we risk becoming a niche sport, trapped in a cycle of ageing infrastructure and declining relevance.”

He also defended the Member Loyalty Program. “It recognises and rewards our most loyal and long-term Members by sharing some of the proceeds. It’s also aimed at revitalising flagging raceday attendances while growing new membership over time.”

But not all members are reassured. The Save Rosehill group remains firm in its position, arguing that the new proposal still lacks key answers around financial oversight, infrastructure viability, and the long-term governance of the Club’s assets.

Renowned racehorse owner and ATC member Wilf Mula was pointed in his feedback: “I have one word for you - bribery,” he said. “There will be people who go for this, but it’s appalling. They’re hell-bent on selling Rosehill and keeping the money.”

He also pushed back against claims the industry lacks financial capacity. “The last time I looked at the balance sheets, there was $550 million in cash and $178 million in property under Racing NSW’s name.”

What does 'non-core' mean?

One of the most consequential elements of the upcoming vote is not the sale itself, but the reclassification of Rosehill Gardens as “non-core property.”

Under Section 41E of the Registered Clubs Act 1976 (NSW), core property is defined as land and assets that cannot be sold, leased, or otherwise disposed of without the approval of a majority of voting members. Once a property is reclassified as non-core, however, future decisions regarding its use or sale can be made by the board alone—without returning to the membership.

In short: if members vote “yes” on 27 May, they are not just approving the sale of Rosehill Gardens but they are permanently altering their rights to decision-making, even if the transaction with the State is delayed, materially altered, or falls through entirely.

For members like Brian Nutt, that distinction is critical. “If you vote for the sale of Rosehill and the deal falls over, then you’ve voted for a core asset to become a non-core asset - and it’s hard to come back from that,” he said.

The ATC has not publicly stated whether it would consider reverting Rosehill to “core” status in the event the deal does not proceed. Without such an assurance, opponents say the resolution gives away more than it appears.

As the Save Rosehill group noted, “Voting YES permanently removes your right to decide Rosehill’s future.”

Feasibility of the Warwick Farm rebuild

A centrepiece of the ATC’s proposal is an $802 million transformation of Warwick Farm into a modern Group 1-capable racing and training venue. The design includes a reoriented course with a 460-metre home straight, new grandstands and facilities, 600 on-course stables, and a second racing surface inside the main track. According to ATC Chairman Peter McGauran, it represents “the most significant infrastructure investment plan in ATC history.”

But despite the grand design, members remain concerned about whether Warwick Farm is a viable substitute for Rosehill.

The site, which borders the Georges River and the Hume Highway, has long been flagged for its flood risk. Previous proposals to upgrade sections of the track were delayed by Liverpool City Council due to flood zoning and planning constraints; issues that still hang over the current proposal. The ATC says mitigation strategies such as raising the course level and new grandstand have been factored into the rebuild, but no development applications have yet been lodged.

Bloodstock Agent and ATC member Will Johnson expressed a broader concern about the credibility of the project’s costings, comparing the proposal to government projects like the NDN, the NDIS and various tunnels and bridges, or to the Flemington grandstand.

"It's misleading to think that Warwick Farm can be redeveloped for the money stated."

He also questioned the evolving nature of the proposal itself. "First there was mention of building a new track, now it's the redevelopment of Warwick Farm which has me wondering what the next twist in the tale will be!"

Logistics and accessibility are also a concern. Johnson noted that while Randwick-based members could currently reach Rosehill within 30 minutes, “Warwick Farm is a good sixty minutes away. I can't see them going to a redeveloped track."

Wilf Mula echoed that sentiment. “During equine influenza we lost a third of our attendance and they never came back,” he said. “People can watch and bet from home and it's hard to get them to Rosehill let alone to Warwick Farm further out.”

On the racing side, Warwick Farm hasn’t held a Group 1 race since 2016 and currently hosts only lower-profile meetings. Mula recalled a past attempt to boost its stature. “We put on a Group 1 race and nobody turned up,” he said. “It's a furphy to think that you could redevelop the track and make it popular.”

Others, like Brian Nutt, were more focused on the implications for racing operations. “Warwick Farm is our biggest training centre with 700 horses in work—where will those trainers and horses go?” he said.

What happens next?

With just weeks until the 27 May vote, members are now faced with the most consequential decision in the ATC’s modern history.

The 110-page Notice of Meeting answers some of the questions that led to the original vote being delayed.

But for many, others remain unanswered. How long would Warwick Farm need to shut down for construction, and where would the displaced horses and trainers go? Will the $5 billion be delivered in full, under what conditions, and with what oversight? Who ultimately controls the flow of funds - and how is that governance protected from future changes in leadership or policy?

The Member Loyalty Program has created another layer of division. Supporters may see it as appropriate recognition of loyal members, while detractors describe it as an inducement that risks distracting from the weight of the decision at hand.

Most of all, the proposal will further ignite debate about racing’s future identity - whether it lies in modern, multi-use venues with lifestyle amenities and community access, or in the preservation of long-standing tracks with proven wagering figures and ability to deliver Group 1-quality racing.

Voting is now open via proxy for all eligible ATC members. Proxy appointments must be submitted in advance, and only count if the proxy is physically present at the meeting.

The outcome will shape the ATC’s assets, operations, and membership rights for decades to come. And with both sides of the debate continuing to campaign, the coming weeks are likely to bring more questions before a final decision is made.

Until then, the most valuable thing any member can do is read, ask, and decide with eyes wide open.

Cover image courtesy of Westbury Stud

"He has sired his third Classic winner from just four crops of racing age," Warwick said of Tarzino (NZ), pointing to the success of the popular galloper Willydoit (NZ), easy winner of the G1 New Zealand Derby before a tough G1 ATC Derby off a wide run.

"He is Tarzino's second Derby winner with Jungle Magnate (NZ) taking out the G1 South Australian Derby in 2022," he said, also pleased with the talent Tarzino's daughters display.

"Gypsy Goddess won the G1 Queensland Oaks after running second in the G1 ATC Oaks and these winners see Tarzino quickly establishing himself as the new Classic sire in the New Zealand stallion ranks."

Standing at an increased fee (up from NZ$20,000) of NZ$25,000 (plus GST) this year, Tarzino has been represented by another two new stakes winners for the season; Kadavar winning the Listed Christmas Cup over 2400m at Randwick for the Chris Waller stable whilst Torranzino followed up his tough G3 Easter Cup victory with a fast finishing, close Listed Warrnambool Cup second last week.

Distance is a friend for the Tarzino breed which is no surprise considering his own form (his big wins coming over 2000 metres and 2500 metres) and his pedigree, the 12-year-old being one of the 53 stakes winners and 12 Group 1 winners for the much missed Tavistock (NZ).

Also showing good talent for Tarzino is last year's G2 Autumn Classic winner Immediacy (NZ) who has been in flying form winning his last two over 2000 metres at Mornington and Caulfield in dominant fashion whilst in New Zealand Tomodachi (NZ) is showing good promise winning five of her first eight starts; charging home late when a somewhat unlucky third in Listed company at her latest outing in mid-April.

Titicaca (NZ) is another building a good record winning four of 12 whilst Crouch (NZ) has won five and was game in defeat when second in the G3 Wellington Cup over 3200 metres in January.

Price drop for the reliable El Roca

Meanwhile El Roca has a price drop this year, down from NZ$15,000 to NZ$10,000 (plus GST). A dual Listed-winning son of Fastnet Rock, he has enjoyed steady support from breeders, serving 99 mares last year up from 87 the year before.

"He has two Group 1 winners to his name," Warwick said, noting that Travelling Light (NZ) and Romancing The Moon (NZ) both have their name on the G1 Levin Classic honour roll.

"Fastnet Rock has been a wonderful influence and El Roca has proven himself to be extremely versatile producing tough, sound racehorses capable of competing at the highest level over a variety of distances."

Another eight of El Roca's progeny are stakes winners and his overall strike rate is a solid 62.5%.

Value for Redwood and Reliable Man fans

Remaining at a fee of NZ$10,000 (plus GST) is Redwood (GB), one of the nine sons of the multiple Group 1-winning sire High Chaparral (Ire) to have sired Group 1 winners.

"His progeny continue to shine in Australia, Asia and New Zealand," Warwick said of Redwood whose big race winners Sharp 'N' Smart (NZ), Antino (NZ) and Rock On Wood (NZ) are amongst his 14 stakes winners, all horses who have a sharp turn of foot.

Standing at NZ$10,000 (plus GST) this year is another stallion who has shown himself capable of siring an extra smart one; the G1 French Derby and G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Reliable Man (GB) the sire of 27 stakes winners including the elite level winners Miami Bound (NZ), Inspirational Girl (NZ), Erle (Ger) and Miss Sentimental (NZ).

"He was an internationally acclaimed racehorse and his stock are admired in both hemispheres for their Classic ability and their toughness."

Sources of speed: Swiss Ace and Ferrando

Remaining at a fee of NZ$5000 (plus GST) is the G1 Oakleigh Plate winner Swiss Ace who has been somewhat of a quiet achiever with his 22 stakes winners seeing him "remaining popular with breeders."

"He is a leading source of speed and precocity," Warwick said, "and he has an enviable record across Asia whilst his progeny are also seen regularly in the winners circles in Australia and New Zealand."

Also remaining at a fee of NZ$5000 (plus GST) is Redoute's Choice's grandson Ferrando (NZ), a Group 3-winning sprinter who has pleased Warwick with the start he has made with two crops on the ground.

"He has begun his career in good fashion with nine individual winners and three stakes performers," he said.

"He was a speedy racehorse who went close at Group 1 level when second in the Telegraph Handicap and the best is still to come for him."

Warwick is looking forward to welcoming breeders this spring, confident that his stallions provide "excellent value."

"We are very proud of the ongoing achievements of our stallion roster and the fees reflect our commitment to offering high performing stallions at value while maintaining the highest standards in service and support for breeders."

"The racetrack success of the horses we breed, and that of our stallions in general, is a priority allowing breeders to achieve success in both the sales ring and at the winning post."

Table: Westbury Stud's 2025 stallion roster