Racing.com cuts jobs
Racing Victoria has undertaken a major restructure, resulting in widespread job cuts across its business, including several high-profile departures from Racing.com. Among them is Paul Tatnell, who exits after six years as editor-in-chief and general manager of content. The changes follow the appointment of Andy Hoad as executive general manager of media, content and marketing—a role Tatnell is understood to have pursued.
The restructure affects content, production and on-air roles, including a senior racecaller, and extends beyond media to senior leadership and operational staff across RV. A statement issued to The Straight cited financial pressures, including an $11.4 million deficit last year and a 5 per cent decline in wagering revenue, as key drivers of the review.
Giant leap for Freddie Time
Trainer Kelvin Tyler has come from the South Island of New Zealand with Freddie Time (NZ) (Time Test {GB}) and will run at Ipswich on Wednesday ahead of a possible G1 Queensland Derby tilt. “I’m a dairy farmer and I run 550 cows at Riverton which is my core business,” Tyler told racingqueensland.com.au.
“I’ve been involved with dairy farming all my life and training is only a hobby even though I’ve got about 20 horses in work. The field he beat (last start) was lower grade and he just had a canter around. He had every chance at his previous start when he ran fourth behind Kiwi Skyhawk in the Manawatu Classic at Trentham. Kiwi Skyhawk is a good horse and ran a fifth in the New Zealand Derby.
Freddie Time (NZ) | Image courtesy of Monica Toretto
“He had a big trip over and I was hoping to get him here earlier, but we had some flight troubles getting over here. Had he got here a week earlier I would have run him in the Rough Habit Plate last Saturday. But he needed a few extra days and he’s now settled in really well and I was very happy with his barrier trial. I’m hoping he may have enough prizemoney to get into the Derby but this race on Wednesday has enough prizemoney for him to make the field.”
Vale Mr Peter Capelin KC
Former AJC Chair Peter Capelin KC has died aged 86. Capelin was on the committee at the Australian Jockey Club as Committee member 1980-2001, Honorary Treasurer 1984-1996, Vice-chairman 1996-2000; Chairman 2000-2001, and by 2005 was a Life Member. The AJC merged with the Sydney Turf Club in 2011 to form the Australian Turf Club.
Peter was a Council Member of the NSW Bar Association from 1967-68 to 1977-78 and was made a Queen's Counsel for NSW in November 1979. From 2003 until his retirement in 2006, he was on the Racing NSW Appeal Panel.
Racing NSW announced that a memorial service will be held at St Joseph's College Chapel, Mark Street, Hunters Hill from 10am on Monday, May 26.
Nick Ryan pair for Brisbane
Trainer Nick Ryan will send 2-year-old gelding Highvol (Microphone) north to the G1 JJ Atkins Plate, and joining him will be stablemate Winnasedge (Cliff’s Edge). “He's just an honest good horse. We might look to have a light spring with him,” Ryan said.
Nick Ryan | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Without being too ambitious, we might aim him up at an Oakleigh Plate or something like that. He ran third behind Reserve Bank, who came out and won The Goodwood, in the Tobin Bronze (Stakes) in Adelaide.” Winnasedge will be aimed at the Listed Queensland Day Stakes at Eagle Farm on June 7.
Torsheen to debut on Wednesday
Nicely bred 2-year-old filly Torsheen (Toronado {Ire}) will debut for trainer Shane Nichols on Wednesday at Sandown. “I really like her. She's a beautiful filly that I was really lucky to get. She just had a little change to one of her knees so they pulled her out of the yearling sales,” Nichols told racenet.com.au.
Shane Nichols | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“She's a half to two stakes winners so I'm sure she would have sold for hundreds of thousands of dollars because she's a lovely type.” Her dam Demasheen (Fastnet Rock), who won twice as a 2-year-old, has already produced Group 3 winner De Sonic Boom (Spirit Of Boom) and Listed winner Laverrod (Toronado {Ire}) and three other winners.
VOBIS closing soon
Nominations for 2023 born foals for the VOBIS scheme close on May 31. VOBIS offers over $30 million in VOBIS prizemoney, bonuses and vouchers annually to eligible horses.
Around the nation: Tuesday’s highlights
With Newcastle abandoned, racing fans were left with three meetings on Tuesday. At Kilmore, Pride Of Dubai’s 3-year-old half-brother Vaafee (American Pharoah {USA}) won his maiden, while Magnus sired a double at the meeting with Forty Four Magnum and You’re Two Vain. At Balcardine, Star Witness had a double with Hearsay, and Dehorned Unicorn.
New Zealand’s excellence awards nominations closing
Nominations for the 2025 Industry Excellence Awards, powered by Entain, close on Wednesday at 5pm New Zealand time. The inaugural edition of the Awards were held last year, to celebrate and congratulate the next generation of racing participants within each racing code in New Zealand, with nominees all required to be under the age of 40.
The categories cover several areas of expertise, with Leadership Excellence, Equine License Holder Excellence, Greyhound Excellence, Dedication To Breeding Excellence, Stud/Stable/Kennel Excellence, Administration and Innovation Excellence, Care and Welfare Excellence, Newcomer Excellence, and National Racing Woman Of The Year.
Rubylot can foot it with Dubai Honour
Trainer David Hayes thinks his 4-year-old gelding Rubylot (Rubick) can measure up to Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai) in Sunday’s G1 Champions and Chater Cup. “We’re up at Conghua for his final piece of work on Tuesday before Sunday’s big day,” Hayes told scmp.com.
Rubylot | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
“He’s working like a horse that’s really peaking and not going off. He’s by Rubick so some people would say he wouldn’t run a mile and a half, but if you look at the dam’s side, it’s a very dour European type. With luck, I think he could have easily placed in the QE II Cup and that’s the elite level. Hugh (Bowman) is very confident he can run a placing and be competitive with the locals.”
Arc runner up wins G2 Prix Corrida
Last term's G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe runner-up Aventure (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) had confirmed her wellbeing at Paris Longchamp last month and continued in similar vein with a comfortable win in Monday's G2 Prix Corrida at Saint-Cloud. “She is such a good filly and, of course, it is no great surprise to win this race,” reflected winning trainer Christophe Ferland.
“With these top horses in opposition, you are always concerned beforehand and hope that all goes well. This was the obvious contest to target after she won the (G3) Prix Allez France and the programme now tells us to go for the (June 29 G1) Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (over 12 furlongs) next time.”
Atsila to be added to Guineas
Donnacha O'Brien has revealed that impressive G3 Athasi Stakes heroine Atsila (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {Ire}) will be supplemented for the Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Tuesday entries stage. Atsila did not make her debut until April this year when winning at Bellewstown before taking a massive step forward when landing the Athasi Stakes at the Curragh.
“The plan is to supplement her on Tuesday for the 1,000 Guineas,” O'Brien said. “Her form looks strong. To be fair to Barry (Fowler, owner) he is game for anything. It was my fault that I didn't have her in the race in the first place but he's more than happy to supplement and take a chance. I think she's entitled to be in the race.”
American trainer Neil Pessin retires
Neil Pessin, who trained the late Bob Lothenbach's Bell's the One (USA) (Majesticperfection {USA}) to a victory in the GI Derby City Distaff in its COVID-delayed renewal in 2020, is leaving the training ranks effective immediately. “I'd like to keep training, but financially it's very tough and I was down to two maiden turf horses, one maiden claimer, and it's just not financially feasible to keep going,” Pessin said.
Neil Pessin | Image courtesy of Sarah Andrew
“I didn't want to quit, but I really have no choice but to do so. I've had excess help the whole time as well. There were promises of horses coming in that never materialized, and I had two horses and five staff, so I was losing money every day and it was just time to pull the plug.”
Pessin took out his license and saddled his first runner Apr. 12, 1985. “I always put the horse first and the owner second–a close second, but the horse always came first. I'm afraid a lot of that is going out the window these days.”
