Highview Stud announce 2025 fees
New Zealand’s Highview Stud has announced the 2025 fees for their four stallions with Wrote (Ire) leading at NZ$12,000 plus GST. “We have increased his fee to $12,000 plus GST for 2025 because he deserves it,” Highview’s Brent Gillovic said.
“He is a massive upgrader of his mares and who knows where he will end up, with the far better-quality mares that he covered in 2024, and that he is likely to cover in 2025. He doesn’t have huge numbers racing, but has two individual Group-winning mares in Australia - Pulchritudinous and Wrote to Araraki. He will be restricted to a book of approximately 100 mares in 2025 and we feel he offers breeders great value and opportunity.”
Wrote (Ire) | Standing at Highview Stud, NZ
Divine Prophet remains at NZ$9000 plus GST, Santos is unchanged at NZ$8000 plus GST and Mr Mozart stays at NZ$6000 plus GST.
Vale Calyx
Calyx (GB), who covered more mares than any other flat sire in Europe in 2024, has died at the age of nine.
The stallion’s death was announced by Coolmore as a result of the son of Kingman (GB) suffering an acute foot injury earlier this year, with the decision being taken to euthanise him on Wednesday on humane grounds.
The late Calyx (GB) | Image courtesy of Coolmore, Ireland
“It is very unfortunate to lose such a promising young sire,” said Castlehyde Stud’s Cathal Murphy. “He was very strongly supported by breeders last year and looked to have an extremely bright future ahead of him.”
Calyx shuttled to Coolmore Australia in 2000 and 2021, where he served 124 mares over the two seasons. His stakes winners in Australia include Sepals and Likeakalix.
Racing Queensland release Size and Scope data
Racing Queensland have released their annual Size and Scope report, showing a $2.5 billion contribution to the state economy, a $50 million increase on 2023, and providing 14,500 full time equivalent jobs, a slight drop on the year previous. “Racing Queensland’s latest Size and Scope Report once again highlights the sheer size and strength of the Queensland racing industry,” Racing Minister Tim Mander told racingqueensland.com.au.
“The racing industry continues to be a vital contributor to Queensland, headlined by its near $2.5 billion annual contribution to the state’s economy, whilst continuing to support close to 14,500 full time jobs. The Crisafulli Government is steadfast in its support for the racing industry, which hosts close to 32 meetings a week and supporting almost 50,000 participants from Birdsville to Cooktown and everywhere in between.
“We are currently undertaking the most significant Racing Review in decades encompassing all three codes. The focus of this review is ensuring a vibrant, sustainable future for the sector. I am looking forward to receiving the Review and its recommendations later this year.”
Femminile to run in Yulong colours in Derby
Trainer Phillip Stokes is thrilled his 3-year-old filly Femminile (Dundeel {NZ}) will run in Saturday’s G1 Queensland Derby after her sale at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale this week. “I was very happy when they (Yulong) rang me straight after the sale to tell me we'd better get her back into her box,” Stokes told racenet.com.au.
Yulong purchased Femminile for $1.5 million on Tuesday | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“She only had to spend one day at the sales, she didn't have to be there any longer. She got beaten in the Oaks but I actually thought the fillies were better than the colts. We were going to run her in the other 2500-metre feature (the G3 SA Fillies' Classic) the week after so thank God my racing manager pushed the button and nominated her for the Derby.
“She got a peach of a ride and got the job done. It wasn't the initial plan to go to the Queensland Derby but when she won the South Australian Derby, I thought, ‘let's try and do this again'.” She was purchased by Yulong for $1.5 million.
Benedetta’s light Stradbroke weight exciting
Trainer Jason Warren is thrilled with Benedetta (Hellbent) being given 53.5kg for the G1 Stradbroke. “It is a delicious weight for her, mouth-watering. She's very well weighted in that race and that will be her target should she run well on Saturday (in the G1 Kingsford-Smith),” Warren told racingqueensland.com.au.
Benedetta | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“It is a really nice weight for her. She will come on again following Saturday. The 1400 metres on a bigger track, that should suit. It is obviously a race that we have had on our target and bucket list if we could achieve that. We came to the Stradbroke last year as an almost an afterthought but this time around we have come here with fresh legs and a better preparation.”
Good weather to suit Libertad
Jockey Jamie Mott is loving the warm weather in Queensland ahead of riding Libertad (Russian Revolution) in Saturday’s G1 Kingsford-Smith Stakes. “I was able to win the G2 Victory Stakes on him two starts ago, which was a really good performance off a year off,” Mott told racing.com.
Libertad | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“Then we went to the Doomben 10,000 and he had a good run in the race, but the track was quite rain-affected that day. Although he had won on Heavy ground as an early 3-year-old, I felt he just didn't handle the conditions. He presented to win the race on the corner, but it just felt like he struggled through the going.
“It looks like they've got a fine week of weather up there. If we can get between a (Good) 4 and a (Soft) 5 come Saturday, I think he'll be able to show his best.”
Hickmott to crash the Derby
Trainer Michael Hickmott says winning Saturday’s G1 Queensland Derby will be the highlight of his career, and he has Party Crasher (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) with an in-form jockey. “It was fantastic to get Craig (Williams) booked on the horse. He'd done a fair bit of research and seemed pretty keen to ride the horse,” Hickmott told racenet.com.au.
“I'm very happy with how the horse is. The biggest step is how he travels. He's in good order and he's very fit. It looks like he'll run 2400 metres and if it's a wet track that's no disadvantage either.” Party Crasher was sold by Waikato Stud for NZ$40,000 and he is one of four runners in the Derby bred by the farm, with the others being King Of Thunder (NZ) (Tivaci), Scintillante (NZ) (Savabeel) and Rogan (NZ) (Super Seth).
Exciting Derby for Bishara
New Zealand owner Nicholas Bishara will head to Brisbane to watch his filly Belle Detelle (Zed {NZ}) run in the G1 Queensland Derby for trainer Chris Waller. She is closely related to Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}) and Bishara missed her running in the G1 Melbourne Cup due to COVID flight restrictions. “Missing the Melbourne Cup really cut to the core,” Bishara told Loveracing.nz.
“We have tried to make it this time around not to miss many races because they are once in a lifetime chances. You can’t say ‘I’ll go next year’ because there might not be a next year.” Bishara initially trained Verry Elleegant in New Zealand, retaining a share in her when she was sold to Australia. He purchased Verry Elleegant’s half-sister Black Lace (NZ) (Towkay) and sent her to Zed (NZ) to breed Belle Detelle, and Black Lace also has an unnamed 2-year-old colt by Dundeel (NZ) which was a foal share with Arrowfield Stud.
Belle Detelle | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“We are booked into Arrowfield Stud on Thursday to have lunch with John and Paul Messara. We have got a 2-year-old, rising three, Dundeel that is typical of the family and won’t be much chop until he is three. He has been patiently handled and he is promising. And we have got a rising yearling colt to go through the Easter Sale (next year).
“We haven’t seen them in a while, so it will be great to catch up with John, he is one of the great blokes of the industry.”
Benfield appointed to integrity position
Greyhound industry executive Terrie Benfield has been appointed by Racing Minister Anthony Carbines as the next Victorian Racing Integrity Commissioner. “Terrie Benfield is highly respected within the Victorian racing industry, and she will bring a wealth of regulatory experience to the role,” Carbines told racenet.com.au.
The position, which oversees all three codes, was previously held by Sean Carroll, who left to run racing integrity in Tasmania.
Around the nation: Thursday’s highlights
Racing fans enjoyed five meetings across Australia on Thursday. At Pakenham’s night meeting 2-year-old filly Bella Pietra (King’s Legacy) won at her third start to become the sixth winner for her first season sire. Passed in as a yearling, Bella Pietra is the first foal of La Pietra (Pierro) who won twice at Caulfield.
At Cairns, 2-year-old filly Nooshbahoosh (Sun City) won on debut. She is the fourth winner from the second crop of her sire who is a son of Zoustar.
Injured jockey updates: Shinn and Callow
Jockey Blake Shinn will be out for an unknown period after his foot injury was more severe than originally thought. He will miss the Queensland Winter Carnival.
Queensland jockey Noel Callow will miss 12 days under concussion protocols after an altercation at Doomben on Wednesday with Kyle Wilson-Taylor. An inquiry is being held into the incident with a report at a date to be determined.
VOBIS nominations close on Saturday
Nominations for VOBIS for 2023 born foals close on Saturday, May 31. Eligibility for VOBIS Silver is based on one of the following: Victorian Sired (A) When a yearling is sired by a Stallion which stood in Victoria during the breeding season.
Victorian Breedback (B) When a yearling is not eligible for Victorian Sired (A) and its dam was served the following season by a Stallion who stood in Victoria.
Victorian Breeder (C) When a yearling is not eligible for Category A or B and is at least 50% owned by a Victorian-based breeder(s) at the time of the foal’s birth. In addition, the foal and dam must each have resided in Victoria for at least six (6) continuous months after the foal was born until the time of nomination closing.
Ng hopes to end season on a high
Last year Pierre Ng was second in the Hong Kong Trainer’s Championship but this year he’s slipped to eighth. “It has been a bit quiet. Even last year, after the Chinese New Year it was quite quiet as well. That’s something I have to think about during the off-season. I gave many horses a break during the middle of the season and then I’ve brought them back, so I’m looking forward to June,” Ng told scmp.com.
Pierre Ng | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
He runs Johannes Brahms (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) and Ka Ying Generation (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}) in the G3 Lion Rock Trophy and Mugen (Deep Field) and Beauty Waves (Ire) (Starspangledbanner) in the G3 Sha Tin Vase on Saturday. “He’s been running very well for us. We’ve given him three trials in between runs and we targeted this race before the Derby,” Ng said of Johannes Brahms.
Romantic Warrior has surgery
The world’s highest earning racehorse, Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}), has had successful surgery for a leg injury. “Management options were discussed by the club’s expert veterinarians and Romantic Warrior’s owner (Peter Lau) and trainer, and a decision was made for the horse to undergo a veterinary procedure at the club’s equine hospital in which a single screw was inserted under standing sedation and local anaesthesia. The procedure was performed without complication,” the Hong Kong Jockey Club said in a statement.
“(Wednesday’s) procedure followed a computerised tomography examination and a magnetic resonance imaging examination of his forelimbs performed on May 16 as part of a proactive health-screening process in accordance with the club’s systematic procedures for ensuring the welfare of our racehorses. No lameness or other clinical signs were present prior to the screening examinations.
“Romantic Warrior returned to his stable where he will be closely monitored by club veterinarians and stable personnel, supported by the world-class rehabilitation services that the club has developed.”
Golden Eagle second Lazzat purchased by Wathnan Racing
Lazzat (Fr) (Territories {Ire}), a winner of the G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest in 2024, has been purchased by Wathnan Racing. He will remain in training with Jerome Reynier and target the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot next month.
Bred and formerly raced by Nurlan Bizakov's Sumbe, the bay gelding won his first six starts at three, including the Prix Maurice de Gheest, before running a strong second in the Golden Eagle at Rosehill.
Richard Brown, racing adviser to Wathnan, said, “We've long admired Lazzat–who wouldn't? He's a sensational sprinter, a huge talent, and he's been extremely well managed to put together a string of outstanding performances. He'll be a force wherever he turns up in the top six and seven furlong races and we are delighted he'll be running in the Wathnan colours.”
Breeders' Cup to Keeneland in 2026, Belmont in 2027
The Breeders' Cup will be held at Keeneland Race Course and the new Belmont Park for the 2026 and 2027 Breeders' Cup World Championships, the company announced in a joint statement with NYRA and Keeneland on Wednesday.
New York State and the New York Racing Association's US$455 million redevelopment of Belmont Park will result in a world-class racing and entertainment destination on Long Island. Centered around a 300,000-square foot, five-story building featuring the modern amenities and hospitality offerings sports fans have come to expect, the new facility will unlock the massive Belmont Park infield to provide fans and the community with more green space than ever before. In addition, NYRA is completely renovating the existing main dirt track and two turf courses while adding an all-weather synthetic surface. NYRA will open the new Belmont Park in September 2026.
Oaks relation tops Inglis Digital USA
The 2025 Inglis Digital USA May Sale closed Wednesday with a pair of six-figure fillies leading the way with close relations to the top two finishers in this year's G1 Kentucky Oaks.
Topping Wednesday's session with a US$300,000 (AU$466,000) final bid, Regaled (USA) (Mohaymen {USA}), a Grade 3-placed half-sister to Oaks runner-up Drexel Hill (USA) (Bolt d'Oro {USA}), sold to Legion Bloodstock, the same operation that campaigns Drexel Hill.
Hip 9 - Regaled (USA) | Image courtesy of Inglis Digital USA
The day's second-highest price came for a 4-year-old half-sister to the dam of Kentucky Oaks winner Good Cheer (USA) who sold to Machmer Hall for US$220,000 (AU$342,000). “A More Than Ready mare with exceptional good looks out of a half-sister to the dam of this year's Kentucky Oaks winner with a huge deep family? What's not to love?” said Machmer Hall's Carrie Brogden. “Now just to come up with a good name.”
New chair for UK welfare board
Baroness Minette Batters will become the new independent chair of the Horse Welfare Board (HWB), replacing Barry Johnson on July 1, 2025. Formerly the president of the National Farmers Union from 2018-2024, Batters was appointed as a crossbench House of Lords peer in 2024. A director of Salisbury Racecourse, Batters also enjoyed a successful career as an amateur jockey with over 30 point-to-point wins to her name.
Batters said, “I'm absolutely delighted to be appointed as the new chair of the HWB. Horse welfare will always be fundamental to racing's success, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Barry Johnson for his leadership and expertise as the outgoing chair.”
