Ka Ying Rising confirmed for The Everest
After much speculation, Hong Kong’s outstanding sprinter Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) has been confirmed for this spring’s G1 The Everest and will race in a slot leased by the Hong Kong Jockey Club from the Australian Turf Club. “I've had stables at Randwick before and always had a good relationship with the club (Australian Turf Club) so I'm pleased that it seems likely the Hong Kong Jockey Club has come to a deal with them,” trainer David Hayes told racenet.com.au.
“Now we can concentrate on getting Ka Ying Rising ready for The Everest. I haven't had a horse stabled at Canterbury before but I've seen the success the internationals have had out of there so I'm not worried about having a horse there.”
Ka Ying Rising becomes the third horse confirmed for The Everest after Private Harry (Harry Angel {Ire}) and Sunshine In Paris (Invader).
Entain CEO resigns
Entain announced on Thursday that Dean Shannon has resigned as Entain Australia and New Zealand chief executive, effective June 30, 2025. “We thank Dean for his significant contribution to Entain, and for managing the Australian and New Zealand businesses,” Entain Group chief executive Stella David told Loveracing.nz.
Dean Shannon | Image courtesy of Etain
“The growth and integration of Neds and Lads into our global portfolio of podium position brands has been a particular highlight and he has more recently delivered what we believe is a market leading compliance programme in Australia. As the Australian business enters its next phase, we will continue to demonstrate our commitment to compliance and responsibly deliver great products to our customers.”
Andrew Vouris has been appointed the interim CEO and a process will now be held to recruit a permanent CEO.
Payline to defy odds in Kingsford-Smith
Trainers Chris and Corey Munce’s stable is in form and they think Payline (Shooting To Win) can defy his outsider odds for Saturday’s G1 Kingsford-Smith Cup. “Justin (Huxtable) actually said to me in the start before, ‘he'll be hard to beat in the 10,000'. He had no luck (in the Victory Stakes), he had a s–t draw and had to get back further than what we wanted but he was getting home better than anything in the race,” Chris Munce told racenet.com.au.
Payline | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
“Justin was quite excited and bullish that he could win the 10,000 and he was a nose off being right. He's pretty straightforward but he does have a few quirks. He's a bit of an insecure horse, that's probably the best way to describe him. Just little things upset him, like if there's a change in environment or his surroundings then he gets himself a bit worked up. But once he gets comfortable and he's confident in his routine then he'll do anything for you.” Payline was third in the G1 Doomben 10,000 last start.
Maher pair to retire after G1 Tatt’s Tiara
Ciaron Maher trained mares A Little Deep (Deep Field) and Semana (Winning Rupert) will likely retire to the broodmare paddock after the G1 Tatt’s Tiara and both run in Saturday’s G2 Moreton Cup. “A Little Deep has drawn well in seven and is coming out of the Sangster with no weight so I probably lean more towards her over the other two,” assistant trainer Jack Turnbull told racingqueensland.com.au.
“She’s a lovely mare with a good record and ran the race of her career in the Sangster. She was then sold but thankfully we’ve got her back. It’ll be form dependent with her whether she goes to stud next season and it’s a race-by-race scenario. I’d imagine Semana will go to stud after the winter and both are likely to go to the (Group 1) Tatt’s Tiara next.”
Brudenell to carry weight in Listed Bob Charley
History is against Kris Lees-trained Brudenell (Russian Revolution) who has to carry 59kg in Saturday’s Listed Bob Charley Stakes with only two horses winning with more, being 60.5kg carried by Jungle Edge (Dubawi {Ire}) in 2018 and the 60kg carried by Classique Legend (Not A Single Doubt) in 2020. “I will keep Brudenell for Randwick. He's not great on a long float trip anyway,” Lees told racenet.com.au of the decision not to run in the G2 Moreton Cup in Brisbane.
Kris Lees | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“I know he has plenty of weight at Randwick but he has probably earned it. He goes to Saturday's race in very good form.”
Searchin’ Roc’s to retire after Hyperion Stakes
Trainer Sharon Taylor announced that Group 3 winner Searchin’ Roc’s (Awesome Rock) will retire after Saturday’s G3 Hyperion Stakes in WA, and will be sold prior to the breeding season. “It’s definitely not a decision we have made lightly,” Taylor told racingwa.com.au.
“Lots of tears have been shed. She’s come back into season a couple of times and it’s better for her. She’s really showing she hasn’t got her mind on the job. In saying that, her work has been just top notch. I had a chat to mum and dad and said I think it’s fairer for her.
“We were sort of looking at the Railway if she raced well again. Even though she’s been racing well, I don’t think she’s at that level to win one now. It will be great if she could go out a winner on Saturday. After that we will look at selling her as a broodmare. We’ve had an amazing ride with our girl, and she’s exceeded all our expectations."
Searchin’ Roc’s has won nine of her 33 starts and over $1 million. She comes into Saturday’s run off a last start ninth.
Hidden Motive set for better races in spring
Trainer Nathan Doyle will look to set 2-year-old colt Hidden Motive (Capitalist) for better class races in the spring if he can finish the season with back to back wins on Saturday. “That’s what we went back there for, it was a Plate race so he got in well and being a colt you like to have that killer instinct in them,” Doyle told racingnsw.com.au.
Nathan Doyle | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“He showed us last start, even though it was in a maiden, what he’s been showing us at home. He’s a horse with plenty of talent. I suppose we get through Saturday but I feel he is going to be a better 3-year-old so I wouldn’t hesitate in having a crack at stakes races if he can head down that track.”
Bivouac adds fifth winner at Geelong
Godolphin’s 2-year-old gelding Loving (Bivouac) became the fifth winner for his first season sire when winning at Geelong on Thursday for trainer James Cummings. He ran fourth on debut behind Hidden Motive (Capitalist). His dam, Maternal (Street Cry {Ire}) is a Listed-winning daughter of Group 1 winner Divine Madonna (Hurricane Sky).
Super One juvenile wins at Wagga
Danny Williams-trained 2-year-old gelding Foreign Encounter (Super One) won at Wagga on Thursday, breaking through at his second start. The homebred is the first foal of unraced Go Go Chanel (Toronado {Ire}). He was ridden by Blaike McDougall who also won the second on the card aboard 3-year-old filly Southern Dancer (I Am Immortal).
Thursday’s other tidbits
Ryan Wiggins rode a treble at Mackay, while Universal Ruler sired a double at Bunbury with 3-year-olds Hope To Rule and Cheeto.
Hill to call Belmont Gold Cup
Race caller Matt Hill is in America to call the 2025 G2 Belmont Gold Cup, a race that includes G1 Melbourne Cup ballot-free entry to the winner. “I'm thrilled to be here again. I have quite an interest in American racing, I think it's extremely colourful and exciting at its very best,” Hill told racing.com.
Matt Hill
“It's lovely to have that connection with the Belmont Gold Cup and the Melbourne Cup again. As the race caller of the Melbourne Cup, I'm basically the custodian of the job that all of my great idols have looked after before me. To be able to call a Melbourne Cup qualifying race overseas makes me very proud and at such a special place in Saratoga, which is renowned for its horse racing.”
Randwick track manager promoted
The Australian Turf Club announced that Randwick track manager Michael Wood has been promoted to General Manager of ATC Racecourses. “Michael has a wealth of experience and knowledge around racing and track management, and we are delighted to extend his role,” Head of Racing and Wagering, Nevesh Ramdhani told racingnsw.com.au.
“Michael is well respected by his colleagues and the industry and he will work closely with all of the teams at ATC’s four racecourses and five tracks to continue to deliver Sydney’s world-class racing.”
Vale Gordon McAllister
Racing NSW announced that Broadmeadow trainer Gordon McAllister has died aged 72. “When Berlainsky won that day Gordon had backed her to win enough money to pay off his house,” friend Allen Hardes told racingnsw.com.au.
“Gordon was a great story teller and a character of the track who loved helping people out. That included young jockeys and he gave Kevin Gover, Greg Conlon and Scott Thurlow their first city winners. Most days you would find him enjoying a surf where he had been a member of Nobbys Surf Lifesaving Club since 1971.”
Newcastle Jockey Club will be acknowledging Mr McAllister at this Saturday's race meeting and a funeral will be held on June 12. Gordon is survived by his four children Amy, Levi, Jai and Siena. Son Levi remains involved in the racing industry selling and delivering feed to many local horse trainers.
Racing NSW open nominations for strapper prize
Nominations are now open for Sydney’s ‘Strapper of the Year’ award for the 2024/25 season. The award is sponsored by Racing NSW and co-ordinated by Australian Racing Christian Chaplaincy.
The award is peer-nominated with stablehands at Metropolitan race meetings being invited to nominate who they think is deserving of the award. A selection panel of racing officials will subsequently choose the winner from a short-list of finalists. The award will be presented at the NSW Racehorse Owners Association’s prestigious ‘Racing's Night of Champions’ on Thursday, August 28, 2025.
Voyage Bubble connections decline Ascot invitation
Trainer Ricky Yiu isn’t keen to take his triple crown winner Voyage Bubble (Deep Field) overseas and so he’s declined an invitation to run in Royal Ascot’s G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. “I don’t think (he will race overseas again). He’s not young any more,” Yiu told scmp.com.
Voyage Bubble | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
“He pulled up brilliant from his last run. He just went up to Conghua (on Wednesday) and he’ll have four weeks of easy time there.”
Fownes and Wong score doubles at Happy Valley
Trainer Caspar Fownes enjoyed a double at Happy Valley on Wednesday night with Joy Of Spring (Deep Field) and Kaholo Angel (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), who raced in Europe as Wudang, with both ridden by apprentice jockey Ellis Wong. “We’re back in front. We’ll keep doing our best,” Fownes said, referring to him having the most wins at Happy Valley this season with 23.
Caspar Fownes | Image courtesy of the Hong Kong Jockey Club
“Lovely ride – he’s ridden beautifully all night, the kid. He’s come a long way, he’s doing well and I’m sure everyone’s going to want a piece of him now. Lovely to get that result with [Kaholo Angel]. When you get up to Class Two in Hong Kong, it’s very tough and that looked a proper field. But Ellis gave him a lovely ride and thankfully he got it done.”
Potential unprecedented third winner for Puca
While the rematch between G1 Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty (USA) (Into Mischief {USA}) and G1 Preakness Stakes winner Journalism (USA) (Curlin {USA}) has received top billing, the camp surrounding the blue-blooded Baeza (USA) (McKinzie {USA}) sees a slightly different storyline ahead of Saturday's G1 Belmont Stakes at Saratoga.
“They talk about the challenge of the two of them. I think it's more the challenge of the three of us,” said Lee Searing of C R K Stable, who campaigns Baeza in partnership with the colt's breeder Robert Clay of Grandview Equine.
Hailing from the first crop of McKinzie, Baeza brought US$1.2 million (AU$1.8 million) to top the third session of the 2023 Keeneland September Yearling sale. He can become an unprecedented third American Classic winner for Broodmare of the Year Puca (USA) (Big Brown {USA}), who has also produced 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage (USA) (Good Magic {USA}) and last year's Belmont Stakes winner Dornoch (USA) (Good Magic {USA}).
Justify’s Ruling Court draws well for Derby
After the draw had been made for Saturday's G1 Derby in Epsom's Picture House on Wednesday, Team Godolphin were relieved that one box had been ticked regarding their G1 2000 Guineas hero Ruling Court (USA) (Justify {USA}). Set to exit from a favourable stall in seven, the son of Justify (USA) now has only to navigate the race's notorious twists and turns and bottlenecks and stay the mile and a half.
“We have always felt that the 2000 Guineas is one of the best trials for the Derby and Ruling Court has trained well since winning at Newmarket,” trainer Charlie Appleby said. “We wouldn't want the ground to get too soft by Saturday, so any significant amount of rain would be a negative. We won't know if he truly gets a mile and a half until we try, but he gives us all the indications that he should get the trip.
“We know that he is the class horse in the field, which helps, and being able to travel around Epsom is probably more important than being a proper mile-and-a-half horse. We can have no complaints with being drawn seven and are very pleased with how his preparation has gone.”
Night Of Thunder’s Desert Flower draws inside for Oaks
Nine fillies will take part in Friday's Oaks, with Godolphin's 1000 Guineas winner Desert Flower (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) in stall one. That would normally be a negative of sorts, but with the field in single figures should be surmountable if she stays the trip. “Desert Flower has been faultless to date and looks great,” Charlie Appleby said. “We all know that the trip is going to be the question mark and we won't know whether she stays until we run her over it. She looks like a filly who will get a mile and a half and, as far as we are concerned, she has won the best trial for the race.”
As was predicted by Aidan O'Brien on Tuesday, Ryan Moore rides Frankel (GB)'s Listed Cheshire Oaks scorer Minnie Hauk (Ire) who is drawn in two, while Ballydoyle's Listed Lingfield Oaks Trial winner Giselle (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) and Musidora winner Whirl (Ire) are in three and nine respectively. Colin Keane gets the call Giselle with Wayne Lordan set to ride Wootton Bassett (GB)'s Whirl.
Massive catalogue for Tattersalls July Sale
A total of 931 lots have been catalogued for the Tattersalls July Sale, which takes place from July 8-10 and features consignments from leading owner-breeders including Godolphin, Juddmonte and Shadwell Estate Company.
“Camille Pissarro's Classic victory in the Prix du Jockey Club was the latest example of the Tattersalls July Sale's extraordinary record of producing broodmares of the very highest calibre on the international stage. His dam (Entreat) was purchased for just 14,000 guineas and illustrates the outstanding quality to be found at all levels of the market,” Tattersalls chairman Edmond Mahony said.
Edmond Mahony | Image courtesy of Tattersalls
“Along with Group 1-winning sprinter Regional and Grade 1 Champion Hurdle winner Golden Ace, purchased for 3500 guineas and 12,000 guineas respectively, they reflect the immense value and diversity that is available at Europe's leading midsummer sale.
“This year's Tattersalls July catalogue features the usual compelling combination of well-bred fillies and in-foal mares, high-class horses in training and significant consignments from leading owner-breeders, all of which look set to attract plenty of interest from domestic and international buyers alike.”
Group winner added to Arqana Summer Sale
A trio of flat horses in training have been added to the Arqana Summer Sale as wildcards. The sale will be held from Monday, June 30 to Thursday, July 3.
The Satoshi Kobayashi-trained Short Final (Fr), who won the G3 Kronimus Badener Meile in Germany last week will be consigned as Lot 412. Rated 108, the son of Zelzal (Fr) will be joined by Lot 400, Dioptase (Ire) (New Bay {GB}). Rated 102, Dioptase was runner-up in the G3 Prix Greffulhe and is a winner over 1500 metres and 2000 metres. Rounding out the trio is Kirchner (Ire) (Pinatubo {Ire}) (Lot 396). A winner at two, he was most recently fourth in the Listed Derby du Languedoc.
Goffs London Sale includes Group 2 winner
The initial entries for the June 16 Goffs London Sale, held in association with Fitzwilliam Sports and Privat 3 Money, include G2 Royal Lodge Stakes hero Ghostwriter (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}).
Held at Kensington Palace Gardens the evening of Monday, June 16, the sale allows buyers the opportunity to run their new acquisitions in their colours at the iconic meeting. The full catalogue including pedigrees, race and conformation videos along with Royal Ascot targets, will be available early next week.
Henry Beeby, Goffs Group chief executive, said, “No other sale in the world offers the opportunity to purchase a horse on Monday and see it run in your colours at Royal Ascot the same week. The global appeal of the Goffs London Sale and its unique proposition continues to thrive, and we are proud to announce these high-class Royal Ascot contenders and international prospects among the early entries, with more to follow.
Henry Beeby | Image courtesy of Goffs
“Goffs, together with our title partners Fitzwilliam Sports and Privat 3 Money, look forward to welcoming invited guests from around the world to Kensington Palace Gardens to open Royal Ascot week with a sale, and an audience, like nowhere else.”
Vale Jean Rice
Jean Rice, matriarch of a family of top horsemen, passed away May 27 at the age of 85. Born Sept. 9, 1939 in Antigo, Wisconsin, Jean did not come from a racing family, but–alongside her husband of 59 years and top pinhooker Clyde Rice–she created one of the sport's most well-respected and deeply talented families of horsemen.
She earned a four-year teaching degree while raising her four children, all of whom became jockeys and/or trainers. Curt Rice was one of the leading riders of his time and his brother Wayne gave him a run for his money in the saddle before transitioning to the training ranks.
Jean Rice supported her husband's many ventures and ideas in the horse business from Wisconsin to West Virginia to Pennsylvania before ultimately landing in Florida and developing the well-known Indian Prairie Ranch. She steered the ship at Indian Prairie Ranch, where the family educated the likes of champion Family Style and Grade I winner Titalating, both of whom were also purchased by her husband. While Clyde was traveling between sales and racetracks in search of racing's future stars, Jean kept things going on the home front, handling not only the family, but the business end of things. She was meticulous and exceptionally organized, keeping all the accounting in perfect order.
Anyone who met Jean will tell you she was sharp as a tack, no-nonsense, honest, and funny. She was full of entertaining anecdotes, most of which centered around her family and horses, of course. Her mind was like a steel trap, and she always paid attention, so whenever a horse issue was discussed, she could recall a similar issue Clyde or one of her children had encountered and tell you exactly what they did to fix it.
