Barb Saunders resigns from board
Following Monday’s decision to remove Tom Reilly as Melbourne Racing Club CEO, director Barb Saunders has resigned from the board citing concerns about the club’s governance. The Herald Sun reported on Tuesday that Saunders sent an email to other board members, stating that she was opposed to “giving jobs to the boys.” Kanga’s time as Chair of the board has been filled with change, as he was elected to save Sandown, a decision which led to a motion to remove board members Matt Cain, Nick Hassett, Mark Pratt, Brooke Dawson, Scott Davidson and Jill Monk.
Barb Saunders | Image courtesy of Melbourne Racing Club
The motion failed, but since then all six have resigned from the board. To pay off club debts, Kanga agreed to sell land adjacent to Caulfield to Mount Scopus Memorial College for $195 million. Former CEO Josh Blanksby resigned after a seven-year term and was replaced with former Thoroughbred Breeders Association CEO Tom Reilly. He has lasted just three months in the role.
The incoming Tanya Fullerton is alleged by Saunders to have been appointed without due process, and is said to be friends with current board members Frank Pollio, Belinda Meyers, Robyn Grey, and Sheamus Mills.
Tom Reilly responds
Tom Reilly has briefly spoken on his change of tenure as Melbourne Racing Club CEO, with a tweet on Tuesday. “A brief update on my change in circumstance: While I am disappointed to leave the MRC, I can say that during my time as CEO I always sought to act in the best interests of the club.”
Reilly worked for the Sydney Morning Herald before heading up Aushorse and Thoroughbred Breeders Australia for ten years.
Tom Reilly | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Racing Victoria and Seven announce extension
Racing Victoria and the Seven Network announced on Tuesday that their television deal will be extended for five years. “We are excited to elevate both networks' coverage of Victorian racing - both on race day and beyond - by harnessing the full strength of our digital and news platforms,” RV Executive General Manager - Media, Content and Marketing, Andy Hoad, said.
“We're united by a deep passion for racing and a shared commitment to growing the sport's audience and we'll be building on that through an exciting next phase of our partnership. The consolidation of a new agreement has been incredibly rewarding and it's clear that our aligned values and love of the sport will deliver an enhanced experience for audiences across the country.
“This agreement also reflects a strong vote of confidence in the value Racing.com brings to the sport - not just in Victoria, but for our partners in South Australia, Hong Kong and, soon, Western Australia. We're not just committing to continue the channel, but to significantly grow it over the next five years.”
Can Golden Mile give Cummings a fairytale?
If James Cummings can win the G1 Stradbroke Handicap with Golden Mile (Astern), it will be a monster training effort, and a fitting send off from Godolphin before Cummings becomes a public trainer. “I always say try and win it. It'd be a great story for Golden Mile, who has come back from stud duties and he's been warming to a win,” Cummings told racenet.com.au.
“If he can get that in this prep in the Stradbroke, that'd be some feat to pull off and all the accolades would go to Golden Mile himself. I wouldn't seek to diminish the depth of the field at all and I haven't seen the final field either. What I would say is that good Group 1 weight-for-age form should be golden form.
Golden Mile | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“A bit over a month ago he screamed home for third in the Victory Stakes and that had him back in the form he was 12 months ago, just prior to him going to stud. It's been a slow burn to get him up to where he is now but to give a sight in a Group 1 against Joliestar and to defeat some very good Group 1 sprinters in his final lead-up run to the Stradbroke, where he drops to 53.5 kilos, is a very good recipe. He should be an even better horse out to 1400 metres, a little bit further under the handicap conditions that we'll see this week.”
Share in Royal Ascot runner in Tattersalls Online
A 10 per cent share in Royal Ascot contender Brosay (GB) (Tasleet {GB}) has been added to the Tattersalls Online June Pop-Up Sale, which takes place between the hours of 10am and 12pm on Thursday, June 12 (local time).
Consigned by Racing Club, the 3-year-old gelding is currently in training with Lambourn trainer Paul Attwater and the syndicate are targeting the Palace of Holyrood Stakes on the Friday of Royal Ascot for his next appearance. Last seen filling the runner-up spot in a five-furlong handicap at Sandown in April, he will be offered with a BHA rating of 88.
Pressure is your friend
Jockey Ceejay Graham will take on trainer Kelly Schweida’s advice for her first ride in the G1 Stradbroke Handicap on The Inflictor (Under The Louvre) who is trained by Craig Cousins. “The best bit of advice Kelly has given me was that pressure is your friend,” Graham told racenet.com.au.
“You've got to absorb the pressure and embrace it. That's one thing he said to me that really stuck, because coming from a few knock-backs early in my riding career, I wasn't initially too confident with some things and he just said ‘don't let the pressure get to you'.
The Inflictor | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
“If you don't have pressure, you probably aren't going really good, are you? So when you put it like that, you want the pressure, don't you? It is a pretty cool saying that is stuck in my head.”
Banker’s Choice set for Q22
Lindsay Park-trained Banker’s Choice (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) is straight out of Glen Thompson’s stable and will run in Saturday’s Q22. “He's a very straightforward horse. He came to us in great form and we thought his run the other day was very good with a while between runs,” Ben Hayes told racingqueensland.com.au.
He ran third in the G3 Lord Mayor’s Cup at his first start for his new stable. “He had the trial (at Caulfield Heath) because it was a while between those runs and the Eagle Farm run was a good pipe opener for this really good prizemoney race. He's shown that he can get to the trip and I think the 2220 metres should be ideal.”
Snitzel adds another good 2-year-old
The win of 2-year-old gelding Job Done (Snitzel) at Seymour on debut for trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr made it 18 juvenile wins for his sire for the season, led by G1 Golden Slipper winner Marhoona.
Passed in by Longwood Thoroughbred Farm at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, Job Done is a half-brother to Group 2 winner Contessa Vanessa (Bullbars) and stakes placed Pivot City (Not A Single Doubt). They are out of Di Lusso (Lonhro) who is a daughter of a full sister to Listed winner Hillfa (Danehill {USA}).
Snitzel also took his season record to 20 stakes winners on Saturday with Transatlantic.
O’Invincible set for Wednesday
Bjorn Baker-trained 3-year-old filly O’Invincible (Snitzel) missed the Scone carnival with a minor issue and runs on Wednesday at Kensington. “We did pencil in a stakes race at Scone for her but she had a setback and we had to cool our jets with her,” Baker’s racing manager Luke Hilton told racingnsw.com.au.
“She just needed a bit of time, Bjorn’s been patient with her and she’s back in good order now and trialled well leading into this. This is a nice kick off point for her and hopefully she can reach the levels we think she can.” The daughter of Group 1 winner Viddora (I Am Invincible) is unbeaten in two starts.
Oversized juvenile to debut on Saturday
Trainer Claire Patterson wanted to name her 17.1hh 2-year-old gelding Al (Trapeze Artist) Big Al but it was taken, so Al it is. He debuts at Bendigo on Saturday. “Big Al would have been perfect for him as you don't realise how big he is until you stand alongside him,” Patterson said.
“I call him Al for Albert, as in my mind that's what he is. Al is an old-fashioned name and he's a simple, old-fashioned horse as he's very quiet and he looks like he's half asleep. He just toddles along. In England he would go hunting and chasing because he's so big and docile.”
Al as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The juvenile cost $16,000 at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale from the Widden Stud draft and is a half-brother to Listed winner A Lot More Love (Sebring).
Callow faces charges for Doomben fight
The Racing Queensland stewards will charge jockey Noel Callow over his involvement in a fight with jockey Kyle Wilson-Taylor, who faces no charges over the event. The details are unknown as the hearing was closed to the public with Queensland Racing Integrity Commission putting the following statement on their website. “QRIC acknowledge that participants involved in stewards' inquiries may submit an application to request a closed hearing.
“QRIC stewards assess the merits of each application thoroughly, balancing the need for transparency and public interest provisions with the legitimate privacy, medical and welfare concerns of participants. QRIC takes these requests seriously to ensure that participants can provide evidence in an appropriate environment.” Callow hasn’t ridden since as he is doing a 12-day concussion protocol stand-down.
Racing Mates heads to Kembla Grange
The next Racing Mates race day will be at Kembla Grange on June 21. “It’s important that we check in with each other and encourage those requiring further help to seek support,” Racing Mates Ambassador Pat Webster told racingnsw.com.au.
“Whether they're going through something big, something small, or maybe nothing at all, your support can help. Your conversation could change a life.”
Blinkers a possibility for Asfoora
Trainer Henry Dwyer might put blinkers on Asfoora (Flying Artie) for her Royal Ascot defence. He galloped her in them on Monday. “We threw a set of shades on her,” Dwyer told RSN's Racing Pulse on Tuesday.
“I've always wanted to but it's a bit hard to change things when they are going really well. Not that she's not going well, but I just feel like we're nearer the end than the start and I've got a bit of an itch to scratch with the blinkers, I think.
Asfoora | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“I reckon they'll help her find a length or two, so we threw them on in trackwork just to make sure she'll be OK with them, and she was. So I dare say at this stage we'll put them on when she runs next Tuesday.”
Hong Lok Golf puts record on the line
On Wednesday, trainer Chris So will put Hong Lok Golf (Grunt {NZ})’s record of five wins from six starts on the line. “We didn’t have too many options for him but owner (Jackie Wong) really wanted to race him again, so we picked Happy Valley,” So told scmp.com.
“It seems like he will handle the track but we don’t know yet – we have to take a chance. If you never try, you never know. I told the owner that many things are unknown but he said ‘we have to try’. I think it might suit him.”
Hong Lok Golf | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Benno Yung to retire
Trainer Benno Yung has informed the Hong Kong Jockey Club that he won’t renew his licence next season, effectively announcing his retirement.
He rode in Hong Kong as a jockey before becoming an assistant trainer in 1991. In his first season, 2013/14, won 37 races with a personal best of 39 in 2021/22. He has 18 wins so far this season with 10 meetings remaining, and has a total of 358 career wins as a trainer in Hong Kong.
Vale Peter Easterby
Miles Henry Easterby, invariably known as Peter, who has died at the age of 95, was not only one of the best and most successful dual-purpose trainers Britain has ever known, but also one of the most popular and most respected.
Peter Easterby enjoyed a particularly golden era during the late 1970s and early '80s when the stable's stars included two dual Champion Hurdle winners (Night Nurse and Sea Pigeon) and two Cheltenham Gold Cup winners (Alverton and Little Owl). During this period Peter was champion National Hunt trainer for three consecutive seasons, beginning with the 1978/79 campaign.
By the time that Peter Easterby stepped back to hand over the licence at Habton Grange to his son Tim (who had ridden plenty of winners for his father as an amateur, both Flat and National Hunt, including on horses such as Sea Pigeon and Sula Bula) he had achieved the unique feat of being the only British trainer to have sent out over 1,000 winners both on the Flat and over jumps.
Softly spoken and blessed with a nature dominated by innate kindness, Peter Easterby was a legend of the training ranks; a loving and loved husband, father and grandfather; a mentor to many; and a friend to all. He will be sorely missed and never forgotten, and TDN offers our sincere condolences to his family.
Lake Victoria ruled out of Ascot
Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine Lake Victoria (Ire) has been ruled out of the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot. Undefeated in five juvenile starts last season, including Group 1 wins in the Moyglare Stud Stakes, the Cheveley Park and at the Breeders' Cup, Aidan O'Brien's filly was beaten into sixth place in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on her return to action but bounced back to her best in the Irish equivalent.
The daughter of Frankel (GB) was expected to be a major part of the Ballydoyle handler's Ascot team next week, but owners Coolmore said in a post on X on Monday, “Lake Victoria will not run at Royal Ascot. She will have an easy few weeks and will return for a late summer/autumn campaign.”
Group 2 winner for Almanzor
Rennstall Gestut Hachtsee's Zuckerhut (Ger) (Almanzor {Fr}) was too good for his rivals in a strong renewal of Monday's G2 Sparkasse KolnBonn 190th Union-Rennen at Cologne and the G3 Bavarian Classic fourth punched his ticket to July's G1 Deutsches Derby at Hamburg with a one-length triumph in Germany's premier trial for the main event.
“I have liked him since the very first time I saw him and his final piece of work was really good,” commented rider Andrasch Starke. “I was able to keep him under wraps and that worked out well, especially as there was a good pace. We are now ready for the G1 Deutsches Derby at Hamburg.” Trainer Peter Schiergen, who was winning this event for the sixth time, one shy of George Arnull's record seven editions, added, “He had an excellent trip throughout and 2400 metres will be even better for him. He will have improved again for this race and now the Derby can come.”
Zuckerhut, who becomes the 14th pattern-race winner for his sire, is the first of three foals produced by Group 2-winning G1 Preis der Diana (German Oaks) runner-up Zamrud (Ger) (Samum {Ger}), herself a full-sister to Listed Dusseldorf Derby-Trial runner-up Zirconic Star (Ger).
Jockey Club scholarships
The Jockey Club has awarded five academic scholarships for the 2025-2026 academic year. Lauren Maas was selected to receive The Jockey Club Scholarship (US$7,500 per semester), which is awarded to a student on an academic path toward employment in the equine industry. Maas earned her Master of Science in Animal Biology from UC-Davis with the thesis, “Arrhythmogenesis and Sudden Cardiac Death in Thoroughbred Racehorses.”
The Jockey Club Advancement of Women in Racing Scholarship (US$10,000 per semester) is being awarded to Sophia Vega, who expects to graduate from the University of Kentucky in the spring of 2026 with a degree in Animal Science/Pre-Vet with an equine emphasis. Her goal is to become an equine veterinarian specializing in equine orthopedic and soft tissue surgery.
Giovanni Ricardo will receive The Jockey Club Vision Scholarship (US$10,000 per semester), which is awarded to an undergraduate student who is from a minority racial or ethnic group. Ricardo is studying Finance and Marketing at the University of Kentucky and expects to graduate in May 2026.
The Jockey Club Benevolence Scholarship (US$7,500 per semester) provides needs-based assistance with preference to backstretch and horse farm employees and their family members and was awarded to Xochilt Solorio. Solorio is studying Civil Engineering with a primary focus on transportation at Northeastern University. Her parents work at Belmont Park; her father is a day walker and groom, and her mother is a hot walker.
Nathan Klein is the recipient of The Jockey Club Jack Goodman Scholarship (US$3,000 per semester), which is open to students enrolled in the University of Arizona's Race Track Industry Program. Klein plans to graduate from RTIP in May 2026 with a Bachelor of Science in Animal Sciences.
