Ka Ying Rising best on turf
The latest World Thoroughbred Rankings have been released with Japan's Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) remaining the leader at 127, with Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) rated 126 to be second overall and top turf horse. Romantic Warrior (Ire) (Acclamation {GB}) stays on 126 for his efforts on dirt.
Ka Ying Rising (NZ) | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Danon Decile (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}), who was last seen taking home the G1 Longines Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan in early April, is joined on 125 by Godolphin star Sovereignty (USA) (Into Mischief {USA}) who is new to the top five.
Now the highest rated 3-year-old in the world, Sovereignty achieved the distinction when he wrapped up the GI Belmont Stakes at Saratoga last weekend, which capped an impressive Triple Crown run to go along with his GI Kentucky Derby score.
McDonald recovering from illness
James McDonald was too sick to ride at Kensington on Wednesday, but hopes to be ready for Saturday’s Group 1 meeting at Eagle Farm. “I haven't been feeling well since Wednesday,” McDonald told racenet.com.au.
“I don't know what it is, some sort of virus. But I'll be doing my best to ride. I will be doing everything I can to be there. Put it this way, it would take a lot for me to miss a big day like Stradbroke day. I want to get there to ride in the first race and see how I go.”
Torque could be special for Zahra
Jockey Mark Zahra will have his best ever Group 1 season if he wins the G1 JJ Atkins Plate on Torque To Be Sure (Shamus Award) on Saturday. He has won five Group 1 races so far this year. “I'm running third on the premiership in Melbourne, I've won five Group 1s, a couple of narrow misses, but I'm happy enough, I've had a pretty consistent year,” Zahra told racing.com.
Mark Zahra | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“It's an even race. The lead-up was on a bog track, so it's hard to say whether that holds up or not, but his run was much improved, my horse, in that. He'll probably need to improve a little bit and he'll need things to go his way to be a chance but like I say, it looks an even sort of year because you've got mixed form lines on firm tracks and wet tracks, so you never know.”
Kiwi owned Desert Lightning drops in weight
New Zealand owners Sarah and Chris Green and Ger Beemsterboer are pleased with Desert Lightning (NZ) (Pride Of Dubai) ahead of the G1 Stradbroke given the drop in weight. “It was a great finish from him (last Saturday). He had 61 kilos to carry and this time he has 54.5kg, so that is big change,” Sarah Green told Loveracing.nz.
“He raced last weekend and is backing up again. We are not sure how that is going to play out, but he has got a great draw. It’s a good sign (that Tommy Berry has retained the ride). He knows him and that is always a plus when the jockey wants to stick with him. He has got the ability, but it is a field full of good horses and we are just taking a chance.”
If Desert Lightning wins, the $1.8 million prize money will close the gap in the Australian Sires’ Premiership again with Zoustar currently $1.9 million ahead of Pride Of Dubai.
McEvoy keen to give Cummings a smile
Jockey Kerrin McEvoy is keen to win the G1 JJ Atkins Plate on Zebra Finch (Exceed And Excel) for trainer James Cummings ahead of Cummings’ one year sabbatical before he goes to Hong Kong. “It'd be great to win another major for James before he finishes his term as head trainer (for Godolphin),” McEvoy told racenet.com.au.
“He's done a remarkable job in the time that he's been there so it'd be great to get him out on a good note. It was a surprising call, I certainly didn't expect it. He'll be missed in the (Australian) training ranks for sure.”
Kerrin McEvoy | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Maher’s well bred Navy Pilot in JJ Atkins
Jockey Ryan Maloney will be on Ciaron Maher-trained 2-year-old colt Navy Pilot (I Am Invincible) in Saturday's G1 JJ Atkins Plate. “I try to be a fisherman, I did it when I was a kid, but once I started riding I never really found time,” Maloney told racenet.com.au.
“But my next door neighbour has got a boat and when I moved to Sorrento, I just started fishing with him. I got the (fishing) bug back, so I bought myself a little tinnie. I normally go out in the (Gold Coast) Broadwater and I try to get out once a week.
Navy Pilot | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
“(Navy Pilot) has certainly got the ability. He is in his first preparation, so he still does a few little things wrong. The other day he was a bit of a drunken sailor in the straight. Just at a vital stage when I went to make my run, Sunrays rolled out a little bit and it just took the wind out of his sails. Then he had to pick up and go again, which is very hard for a 2-year-old to do. I reckon he is right in it on Saturday.”
Navy Pilot is a full brother to Group 2 winner Tiz Invincible and his dam is a winning half-sister to Anamoe.
Arctic Glamour set for Dane Ripper
Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained Arctic Glamour (Frosted {USA}) is ready for Saturday’s G2 Dane Ripper Stakes. “Her run first-up was very good but she pulled a muscle two weeks later, so we had to back off her,” Ryan told racingqueensland.com.au.
“She’s a very good mare but she doesn’t like wet tracks so we’re hoping the weather in Brisbane stays fine. A lot of her races have been on soft and shifty tracks which she doesn’t like. She showed last year as a 3-year-old how good she is when she beat Joliestar who won the Kingsford Smith last week.”
“Provided the track is good she’ll run well and be very hard to beat before she goes on to the Tatt’s Tiara.”
Pier misses Stradbroke
Former Group 1-winning 3-year-old, now 5-year-old gelding Pier (NZ) (Proisir) has missed a start in the G1 Stradbroke and will run in the Listed Wayne Wilson. “We’re probably going to just miss out on the Stradbroke, which is a bit of bad luck but it is what it is,” co-trainer Darryn Weatherley told Loveracing.nz.
“He ran a huge race at Doomben last start and we were very proud of him. He drew 16 of 16 and put in an enormous performance. But he probably needed to win that day to get into the Stradbroke, because it’s done on prizemoney.
Pier (NZ) | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
“The Wayne Wilson is a nice race to fall back on this weekend. It’s not worth A$3 million like the Stradbroke, but it’s a decent stake in its own right and it’s a race I believe he can be very competitive in.”
Another juvenile winner for Lindsay Park
Lindsay Park-trained 2-year-old gelding Night Flash (Harry Angel {Ire}) broke through for a maiden victory at Ballarat on Friday at his fourth start. Lindsay Park purchased him for $60,000 from Twin Hills Stud’s Inglis Premier Yearling Sale draft.
Muswellbrook double for Snitzel
Snitzel sired a double at Muswellbrook on Friday with Oakfield Earth and Snitzenegger. At the same meeting, jockey Aaron Bullock rode a treble in the first three races on the card.
Kavanagh bred filly to debut
Cara Kavanagh bred 2-year-old filly Thanks Gorgeous (Peltzer) and she debuts for trainer Levi Kavanagh on Saturday at Sandown. “I don't know if they're (mum Isobel and wife Cara) going on Saturday but certainly I might not go home!” Levi Kavanagh jokingly told racenet.com.au.
“She's (Thanks Gorgeous) been pretty bright and sharp in her jumpouts. It's probably go to the bush or go to the city with these 2-year-olds and she has shown enough toe she should be able to have a crack in town.”
Remedial work at Belmont
Perth Racing and Racing WA have issued a statement to say that remedial work at Belmont will leave the track out of commission for at least four weeks. “The work, set to be conducted by Evergreen Turf Group, will take four to five days. However, given the winter conditions, Belmont Park will not host racing for at least four weeks post the turf replacement. This is to allow sufficient time for the turf to establish, with the earliest anticipated return to racing being late July,” said the statement.
“It comes after the race meeting at Belmont Park on 24 May 2025 was abandoned due to concerns over the safety of the specific part of the track near the 150m mark.
“Racing WA supports Perth Racing’s decision, acknowledging the welfare of jockeys and horses is paramount, and will confirm a revised schedule for the meetings originally programmed at Belmont Park early next week.”
Tattersalls Online topped by Miss Yechance
Royal Ascot entry and recent Redcar winner Miss Yechance (Ire) (Cotai Glory {GB}) sold for 250,000gns (AU$548,000) at the Tattersalls Online June Pop-up Sale to Royal Chance Bloodstock, understood to be the guise in which bloodstock agent Alessandro Marconi was signing for on behalf of unnamed clients.
Miss Yechance (Ire) | Image courtesy of Tattersalls
“I'm ecstatic. I am lucky to have two very good owners in Derek Lovatt and Colin Bacon who have believed in not only me but in my team and most importantly in the filly. Unfortunately, things did not fall into place at the breeze ups but we've always had faith in her and she repaid us by winning as she did on debut. It's a big relief but I believe she will progress into a very nice filly and she will only get better. I wish her new connections the very best of luck,” said vendor Ellie Whitaker of EMW Equine.
Epsom Derby turnover in World Pool increases
Saturday's G1 Derby at Epsom accrued turnover on World Pool bet types of HK$54,403,320 (AU$10.7 million) up on 2024's figure of HK$51,760,276 (AU$10.1 million) (+5 per cent).
Over 28 jurisdictions were able to bet into the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC)'s World Pool on Saturday across the eight races at Epsom, while an additional four races from South Africa were also internationally commingled. Turnover for the full eight-race meeting at Epsom also increased to HK$267.1m from HK$264.5m.
Half to Derby second joins Arqana Summer Sale
A quartet of wildcards, including Love Affair (Ger) (Study Of Man {Ire}), have been added to the Arqana Summer Sale set for Deauville from June 30-July 3. The 4-year-old mare is in foal to Good Guess (GB), and she is a half-sister to group winners Lazy Griff (Ger) (Protectionist {Ger}) who was second in the G1 Derby on Saturday, and Lambo (Ger) (Protectionist {Ger}).
British TBA appoints new CEO
Naomi Mellor has been appointed chief executive officer at the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TBA). A qualified veterinary surgeon, Mellor brings over 17 years of equine veterinary experience across the UK, Australia, and the South Pacific, including Thoroughbred stud work.
Philip Newton, Chairman of the TBA commented, “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Naomi as our new Chief Executive. It is rare to find someone with such a diverse and accomplished background—combining extensive veterinary expertise with global experience, stakeholder engagement, and a proven track record in advocacy.
Naomi Mellor | Image courtesy of Thoroughbred Breeders' Association
“Naomi's appointment comes at a pivotal time for the industry, and we are confident she will be a powerful voice for our members, British breeders and the future of British Thoroughbred breeding.
“I would also like to once again thank Claire Sheppard for her exceptional contribution to the TBA over the past eight years.”
Royal Ascot juvenile trends to watch
The furore surrounding the changes to the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes shows no signs of abating, but for this year at least the six 2-year-old races at Royal Ascot remain much as they've always been, which is beneficial for trends followers studying the data in an attempt to find winners next week.
Here, we have a spin through the key members of that group, whilst pinpointing the trainers and sires you need to bear in mind when it comes to compiling a shortlist of potential Royal Ascot-winning juveniles in 2025.
If you're on the hunt for a Royal Ascot-winning 2-year-old, then those trained by Aidan O'Brien is an obvious place to start. In the last 10 years alone, O'Brien is responsible for 16 winners in this division, from a total of 60 races, which essentially means that horses from Ballydoyle are winning one in every four.
Karl Burke has sent out more Royal Ascot-winning 2-year-olds in the last decade than every other trainer bar O'Brien, with his five-strong tally putting him one ahead of Wesley Ward, who is set to be without a runner at the meeting this year for the first time since 2012.
Another interesting angle at Royal Ascot in recent years has been the success of US-based sires with their 2-year-old runners. All told, they have provided 10 of the 60 winners in that category in the last decade, consistently punching above their weight given the lesser representation they're always going to have compared to their European counterparts.
The much-missed Scat Daddy (USA) was responsible for four of those winners, identifying him as the joint-most successful stallion in the juvenile races at Royal Ascot in the last 10 years. He shares that title with the Tally-Ho stalwart Kodiac (GB) and another late Coolmore stallion in Zoffany (Ire), with the aforementioned No Nay Never (USA) best of the rest with three winners.
