Daily News Wrap

Ciaron Maher adds Leilani Lodge to portfolio

The Australian Turf Club announced on Thursday that the lease on Leilani Lodge had been given to trainer Ciaron Maher. “Ciaron Maher’s new stable at Royal Randwick adds further depth to the strength of training ranks in Sydney,” ATC Head of Racing and Wagering Nevesh Ramdhani told racingnsw.com.au.

Ciaron Maher’s stable currently has season earnings of $57.2 million, a new national record. Leilani Lodge has been in the Cummings family for five decades.

Gai chasing second Gai Waterhouse Stakes

Trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott have won the race named in Waterhouse's honour, the Listed Gai Waterhouse Stakes with Ready To Prophet (Smart Missile) in 2019, and are back this year with Gerringong (Blue Point {Ire}). “She’s been excellent this campaign and was a touch unlucky both times but she’s proven herself at this level,” Bott told racingqueensland.com.au.

“She had a bad alley last start which worked against her and it’s not ideal that she’s drawn bad again. She’s got the speed to race forward but she got a bit hampered at the start last run and had to go back. If she can break cleanly this time she might be able to get in a forward position but Ipswich is a tricky track.”

Raikkonen aimed at Golden Eagle

Trainer Bjorn Baker has plans for Raikkonen (Shalaa {Ire}) to be a Golden Eagle contender this spring, but he needs a lift in ratings. He’s on the ballot for Saturday’s Listed Civic Stakes. “I do think he’s top class and I’m normally loathe to pick up benchmark points in a big hurry,” Baker told racingnsw.com.au.

“But with Raikkonen he’s an extremely promising horse and from a much better gate in the Civic Stakes, if he happened to get in, we would definitely have a look at it. If we did get into the Civic and happened to win that he’d go up significantly and he wouldn’t be far off getting into the Golden Eagle. It’s a huge ask but he’s promising and if we knew he was going to get into (the Eagle) or go close we’d definitely target it. Either way I think there are some good races for him.”

Baker sits on 83 wins in Sydney for the season with 12 meetings to go. “You dream about getting to 100 wins, it would be fantastic. It is not completely out of the question although I'm probably going to struggle to get there but I will be doing my best,” he told racenet.com.au.

Warnie set for consolation Eye Liner Stakes

Ciaron Maher-trained Warnie (Ire) (Highland Reel {Ire}) missed the G1 Stradbroke, and runs in Saturday’s Listed Eye Liner Stakes at Ipswich. “He was surging home in the Moreton Cup and another 20 metres, he would have won and won his way into the Straddy,” syndicator Nathan Bennett told racenet.com.au.

“This horse is flying and we were hopeful he would get in the Stradbroke, as with a light weight we were pretty confident he could have gone close. He has sometimes been cruelled by barriers this horse. But this time we have drawn well and out to the 1350 will really suit. He can race a bit closer to the speed than he has been and so with the barrier draw we can always find a spot, rather than be chasing them from right back in the field. I don't think Ipswich is the place you want to be trying to come from too far back.

“We had to come up with a name really quickly and I just thought, the Ashes are on and that's where Warnie used to do his best stuff. We thought we would name him in honour of the great man. I have always loved cricket and now I love watching this horse named after Warnie go around. I was a bit surprised the name Warnie hadn't already been taken, it was a lot easier than what I thought.”

Price Kent pair take each other on

Trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent (Jnr) will run progressive types Taken (NZ) (Ardrossan) and Bring Forth (NZ) (Turn Me Loose {NZ}) against each other at Flemington on Saturday. “(Taken) is in fantastic form, trying to make it four in a row, which is not easy to do,” Kent Jnr told racing.com.

“He's up to 60kg on Saturday, but he's got a great racing pattern. He puts himself into the race, he can relax, then finds off the bridle. It was his career-best performance last start. If he brings that again - and that's always a question mark, if they can keep finding that peak - then he'll be hard to beat again.

“We cannot fault him; he's bounced out of that run. Very sound horse, vibrant … from our point of view, he's not gone backwards. Slightly harder race, I would think, looking at the nominations, but he'll be there and he'll be hard to beat again.”

First up winner heads to Randwick

Trainer Sara Ryan will take impressive first-up winner Aix En Provence (Shalaa {Ire}) to Randwick on Saturday. “I think the penny’s just dropped for him, he’s a mature horse now and he’s come back knowing his job,” Ryan told racingnsw.com.au. He has won three of his 14 starts.

“I expected him to run well, I didn’t expect him to run that well. I would expect him to be 78 grade if not improving past that this prep. He’s so pliable and tractable now and so easy to ride, and he gets a beautiful run on paper on Saturday.”

Stakes class for Begg mare

Trainer Grahame Begg will look at a stakes run for his mare Splash Back (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) if she goes well on Saturday at Flemington. “She had a lot of luck, but it was all bad. I certainly feel that Stakes class is well within her reach. We've got to keep raising the bar with her gently and she's got to keep on putting her hand up,” Begg told racing.com.

“But she's given us no reason to suggest that she has gone backwards (since her first-up run), put it that way. Even if she won on Saturday, if we want to go down the path of something like the Winter Championship Final, she might not have enough ratings points to get in that, so we'll have to have a look at that. Possibly there may be a race in Sydney for her. We'll just get over Saturday first before we make any set plans.”

Just Awesome wins at Gosford

Trainer Blake Ryan enjoyed a debutant winner at Gosford with 2-year-old colt Just Awesome (Written Tycoon) who shares a name with the Last Tycoon (Ire) stallion who died in 1998 after covering two small books which resulted in five stakes winners.

The current Just Awesome was purchased by Goldfinger Equine, Colin Equine, and Blake Ryan Racing for $425,000 from Yulong, who share in his racing ownership. A half-brother to Group 3-placed Miss Roumbini (Zoustar) and promising 3-year-old La Vie En (Blue Point {Ire}), Just Awesome’s dam is Group 3 winner Bleu Roche (Fastnet Rock).

Baker’s Big Papa wins at Bathurst

Bjorn Baker’s 2-year-old gelding Big Papa (Astern) won on debut at Bathurst on Thursday ridden by Robbie Downey. Purchased by Baker and Clarke Bloodstock (FBAA) from Pencarrow Stud’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale draft for NZ$70,000, he is the fourth winner for Listed winner Papilio (NZ) (Redoute’s Choice), a half-sister to Group 3 winner Amaryllis (NZ) (Red Ransom {USA}).

Doubles for So You Think and Spirit Of Boom

So You Think (NZ) sired a double on Thursday at Moe, with 3-year-olds Never A Thought and Southby.

Spirit Of Boom sired a double at Kilcoy with Click Click Boom and In Great Spirit.

Wynyard set for first stakes win

Cambridge trainer Hollie Wynyard will run 2-year-old filly Ayumi (Headwater) in Friday’s Listed Castletown Stakes as she looks for her first stakes winner in her first season as a trainer. “We have got quite an opinion of her, she is a nice, little filly,” Wynyard told Loveracing.nz.

“She has drawn a gate that I don’t know if it will suit with track conditions, which are going to be quite wet, but it gives Kelly (Myers, jockey) options. She will be able to tuck in behind the speed hopefully and go close. It’s a pretty moderate field. I don’t think the better ones are there, I think they have gone to the paddock, and it gives her a nice chance to get some black-type. She is obviously a maidener, but she went well in her first-up run.

“It is my first season training on my own. We haven’t picked up a stakes win, but we have had a lot of runners in stakes races, and if you have the runners in there you are doing pretty well. I am rapt with the horses and how they have performed, they have all gone out there and have done their best for us, which is all we can ask.

“Hopefully next season we go on to bigger and better things. I massively appreciate the owners for supporting us and Ryan (Elliot, partner and jockey) for generally getting it right.”

Grande Gallo set for Listed race

Trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott have set their mare Grande Gallo (NZ) (Belardo {Ire}) for Saturday’s Listed Tauranga Classic since she won at the course back in March. “This race has been on her radar for a long time, it was her finale that we set in the hope of getting some black-type,” O’Sullivan told Loveracing.nz.

“The biggest question mark with her is the track conditions, just whether she’s going to handle it to these sort of extremes. She does handle give in the ground, but this just may be a kettle of fish on the weekend. She’s done exceptionally well, she’s won five races now and has raced in pretty good company. We feel that next season, when she’s a year older and a bit stronger, she’ll continue to get better.”

HKJC simulcast expanded by government

The Hong Kong Jockey Club has welcomed the decision by the Hong Kong government (HKSARG) to expand their simulcast program. “The maximum number of Simulcast Races will be increased from the existing 25 to 40 from 2025/26 and to 55 from 2026/27, while the maximum number of Simulcast Days will be increased from 37 to 53 in 2025/26 and to 70 in 2026/27. The Club believes this arrangement will help tackle illegal betting by channelling betting demand to its legal channel,” said a press release.

“As a longstanding partner of the HKSARG, the Club has long supported its efforts to combat illegal betting. This includes providing legal and regulated gambling channels to prevent the public from betting illegally. With this increase in Simulcast quotas, the Club’s fixtures will cover most of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities World’s Top 100 Group/Grade 1 Races. This will strengthen the Club’s position and efforts to combat illegal betting on non-local horse racing.”

975k Curlin filly tops Ocala Breeze Up Sale

With a flurry of late big-ticket items, the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's June 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale concluded its two-day run with a new record price, as well as highwater marks for both average and median.

Despite being shortened to two days–from three sessions a year ago–and with 106 fewer horses sold this year, the June sale saw an increase in year-over-year gross. Through the two sessions, 500 horses sold for US$25,553,500 (AU$39.5 million), producing a record average of US$51,107 (AU$79,000) and a record median of US$25,000 (AU$38,700) up from a median of US$20,000 (AU$31,000) last year.

Some 20 hips from the end of the final juvenile sale of the season, a filly by Curlin (USA) became the highest-priced horse to ever sell at the June sale when bringing a final bid of US$975,000 (AU$1.5 million) from Randy Miles, bidding on behalf of Gus King. That price broke the previous June record of US$900,000 (AU$1.39 million) set when OXO Equine purchased a filly by Into Mischief (USA) in 2019.

2025 Godolphin Flying Start graduates

The 2025 Godolphin Flying Start graduation ceremony took place in the Cape Cross Centre at Kildangan Stud on the afternoon of Friday, June 13. Invited guests included the parents of the graduating class, as well as Godolphin management and University College Dublin Michael Smurfit Business School representatives who have supported the Flying Start trainees throughout their two years on the programme.

The 2025 graduates comprised trainees from five countries, including Daisy Fenwick (USA), Sam Baker (IRE), Jake Swinburn (UK), Johnny Marsh (UK), Gerard Donworth (IRE), Harrison Everett (AUS), Anna Cahill (IRE), George Connolly (IRE), Mitchell Whelan (NZ), Harper McVey (USA) Sean Cooper (IRE) and Claire Wilson (USA). The diploma for the top trainee was presented to George Connolly, who achieved the highest grade among the 2025 graduating group, attaining a Distinction award.

Hugh Anderson, managing director of Godolphin UK and Dubai and trustee of Godolphin Flying Start, said, “On behalf of the global Godolphin team, I congratulate this graduating class and wish them success and encouragement for their futures in the Thoroughbred industry.”

Augustus added to Arqana

Last year's G3 Derby-Trial winner Augustus (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) will be offered as a wildcard during the Arqana Summer Sale, which takes place between Monday, June 30 and Thursday, July 3. The son of Soldier Hollow (GB) will be consigned by trainer Waldemar Hickst, having finished third behind the top-class Goliath (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger}) when making his most recent appearance in the G3 La Coupe at ParisLongchamp earlier this month. A Listed-winning juvenile, he followed his Derby-Trial success last year with a third-place finish in the G1 Deutsches Derby won by Palladium (Ger) (Gleneagles {Ire}).

Jorge Navarro released from prison

Jorge Navarro, the self-proclaimed “Juice Man” and a central figure in the doping scandal that rocked the sport in 2020, was released Wednesday from the federal prison FCI Miami, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons Inmate Locator website.

On December 17, 2021, Navarro was handed a five-year sentence for his leading role in the felony drug misbranding and adulteration charges arising from an investigation that involved the FBI and the U.S. Attorney's Office, Southern District of New York. He began serving his sentence on March 18, 2022.

Navarro served only three years and three months of his sentence or 65% of the original five-year sentence. At the sentencing Judge Mary K. Vyskocil lamented the fact that she could not give Navarro a stiffer sentence than the five years.

“For years, Mr. Navarro, you effectively stole millions, cheating other trainers, owners and jockeys you competed against,” Judge Vyskocil said at his sentencing. “You also demonstrated, Mr. Navarro, a collective, callous disregard for the well-being of the horses. The bottom line is you likely killed or endangered the horses in your care.”

With Donald Trump in office, Navarro's chances of being able to remain in the country are not good. “Because of the fact he is not a U.S. citizen, he is ineligible for the programs that others can take advantage of,” Kreiss said.

“(Deportation) is certainly a concern with this administration. That's what we don't know. What is ICE is going to do with him at this point? With this administration these types of situations are very unpredictable. In the past he would have most likely been released and if there was an immigration detainer, he'd be able to post a bond on the immigration detainer. With this administration and their denial of due process for non-US citizens we just don't know what's going to happen.”

USA trainers – know your rights

An immigration raid at Delta Downs racetrack Tuesday morning resulted in the apprehension of 84 undocumented individuals, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The surprise morning raid at Delta Downs—currently in the middle of a Quarter Horse meet—involved multiple law enforcement agencies including ICE, the U.S. Border Patrol, the Louisiana State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the FBI.

Eric Hamelback, CEO of the national Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association (HBPA) circulated an email to several horseman's groups outlining some fundamental legal rights.

For example, no ICE agent, or any individual representing the organization, should be permitted access to the backside of a racetrack or area under HBPA-affiliate oversight without the presentation of a “valid, judicially-approved warrant signed by a federal judge or magistrate,” Hamelback writes in the email.

“A simple administrative or agency-issued 'warrant' (such as ICE Form I-200 or I-205) is not legally sufficient to authorize entry into non-public, private areas such as stable areas, dormitories, barns, or tack rooms.

“This is well-established under the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution, which protects against unlawful searches and seizures without proper judicial authorization,” Hamelback wrote.