Daily News Wrap

Mulberry secure The Everest slot

Racing NSW announced on Thursday that Mulberry Racing has secured a slot in the G1 The Everest for a three-year term for the slot previously held by The Star. “We are excited to welcome Mulberry Racing as our newest slotholder in The TAB Everest. In particular, the opportunity to target a new demographic is what The TAB Everest is all about,” Racing NSW’s Chief Operating Officer, Graeme Hinton said.

Founded in 2023, Mulberry Racing has horses in work with Brad Widdup Racing, and recently purchased a property near Sydney for their growing operation. “At Mulberry Racing, data drives every decision we make. From day one, we've used this approach to build a strong stable across Australia and the United States – one that we believe has the quality and depth to win The Everest,” said Lachlan Sheridan, Racing Manager of Mulberry Racing.

Golden Slipper nominations close July 1

The first nominations for the 2026 G1 Golden Slipper, to be run on March 21 at Rosehill, close at 3pm on July 1. The Golden Slipper is the world’s richest race for juveniles and was won in 2025 by Marhoona (Snitzel). The 2026 running will be the 70th anniversary of the inaugural race won by Todman.

El Morzillo over the odds for Tatt's Tiara

Trainer Kelly Schweida thinks 3-year-old filly El Morzillo (Star Witness) is over the odds for Saturday’s G1 Tatt’s Tiara. “Floozie was good the other day and Firestorm was good, but I thought my filly's run was fine. Going into the Tatt's Tiara, my filly is big odds whereas Firestorm who finished one ahead of us the other day is $4,” Schweida told racenet.com.au.

“I know my filly won this carnival when she was up on the speed, but that's not normally her go. The plan on Saturday will be to ride her quiet and let her finish off strongly. This race has been the idea for her the whole way through.”

Record on the line for Waterhouse and Bott

Trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott equalled their best ever season on June 14 when Campaldino (NZ) (Ghibellines) won the G2 Brisbane Cup at Eagle Farm and Sir Lucan (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) claimed the Listed Winter Cup at Rosehill to make it 35 stakes wins for the season, equalling their performance in 2023/24. “Our main goal each year is to keep improving and winning stakes races is a good indication of how we’re performing,” co-trainer Bott told racingqueensland.com.au.

“We’ve got a few running in Brisbane so hopefully we can have a bit of luck and win another stakes race.” Sir Lucan runs in this Saturday's G3 Tattersalls Cup at Eagle Farm. “It was an excellent win but he’s the type of horse that needs things to fall his way.”

Nock leads Champion Apprentice

Apprentice jockey Braith Nock has an 11 race lead in the 2024/25 Apprentice Jockey Championship. “I’m proud of how far I’ve come in a short period of time. It’s all happened pretty quick. A lot of the better jockeys are away a lot of Saturdays at the moment and that helps you get on the right horses but I’ve had a lot of support,” Nock told racingnsw.com.au.

He has four rides at Rosehill on Saturday including Mickey’s Medal (Brave Smash {Jpn}) who is shooting for a hat-trick of wins. “He’s racing really well, he’s drawn a bit stickier this time and is up in grade as well. It should be a genuinely run race. You’ve got to leave him alone to be where he wants to be then he travels up really nicely.”

Maher debutant at Caulfield

Trainer Ciaron Maher will debut 2-year-old colt Oyster Lane (Blue Point {Ire}) at Caulfield on Saturday and the team has a high opinion of him. “He looks like a nice progressive horse, shown plenty at the trials,” jockey John Allen told racenet.com.au.

“I suppose he's got to go and do it race day now. A little bit unknown but fairly hopeful he can run well. He's always naturally gone quite well but he seems to have improved with every trial. He's got to take the next step at the races… I took him off the bridle to teach him a little bit. He does feel like a nice horse… he feels pretty sharp.”

O’Shea enjoying racing at Rosehill

One of the many trainers against the sale of Rosehill, John O’Shea has been enjoying being there for the races recently. “It was the middle of winter but there was a really good feel to the meeting (last Saturday). I got enjoyment out of going to the races last Saturday, it was like we are starting to take away the negativity that was associated with the whole Rosehill sale issue,” O’Shea told racenet.com.au.

“The most disappointing thing about the Rosehill issue to me was the negativity it brought to our industry as a whole. It did a lot of damage to our brand because our industry became the focus of mainstream media in a negative manner. Whether you were for or against it (Rosehill sale), we were looked upon in a negative manner irrespective of anything else.

“I think we have to focus more on the positive things about our sport. We need to concentrate on getting people back to the races, building the membership base and racing good horses.”

Group aims for New York Lustre

Progressive galloper New York Lustre (Manhattan Rain) who won five in succession over the autumn will be aimed at the G3 Monash and G3 Bletchingly Stakes. The 5-year-old mare, trained by Enver Jusufovic, was late-scratched from the G3 Proud Miss Stakes in May when another horse got upset in the barriers beside her. “It was very disappointing, the way that whole day transpired,” Jusufovic told racing.com.

“It was a long way to Adelaide and back not to run, but she came through it fine. We just gave her a couple of weeks off to let her get over it. She'll have two runs, probably in the Monash and Bletchingly. She handles the Soft going, so that shouldn't worry her. We'll try and get a bit of black type and then she might head for a break before the spring.”

Nasty fall leaves three jockeys injured at Happy Valley

Jockeys Lyle Hewitson, Jerry Chau and Karis Teetan were all hospitalised after a nasty fall at Happy Valley on Wednesday night. Seasons Wit (Capitalist) sustained a fatal injury in the fall while the other two horses were okay. Hewitson sustained wrist and ankle fractures and will be sidelined for at least 10 weeks.

“I’m going OK all things considered. It’s so frustrating. Obviously it’s all about perspective and it could have been worse, so I am lucky, but I was just having such a nice end to the season. Now I’m out for 10 weeks or so,” Hewitson told scmp.com on Thursday.

“I think they always probably give you the worst-case scenario, so hopefully I can be back in eight weeks, which gives me enough time to be fit and ready for the new season. The ankle is not too bad and I’m not actually sore in the ankle, but the doctor said if he puts a plate in it, it will allow me to load weight and actually use it. It’s the best way to ensure it will knit properly.

“They said I’d be knocked out anyway while they were doing my wrist so they may as well do the ankle all at once. I’m in a lot of pain with my wrist now when the meds wear off because I’ve got a broken bone, but they’ve said that once it’s all put back together the pain will reduce completely. Hopefully that means I can head home and relax.” He has a two-week old son, Myles, at home with wife Hannah. “Now I’ve got heaps of time to learn to be a dad.”

Teetan has been passed fit to ride on Sunday. “All my scans were clear. I saw the doctor this morning and he’s happy,” Teetan said. Chau has a two-meeting suspension, so will use that time to heal from the bruising he sustained in the accident.

New winner for Tagaloa

First season sire Tagaloa added his third winner when 2-year-old filly Teine Aulelei won on debut at Bendigo for trainer Luke Oliver. She was sold by Yulong to her trainer for $50,000 at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, and is a half-sister to Listed winner Lady Hamana (I Am Invincible). As well as his three winners led by Listed winner Spicy Lu, Tagaloa has also sired stakes placed Alottago and Meisho.

At the same meeting, 2-year-old gelding Complete Unknown (Flying Artie) won an open maiden for trainers Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman.

Thursday’s other highlights

At Dalby, 2-year-old filly Destinys Pinnacle (Reward For Effort) won at her tenth start, having once before that. Pierro sired a double at Hawkesbury with Cold Brew and Heaven Bound. At Northam, William Pike rode a treble and Sessions sired a double with 3-year-olds Naughty Tortie and Fancy Red.

Coles retirement as Clerk Of The Course

Ross Coles retired on Wednesday after 60 years as Clerk of the Course for Auckland Thoroughbred Racing. “I made my mind up about 12 months ago that I was retiring, so I didn’t have any drama with wanting to come back or anything of that nature. I got out of the saddle yesterday, gave the horse a pat, and said ‘thanks mate, that’s us’,” Coles told Loveracing.nz.

“I went to Avondale to fill in for someone that was sick in 1963, I was 14 at the time. My mother made me a red coat in three days because I was so small and no one had a coat that would fit me. I was tiny, and I’m still not very big now, but I thought, ‘I can ride a horse, I can do that’.

“My father had been clerk of the course at Ellerslie since 1953, so I suppose it was a natural progression that once I was strong enough to handle it that I would be available. I didn’t think about whether it was an honour or a possible career, I just filled in for the day and it grew from there.

“I became one of the three that clerked in those days, and in 1983 I took over as the boss at Ellerslie. I was already working Pukekohe and Avondale at the time.” And on retirement, he’ll still come racing. “I won’t be missing, if it’s raining or something similar I won’t be going, but I’ll still go for all the big days. I enjoy the racing, and for 60 years, I’ve had the best seat in the racecourse.”

World Pool on Royal Ascot up 10 per cent

A total of HK$1,574.4m (AU$307 million) was bet on the Hong Kong Jockey Club's World Pool type wagers during the five-day 2025 Royal Ascot meeting, an increase of 10 per cent on 2024's figures.

Turnover was up year-on-year every day last week with the highlight being Wednesday's record-high of HK$330.7m, the most bet on the second day of the meeting since the inaugural World Pool meeting at Royal Ascot in 2019. Turnover on the 2022 meeting remains the highest at HK$1,609.1m, approximately 2 per cent higher than this year's level.

Sam Nati, head of commingling at the HKJC, said, “Turnover was strong and only marginally below 2022 which, of course, was inflated due to Covid. In terms of quality, quantity and competitiveness, the fields were fantastic all week. There was also some good international representation, both in the horses running and the jockeys taking part, so it was a good mix of key factors for both local and overseas punters.”

Wootton Bassett's Green Impact ready for Irish Derby

Trainer Jessica Harrington has provided a positive bulletin on Green Impact (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) ahead of the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby and said that success in Sunday's big race would rival any of her exploits to date.

Green Impact is a general 10-1 chance for Irish Derby glory and comes into the race off the back of a confidence-booster in the Glencairn Stakes at Leopardstown after losing a shoe at a vital stage of the 2,000 Guineas on his seasonal return.

Harrington said, “These are very important races and ones that are recognised worldwide – just like winning a Champion Chase and Gold Cup in the National Hunt sphere, but winning an Irish Derby would be fantastic. It would very much be top of the list, so I would love to win the Irish Derby.

“I wouldn't say he didn't get the run of the race in the 2,000 Guineas as he travelled into the race great, but when he got down to the dip he went to change his legs and went to go and try to win the race and he then just lost a shoe and got a bit unbalanced and ended up finishing sixth.

“At the time I was disappointed but coming out of that race afterwards he was sore and so we gave him a bit of time. The intention was to go to the French Derby but we didn't get there, so we gave him the run in Leopardstown and all roads lead to the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby after that.”

Chesham winner heads to Goodwood next

Trainer Andrew Balding will aim Listed Chesham Stakes winning 2-year-old colt Humidity (GB) (Ulysses {Ire}) at the G2 Vintage Stakes next. “Very much so,” Balding confirmed when asked if the unbeaten Humidity compares favourably to the other good juveniles he's trained. “And there seems to be huge improvement in him still. That's my feeling given his scope and he's also got a great attitude which is important.

Champion trainer Paul Cole retires

Derby-winning trainer Paul Cole has retired from the training ranks with his son Oliver set to take over on the licence. Cole is best known for saddling brilliant 1991 Derby winner Generous (Ire) and announced he is to retire after embarking on his training career back in 1968.

The 83-year-old enjoyed over 1,500 winners during a stellar career which began in Lambourn, and later became British Flat champion trainer in 1991. “I looked out at a horse this morning and just thought the time has come for me to retire,” Cole told The Sun.

“I've been sharing the license with my son Oliver since 2020, and I'm just very old now. Oliver knows what he's doing and is more than capable.”

Arqana August yearling catalogue released

The catalogue for the Arqana August Yearling Sale was published on Wednesday, with 307 lots set to go under the hammer in Deauville between August 16-18. The first two sessions, each featuring 80 yearlings, will get underway at 5.30pm, before the remaining lots go through the ring in a final session which kicks off at 11am.

Look De Vega (Fr), Ramatuelle (USA) and Shin Emperor (Fr) feature among the top-class graduates of this sale in recent years, in addition to the G1 Champion Stakes and G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere winner Sealiway (Fr), who will come full circle when three yearlings from his first crop go under the hammer. Another first-crop stallion, Baaeed (GB), has nine yearlings catalogued.

Lot 206 is sure to attract plenty of interest as a Night Of Thunder (Ire) half-sister to last year's top lot, Écurie des Monceaux's filly by St Mark's Basilica (Fr) who sold to MV Magnier for €1,700,000 (AU$3 million). Their dam, Prudenzia (Ire) (Dansili {GB}), has already produced the Group 1 winners Chicquita (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}) and Magic Wand (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).

Inglis Digital USA topped by Tap The Champagne

The Inglis Digital USA June Sale closed Wednesday, topped by 4-year-old filly Tap the Champagne (USA) (Tapit {USA}), who was owned, trained, and offered by Pavel Matejka. Sold as hip 6 and most recently placed second in a turf maiden special weight at Churchill Downs June 18 for Matejka, Tap the Champagne brought US$350,000 (AU$536,000) in a final bid from Tropical Racing. The gray is a half-sister to Grade 1 winners Majestic Harbor (USA) and Danza (USA).

25k for the trainer who buys the most yearlings at Fasig-Tipton

Fasig-Tipton will award a bonus of US$25,000 (AU$38,000) to the trainer that purchases the highest number of yearlings at its upcoming July Selected Yearling Sale, according to a press release from the auction company on Wednesday.

To receive the bonus, the trainer will need to be in attendance at the sale and sign the ticket for each yearling purchased personally. The auction, scheduled for Tuesday, July 8 in Lexington, Kentucky, kicks off yearling sales season in North America with a precocious group of yearlings selected by Fasig-Tipton's inspection team.

“The July Sale is a truly a trainer's sale,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “It offers early maturing, athletic yearlings selected more on physical than pedigree. Our goal with this bonus is to encourage as many trainers as possible to attend the sale and take advantage of the quality that we have to offer.

“The quality of horses offered in July is reflected in the sale's performance statistics. July is ranked number one among major North American yearling sales by percentage of stakes winners, stakes horses, and 2-year-old winners, and number two by percentage of Grade I winners and graded stakes winners, trailing only our Saratoga Sale.”