Bletchingly Stakes to end Cummings’ reign at Godolphin
Saturday’s G3 Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield will signal the final stakes runners for trainer James Cummings at Godolphin. “It's going to be a sad day for us as they will be our last runners,” Godolphin's Melbourne representative Nacim Dilmi told racenet.com.au.
“We'll run Inhibitions, Kin and Kallos and we're hoping they can end things with a great result. Inhibitions ran well first-up and she has done well since but, without seeing the weather forecast, she'd like some juice in the track. Kin likes racing at Caulfield and did a good job in the Monash, she won't be far away. I thought Kallos ran all right first-up but he'll be a lot better for the first-up run and can run a better race.”
James Cummings | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Godolphin’s racing operations will conclude as a private trainer base and their horses will be spread across different Australian trainers, with nine different trainers already announced including current trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman, as well as Chris Waller, Ciaron Maher, Lindsay Park, Gary Portelli, etc.
“We're cleaning up the stables and packing up all the gear, keeping the staff busy. We started quite a while ago, every time the horses departed, so there's not too much to do at the end. Chris Waller is taking over Carbine Lodge so we want to give him the stable in the best condition.
“It will be a good send-off. There's a lot to celebrate. It will be quite emotional next Saturday, for sure. The horses will come back to Flemington after the race and we'll look at them and see how they pull up but on Monday or Tuesday, they'll be going.” No announcement on the Sydney properties has been made yet.
ATC Board to elect new chair on Monday
The Australian Turf Club board will meet on Monday at 5pm to elect a new chair and vice chair. The chair position is vacant after Peter McGuaran resigned on July 10.
Six directors remain on the board after McGuaran's resignation including current vice-chair Tim Hale as well as Ben Bayot, Caroline Searcy, Natalie Hewson, David McGrath and Annette English.
All directors, including McGuaran, get to vote on the incoming chair. Racing Minister David Harris will determine if another director is needed, and who that will be.
All eyes on Rosehill on Tuesday
The trials at Rosehill on Tuesday will garner plenty of attention with many of the big spring stars having a hit-out. Chris Waller plans to run Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock), Fangirl (Sebring), Aeliana (Castelvecchio), Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) and Wodeton (Wootton Bassett {GB}).
Chris Waller | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
“They will all have very quiet trials on Tuesday, they are a month away from racing,” Waller told racenet.com.au. “The 23rd of August they will be racing. If everything goes to plan (they will have two trials). We allow an extra week just in case for a temperature or sore foot and things like that. Nine times out of 10 you need it and sometimes you will see them have an exhibition gallop if they haven't had a problem. It's just about being careful. You are a month away so you can imagine how much fitness is going to be done in the next month.”
Maher stable achieve record $60 million in prizemoney
The Ciaron Maher stable was the first in Australian history to reach $60 million in prizemoney earnings for a season when Sayedaty Sadaty (Ire) (Anodin {Ire}) won at Flemington on Saturday. “We broke $50 million last year and getting to $60 million is very special,” assistant trainer Jack Turnbull told racing.com.
Washed out Derby affects Queensland wagering
Wagering on the Queensland winter carnival fell 7% from $384 million in 2024 to $357 million in 2025, but much of that was due to the G1 Derby day on May 31 being washed out and moved to another meeting. “On the wagering front, our hopes of eclipsing last year's numbers washed away, quite literally, when we had to reschedule the second half of the Queensland Derby Day card to midweek and a Super Saturday in conjunction with the Oaks,” Racing Queensland CEO Lachlan Murray told racenet.com.au.
“We dropped $20 million in forecast turnover on those days alone. When we normalise the activity, stripping out Derby Day and Oaks Day, this year's Carnival was narrowly up on last year's carnival. On a per race basis, we were up 1.5 per cent so we're starting to see a few green shoots which we're hoping will hold during the new racing season.”
Wagering on the Caloundra Cup Day was up 37.4% and attendance across the carnival was strong. “The final month of the carnival was also our best from an attendance standpoint – the Ipswich Cup and Caloundra Cup both eclipsed last year's figures – which showed that people were happy to vote with their feet when the sun came out,” Murray said.
“There's a lot to be positive about, but we always want it to be bigger and better, so we will review what worked and what didn't and we will look to make next year's carnival even better. Overall, it was another exciting and strong edition of the Queensland winter carnival.”
Racing Victoria thank Griffiths for ATA role
Robbie Griffiths announced last week that he was stepping down as President of the Australian Trainers Association, and on Sunday, Racing Victoria thanked him for his work in the role. “We wish to acknowledge Robbie Griffiths for his contribution to the Victorian racing industry as president of the Australian Trainers' Association over the past 10 years,” Racing Victoria CEO Aaron Morrison told racing.com.
Robbie Griffiths | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“It is a tremendous period of service for someone who juggled their leadership responsibilities with the ATA with the demands of running their own professional stable. Robbie's extensive industry experience and ability to consider the overall interests of the Victorian racing industry whilst representing his members is something we greatly respected and valued.
“Robbie campaigned strongly for his members on a range of matters throughout his tenure, always doing it in a considered and professional manner. He always considered the best interests of the broader Victorian and Australian racing industries while representing the views of his peers, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he played a key role in the continuation of racing.
“The Victorian racing industry has come a long way during the period of Robbie's presidency, not the least being an 80% increase in total prizemoney and bonuses on offer. Whilst he is relinquishing his role as ATA president, we know that Robbie will continue to be a valuable contributor to Victorian racing both on and offer the racetrack. On behalf of Racing Victoria, I thank Robbie for his selflessness in serving the ATA and his fellow trainers over the past decade.”
It's down to five in Melbourne jockeys’ title
With a treble on Saturday, Craig Williams has whittled down Blake Shinn’s lead in the Melbourne Jockeys’ Premiership to five. “There are 25 races left. I love hunting. That’s what I do best. My manager Jason Breen is doing a fantastic job,” Williams told racing.com.
Craig Williams | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Blake is an amazing rider. I said to him you’re killing me; you’re like the road runner. The depth of riding talent in Victoria is amazing.”
Williams has deferred his trip to Ukraine to assist in the war effort until the end of the season. “I’m flying out on July 30 to deliver humanitarian aid and survival kits to Ukraine as people have been supporting our project. We've got to go there and deliver. Blake has changed our timetable. I’ll be back riding on August 16.”
Winner number 12 for Farnan
First season sire Farnan took his record to 12 winners with the victory of Matt Laurie-trained 2-year-old colt Blethyn at Seymour on Sunday. The colt was having his fourth start, having debuted in the Listed Talindert Stakes over the summer.
Purchased by Matt Laurie Racing and ARJB Racing for $120,000 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, Blethyn was consigned by Bell River Thoroughbreds. He is the second winner for Repute (Denman) who is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Meurice (Strategic).
At the same meeting, Lindsay Park enjoyed another juvenile winner on Sunday with the debut victory of 2-year-old gelding Royal Turf (Turffontein). He is the second winner for Queen Gee (Starcraft {NZ}).
Proven sires Pierro and All Too Hard add juvenile winners
Sunday’s Hawkesbury meeting saw two juvenile winners with Brad Widdup-trained colt Tequisoda (Pierro) winning the second over 1500 metres by 0.74l. Owned by Mulberry, Tequisoda was having his second start and was sold by Fairhill Farm for $110,000 at the Inglis Sydney Weanling Sale, with purchaser Maluka Thoroughbreds pinhooking him into the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale where his trainer purchased him for $160,000. Tequisoda is a half-brother to Group 2-placed Mexico (Capitalist)
Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained 2-year-old gelding Cheeky Smirk (All Too Hard) won on debut by an easy 1.87l in race three. Owned by Laing Racing and partners, Cheeky Smirk didn’t go through a sale. He is the second foal and second winner for unraced Blush And Smile (Snitzel), a daughter of Listed winner Kiss From A Rose (Encosta De Lago), herself a half-sister to Smart Missile. Blush And Smile’s first foal, 3-year-old filly Considered (So You Think {NZ}) won her second in succession on Friday.
Dunn quinella led by smashing Zousain winner
Grafton carnival ended on Sunday with Matthew Dunn-trained 2-year-old filly Zaindara (Zousain) winning the opening race of the day by an impressive 4.4l over stablemate 2-year-old colt Archie Maximus (Brutal {NZ}).
Matt Dunn | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Zaindara was on debut and become winner number 11 from Zousain’s second crop which is led by stakes winner Bellazaine. Zaindara is the second winner for Deodara (Zoffany {Ire}).
Alpine Eagle shines at Hobart
Armidale Stud’s Alpine Eagle sired four winners at Sunday’s Hobart meeting, led by 3-year-old filly Snow Eagle who took her record to two wins from six starts for trainer Jessie Bazan. Glenn Stevenson-trained 3-year-old gelding Alpine Fury won his maiden at his second start.
Alpine Eagle | Standing at Armidale Stud
Julie Richards-trained 5-year-old gelding Flying Billie took his record to six wins from 22 starts and tipped over the $100,000 mark for his connections, while the last on the card was won by Barry Campbell-trained 5-year-old gelding Alpine Trout.
Alpine Eagle stands in 2025 for $4400 inc GST.
Ferrando adds second juvenile winner in five days
Second season sire Ferrando (NZ) added his second juvenile winner in the past week when 2-year-old colt El Vaquero (NZ) won at Oamaru on Sunday. Spandeedo (NZ) won on Tuesday and they are the only two winners from Ferrando’s second crop to date.
El Vaquero has run second to exciting filly Cool Aza Rene (Cool Aza Beel {NZ}) in his last two starts. “He’s a very progressive horse, he’s had two nice seconds in his previous races and he came here today drawn one, as the most experienced horse in the field,” jockey Kavish Chowdhoory told Loveracing.nz.
El Vaquero | Image courtesy of Race Images
“I was able to dictate, then at the top of the straight, he was still doing a few things wrong and tried to run away from the winning post. He’s always learning.”
Jan Brueghel favoured over Lambourn for King George
G1 Coronation Cup winner Jan Brueghel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is more likely for the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes than dual Derby hero Lambourn (Ire) (Australia {GB}), trainer Aidan O'Brien revealed on Saturday.
The Coolmore partners-owned 2024 G1 St Leger hero defeated the Aga Khan Studs' Calandagan (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) at Epsom in June and will likely face that rival again. Continuous (Jpn) (Heart's Cry {Jpn}), who won the St Leger in 2023, is also set to participate in the Ascot showpiece. The G1 St Leger route is now under consideration for Lambourn.
Aidan O'Brien | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
O'Brien said, “At the moment I'd say Jan Brueghel is most likely to go to the King George, with Continuous. Lambourn is still on the boiling pot for it, but I don't think he'll be forced into it by any means and he is a 3-year-old.
“Jan Brueghel seems to be in very good form and everyone seems to be very happy with him. I'd imagine the lads might let him go there. That would mean Lambourn would have a couple of easy weeks and he might go to the (G2) Great Voltigeur (at York), even though he's a Group 1 winner, and kind of set him up for the Leger. They haven't really decided yet, but reading between the lines that's what could happen.”
Group 1 targets next for True Love
Coolmore's True Love (Ire) (No Nay Never {USA}) shed maiden status in last month's G2 Queen Mary Stakes and overpowered three colts to become the first filly since Eva Luna (Ire) in 1994 to annex Saturday's G2 GAIN Railway Stakes at the Curragh.
“She's fast so we weren't sure she'd get six (furlongs), I suppose we were finding out a little bit about her really, and we couldn't be happier with her,” commented O'Brien. “She was a Queen Mary winner so it was very hard for Ryan (Moore) not to ride her.”
Looking ahead to future options, the trainer said, “Obviously the (G1) Phoenix would be there for her as well as the (G1) Morny and the (G1) Cheveley Park. It was a Group 2 today and she'd be ready for one of those Group 1s now.”
Thought Process wins G2 San Clemente
Some nice fillies have won the G2 San Clemente Handicap over the years, including Flawlessly, Hollywood Wildcat, and Jewel Princess in the 1990s, but few have won it as easily as 3-year-old filly Thought Process (USA) (Collected {USA}) Saturday at Del Mar. It was trainer Phil D'Amato's second win in the San Clemente following Bellabel (Ire) (Belardo {Ire})'s 2022 victory.
“You never get tired of this, especially at Del Mar,” said D'Amato, who also won the Wickerr Stakes earlier on the card. “Hector (Berrios) had to move a little bit early, but it was a smart move. He saw that they were really slowing down the pace, so I thought that was a good play there. She's a special filly. I'm just lucky enough to train her and hopefully she can just keep on doing what she's doing.”
Book’em Danno wins downgraded Vanderbilt
Saratoga's G2 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap, downgraded for 2025, featured a rematch of the June 7 G3 True North Stakes between 4-year-old gelding Book'em Danno (USA) (Bucchero {USA}) and Mullikin (USA) (Violence {USA}), who finished one-two last month over this surface, and Nakatomi (USA) (Firing Line {USA}), who had been fifth. All three showed up in a big way Saturday to fill out the trifecta with fan-favourite Book'em Danno on top once again.
Book'em Danno's biggest career win (the 2024 G1 Woody Stephens Stakes), his biggest career Beyer (the 104 he registered when third in the 2024 G1 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes), and perhaps his most gritty career fight (when beaten just a neck and a head to Mindframe (USA) (Constitution {USA}) in the May 3 G1 Churchill Downs Stakes) may have all been at seven furlongs, but he's unbeaten in four career tries at the Vanderbilt distance of six furlongs. This is the same horse who also ran international superstar Forever Young (Jpn) (Real Steel {Jpn}) to a head at a mile last year in the G3 Saudi Derby.
Colt named New Zealand wins impressively
Aidan O'Brien had annexed six of the last 10 renewals of the Curragh's Juddmonte Chaldean Irish EBF Maiden, including with The Lion In Winter (Ire) last year, and added another to his resume when the once-raced New Zealand (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) led home a stable trifecta in this year's edition. New Zealand holds entries for both the G2 Futurity Stakes and G1 Vincent O'Brien National Stakes.
“He's a lovely big horse, but he hasn't a clue what he's doing yet,” said O'Brien. “He's massive, with the power and the size of him, and we'll go gentle and let him come on. He learned a lot from the first day, we liked him before that, but he was a little bit slow away and was very green. He's a big horse and he's all power. I know he's not short of speed but he looks like a big middle-distance horse. He's a brave devil too.”
