Double for Shinn extends lead in Melbourne Premiership
Blake Shinn extended his lead in the Melbourne Jockeys' Premiership out to seven with a double at Sandown on Wednesday aboard Cinematic Star (Grunt {NZ}) and Bewitchery (Blue Point {Ire}). “It was a good to ride a double,” Shinn said.
“Definitely not out of the woods yet. We'll get over Saturday and see where we sit but seven is a nice buffer to have into Saturday. We've got the utmost respect for Craig and the jockey he is … we've both got strong books.”
Baraqiel vulnerable first up in Bletchingly
Trainer Troy Corstens thinks Group 2 winner Baraqiel (Snitzel) will keep improving after Saturday’s G3 Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield. “I'm going in coming off a long break, so whatever he does I'll be careful at telling the owners we're going to improve into the campaign,” Corstens told racenet.com.au.
Troy Corstens | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“His fitness level is good, it's not perfect, but that's to be expected for the amount of time he's had off. I would've loved it to be 1100 metres, then I'd be a bit more confident. The 1200 metres, he's going to be fresh, he'll run well but he'll take a stack of fitness from it.
“Whether we have three runs into the Manikato or two, we'll see how he is. I think he's a very very good horse, I would've loved to have had him sound from his 2-year-old days that's for sure, it's his second prep really, proper second prep. He's really sound at the moment … came through that trial well (last Friday), I'm looking forward to seeing where he can take us.”
Clarken and O’Shea dissolve training partnership
Will Clarken and Niki O'Shea will end their training partnership at the end of the season. “I am writing with sadness to inform you that Niki and I are dissolving our training partnership and that we will both be training in our own right next season,” Clarken wrote in a letter to owners that was shared on racing.com.
“Going into our partnership, Niki and I made a pact that despite the outcome or length of the partnership, we would walk away as friends no matter what and we have achieved this. Sadly, circumstances beyond our control undermined the sustainability of the business model we based our partnership on.
Will Clarken | Image courtesy of Racing SA
“To keep the business commercially viable as a dual-training partnership we need to have 60-plus horses in full training. Although we have the horse numbers at present, there isn't a viable option in South Australia to accommodate that number of horses. I am extremely fortunate that I can accommodate 40 to 45 horses across my Sellicks and Morphettville facilities, but we can't stretch it beyond that.
“I've learnt a lot from Niki, in particular with horses running over a trip, and I believe I have helped Niki develop his skill set in various ways. Niki is currently in Ireland. When he returns and establishes himself, we will be supporting him with pre-trainers and we will be advising clients to send him horses when we have an overflow.”
Fan favourite Shaggy to resume on Saturday
Trainer Allan Kehoe wants to push his 2-year-old gelding Shaggy (Sandbar) against the better horses in the spring after he resumes at Randwick on Saturday. “I think he’s up to them. I thought this race would be a good lead up for the Rosebud,” Kehoe told racingnsw.com.au.
Allan Kehoe | Image courtesy of Allan Kehoe Racing
“He was going to go straight into the Rosebud but when Aaron (Bullock) hopped off him after the trial he said he’s ready to rock and roll. He held a lot of fitness from the prep where he was going to go to Brisbane. He’s bigger, he didn’t grow much taller but he’s around 25kg heavier now. He’s really beefed up, he looks like he’s going to be one of those gross-looking animals but not quite so tall.” Shaggy won his first three starts in succession before a mid-field effort in the G2 Skyline Stakes, only two lengths off the winner Rivellino (Too Darn Hot {GB}), had him sent for a spell.
“He’s just got to keep improving, he’s happy at home and showing all the signs he wants to be there. It’s the best I’ve seen him looking, we’ve got him humming and looking good. It’s up to him now, he’ll take some fitness out of it but he’s up to the mark.”
Pike believes Fancy Red can complete double
Jockey William Pike rides last start Listed Belmont Oaks winner Fancy Red (Sessions) in Saturday’s Listed Belmont Classic over 2200 metres and thinks she’s deserving of her favourite’s tag. “It’s been a great ride already with her,” Pike told racingwa.com.au.
William Pike | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
“Now that I’m on board with the distance, she’s an out and out stayer. I had my queries whether she could get the distance, I really didn’t think she would. But the way she ran out the Oaks (Belmont) I can’t see why another couple of hundred metres will hurt.
“The opposition gets a bit stronger, some of the boys are pretty well credentialed, but she’ll give them a shake. I’m sure she’ll run well, and I have no knocks or no negatives. It’s another mini step up and I’m confident she can do it. She did it really well in the Oaks, just bearing in mind it’s a bit harder.”
Milnes set to take Adelaide title
Jockey Rochelle Milnes has a four win led in the Adelaide Jockeys' Premiership and if she wins, she’ll be the first apprentice to win the title since Jamie Melham in 2012/13. “It's nice to have a little bit of a buffer,” Milnes, who is indentured to John Dunn & Krystal Bishop, told racenet.com.au.
“I'd say four is a good amount, but to be honest, you never count your chickens before they hatch – I definitely won't go the early crow. If anyone can do it, it's definitely Lachy (Neindorf), he's making a good charge late. It was nice to chip one away (Saturday) and keep my head above water.
“It's (premiership) not the be-all and end-all with my goals, but it's a nice goal to achieve. I've tried not to worry too much about it. Win, lose or draw, to get a big season out of the way (will be good), obviously I can't complain with the season I've had. Even if I did come second or third, I'm not upset in any way – I've had a really good year.”
Full brother to Ozzmosis set for Canterbury
Trainer Bjorn Baker goes into Wednesday’s meeting at Canterbury with Olufsen (Zoustar), a 3-year-old full brother to his G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Ozzmosis. “He is a full brother to Ozzmosis. He was very good in winning at his first start. He is still a little bit green and putting it all together but he has been good in his couple of trials,” Baker told racenet.com.au.
Bjorn Baker | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“It's been an amazing season. I have a great team, great clients and I have a lot of nice horses around me. As good as this season has been, I'm looking forward to next season as well.” Baker has won 155 races this season with his runners earning over $25 million.
Lee excited about Glorious Moments
Last start winning 3-year-old gelding Glorious Moments (Brutal {NZ}) will run on Saturday at Randwick and he has trainers Jim and Greg Lee excited about his potential. “When they have their first race after a while if you back them up real quick, because they’ve run so well, they seem to run flat at their second run,” Greg Lee told racingnsw.com.au.
“So I gave him plenty of time to get over it. He really got to the line at Canterbury and he looked that way too. He’s still got a lot to learn but I think he is a very good horse.” He ran last in the G3 Pago Pago Stakes at his second start, and hadn’t raced since until his win in mid-June. “I ran him in those good early 2-year-old races because I thought he could measure up but unfortunately because of what he had he couldn’t see it through. He’s always shown he was a class horse or I wouldn’t have taken those races on.”
ATC to host awards on Saturday
The Australian Turf Club will host an awards ceremony at Saturday’s Industry Celebration raceday at Randwick. The eight awards include Most Improved Horse at ATC Courses, Most Wins, Winning Syndicator, Leading Sire and Special Achievement Award. Three other awards will recognise record results and performances by horses and participants over the racing year.
“These awards focus on year-round support and participation at the ATC’s four racecourses, and the owners who regularly attend," ATC Head of Racing and Wagering, Nevesh Ramdhani, told racingnsw.com.au.
“Owners are a critical part of our Club and the industry and we are pleased to see new records being broken around ownership attendances. We look forward to congratulating and celebrating with the owners on Saturday and especially acknowledging their wonderful horses who have completed another big racing year in Sydney.”
Tiz Worthy adds to Hanseatic record
Hanseatic 2-year-old filly Tiz Worthy took her record to two wins from five starts at Sandown on Wednesday. “She's not very big, but she's got a very big heart,” Lucy Yeomans, who trains in partnership with Lloyd Kennewell, said.
“She's very gutsy and very straightforward. She's very calm, very level headed and eats well.” Purchased by her trainers from Yulong’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft for $38,000, she took her earnings over $79,000. She is one of four winners for Tiz My View (Snitzel).
Captain Happy adds to Written Tycoon’s record
Written Tycoon has sired four juvenile stakes winners this season, and on Wednesday 2-year-old gelding Captain Happy became his 11th juvenile winner for the season when winning by 1.74l at Murray Bridge for trainers Shane and Cassie Oxlade. He was having his second start, having run second on debut.
Sold by Yulong for $50,000 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, he was purchased by Shane Oxlade Racing and is bred on the Written Tycoon/Snitzel cross that has produced Group 1 winners Private Life, Velocious, and Captured By Love.
The first foal of Arousal (Snitzel) who was a city winner and is a daughter of Group 3 winner Intimate Moment (NZ) (Dubawi {Ire}), who is a half-sister to Group 3 winner Upham (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), and Listed winners Gold Rum (NZ) (Golan {Ire}) and Bonnie Mac (NZ) (Thorn Park), who in turn is the dam of Group 1 winner Exceedance, Group 2 winner Oxley Road, and Listed winner Mac ’N’ Cheese (Sebring).
Bundaberg wins at Pinjarra
Darren McAuliffe-trained 2-year-old gelding Bundaberg (Gingerbread Man) won on Wednesday at Pinjarra by 2.88l over 1200 metres. He was having his third start, and was resuming after two starts back in January. Sold by Bellbridge Park for $42,500 to Impressive Racing at the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale, he is the fifth winner for Beersheba Belle (Charge Forward).
Third juvenile winner for Ferrando in fortnight
Trainer Graeme Rogerson’s homebred 2-year-old filly Prosper (NZ) (Ferrando {NZ}) won on debut at Cambridge’s synthetic meeting on Wednesday. “I think she’s a Classic filly, I really like her. She’s trialled very well and has done everything we’ve asked of her,” Rogerson told Loveracing.nz.
Prosper (NZ) | Image courtesy of Race Images
“It was just getting to the end of the season and I thought, with the $25,000 MAAT races on, I would run her against the older horses, and she was too good. (The instructions were) to let her find her feet and she’ll go to the line, which she did. They went hard in front, and it was a good result. I bred her and I’ve sold 10 percent of her today, I’ll let my friends come into her now and after her next start, she should have quite a few owners.”
Rogerson trained second season sire Ferrando (NZ), and part-owns him. He has had three juvenile winners recently with Speedando (NZ) and El Vaquero (NZ) being the other two. “She’s making Ferrando look good, and I hope another of his (Spandeedo) can win the Ryder Stakes on Saturday. Pitman’s horse (El Vaquero) is running in the 3-year-old race at Riccarton on Saturday week as well. He’s going well, and he’s got some nice horses for next season. Some of them need a little bit of time, but he’s certainly got enough good horses coming through.”
Ferrando has 12 winners in total and three stakes placed 3-year-olds from his first crop.
Sunshine Coast to celebrate 40 years
The Sunshine Coast Turf Club’s Friday race meeting will mark its 40th anniversary which dates back to their first meeting at the Caloundra site on the 25th of July 1985. “It is a long way to go until we get to 50 years but in reality, 40 years seems like yesterday,” Sunshine Coast Turf Club Chairman Peter Boyce told racingqueensland.com.au.
“The 50-year milestone will be upon us before we know it. We want to celebrate the fact that we have been going for 40 years as well as celebrating the early movers and shakers – there is a couple of them still with us. We want to celebrate that they had the foresight to give us what we have got now.
“I can recall the very first race meeting, I was there. Ron Quinton rode the first winner and my cousin had an interest in the winner. I couldn’t believe that the Sunshine Coast had finally got a racing circuit and a great facility.”
NSW Trainers cleared of wrongdoing
The NSW Trainers Association has been cleared of any wrongdoing over a charity fundraiser they held last year. “NSW Fair Trading has issued official warning letters to the NSW Trainers Association and the Mark Hughes Foundation in relation to holding the event without being authorised in writing by the charitable fundraising authority,” a spokesperson said in a statement.
“The investigation has concluded and found no evidence to support the allegation of misappropriation of funds.” Last year’s event raised $192,701 for the Mark Hughes Foundation which supports research into brain cancer.
Half-brother to King's Legacy heads to Cups series
Cairns trainer Fred Wieland will run Perovic (Pierro) in the Magic Millions Rob Koch Memorial FNQ Up and Coming Stayers series at Cairns on Thursday. The half-brother to King’s Legacy cost $4000 at an Inglis Digital Sale. “My son, Neil, bought him for $4,000 and I thought he must have lost a leg or had a breathing problem to get him so cheaply,” Wieland told racingqueensland.com.au.
“I can’t find anything wrong with him and he seems to be perfectly sound. He’ll have a couple more runs and then go out for a spell and I’m hoping he’ll develop into a Cups horse up here next winter.” Perovic has had two wins from four starts for Wieland, and previously three times before his sale.
Cameron ready to resume career
Dual champion jockey Matt Cameron rode at the trials in New Zealand on Tuesday as he prepares to resume his career following a nine-month suspension for cocaine use. At the time, he didn’t deny the positive test but maintained that someone put the drug into his drink while at a party. “I’ve done three or four weeks of trackwork and been going down to Cody Cole’s place at Matamata a few times a week,” Cameron told Loveracing.nz about his preparation.
Matt Cameron | Image courtesy of Trish Dunell
“I’ve also been to Byerley Park to ride a few for Donna Logan and the odd gallops at Cambridge. Donna was a big supporter of mine over the years when she was first training in New Zealand. I have to do everything right and I am looking at getting back riding in the first week of the new season, maybe at Ruakaka on the 2nd or soon after that.”
Cameron had previously served a long suspension for sexual assault in 2021 and said in 2024 that he’d spend the time away from the track changing his lifestyle. New Zealand’s champion apprentice in 2005/06, he won the National Jockeys’ Premiership in the 2013/14 and 2014/15 seasons. “I’m based at Karaka/Drury and shifted there from Waiheke Island where I was working at the Man O’War Winery while I was off and enjoyed that.”
D. Wayne Lukas’ assistant will no longer serve as head trainer
Former D. Wayne Lukas assistant Sebastian 'Bas' Nicholl, who assumed care of the late trainer's stable in late June in a succession plan put in place by Lukas Enterprises, Inc., will no longer serve as a head trainer.
Nicholl told Daily Racing Form the last horses formerly trained by Lukas left the barn Tuesday and are being sent to other trainers. Nicholl, a former captain in the British Army and Lukas's assistant for more than 20 years, is in the midst of helping the Lukas family with the late Hall of Fame trainer's estate. Nicholl told DRF he has received assistant trainer offers from other operations and plans to continue in that role in another barn, but will pursue it at a later date.
“It was a personal decision, not something I really want to discuss,” Nicholl told DRF. “It was a very amicable decision, everyone's all good friends. We're going to go ahead and move on.”
King Charles III and Queen Camilla visit National Stud
King Charles III and Queen Camilla were in Newmarket on Tuesday, beginning their first official tour of British horseracing's headquarters with a visit to the National Stud and a meet-and-greet with the four resident stallions.
Their Majesties, both owner-breeders, are honorary members of the Jockey Club and became joint-patrons in 2024, while the Queen is patron of the National Stud, its breeding and education arm, as well as the National Horseracing Museum.
The King and Queen were received by the Lord-Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, Julie Spence, and introduced to the stud's chairman, Lord Grimthorpe, and CEO, Anna Kerr, before meeting other members of the team and board, as well as representatives from a number of racing charities and trusts. After a stallion parade, two trees were planted and a plaque was unveiled to mark the visit.
“It was a great honour to welcome The King and Queen to Newmarket today. Their Majesties became the Jockey Club's joint Patrons last year and it has been our privilege to introduce them to those working in and supporting our sport right in the heartland of British racing,” said Baroness Harding.
“As racehorse owners and breeders Their Majesties are already extremely knowledgeable about the industry and today provided an opportunity to celebrate its success and pay tribute to its extensive heritage, while also demonstrating the role the Jockey Club and our industry plays in the town of Newmarket and the local community.
“Looking to the future, the launch of the Jockey Club Patrons Scholarship provides a lasting legacy from today's visit and offers a fantastic opportunity to those from diverse ethnic backgrounds who may not otherwise have considered a career in the horseracing industry.”
No Nay Never’s True Love tops Timeform’s juvenile fillies
Saturday's G2 Railway Stakes winner True Love (Ire) has shot to the top of Timeform's two-year-old fillies' rankings following her five-length success, in which she beat three rival colts.
The daughter of No Nay Never (USA), who broke her maiden when winning the G2 Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot, has been awarded a mark of 110p, which puts her just 1lb behind her stable-mate, G2 Coventry Stakes winner Gstaad (Starspangledbanner). Another Ballydoyle runner, G2 Norfolk Stakes winner Charles Darwin (No Nay Never), also has a rating of 110p.
“True Love was impressive on Saturday and is now Timeform's top-rated 2-year-old filly, with a rating of 110p,” said Timeform's Andrew Asquith.
Dubai and France Galop team up
Dubai Racing Club has announced a new strategic partnership with France Galop.
As part of the agreement, members of the Dubai Racing Club will be in Deauville on Saturday, August 9 and will sponsor the G3 Prix de Reux. In return, France Galop representatives will visit Meydan Racecourse for the running of the G3 Dubawi Stakes on Friday, January 2.
Ali Al Ali | Image courtesy of Dubai Racing Club
Ali Al Ali, CEO of Dubai Racing Club, said, “We are honoured to partner with France Galop in this exciting new venture. Our upcoming visit to Deauville and their presence at Meydan during the Dubai Racing Carnival reflect our mutual commitment to the advancement of international racing. Our leadership encourages us to look ahead and engage globally, and this partnership is a proud reflection of that vision.”
Rispoli fined over Journalism victory
Jockey Umberto Rispoli has waived his right to appeal and will serve a one-day suspension and pay a $6000 (AU$9130) fine meted out by the Monmouth Park stewards for striking Journalism (USA) (Curlin {USA}) a total of eight times–two more than the maximum allowed under the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) rule–when winning the GI Haskell Stakes on Saturday.
Journalism won the Haskell by a half-length with a late run from seventh in the field of eight. Hersch quoted Rispoli's agent, Matt Nakatani, as saying Rispoli plans to serve the suspension on Friday, August 1.
Spectacular Grey tops Fasig-Tipton Online sale at 625k
The grey 2-year-old filly Spectacular Grey (USA) (Not This Time {USA topped Fasig-Tipton's July Digital Sale Tuesday afternoon when she sold for US$625,000 (AU$951,000) to Epic Horses, LLC. Sold as hip 30, Spectacular Grey won her unveiling by 7.75 lengths in a sharp time of :58.33 for the five furlongs. She was offered at the July Digital Sale as a horse of racing age by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent.
“We are thrilled to have bought Spectacular Grey,” said Shannon Potter, Thoroughbred Advisor to Epic Horses, LLC. “The way she won her debut was so impressive, and she's by Not This Time, who has quickly proven himself to be one of the top sires in the world. Being by Not This Time, she should get better with age and more distance.”
Overall, 137 horses changed hands at the July Digital Sale for US$4,808,500 (AU$7.3 million). The sale averaged US$35,098 (AU$53,300) with a clearance rate of 81%. The catalogue offered horses of racing age, racing/broodmare prospects, 2-year-olds in training, breeding stock, and yearlings.
Kentucky Thoroughbred Association board members announced
The Kentucky Thoroughbred Association and Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders have elected three new members to its Board of Directors. Conrad Bandoroff, vice president of Denali Stud; Rowland Hancock, a Thoroughbred owner and breeder based in Paducah, Kentucky; and Craig Brogden, co-owner of Machmer Hall, have each been elected to three-year terms by the full membership of the organisation.
Incumbents Ned Toffey, Michael Banahan, Price Bell, Dr. Natanya Nieman-McMahon, Dr. Stuart Brown, Fergus Galvin, Jeffrey Thornbury, Neil Pessin, Tommy Drury, and Paul McGee were re-elected.
Molly Fletcher to speak at HRWA conference
The fourth annual HRWA Conference, to be held this year in Lexington, KY, on Wednesday October 8 and Thursday October 9, will feature a welcome reception, keynote address by Molly Fletcher, featured afternoon speaker, three panel discussions, and a special presentation of the Jane Goldstein Award. FanDuel TV's Andie Biancone, a racing reporter and analyst, will serve as the emcee for the event.
Hailed as one of the first female sports agents, Fletcher negotiated over $500 million in contracts and represented over 300 of sports' biggest names in her almost two-decade career. A World's Top 50 Keynote Speaker, she is also an author and founder/host of a successful podcast, Game Changers with Molly Fletcher.
“I'm honoured to join this incredible community of game-changing women who are shaping the future of the industry,” said Fletcher.
