Herstory made as Jones wins Brisbane Jockeys’ Premiership
Jockey Angela Jones made (her) story on Wednesday becoming the first female jockey to win the Brisbane Jockeys’ Premiership. Heading into the final meeting of the season at Doomben, Jones was clear of apprentice jockey Emily Lang by two wins, and neither managed a victory on the day, giving Jones the historic title win with 66 city wins for the season with pioneering jockey Linda Jones on course to celebrate with them.
“I've always been a huge supporter of the girls (Lang and Jones),” Linda Jones, who was the first woman to be granted a race licence in New Zealand in 1977, told racenet.com.au. “I just think it's fantastic.”
“I was sitting there on the couch watching the races and I said to my husband Alan ‘you know what, I'm going to go to the track because this is history'. They're going to win the jockeys' premiership and the apprentice premiership so that is amazing.”
Lang won the Brisbane Apprentice Jockeys’ Premiership. “What Linda and Pam (O’Neill) have done for riders like us in this day and age is incredible. They've cut all the red tape for us to do the job that we love. We wouldn't be in this position we are now without people like them,” said Lang.
Widden announce Ford as new Victoria Stud Manager
Widden Stud announced on Wednesday that Mark Ford has been appointed Stud Manager of its Victorian farm at Riddells Creek. “With its proud history, Widden holds an iconic place in the Australian thoroughbred industry,” Mark said in a press release.
“It’s a privilege to be joining the Victorian team of a farm I have such great respect for, and I’m thrilled to be able to contribute to their continued success by bringing my passion and strong work ethic to the role.”
Mark Ford | Image supplied
Ford attended University of Cape Town graduating with a Diploma in Veterinary Science, and has experience on farms across Africa and Australia, most recently managing Wyadup Valley Farm in Lancefield for two years.
“We are constantly improving the already well-established resources available on the Victorian farm. With Mark’s extensive experience across all facets of breeding and farm management, along with his calm leadership and deep understanding of both horses and people, we’re confident he’ll be a great fit for the team. Mark’s versatility and long-standing dedication to the industry will help guide Widden Victoria through its next chapter of innovation and growth,” Widden Stud’s Antony Thompson said.
Bella Nipotina booked to Zoustar for first mating
Longwood Thoroughbred Farm announced on Wednesday that their star mar Bella Nipotina (Pride of Dubai) would go to Zoustar for her first mating in 2025. Zoustar, who will be crowned Champion Australian Sire for the first time on Friday, has eleven Group 1 winners.
Bella Nipotina | Image courtesy of Inglis
“It was a difficult task to settle on Bella’s first suitor, but Zoustar will be this season’s Champion Sire, and we believe from a physical perspective he compliments her perfectly. Our pedigree analysis also shows Zoustar is an ideal match for Bella. We're all very excited about this mating and looking forward to what lies ahead,” Longwood Thoroughbred Farm’s Michael Christian said in a press release.
Winner of 11 of her 51 starts with four Group 1 wins and earnings over $22 million, Bella Nipotina was purchased by Longwood Thoroughbred Farm for $4.2 million at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale.
Former Racing Queensland CEO Scott lands bookie job
Former Racing Queensland boss Jason Scott has been appointed as CEO for The Booki Group (TBG). “When I was still in America and took the role many of you expressed your surprise and suggested perhaps my shoot from the hip, blunt style wasn’t particularly well suited to a statutory body. What’s next? I’m heading back to wagering working with Todd (Buckingham) and Brian (Trevitt),” Scott said on his social media. Buckingham works for BetMakers who recently announced a partnership with The Booki Group.
“With Scott at the helm and BetMakers providing the technology backbone, the group is well-positioned to deliver differentiated products to market at speed and scale,” a joint statement said.
Potter announces retirement
South Australian jockey Justin Potter has announced his retirement after a 25-year career, riding his final race at Balaklava on Wednesday. “It's been a great career, and very fruitful, but it's time for the next journey,” Potter told racenet.com.au.
“David Jolly approached me to come into partnership on the training side of things with him. I've probably still got more to give (riding), but an opportunity like this – I can't knock it back. With David's knowledge, I think together, we'll make an awesome combination.
Justin Potter | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“It's a great time to step away because I'm still able to ride good work, and feel a horse – rather than being over the hill so to speak. would like to have about 24 yards available, a couple of day yards and spelling yards, so horses that race can go out for the next few days. David has about nine (horses) at the Goolwa property, we'll have a good 12-18 horses in work. My daughter and my wife will help out as well, we can get a nice team going and make it profitable hopefully.”
Minervini’s tried horse looking for quick success
Trainer Mark Minervini is looking for a quick return with ex-Godolphin 4-year-old gelding Hanau (Snitzel) at Rosehill on Saturday. He was purchased the last start winner for $100,000 at the 2025 Inglis Digital July Sale. “Damien Fitton has been helping me, he used to be with Chris Waller, and he helped identify him,” Minervini told racingnsw.com.au.
“You could pay that for a yearling and wait for years and not be guaranteed to go to the races. In this situation we have a readymade racehorse we think is up to metropolitan standard so it wasn’t a lot of money for what he is.”
Gordon faces charges under AR 116
Jockey Will Gordon will face the Victorian Racing Tribunal with regards to breaking AR 116 which prevents jockeys from owning racehorses. He purchased a Doubtland filly in March on behalf of partner, licensed person and pre-trainer Taige Weir, who is the daughter of disqualified trainer Darren Weir. “We are of the view that those are factors that constitute the basis of an unanswerable Charge,” the VRT ruled.
Will Gordon | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“They could be summarised as being those involving Mr Gordon registering as a prospective purchaser, making the successful bid at the auction and paying for the horse. Of course, we are assessing such factors in the context of a ‘no case to answer' dispute. The situation in relation to a full contest, with the stewards bearing the burden of proof, could well be different. In summary, Mr Gordon does have a case to answer on Charge 1.” He owned the horse from March 4 to March 25.
Playing God gelding makes it two in a row
Trainer Neville Parnham’s 2-year-old gelding Country God (Playing God) made it two in succession at Belmont on Wednesday. Mid-field on debut back in January, he now has two wins from three starts.
Country God was sold by Yarradale Stud for $80,000 to Parnham Racing at the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale, and is the first foal of City Circle (City Place {USA}) who won five of her 44 starts and over $200,000.
Playing God had a double at the meeting with 3-year-old filly Impressive Jewel.
Winner number five for Prince Of Caviar
Second season sire Prince Of Caviar sired winner number five and the first winner from his small second crop of 35 foals when 2-year-old filly Blue Isles won for trainer Bill Smart at Balaklava on Wednesday. Raced by Squillani Park, she is the first foal of unraced Lady Kitsch (Profile In Style {USA}).
Prince Of Caviar is a winning son of Sebring and Champion race mare Black Caviar (Bel Esprit) who produced five winners from her six foals to race.
Debutant winner for Valentia
South Australian sire Valentia gained a debutant juvenile winner on Wednesday when Travis Doudle-trained 2-year-old filly Miss Tormenta won at Balaklava by 1.56l. Miss Tormenta is a half-sister to stakes placed Tornado Miss (Snitzel) and is raced by Cornerstone Stud and partners. She is the last foal of Listed winner Stormy Miss (More Than Ready {USA}).
Valentia, a son of Fastnet Rock, died in 2024 having initially stood at Cornerstone Stud, then with Adelaide Plains Bloodstock.
Vale John Kinghorn OAM
Former track-rider and mentor to young riders, John Kinghorn OAM from the Bathurst and Orange regions has died aged 86. “John was a legend around here and rode the great Rising Prince (1985 Cox Plate winner) in most of his trackwork,” Bathurst trainer Paul Theobald told racingnsw.com.au.
“Vince Stein trained Rising Prince then and as well as being the Clerk of the Course at Orange, John was a coach and judged show jumping and equestrian.” He received Order of Australia (OAM) in the King’s Birthday Honours List in June this year for services to youth through equestrian sports.
Queensland infrastructure grants announced
Racing Queensland have announced the 51 recipients in the third round of the Country Club Asset Funding program worth $3.5 million. “The Crisafulli Government is committed to ensuring the long-term sustainability of country racing proud to support country racing clubs with a pipeline of vital infrastructure projects right across the state,” Racing Minister Tim Mander told racingqueensland.com.au.
“We continue to be steadfast in our support for the racing industry, which hosts close to 32 meetings a week and supports almost 50,000 participants from Birdsville to Cooktown. Country racing is the lifeblood of so many towns across the state, which is why investment in these projects, creating jobs, infrastructure improvements and community benefits, is so important.”
Tim Mander | Image courtesy of Queensland Government
The projects include running rail upgrades at 15 clubs. “Racing Queensland’s most recent Size & Scope Report highlights the sheer size and strength of our industry, generating close to $2.5 billion in value added contribution to the Queensland economy in FY24,” RQ Acting CEO Lachlan Murray said.
“Importantly, 51% of that directly benefits regional economies, which further underlines the importance of programs like the Country Club Asset Funding. The CCAF ensures that almost 14,500 full-time racing jobs across the state remain sustainable going forward, and we thank the Crisafulli Government for their support in delivering another $3 million in country racing infrastructure.”
Galati returns after ankle surgery
Western Australian jockey Austin Galati is set to return on Friday after spending two months on the sideline with an ankle injury. He then rides on Sunday in the Port Hedland Cup. “Yeah, had time out with ankle surgery. It was always planned but I thought it was the best time to get it done in the winter,” Galati told racingwa.com.au.
“It was a good break but I needed it. It was a great season but I worked for it. I thought coming into winter I’d take a break and come back refreshed. I’m eager to get back amongst it again.”
Austin Galati | Image courtesy of Racing Perth
His biggest result this season was the Listed Magic Millions 3YO Trophy on Smooth Chino (Maschino). “He’s back in work and hopefully comes back better and we’ll see where he can go. His win was something, it was pretty special. He doesn’t have to improve much, but if he does it’s a bonus. The highlight of the season for sure and it was good to have a year like that.”
Congrats dies aged 25
Former WinStar stallion Congrats (USA) passed away on Monday at the age of 25. The news was confirmed by Scott Kintz who heads Six K's Training & Sales at Florida's Woodford Thoroughbreds where the pensioned stallion retired in 2021.
A Grade 1-placed son of A.P. Indy, Congrats won the 2005 G2 San Pasqual Handicap and earned placings in the GI Santa Anita Handicap and the GI Hollywood Gold Cup Handicap while also finishing fifth behind Roses In May (Devil His Due) in the 2005 G1 Emirates Airline Dubai World Cup. Through a career spanning four years, Congrats earned just shy of seven figures for owner Cloverleaf Farm and trainer Kathleen O'Connell.
Retired to stud in 2007, he initially stood at Cloverleaf's Florida base before moving to Vinery Stud from 2008-12 and eventually winding up at WinStar in 2013 where he stood the bulk of his career before his pensioning to Woodford, formally the site of Cloverleaf Farm, in October 2021. Always a consistent source of winners, Congrats sired 1,552 runners of which 1,293 started and 932 found the winner's circle. His leading progeny include Grade I winners Turbulent Descent, Haveyougoneaway, Emma's Encore and Wickedly Perfect.
Congrats shuttled to Australia for four seasons, 2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014, and sired two Listed winners. Globally, he sired 47 stakes winners, and as a broodmare sire, he has 36 stakes winners, led by Japan's Forever Young (Jpn) (Reel Steel {Jpn}) and Danon Decile (Jpn) (Epiphaneia {Jpn}) and Australia’s unbeaten Group 1 winner Private Harry (Harry Angel {Ire}).
