Zoustar is Champion Sire for 2024/25
With progeny earnings for the season of $26.3 million, Widden Stud’s Zoustar earned his first Australian Champion Sire title in the 2024/25 season.
In second was Yarraman Park Stud’s I Am Invincible with $22.758 million in earnings just nudging out Coolmore Stud’s Pride Of Dubai who finished third with $22.73 million. Snitzel and Written Tycoon rounded out the top five.
Rain to impact NSW in next few days
With heavy rain expected across NSW, and Thursday’s meetings at Scone and Narrandera abandoned, stewards are hopeful racing at Kembla Grange on Friday can go ahead. “Right now as things stand the meeting is OK but we are probably going to need a bit of luck in the next 24 hours and beyond,” Racing NSW chief steward Tom Moxon told racenet.com.au.
Tom Moxon | Image courtesy of Racing NSW
Rosehill on Saturday is also under threat with 25mm due on Friday and 35mm on Saturday. “We'll go out and inspect the track on Friday afternoon at around 2pm. A few of the forecasters are predicting varying amounts of rain so it's going to be a case of ‘watch this space'. We'll inspect again on Saturday morning and hopefully we have a bit of luck with the weather. Things are not looking as good at Newcastle and Tuncurry but we'll continue to monitor the situation and weigh up what our options are going forward.”
Yulong pair first and third in Cox Plate early market
Yulong-owned Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock) is the $2.40 early favourite with punters believing she’ll repeat her demolition of the G1 Cox Plate. Tony Gollan-trained Antino (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) splits the Yulong pair in second on $6, with Yulong-owned Treasurethe Moment (Alabama Express) the current third favourite on $8.
G1 Golden Slipper winner Marhoona (Snitzel) and unbeaten Lindsay Park filly Scenic Point (Written Tycoon) share the early favourites tag for the G1 MRC Thousand Guineas, while the Group 1 winning colts Nepotism (Brutal {NZ}) and Vinrock (I Am Invincible) are the top picks for the G1 Caulfield Guineas.
Schiller to return for Rosebud
Jockey Tyler Schiller is planning to return for the Listed Rosebud meeting on August 16. He has had over two months out with a compression fracture of his T8 vertebrae, sustained on May 28. “Weather permitting, hopefully I can get fit enough and getting back in two Saturdays would be good,” Schiller told racenet.com.au.
Tyler Schiller | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“I won't make it back in time for the Missile Stakes but I would be happy to try to be back for the next week. I will probably try and ride at Hawkesbury on the Tuesday, August 12 and build from there.”
Tough veteran set for 50th start
Casino Seventeen (All Too Hard) has had eight different trainers, and runs at Flemington on Saturday for Gavin Bedggood. “He's very tough, and for a tried horse, he's come to us very sound, which makes my job easier,” Bedggood told racenet.com.au.
Casino Seventeen | Image courtresy of Western Racepix
“Saturday is the fork in the road run. If he was to win on Saturday, we might have a throw at the Archer (Stakes) and just see where you land. But there's plenty of second level races around for him at this time of the year.” Casino Seventeen is a Group 2 winner with 10 wins and 21 placings from 49 starts with earnings over $1.4 million.
Best Of The Best gets juvenile win in the nick of time
On the final day of his 2-year-old season, expensive colt Best Of The Best (Written Tycoon) won on debut at Sale to record an important juvenile win on his record. Trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent (Jnr), he won by 1.5l over 1210 metres.
Raced by Pinecliff Racing, Best Of The Best was a $500,000 purchase by Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock from Silverdale Farm’s Inglis Easter Yearling Sale draft. The second foal of Listed Silk Stocking Handicap-placed winner of five races Cymbalism (Denman), whose first foal is 3-year-old Metaphorically, a winning full brother to Best Of The Best. This is the family of Group 1 winners Yell (Anabaa {USA}), Microphone, Holler, and Anthems (Palace Music {USA}).
Semelle Rouge wins on debut at Sale
Trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent (Jnr) made it a juvenile double in the second on the card when Best Of The Best’s stablemate 2-year-old filly Semelle Rouge (I Am Invincible) won on debut over 1110 metres by 0.75l.
Sold by Leanach Lodge at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale for NZ$275,000, Semelle Rouge was purchased by Mick Price Racing. She is the third foal and third winner for Lubiton (Snitzel) who won the G3 Tesio Stakes.
Trio of juveniles win at Ipswich
Trainer Craig Cousins opened the card at Ipswich on Thursday with 2-year-old filly Social Pariah (Pariah) who won on debut. Her sire moved from Arrowfield Stud to Queensland’s Oaklands Stud in 2023. She is the fifth winner from as many to race for La Fouine Tail (Jpn) (Neo Universe {Jpn}) who is a winning half-sister to G2 Hanshin Daishoten winner Gustave Cry (Jpn) (Heart’s Cry {Jpn}).
Kris Lees-trained Saxobushi (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) won the third race, and the 2-year-old gelding was having his third start. Sold as a weanling for $5200 by Grandview Stud to Gutzke Rural Holdings, Saxobushi was offered by Lucas Bloodstock at the Magic Millions March Yearling Sale where his trainer bought him for $34,000. He is the fourth winner from four to race for Fashion Opera (Librettist {USA}) whose two wins were in Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Kelly Schweida-trained 2-year-old gelding Metalcraft (Better Than Ready) broke through at his second start. He was sold by Raheen Stud at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $100,000 to Noel Fuller and is the third winner for Glengal (Zoustar) who is an unraced half-sister to Group 3 winner Adebisi (Shovhog).
Trapeze Artist juvenile wins on debut at Bunbury
Thursday’s Bunbury fibre sand meeting saw 2-year-old filly Circus Angel (Trapeze Artist) win on debut for trainer Luke Fernie. Her trainer bought her from Maluka Thoroughbreds for $90,000 at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale and she is the third winner for Angel’s Touch (Dane Shadow) who is a full sister to stakes placed Shadow Minister.
Cooper gains first city treble
Apprentice jockey Chanel Cooper claimed her first city treble on Wednesday aboard Jim Taylor-trained Military Power (Defcon) and Dion Luciani-trained pair of Kervette (Kermadec {NZ}) and Cleanemup (Rich Enuff). “Chanel’s got everything going for her,” trainer Don Luciani told racingwa.com.au on Thursday.
Chanel Cooper and Kervette winning the Handicap at Belmont Park | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
“A good young girl and obviously has a very good mentor, Alana (Williams) and is with a very good and strong stable. She’s a real likeable kid and that’s half the battle in the industry. There is no reason why she won’t go a very long way.”
Sunline Trust auction a great success
The New Zealand racing industry stepped up to support the Sunline Trust at their awards night last week, raising over NZ$100,000 to allow the Trust to continue assisting young people with scholarships. “We were absolutely thrilled with the result,” NZTBA chief executive and Sunline Trust trustee Nick Johnson told Loveracing.nz.
“The level of generosity and goodwill from across the industry was just incredible, from the farms who donated nominations, to the buyers, the bidders, and everyone who contributed on the night.
“This scholarship has already helped launch the careers of more than 20 young New Zealanders, and this kind of support means we can keep doing that, and doing it well. We’re investing in people, in their confidence, their experience, and their leadership. It was really special to see that shared belief in the room.”
Good Civilian tops Inglis digital USA July sale at 240k
The Inglis Digital USA July Sale closed on Wednesday with a pair of stakes-winning juveniles heading up the trade, topped by Good Civilian (USA) (Good Samaritan {USA}), who was secured by Flurry Racing for US$240,000 (AU$371,000).
An impressive winner by 11.5 lengths at Horseshoe Indianapolis June 14, the gelding followed up with a score in the Prairie Gold Juvenile Stakes at Prairie Meadows. Good Civilian was previously raced by Southwest Racing Stables Inc.
Good Civilian (USA) | Image courtesy of Inglis Digital USA
Good Civilian was consigned by trainer Genaro Garcia. “I'm glad we were able to get him,” said Staton Flurry of Flurry Racing. “He'll head to (trainer) Cipriano Contreras. I'm the biggest 'Cippy' fan there is, and he's stabled in Indiana. We'll point toward the Indiana-bred stakes with him and just see where we go once that meet is over.”
Dobson elected chair of Jockey Club in America
Everett Dobson has officially been elected by the board of stewards to be the next chair of America’s The Jockey Club. Dobson succeeds Stuart Janney, III, who has served as chair of the organization since August of 2015.
“It's a great privilege to follow Stuart as chair of The Jockey Club,” Dobson said. “Stuart has been an integral part of The Jockey Club as we strive to improve Thoroughbred breeding and racing. I will continue with our endeavour to develop initiatives that support and grow the sport.”
Dobson has been a member of The Jockey Club since 2014. He served as a steward from August 2017 through August 2021 and was elected again in 2024. A longtime owner and breeder of Thoroughbreds, the Oklahoma native is owner of Candy Meadows Farm and races under Cheyenne Stables. Dobson will serve as the 11th chair of The Jockey Club since its establishment in 1894.
2025 USA Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards finalists announced
The finalists and runners-up for the 2025 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards have been chosen in the seven categories as the program celebrates its 10th anniversary, according to a Wednesday press release posted on co-sponsor Godolphin's website.
The 2025 ceremony will be held on Tuesday, Oct. 21, in Lexington, Kentucky. Finalists and their guest will enjoy a variety of activities, including a tour of a local horse farm, a stallion show, the ceremony dinner with an afternoon of racing the following day at Keeneland.
Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards | Image courtesy of Godolphin
The panel chair Joe Clancy, said, “The quality of nominees was very strong, across the board, and we sincerely appreciate those who took the time to nominate their champions. I also express sincere thanks to the National HBPA, TOBA, The Jockey Club, Keeneland, Breeders' Cup, and Godolphin, without whose underwriting and support of these awards would not be possible. Also, a heartfelt thanks to media partners–The Thoroughbred Daily News, The Saratoga Special, BloodHorse Publications, Daily Racing Form, FanDuel, Real Players Inside the Backstretch, Paulick Report, Fox Sports, and America's Day at the Races–for helping spread the reach of the awards.
