McEvoy inducted into South Australian Racing Hall Of Fame
Trainer Tony McEvoy will be inducted into the South Australian Thoroughbred Racing Hall of Fame at the SA Racing Awards on September 6 at Morphettville. “Tony boasts a special place in Australian racing history, having won a Group 1 as a jockey and trainer. That Group 1 as a jockey was almost 50 years ago and came coincidentally in the same race that he won his first Group 1 as a trainer – the Oaks at Morphettville,” Bruce McAvaney, a member of the selection panel, told racingsa.com.au.
“His 16 Group 1 wins as a trainer include five with his son Calvin. His two biggest stars were the hero of the Cox Plate - Fields of Omagh, and more recently, the mighty filly Sunlight. In being inducted, Tony joins his nephew Kerrin, his mentor Colin Hayes, and contemporary David. Tony's the epitome of a high-class horse trainer: talented, patient, ambitious and always optimistic.”
Tony McEvoy | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
The 1963 G1 Caulfield Cup winner Sometime (NZ) (Summertime {GB}) will also be inducted. “Sometime's rise to fame heralded the most successful decade in South Australian racing history,” said McAvaney.
“His spring of 1963 was epic and highlighted by a dominating victory as the hot favourite in the Caulfield Cup. He'd won the Feehan, the Turnbull and the Caulfield Stakes on his way to the Cup, all under the hands of trainer Les Patterson and Hall of Fame jockey Billy Pyers. I'm lucky enough to have seen him race and he remains an all-time favourite.”
Trained by Les Patterson, Sometime won 25 of his 76 starts with earnings over 47,440 pounds (approximately $9 million in today’s money). The dual Group 1 winner was sold to Japan in 1965 and was a half-brother to Group 1 winner Fox Myth (NZ) (Foxbridge {GB}).
Finalists announced for Horse Of The Year
The finalists for the 2024/25 Australian Horse Of The Year Awards have been announced by Racing Australia and Racing Queensland. “Racing Queensland is honoured to host this year's Australian Racehorse of the Year ceremony, celebrating the stars of our sport and their outstanding achievements over the last season,” RQ Acting CEO Lachlan Murray said.
“This year's crop of finalists across all categories are nothing short of elite, and it's great to see Queensland well represented by Knight's Choice, Antino and Cool Archie. Similarly, it's fitting that the gala luncheon will see both Black Caviar and Winx elevated to 'Legend' status in the Hall of Fame, both of whom have strong ties to Queensland. We look forward to welcoming participants from all corners of Australia to the Sunshine State on August 31.”
The Bart Cummings Award for Group 1 trainer will go to Chris Waller, while James McDonald has won the Group 1 jockey award. Zoustar has the Champion Sire title, and the other finalists are:
Champion 2-Year-Old
Cool Archie | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
Cool Archie (Cool Aza Beel {NZ})
Marhoona (Snitzel)
Vinrock (I Am Invincible)
Nepotism (Brutal {NZ})
Tempted (Street Boss {USA})
Champion 3-Year-Old Filly
Aeliana (NZ) | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Aeliana (NZ) (Castelvecchio)
Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun)
Lady Of Camelot (Written Tycoon)
Lady Shenandoah (Snitzel)
Treasurethe Moment (Alabama Express)
Champion 3-Year-Old Colt/Gelding
Broadsiding | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Broadsiding (Too Darn Hot {GB})
Goldrush Guru (American Pharoah {USA})
Linebacker (NZ) (Super Seth)
Private Harry (Harry Angel {Ire})
Switzerland (Snitzel)
Champion Sprinter
Bella Nipotina | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai)
Briasa (Smart Missile)
Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA})
Joliestar (Zoustar)
Sunshine In Paris (Invader)
Champion Middle Distance
Antino (NZ) | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
Antino (NZ) (Redwood {GB})
Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ})
Fangirl (Sebring)
Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars)
Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock)
Champion Stayer
Arapaho (Fr) | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Arapaho (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire})
Dubai Honour (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai)
Duke De Sessa (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire})
Knight’s Choice (Extreme Choice)
Zardozi (Kingman {GB})
Champion Jumper
Affluential (NZ) | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
Affluential (NZ) (Zed {NZ})
Duke of Bedford (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ})
Loft (Ger) (Adlerflug {Ger})
Stern Idol (Ire) (Raven’s Pass {USA})
The Cunning Fox (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB})
Mr Brightside returns in jumpout
Group 1 winner Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) returned in a jumpout at Flemington on Monday for trainers Lindsay Park. “He just cruised around and did what he normally does so we were happy with him,” co-trainer Ben Hayes told racenet.com.au.
Mr Brightside (NZ) | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Luke Currie rode him in the jumpout because Craig is overseas in the Ukraine at the moment and he gave us a good report. He said he felt great and did everything he was asked.” He is likely to resume in the G2 PB Lawrence Stakes at Caulfield on August 16.
Yulong headlines at Victorian breeder awards
Yulong took home Racing Victoria VOBIS Nominator of the Year and the Champion Victorian Breeder at this season’s Victorian Breeder Awards over the weekend, with their star 3-year-old filly Treasurethe Moment (Alabama Express) winning Champion Victorian Bred 3-Year-Old of the season and the Champion Victorian Bred Racehorse. Yulong’s Lucky Vega (Ire) won Champion Victorian First Season Sire.
Swettenham Stud’s Toronado (Ire) won both the Racing Victoria VOBIS Sire of the Year award and Champion Victorian Sire, while Swettenham Stud’s Marcus Heritage won the Rising Star Award. Former Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria President James O'Brien was recognised with this year's Service to the Industry Award.
Blackberry Bomb (Brazen Beau) won VOBIS Horse of the Year, Inglis Champion Victorian Bred 2-Year-Old was won by Within The Law (Lucky Vega {Ire}) and Champion Victorian Broodmare went to Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai)’s dam Bella Orfana (Star Witness) for the second year in a row.
The Leading Victorian Small Breeder award went to Janice and Col McKenna who bred Group 1 winner Another Wil (Street Boss {USA}).
The Victorian Racing Awards will be held on Saturday night with the Scobie Breasley Medal being one of the upcoming highlights. Votes are awarded on a 3-2-1 basis by Racing Victoria stewards after each city meeting.
Griff to stand in Tasmania
G1 Caulfield Guineas winner Griff will stand at Weona Park Stud in Tasmania for his first season in 2025. The son of Trapeze Artist is priced at $8250 inc GST and was a winner at two who trained at on three. With four career wins, he has earnings over $2 million.
Griff | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Griff, who was originally advertised in 2025 to stand at Victoria’s Larneuk Stud, is the second foal of Chateau Griffo (Sebring) who placed in the G3 Blue Diamond Preview (f) on debut.
Weona Park Stud also stand Bon Aurum, Master Of Design, More Than Value, Special Edition, and Utopian.
Hadouken wins second successive Darwin Cup
On Monday, Peter Robl-trained Hadouken (Real Impact {Jpn}) has won his second successive Darwin Cup, with Blake Shinn heading north to ride him. “This is a really big race up here, it feels like a Group 1 race, there's a lot of people here and it's like a Group 1 race for me and Pete and I'm just proud to be able to do for him,” Shinn said.
“Obviously, there's a lot of history between me and Pete. He had to end his career through breaking his neck, unfortunately, in a fall, but now he's making a name for himself as a really astute trainer and when he puts them down and he says they're going to go close they really do. I'm proud of him. I'm proud of how far he's come as a trainer and for me to do this for him, it means a lot.”
Hadouken, a 7-year-old gelding, has won 10 of his 44 starts with earnings over $530,000. Kooringal Stud sold him at the 2020 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale for $50,000 to Sandoch Racing and C Englebrecht. A half-brother to Listed winner Everyday Lady (Charge Forward), Hadouken is out of Redoute’s Choice mare Any Other Day who is an unraced half-sister to group winners Saturday Fever (Groom Dancer {USA}) and Phantom Thief (Jade Robbery {USA}).
Winner number 17 for Farnan
Second season sire Farnan added another winner when 3-year-old gelding Olatunde won at Ballarat on Monday. Trained by Tim Fitzsimmons, Olatunde won by 3.75l and was resuming having had three starts when trained by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman as a summer 2-year-old including running in the G1 Blue Diamond Stakes. This was his first run for Fitzsimmons.
Sold by Kenmore Lodge for $300,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Olatunde was bought by Moody Racing. Olatunde is the fourth winner for Enide (GB) (Shamardal {USA}) and he is a half-brother to the dam of Group 3-placed Flying For Fun (Speith {NZ}).
Thoroughbred Sales announced bonus series
On Monday, digital sales platform Thoroughbred Sales announced a $4 million race series. “We're passionate about supporting the grassroots of the industry,” Thoroughbred Sales Managing Director, Jake Watkins said.
“By targeting provincial races, we're putting bonuses where they'll have the greatest impact — helping owners cover costs and encouraging more people to stay in the game. This $4 million initiative reflects our long-term vision to reinvest in the racing community, particularly those who are the backbone of the sport outside the metropolitan spotlight.
“We are committing $750,000 in bonuses in the first year and that prizemoney distribution will grow to $1.25 million for the 2026-27 season and $2 million for the 2027-28 season as more horses become eligible. We've been overwhelmed by the support of buyers and vendors using our platform. This is our way of giving back – and it's just the beginning.” A horse is eligible for the series if they have been sold through the Thoroughbred Sales platform.
Racing Mates to be held at Taree
The next Racing Mates BBQ ‘Get-Together’ will be held at the Taree race meeting on Friday August 15. “We are pleased to be returning to the Mid North Coast Racing Districts and catching up with racing participants at the Taree race meeting,” Racing Mates ambassador Pat Webster told racingnsw.com.au.
“Racing Mates provides access to clinical psychologists, counsellors and assistance hotlines - ambassadors such as myself can provide that link to participants in need of assistance. Our BBQ gatherings are all about bringing the racing community together for a chat. There is nothing better than talking to someone who understands where you're coming from.”
Hong Kong jockeys winning during their break
Hong Kong based jockey Alexis Badel rode a treble at Chukyo racecourse on Sunday highlighted by winning the Listed Meitetsu Hai on Mario Road (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}). Two other Hong Kong jockeys, Matthew Poon and Angus Chung, are riding in England during their break, reported scmp.com.
Group 1 target for Cankoura
Francis Graffard trainee Cankoura (Fr) (Persian King {Ire}) was last seen running third in June's G1 Prix de Diane and bounced back in style to register a first pattern-race triumph for her second-crop sire in Sunday's G3 Prix de Psyche at Deauville.
“On the formline, she was the hot favourite and probably should have won today, but you're never quite sure,” said Aga Khan Studs' Nemone Routh. “She was drawn seven of seven, Mickael (Barzalona) got a nice position on her, but he had to bring her out quite early. She's a lovely filly in the sense that she's become more professional with her races. She breaks well and really settles now and she's just a very straightforward filly. Looking at her in the paddock, you wouldn't have thought she was completely wound up. She had a bit of a belly on her and I imagine she will improve for the run. We'll see how she comes out of the race and the G1 Prix Jean Romanet is the plan.”
Cankoura, who becomes the first pattern-race winner for her second crop sire, is the fifth of eight foals and one of four scorers out of dual Group 2-winning G1 Prix Vermeille second Candarliya (Dalakhani), herself a full-sister to Listed Prix Scaramouche victrix Canndera and a half to multiple stakes-winning GII Belmont Gold Cup Invitational, G3 Stars And Stripes Stakes and G3 Sycamore Stakes placegetter Canessar (Kendargent). The January-foaled homebred grey is a half-sister to G3 Prix de la Grotte victrix Candala (Frankel), and the dual stakes-placed Carini (Siyouni).
Dubai World Cup winner Hit Show returns with Listed win
It's not often the winner of a global US$12-million Group 1 event just four months ago gets his next victory in a listed black-type race in West Virginia, but that's exactly what happened with 5-year-old entire Hit Show (USA) (Candy Ride {Arg}), who parlayed victory in the G1 Dubai World Cup in April into a repeat win in the West Virginia Governor's Stakes at Mountaineer Sunday evening. It may not have been the most conventional move, but it was a hard-fought return to the winner's circle for the grey.
Hit Show's dam, Actress (Tapit), winner of the 2017 G2 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes and G3 Comely Stakes and a daughter of 2009 Canadian champion Milwaukee Appeal (Milwaukee Brew), has not produced a foal since 2022.
Chunk Of Gold finally gets a Derby
After respectable showings in the Louisiana, Kentucky, and Ohio Derbys, Chunk of Gold (USA) (Preservationist {USA}) finally has one to his tally with a sterling effort in the G3 West Virginia Derby.
The grey has been eyeballing some of the best of his generation in his last four starts. He shipped to Louisiana in mid-February to contest their Triple Crown preps, and ran second in both the G2 Risen Star Stakes and the G2 Louisiana Derby, Feb. 15 and Mar. 22, respectively. Having garnered enough points for the big dance, he went to post on the first Saturday in May and ran ninth in what was trainer Ethan West's first ever starter in the G1 Kentucky Derby.
“Chunk ran great and we couldn't be prouder of him,” said West afterwards. “He shows up and lays it down every time. Jareth put a picture-perfect ride on him like usual.” Chunk of Gold is a full brother to another black-type earner in Band of Gold, the winner of the Listed Martha Washington Stakes. Play for Gold has a perfect strike rate with her three offspring to make the races.
