Weir footage released
The Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT) has released footage of disgraced former trainer Darren Weir using a jigger on three horses, after media outlets the Herald Sun and The Age successfully campaigned in court to be allowed to show the footage.
“We strongly condemn the conduct depicted in this 2018 vision, as do the thousands of hardworking individuals in our industry who provide amazing care to their horses day in, day out,” Racing Victoria said in a statement.
Darren Weir | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“This is why the stewards issued serious charges against Darren Weir and his associates for their conduct, which ultimately saw them face disciplinary action. The independent Victorian Racing Tribunal disqualified the three individuals in this video for their actions. Darren Weir remains disqualified until September 2026.”
The video, dated from 2018, was shown to the Tribunal in September 2024. Weir was initially banned for four years for possession of the jigger, then a further two years was added to the initial ban for use of the device in September 2024. Weir argued that the second ban should be back-dated and the Tribunal disagreed as he operated an unlicenced pre-training business during that time.
“The accessibility for the public through the media to view the footage would assist the public to fully understand and see for themselves what actions were taken by the respondents for the use of jiggers, as they were called, upon the horses,” VRT chairman Peter Reardon said in his judgement with regards to releasing the footage.
Waterhouse Bott pair to resume in Chelmsford Stakes
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained pair of Sir Delius (GB) (Frankel {GB}) and Vauban (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) will resume on Saturday in the G2 Chelsmford Stakes over a mile. Neither has won below 2000 metres. “That (G3 Chairman’s Handicap win) was over 2000 metres which is probably more (Sir Delius)’s natural trip so the mile is still going to be a bit short of his best,” Bott told racingnsw.com.au.
“In saying that he’s trialled well, he’s back in good shape and he’s coming up well. I’d like to think there’s improvement off what we’ve seen from him in Australia. I’m as interested as anyone to see what he can produce under these conditions.”
Of Vauban, Bott said, “This is still well short of his best but again it’s a nice kick off point and for him to build off going forward. He seems well in himself, a bit of a sharper horse this preparation. I like the manner in which he’s trialled, he’s shown a bit of tactical speed and freshness we haven’t seen from him previously. But Sir Delius may be that little bit sharper at this point of the preparation.”
Minor accident leads to potential Birdsville Cup win
Mount Isa trainer Jay Morris is hoping to pick up his third Birdsville Cup on Saturday and his runner, Cacofonix (Dundeel {NZ}), arrived in his stable in an accidental fashion. “He was travelling through here when he hurt himself in the float, so we were asked to do a welfare check on him,” Morris told racingqueensland.com.au.
“We found he only had a few abrasions and Gary (Clarke) asked me what I wanted in return for checking him over and I said nothing. I later rang Gary to get another horse then Gary offered that I take Cacofonix.
Cacofonix | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
“It’s always an unknown when you go to Birdsville as the track changes from year to year. It’s been firm in recent years and we’re taking a punt it’s going to be firm again this year. Horses from the Territory are generally tough and he knows what bush racing is about. He was probably out of his grade a bit in the Darwin Cup and he was a bit unlucky when he was carted wide in the race.”
Double for O’Shea and Charlton
After enjoying the victory of Napoleonic at Wyong, the John O'Shea and Tom Charlton stable made it a double when 3-year-old gelding Azarax (NZ) (Hello Youmzain {Fr}) won the third on the card and took his record to two wins from as many starts.
Azarax is one of nine Southern Hemisphere winners for Hello Youmzain’s first crop. Sold by Curraghmore for NZ$190,000 at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale, he was purchased by Laurel Oak Bloodstock, John O’Shea Racing, and James Bester Bloodstock.
Yes Yes Yes adds 3-year-old winner in Canberra
Richard and Will Freedman-trained 3-year-old colt Yes I Win (NZ) (Yes Yes Yes) won on debut on Friday at Canberra. The colt was sold by Windsor Park Stud at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale for NZ$110,000 to his trainers in conjunction with Pinhook Bloodstock (FBAA).
He is the first foal of Shamani (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) who is a winning half-sister to Listed winner Grand Chancellor (NZ) (Savabeel).
Saxon Warrior 3-year-old wins at Canberra
Keith Dryden and Libby Snowden-trained 3-year-old filly Sweet Warrior (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) won on debut at Canberra on Friday. Not seen at public auction, Sweet Warrior is the only foal of Sweet Knuckle (Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}) who is a winning half-sister to Listed winner Macknuckle (Moon Rocket {Jpn}).
Hong Kong Jockey Club receives record fifth Lotteries award
The Hong Kong Jockey has, for a record fifth time, been awarded the highest level of accreditation for responsible betting by the World Lottery Association (WLA). The award reflects the Club’s “unwavering commitment to promoting responsible gambling in support of Hong Kong government policy,” said the club in a statement.
“Indeed, responsible gambling is an essential component of the club’s integrated business model through which racing and responsible sports wagering generate substantial tax contributions, charity support and employment opportunities for Hong Kong. Above all, it reflects the club’s determination to protect the community from the dangers of illegal gambling.”
Lazzat ready for Sprint Cup
Trainer Jerome Reynier is optimistic that Lazzat can consolidate his position as Europe's leading sprinter by adding another Group 1 success to his tally in Saturday's Betfair Sprint Cup at Haydock.
An eight-time winner for the Marseille-based Reynier, Lazzat put himself in contention for top honours in this division when winning the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, beating the high-class Japanese raider Satono Reve (Lord Kanaloa) by half a length, having been acquired by Wathnan Racing just a few weeks previously.
Lazzat | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“It's a different feeling to come over with a favourite for a Group 1 race. When he got beaten by Sajir in the Maurice de Gheest last time it was tough, although we were still happy with the horse because he ran a good race.
“If he wins another Group 1 on Saturday, we will be very happy as he could be European sprint champion of the year, which is very important for all the team. Wathnan have invested a lot and it was great to be able to win at Royal Ascot with him in a Group 1 – I am hoping we will be able to win many more with him. After getting beat last time, hopefully he can fire back and prove he is the best.”
Mehmas sprinter headlines Tattersalls September Online
Andrew Balding's Marchogion is set to headline the Tattersalls Online September Sale following his easy victory in a Chester handicap at the end of last month.
A three-time winner over six furlongs for Balding and owners Opulence Thoroughbreds, the son of Mehmas (Ire) defied a BHA rating of 90 when gaining his latest success on the Roodee, powering clear in the final furlong to land the spoils by over three lengths. Following that win he is now up to a career-high mark of 97.
Mehmas (Ire) | Standing at Tally-ho Stud
Thoroughbred Charities record applications
After a record number of applications in 2025, Thoroughbred Charities of America grants to 98 organizations totaling over US$1.1 million (AU$1.6 million) were recently awarded, according to a press release from the non-profit on Thursday afternoon.
The TCA said that 63 aftercare organizations, 24 backstretch and farm worker programs, seven equine-assisted therapy organizations, three Thoroughbred incentive programs, and one research organization comprised this year's tally.
“Our annual grants reflect both the generosity of our donors and the strength of the organizations we are privileged to support,” said Erin Halliwell, executive director of TCA. “We take our responsibility as stewards of donor contributions very seriously because it is these donations that allow us to make a real impact via our grants. Every dollar entrusted to TCA helps us invest in organizations that are making an impact on Thoroughbreds and their caretakers.”
