First stakes winner for Yes Yes Yes
Affirmative Action (Yes Yes Yes) upset punters when paying $91 to win Saturday’s Listed Sir Colin Meads Trophy at Ellerslie for trainer Pam Gerard. He becomes the first stakes winner for Gooree Stud’s Yes Yes Yes. “We’ve been waiting for him for a long time as we had tried to get him going as a 2-year-old,” Gerard said
“You can see how big and lanky he is and I think if we had of pushed on it could have gone the wrong way for him. We have been patient, given him a couple of trials and he has not put a foot wrong. It’s super exciting today as we’ve had a tough time lately and this is a reward for all the staff at home who have been putting in the hard yards. He is a good horse, we thought he was and it gives us confidence with a win like this.”
From the second crop of Yes Yes Yes, Affirmative Action held of He Who Dares (NZ) (Snitzel) by 0.3l with Lady Iris (NZ) (U S Navy Flag {USA}) in third.
Sold by Marquee Stud at the Inglis Sydney Weanling Sale for $40,000 to Odyssey Bloodstock, he went through the draft of Wentwood Grange at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale where he was purchased by Ballydoyle Stables, Paul Moroney Bloodstock, and Catheryne Bruggeman for NZ$115,000. He is the first foal of unraced mare Search Approach (Dawn Approach {Ire}).
Lollapalooza wins G3 Gold Trail Stakes
Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall-trained 3-year-old filly Lollapalooza (NZ) (El Roca) broke her maiden in Saturday’s G3 Gold Trail Stakes, the first leg of the NZB Filly Of The Year Series. In second was In Haste (Snitzel) with Queen’s Evidence (NZ) (King’s Legacy) in third. “We love training good 3-year-old fillies, and it was an honour to have three of them in the Gold Trail this year and to win it with Lollapalooza,” Richardson said.
“Don and Wendy Pye bred her, and when I went and saw her at Haunui as a yearling, she was a standout from the start. Vinnie gave her a great ride today and we’re thrilled to get the result.” Placed at two, Lollapalooza has a win from four starts. Purchased by Richardson Racing and Social Racing for NZ$30,000 from Haunui Farm’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale draft, Lollapalooza is the third foal and first winner for Carnival (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) who won the G3 Stewards’ Stakes.
Listed Farnley Stakes won by Cool Memory
Belmont’s Listed Farnley Stakes was dominated by Darren McAuliffe-trained 5-year-old gelding Cool Memory (Impending) who won by 3.12 lengths from Peter Giadresco-trained Kaptain Kaos (Demerit) with Chris and Michael Gangemi-trained Rokanori (Awesome Rock) in third.
Previously the winner of the Listed Aquanita Stakes in 2024, Cool Memory took his record to six wins from 24 starts and over $400,000. “He’s got a bit of ability and we’ve always thought the world of him. … we’ll let the dust settle and make a call later,” said McAuliffe.
A half-brother to stakes placed Cold Shizzle (Awesome Rock), his dam stakes placed Fo’ Shizzle (Universal Ruler) is in foal to Awesome Rock, and she’s produced three winners from three to race.
Listed Tattersalls City Cup goes to the imports
All five runners in the Randwick’s Listed Tattersalls City Cup on Saturday were imported gallopers with Kris Lees-trained Changingoftheguard (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) coming out on top over Chris Waller-trained Travolta (GB) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) with Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained Muktamil (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in third. “It was an exciting race to watch,” Lees said.
“The plan was to try and make this as genuine a staying test as we could and James (McDonald) rated the horse so well. He was able to get a gap on them on the corner and hold them off. Coming to the corner, I thought we were home, then I thought we were gone when Travolta started to close the gap but near the 100m, I knew he was going to hold them off.”
Winner of the 2022 G2 Royal Ascot King Edward VII Stakes and the G3 Chester Vase, this was his first win in Australia, although he was twice stakes placed last season. A private purchase prior to being imported, he now has four wins from 15 starts and earnings over $600,000. “There are a lot of options for him but I would suggest he will have four weeks to The Metropolitan and then hopefully the Melbourne Cup.”
Fierce adds to Capitalist’s good day
With 3-year-old filly Alpha Sofie (Capitalist) winning the Listed Atlantic Jewel in Melbourne, Capitalist also added a debutant winner at Hawkesbury when Team Hawkes-trained 3-year-old gelding Fierce won by the tiniest of margins in the first on the card. Sold by Segenhoe Stud for $600,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Fierce was purchased by Hawkes Racing and is a half-brother to Group 2 winner Airman (I Am Invincible).
Their dam Zara Bay (Fastnet Rock) is a stakes placed full sister to Group 1 winner and sire Merchant Navy, Group 2 winner Jolie Bay and Listed winner Setanta.
Fastnet Rock added a 3-year-old winner at the same meeting with Bjorn Baker-trained gelding Senjutsu who was having his second start.
Rock Fest stays unbeaten
At Belmont on Saturday, Daniel and Ben Pearce-trained 3-year-old gelding Rock Fest (Awesome Rock) made it two from two to stay unbeaten. Sold by Gold Front Thoroughbreds at the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale for $55,000 and bought by his trainers, Rock Fest took his earnings over $82,000.
Rock Fest winning a Plate at Belmont Park | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
A full brother to Group 3 winner Red Sun Sensation and a half-brother to Listed winner Chiliis Hot (Gingerbread Man), he is one of four winners for Society Gal (NZ) (Faltaat {USA}) who is carrying a full sibling to him. Society Gal is an unraced full sister to Group 1 winner Sight Winner (NZ).
Awesome Rock enjoyed a double at Belmont with Corn Cob taking his record to 12 wins when he won the second on the card.
Mathrick trains a quartet of winners at Mildura
Trainer Shawn Mathrick had a massive day at Mildura on Saturday with four winners on the seven race card, led by debutant 3-year-old colt Alexander Thegreat (Maurice {Jpn}) who won the second on the card by 1 length.
Alexander Thegreat as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Alexander Thegreat was initially sold by Segenhoe Stud for $30,000 at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale to World Wide Bloodstock, then offered by Rathmore Lodge at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale where he sold for the same figure to his trainer.
Mathrick’s other winners were Saxon Beauty (Shamoline Warrior), The Wizard King (Flying Artie) and Brullen (Holler).
Microphone filly wins at Mildura
Trainer Helen Burns enjoyed a winner with 3-year-old filly Lychee Green Tea (Microphone) at Mildura on Saturday. The filly was having her eighth start and won by 0.46l while coming off a last start third placing. From the second crop of Microphone who was recently exported to Brazil, Lychee Green Tea was originally sold by Raheen Stud at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale for $37,500 to Hall Of Fame Bloodstock.
She went through the Inglis Digital 2025 May Sale as a six start maiden who had placed at two where M Mitton purchased her for $3750 and she earned $17,600 with Saturday’s victory. At the same meeting, Patrick and Michelle Payne-trained 3-year-old gelding Hollywoodboulevard (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) made it two wins in succession.
Speith filly wins for Cairns at Gold Coast
Trainer Olivia Cairns celebrated victory at the Gold Coast with 3-year-old filly I’lltellyoutonight (Spieth {NZ}) who bolted in by 2 lengths over 1400 metres. She was having her sixth start and was a bargain $900 purchase at the September 2023 Inglis Digital Sale having just turned one when sold by Goodwood Farm and purchased by CS Duffy.
She is the first foal of Annyidea (All Too Hard) who is a winning half-sister to Group 2-placed Academy Award (Star Turn).
Zousain filly wins in Darwin
It is unusual to see young horses in Darwin, but Philip Cole-trained 3-year-old filly Snappy Sweetheart (Zousain) won her maiden in the northern city on Saturday at her third start. Sold by Goodwood Farm for $6000 at the January 2024 Inglis Digital Sale to Brendan Nelson, she went back through the same sale a year later, offered by Edge Thoroughbreds and purchased by her trainer for $6500.
Snappy Sweetheart took her earnings over $20,000 and she is the first winner for Two Hearts (Big Brown {USA}).
Birdsville Cup won by Testator Silens
Trainer Clinton Austin won Saturday’s iconic Birdsville Cup with 8-year-old gelding Testator Silens (Star Witness) who bolted in by 3.3 lengths. The victory took his record to eight wins from 31 starts and pushed his earnings to almost $550,000.
Not offered at auction, Testator Silens is the only winner for stakes placed So Detached (One Cool Cat {USA}) who is a half-sister to Group 2 winner Sedanzer (Sebring). Her last foal on record is a 2-year-old full sister to Testator Silens.
Country Queensland debutants
Russian Revolution added a debutant 3-year-old winner when Kevin Kemp-trained gelding Russian Ripper won at Goondiwindi by 1.5l. Purchased by Harvey Black for $45,500 at the Magic Millions March Yearling Sale from Lyndhurst Stud Farm, Russian Ripper is the first foal of unraced The Seamstress (Zoustar).
John Kilroy-trained 3-year-old filly Very Good (Shalaa {Ire}) lived up to her name winning on debut at Mareeba. Purchased by her trainer at the May 2025 Inglis Digital Sale for a mere $1500, Very Good is the first foal of Du Well (Duporth).
Russian Ripper as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Jungle Cat (Ire)’s 3-year-old filly Tara I Am won on debut by 2.2l at Emerald in Queensland for trainer Stephen Rundle on Saturday. She is the second foal and first winner for unraced Jettara (Jetspur).
Lucky Sweynesse to use Sunday to launch Japan campaign
Trainer Derek Leung thinks former Champion Sprinter Lucky Sweynesse (NZ) (Sweynesse) can use Sunday’s run to launch a campaign in Japan. “He’s a big horse, so he needs a run to keep his fitness,” Leung told scmp.com.
“Hopefully being a bit fresh in his first start will be good for him and the main aim is Japan. In his first race he doesn’t have to carry the top weight, so it’s a good starting point for him and the timing is good to head to Japan and give it a try.” The G1 Sprinters Stakes in Japan is on September 28.
Sea The Stars filly lights up German yearlings
Gestüt Brümmerhof stole the show at the BBAG Yearling Sale for the second year running when Godolphin swooped in to land a Sea The Stars filly out of German 1,000 Guineas heroine Novemba (Gleneagles) for €750,000 (AU$1.3 million).
That sale represented continued support by Godolphin for the best stock that Germany has to offer given Anthony Stroud and his buying team bought Del Maro (Camelot) from Brummerhof for a record-breaking €850,000 (AU$1.5 million) here 12 months ago.
Brümmerhof boss Gregor Baum said, “Last year we had the great Camelot and this year [we have topped the sale] again. We are pleased that Godolphin have trust in our stud and in German breeding. She is a special individual. A really tough filly, she is not too big and has a lot of character. We love her.”
Asked if it was a difficult decision to sell the Sea The Stars filly, he replied, “It's a foal share so Madame Tsui should be happy as well. We'd have loved to keep her because she is a special horse for our family. But we are happy that she has gone to such a good buyer and such a good home. Novemba has a filly foal by Siyouni but she was not covered this year.”
Of the 198 lots offered, 153 were sold at a clearance rate of 77%, which was up 4% on last year's figures. The €54,929 (AU$98,000) average was up by 14%, the €55,120 (AU$98,500) median by the same while turnover climbed by 13% to €8,404,100 (AU$15 million).
Wathnan purchase One Look
Dual Group 3 winner One Look (Gleneagles), who won the Goffs Million as a juvenile, has been purchased by Wathnan Racing.
Successful in the G3 Park Express Stakes at The Curragh in April, the former Connolly Racing Syndicate colourbearer ran second in the G2 Lanwades Stud Stakes to Porta Fortuna (Caravaggio) a month later. Unplaced in the G2 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot, she bounced back in the G3 Meadow Court Stakes back at The Curragh in July for trainer Paddy Twomey.
Richard Brown, Wathnan's Racing adviser, said, “One Look is a fine racemare, with plenty of options from a mile to 10 furlongs before she retires to stud. She's been very well campaigned and is enjoying a tremendous season. We're thrilled to have her.”
USA wagering and prizemoney up for August
American figures indicate that wagering increased compared to a year ago in August despite a reduction in the number of race days during the month, according to information released by Equibase on Friday.
Total wagering of US$1,204,428,838 (AU$1.8 billion) on races during the month represented a 3.13% increase over the same period from 2024, while available purses of over US$153 million (AU$232 million) were higher by 7.24%. The figure of over US$145 million (AU$221 million) for paid purses in August was also up by 6.33%.
