Lady Shenandoah to represent Fairway in The Everest
Fairway Thoroughbreds have announced they have signed exciting 4-year-old mare Lady Shenandoah (Snitzel) for their G1 The Everest slot in 2025. “We are thrilled to see Lady Shenandoah gain a spot in this year's Everest,” co-owner Hermitage's Shannon Clarke told racenet.com.au..
“It's a race that captures the imagination of the racing world, and to be represented by a mare of her calibre is a great honour. We're also incredibly grateful to Fairway Thoroughbreds for their support and confidence in Lady Shenandoah.”
| Chris Waller Racing | Joliestar (Zoustar) | Chris Waller |
| Coolmore | ||
| Fairway Thoroughbreds | Lady Shenandoah (Snitzel) | Chris Waller |
| Godolphin | ||
| Hong Kong Jockey Club | Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) | David Hayes |
| James Harron Bloodstock | ||
| Mulberry | ||
| Newgate & GPI Racing | ||
| NZ Trackside | ||
| TAB | Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) | Ciaron Maher |
| Whitby, McCann, Madden, Werrett | Briasa (Smart Missile) | Team Hawkes |
| Yulong | Private Harry (Harry Angel {Ire}) | Nathan Doyle |
Headwall to miss The Everest
G3 Concorde Stakes winner Headwall (Dream Ahead {USA}) will miss the G1 The Everest after pulling up sore in trackwork. Trainer Matthew Smith reported on Monday that the gelding would miss the spring. “Headwall has an injury to his hind leg and he will go for further scans today,” Smith told racenet.com.au.
Headwall | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“He was a lame after his work on Saturday morning and I was hoping it wasn't anything too serious. But we've had the vets down to look at him and the horse won't be racing again this spring. He was flying, he had never been going better so this is tough to take.”
Four horses given top weight for G1 Epsom
With 96 nominations remaining in the 160th running of G1 Epsom Handicap, Racing NSW’s handicapping panel has announced that four horses have been given top weight of 58kg, being Group 1 winners Light Infantry Man (Fr) (Fast Company {Ire}), Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), Private Eye (Al Maher) and Royal Patronage (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}).
“The highest weighted mare with 57kg is the two-time Group 1 winner Stefi Magnetica, winner of the 2024 G1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400 metres) and the 2025 G1 Doncaster Mile (1600 metres). Multiple Group 1-winning mare Treasurethe Moment has been asked to carry 56.5kg. This year we have three 3-year-old horses nominated including 2025 G1 Champagne Stakes (1600 metres) winner Nepotism. All three 3-year-old horses have been allocated the 48kg minimum,” said the press release.
Sir Rupert Clarke for Angel Capital
Trainer Chris Waller will run 4-year-old entire Angel Capital (Harry Angel {Ire}) in the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes on Saturday. “We'd love to go the Manikato, but he'll get in well at the weights in the Sir Rupert Clarke and 1400 will be no problem,” Waller told racingandsports.com.au.
Angel Capital | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“I'd hate to miss the Sir Rupert Clarke and he draw the outside barrier in the Manikato. If we're good enough to win a Manikato, I'm sure he'll win multiple Group 1 races, so I think we'll just try the Sir Rupert Clarke.”
Vauban given top weight for G1 Metropolitan
Racing NSW’s handicapping panel released the weights for the G1 Metropolitan Handicap on Monday with Vauban (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) given top weight of 58.5kg for the October 4 event. There are 79 horses still nominated.
Vauban (Fr) | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“Vauban (Fr) has been allocated the topweight in the race with 58.5kg, being the winner of the 2025 G3 Sky High Stakes, as well as running 3rd in the WFA G1 Tancred Stakes (2400 metres) behind Dubai Honour at Rosehill Gardens,” said the press release.
“Next in the weights with 58kg is Arapaho (Fr) who has an excellent record over the staying distances. He is the winner of the 2025 G1 Sydney Cup (3200 metres) at Royal Randwick and the 2023 G1 Tancred Stakes at Rosehill.”
Pride Of Jenni flies in jump out
Horse of the Year Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) won a jumpout at Cranbourne on Monday morning. “She needed to show that she had come on,” trainer Ciaron Maher told racenet.com.au.
“And she has, she's made nice improvement over the last month. We'd think she would be ready to kick off now.” A potential return in the G2 Feehan Stakes was touted but Maher will discuss with her owners before confirming.
Flemington Open Day announced
The Victoria Racing Club website is the place to register for Sunday’s Flemington Open Day. It’s free to attend, with many stables opening their doors for visitors to have a tour including Chris Waller’s Flemington stable with Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock) in residence.
The stables on show are Chris Waller, Danny O’Brien, Leon & Troy Corstens & Will Larkin (Malua Racing), Mark and Levi Kavanagh, Jason Warren, Simon Zahra, Annabel and Rob Archibald, Tony and Calvin McEvoy, Nick Ryan, Scott Cameron, Richard and Chantelle Jolly and Denis Pagan, and the tour commences at 9.30am. Living Legends will be on site at Flemington, as well as pony rides for kids.
Proven sires add 3-year-old winners at Muswellbrook
The three 3-year-old winners at Muswellbrook on Monday were all by proven sires. Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained colt Anarchist (Exceed And Excel) won at his third start. He debuted in the Listed Lonhro Plate at two, running last, then improved to run fourth last start. Purchased by the James Harron Colt Partnership for $550,000 from Sledmere Stud’s Inglis Easter Yearling Sale draft, he is the first foal of Group 1 winner Media Sensation (I Am Invincible) who is a half-sister to Listed winner On Display (Fastnet Rock).
Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich-trained gelding Salvato (Shalaa {Ire}) took his record to two wins from four starts, and John Ramsey-trained gelding Pinot Nero (Pierro) won at his sixth start.
Lucky Vega adds new winner
At Hamilton on Monday, Symon Wilde-trained 3-year-old filly Arizona Luck (Lucky Vega {Ire}) become a new winner for her second season sire when winning at her second start, having run fifth on debut.
Bought by Wilde Racing from Yulong’s Inglis Premier Yearling Sale draft for $90,000, Arizona Luck is a half-sister to Listed-placed Aztec State (Pierro) out of Arizona Belle (Ire) (Redoute’s Choice).
Ciaron Maher-trained 3-year-old filly Morisu Ojo (Maurice {Jpn}) also won at the meeting and was having her fourth start. She was a $200,000 purchase by her trainer from Edinburgh Park’s dispersal sale, and is a half-sister to Group 3 winner Fun Fact (The Factor {USA}).
Thoroughbred Innovation Advisory Board launches
On Monday, the Thoroughbred Innovation Advisory Board (TIAB) launched. Designed to drive industry-wide collaboration and progress, the founding members include Inglis Digital, Ardex, G1 Goldmine / Stallion Match, Prism, Thoroughworks, WrkPlace Digital, Race Day Ready (Data Analytics), Breedr, and Arioneo.
Tom Seymour | Image courtesy of Equate
“Stakeholder support was immediate because it’s clear that new technology frameworks, like the SNS and Stud Book, will determine the scale of future growth. Without them, delivering the cost savings and efficiencies the industry needs will remain out of reach. We are all committed to sharing our data, IP, networks, and daily reach to help ensure rollouts are modern, scalable, and embraced across the sector,” said Tom Seymour, convenor of the TIAB, in a press release.
TBA open applications for Next Crop Committee
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) has opened applications for future leaders of the thoroughbred industry to be part of the newly revitalised Next Crop Committee, who will oversee the Next Crop initiative for a 12-month term.
“Individuals with the skills and passion to represent the next generation of the thoroughbred industry are encouraged to express their interest via the formal application process, which is now live and will close at 5pm on Monday 6th October 2025. The new Committee will be finalised by the end of October and duties will commence in November,” said TBA’s press release.
Cup day target for South Australian galloper
Trainer Gary Boyce will target the Listed John Letts Cup at Morphettville on Melbourne Cup Day with Anthracite (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) who made it three in a row on Saturday. “When they’re a short price, you’re always expecting a result,” Boyce told racingsa.com.au.
“It’s good to see him lead and still be able to kick. I’ve wanted to see him in a dog fight for a while, because I still think he’s got plenty to offer when he gets into one of those fights, so it was good to see him kick again. We’ll probably see him in five weeks’ time at a mile and then into the John Letts Cup.”
Croix Du Nord wins Arc leadup
Sunday Racing Company's G1 Tokyo Yushun (Japanese Derby) hero Croix Du Nord (Jpn) (Kitasan Black {Jpn}), not seen since annexing that Classic in June, became the latest Japanese nominee to lay down a marker for next month's G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe with a narrow victory in Sunday's G3 Prix du Prince d'Orange at ParisLongchamp.
“I knew the horse needed the race and I am very happy with the result,” said trainer Takashi Saito. “Earlier this week he had not worked so well at Chantilly, so I didn't get much sleep before the race and I am relieved for sure. He handled downhill very well and also the soft ground, which was a concern beforehand. He did wander a bit in the straight, but I am convinced the lack of fitness is the reason. With one race now under his belt I am certain that he will come on a lot for the run and be fully ready for the Arc.”
Group 1 next for Barnavara
With her winning momentum abruptly halted last time, many would have made the presumption that Barnavara (Calyx) was at a plateau but Alpha Racing's flagbearer was not having any of that on Sunday. Ruthlessly dominant in The Curragh's G2 Moyglare Jewels Blandford Stakes, the 6-1 shot had the notable yardsticks One Look (Gleneagles) and Red Letter (Frankel) trailing in her wake as she registered a third stakes win under Shane Foley.
“She's a fantastic filly and is improving all the time,” trainer Jessica Harrington said. “She's a big filly and with each race she gets better and better. I thought Hotazhell would run well yesterday and he did, but she was my best chance because of her form and I thought every bit of rain was going to help her, because she will go on softer ground. She'll go to Paris on Arc weekend for the Prix de l'Opera–a Group 1 is the natural way to go.”
