Major reshuffle at the Australian Turf Club
The Australian Turf Club (ATC) announced on Monday that CEO Matt Galanos would be leaving the position and Steve McMahon will be appointed as interim CEO. Galanos has worked at the ATC for 12 years, two as CEO, and the previous ten as Chief Financial Officer.
Steve McMahon | Image courtesy of Australian Turf Club
Prior to moving to the ATC in 2016, where he is currently Head of corporate affairs and government relations, McMahon was the CEO of New South Wales Trainers' Association. In July, former Board Chair Peter McGuaran was replaced by Tim Hale under a vote by members. McGuaran had overseen the failed Rosehill sale process.
Melbourne Cup weights released
Reigning Horse Of The Year Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock) and recent G1 St Leger winner Al Riffa (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) have been awarded the top weight of 59kg for this year’s G1 Melbourne Cup. “This year marks a change in G1 handicapping in Victoria, where the topweights must now be assigned 59kgs and the minimum weight for an older horse is 51kgs, which represents a 1kg increase overall in the weight structure compared to recent years,” Racing Victoria’s chief handicapper David Hegan told racing.com.
The topweights for the Melbourne Cup are clear cut, with Via Sistina and Al Riffa both set at 59kgs,” he said. “However, they are two different competitors with contrasting form lines.
“Via Sistina’s record speaks for itself and she carries the single best performance rating of any nominated horse following her dominant eight-length win in last year’s Cox Plate. Her class is clear in races up to 2000 metres, with the staying challenge of two miles (3200 metres) the only major query. Al Riffa was a dominant winner of the G1 Irish St Leger on Sunday. He has now won Group 1 races at distances ranging from 1400 metres to 2800 metres.”
Prebble update on injuries
Apprentice jockey Tom Prebble spoke to Racing Victoria on Tuesday about his injuries sustained in a fall last week at Warrnambool. “I've been made aware of their incredible care, concern and support while I was there and I'm forever grateful,” Prebble’s statement said.
“I know there's been a mountain of concern and care about where I'm at and I'm very appreciative of that. I'm happy to make it as clear as I can where things have landed one week in. My key injury is to my spinal cord. At the moment, I've got nothing happening from the bottom of my rib cage down through my body… currently no feeling or movement.
Tom Prebble | Image courtesy of Victoria Racing Club
“My doctors say it's now a waiting game over the coming weeks and months to see where things land. The message is very clear: to remain fully optimistic re improvement but also be realistic and that there are a full range of possible outcomes from this injury. So, to the question we all want an answer to: What about my long-term recovery of feeling, movement and mobility? The answer is at this time no one actually knows where things will land.
“My other injuries are a fracture to my spine at T5 that required surgery to stabilise it, a fracture to my neck that did not need surgery but will require a neck brace for maybe three months, some rib fractures and minor lung related issues which will heal quickly, and some damage to my teeth. I hope how I've explained it is clear and puts everyone in the picture. From here on, I'm happy to provide updates as my situation changes, but that's where I'm at today.”
Maher trio for Underwood all on target
Ciaron Maher will run Middle Earth (GB) (Roaring Lion {USA}), Smokin’ Romans (NZ) (Ghibellines) and Zardozi (Kingman {GB}) in Saturday’s G1 Underwood Stakes. “Zardozi stayed at home this morning, comes to her second-up run really well,” Maher told racenet.com.au.
Ciaron Maher | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Middle Earth is ticking along the right way, he hit the line well (last start) and he'll definitely strip fitter … 1800 metres is probably short of his best. Smokin' Romans, he's in a really good spot actually, ‘Smokey', the form is good, he carried a lot more weight than Revelare and he's franked that (form). He's (Smokin' Romans) tracking along well, go back to the 1800 metres and he's on track for Caulfield.”
McDonald keen to trial Rosberg down straight
Exciting debut Listed winning 3-year-old colt Rosberg (Deep Field) is on track for the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes, but first trainer Clinton McDonald would like to trial him down the straight at Flemington. “He’ll go to the Danehill Stakes, and then straight to the Coolmore,” McDonald told racing.com.
Clinton McDonald | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“We are trying to get him to have a jumpout at Flemington next week. Hopefully the VRC come to the party. It’s just difficult, you know? It’d be nice to be able to trial these horses down the straight, so they can see it before going there on the unknown.”
Another Wil to bounce back in Sir Rupert Clarke
Trainer Ciaron Maher believes Another Wil (Street Boss {USA}) can bounce back to form in Saturday’s G1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes. “His last two pieces of work have been very good,” Maher told racing.com.
Another Wil | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Jamie (Melham) knows him well and she’s been very up and about with the two pieces. She gave him a positive report and ‘that was more like it’ I think her words were. (He) just travelled up on the bit and it looked like he had plenty in hand. He’s pulled up well, he strips a bit fitter. It’s shaping to be a pretty good race but he’s got a good record here at the 1400 (metres) at the track.”
Hidden Motive to kick off at Canterbury
Winner of two from five at two, Nathan Doyle-trained 3-year-old colt Hidden Motive (Capitalist) will resume at Canterbury on Wednesday. “When you take on older horses it’ll tell you whether or not you’re able to step up to stakes class, which I’m sure he can,” Doyle told racingnsw.com.au.
Hidden Motive | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“What we’ve seen this time in is he’s relaxing better in his trials and not getting up and going fiercely in the early stages which is good. It’s something you want to see to run that 1100 metre to 1200 metres right out. It was a super trial and the horse outside him was under pressure, he did it quite comfortably and he’s come through it well.”
Pair of winners for Alabama Express
At Wodonga on Tuesday, Yulong sire Alabama Express added a pair of 3-year-old winners and both were on debut.
Mark Walker-trained 3-year-old colt McWoody was sold by Yulong to Rikki McDonald Consulting for $27,500 at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, McWoody is a half-brother to Listed winner Dunwoody (NZ) (Preferment {NZ}). The pair are the only two winners for Queen Ouija (Street Cry {Ire}) who is a winning half-sister to Group 2-placed Queen Mira (Danehill Dancer {Ire}).
Craig Widdison-trained 3-year-old filly More Highs On Me was sold by Edinvale Thoroughbreds at the Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale for $8500 to G Canny, and it was a clever purchase as her older half-sister Roll On High (Shamus Award) has since won a Group 3 race. They are both out of unraced All Highs On Me (High Chaparral {Ire}). Widdison made it a treble for the day winning the last two on the card with Sister Shay (Shamus Award) and Grey Lad (Magic Albert).
Dracarys filly wins at Bowen
Queensland’s only meeting on Tuesday was opened with the victory of Clinton Taylor-trained 3-year-old filly Desarae Doll (Dracarys) who placed on debut at two, and also resumed at three with a placing. She is the only foal for Bit By Bit (Escalation {Ire}). There is no black type in this family until the fifth dam, whose daughter Honour Crest (NZ) (Crested Wave {USA}) produced G2 WATC CB Cox Stakes winner Jack Daniels (NZ) (Conquistarose {USA}).
Greyhounds to lodge formal complaint with Electoral Commission
Greyhound Racing NSW plans to lodge a formal complaint with the NSW Electoral Commissioner over false claims made by the Animal Justice Party in relation to greyhound deaths. The Animal Justice Party’s latest ad campaign claims 440 deaths caused by racing annually, while the real figure in 2024 was 60. “The claims made are false,” Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) chief executive officer Steve Griffin told racenet.com.au.
“There is not a death from racing injuries every 20 hours in NSW which would equate to 440 deaths annually. In the past year there were two sudden deaths at a race meeting, 14 greyhounds humanely euthanised at a racetrack, and 44 greyhounds reported as euthanised by private veterinarian or having died off-track as a result of injury at race meeting.
“Statements from political parties should be based on accurate information. And it's for this reason that GRNSW intends to lodge a formal complaint with the NSW Electoral Commissioner regarding the dissemination of these misleading claims.
“Our industry and its people are constantly under attack from those who are against it, but in this instance, the industry's regulator has confirmed the statement produced is clearly wrong. Those opposed to our industry have made it clear their end goal is to permanently close greyhound racing. We are the most regulated and monitored sport in the country, and we are more than happy to be completely transparent.”
New Zealand Oaks moves to Ellerslie
The New Zealand Pattern Committee have moved the G1 NZ Oaks from Trentham to Ellerslie and it will run two weeks before the G1 NZ Derby which has always been held at Ellerslie. “NZTR has made necessary adjustments to preserve the quality of New Zealand’s Group 1 calendar, protect critical breeding pathways, and deliver top-class racing experiences nationwide,” NZTR Chief Executive Matt Ballesty told aucklandracing.co.nz.
Matt Ballesty | Image courtesy of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing
Five Group 1 races were under threat of being downgraded based on the form over the past three years, but only one, the Thorndon Mile, was downgraded and will be run at Group 2 level from 2026.
“New Zealand’s ratings have been impacted by the recent retirement of top horses, but levels are now rebuilding,” NZTR’s Senior Handicapper and Asian Pattern Committee representative Bruce Sherwin said.
“Significant prizemoney increases, stronger turnover and renewed investment at the NZB sales are positive indicators. This season has also started strongly with the Group 1 Proisir Plate at Ellerslie showing excellent depth and quality. Looking ahead, it is critical our best horses contest Group 1 races if they are to remain at the highest level.”
Cambridge Stud given Hong Kong ownership permit
Cambridge Stud principals Sir Brendan and Lady Jo Lindsay have been granted an ownership permit for Hong Kong and will race their Group 1-placed 4-year-old gelding Red Sea (NZ) (Pierata) with trainer Jamie Richards. “The Hong Kong Jockey Club invited around a dozen international owners to be part of the Hong Kong racing system,” Cambridge Stud chief executive Henry Plumptre told Loveracing.nz.
Red Sea (NZ) | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
“In Hong Kong terms, he ticks quite a few boxes, he’s a four-year-old now and will go into Class 3. The fact that he was Group 1 placed in New Zealand and a winner of quite a strong race suggested to us that he would be more than capable of holding his own up there.” He hasn’t raced since September 2024 when he fractured a rib in a stable accident.
Eustace’s Light Years Charm ready for Celebration Cup
Next week’s G3 Celebration Cup is the first stakes race of the Hong Kong Season, and David Eustace-trained Light Years Charm (Rubick) warmed up for the event with a trial on Tuesday. “I was happy with his trial. The track was rain-affected, but I thought he got through it well,” Eustace told scmp.com.
Light Years Charm | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey
“Zac (Purton) knows him extremely well, he was happy with him and he actually jumped good today. He got into a more forward position, so that’s pleasing that we might have that option at some stage down the track. Actually, I haven’t been able to rely on him at all to do that and he’s come back a much more relaxed horse as well, mentally. So that should stand him in good stead.”
US$500k Maclean's Music colt tops Keeneland
With figures continuing to surpass the 2024 standard at the Keeneland September Sale, a colt by Maclean's Music (USA) was the most fancied yearling of the day, bringing US$500,000 (AU$750,000) from Alex and JoAnn Lieblong. The son of stakes winner Athens Queen (Majestic Warrior) was consigned by Eaton Sales.
On Monday, Keeneland sold 279 yearlings through the ring for US$30,107,000 (AU$45 million), up 19.31% from last year when 288 horses brought US$25,234,000 (AU$37.8 million) at the seventh session. The average of US$107,910 (AU$162,000) increased 23.16% over US$87,618 (AU$132,000) in 2024. The median rose 7.14% from US$70,000 (AU$105,000) to US$75,000 (AU$112,500).
Cumulatively, 1,495 yearlings have sold through the ring for US$447,729,000 (AU$670 million), an increase of 23.80% from US$361,642,000 (AU$543 million) for 1,454 horses sold during the same period last year. The average of US$299,484 (AU$449,000) is 20.41% higher than US$248,722 (AU$372,000) at the same point in 2024, and the median rose 17.65% from US$170,000 (AU$255,000) to US$200,000 (AU$300,000).
Chancer McPatrick to stand at Spendthrift in 2026
Chancer McPatrick (USA) (McKinzie {USA}), a dual Grade I winner at two, is expected to make the final start of his career in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile before entering stud in 2026 at Eric and Tamara Gustavson's Spendthrift Farm.
“We are excited about Chancer McPatrick,” said Spendthrift General Manager Ned Toffey. “We've had good luck with precocious Grade I winners from the first crop of emerging sires–of course, that was the formula with Into Mischief when he came to stud.
Ned Toffey | Image courtesy of Spendthrift
“It takes a pretty special 2-year-old to win on debut at Saratoga, win a race like the Hopeful in the second start, and win another storied race like the Champagne in the third start. Chancer McPatrick is also a tremendous physical, and we believe breeders are really going to like what they see on the end of the shank.”
Magnier loses court case in Ireland
Coolmore’s John Magnier has lost a High Court case over the sale of the 750-acre Barne Estate in County Tipperary. High Court judge Mr Justice Max Barrett concluded that a sale had not taken place between Magnier and the owner of the Barne Estate, Richard Thomson-Moore.
He commented, “I am satisfied that neither the alleged land-sale agreement nor the alleged option agreement were ever concluded. Nor do I see any breach of the exclusivity agreement to arise. It follows that all the reliefs sought by the plaintiffs will be and are respectfully refused.”
The estate was put up for sale in July 2023. Magnier claimed that he and Thomson-Moore concluded a sale on the evening of August 22nd, 2023, and that the hand shake agreement was a binding commitment. However, Mr Justice Max Barrett said he is satisfied that no such sale had taken place.
John Magnier | Image courtesy of Coolmore
Magnier claimed he had secured a deal to buy the estate for €15 million (AU$26.5 million). Thomson-Moore and his wife Anna deny that the deal was agreed, instead, saying the meeting at Magnier's home was equivalent to a sale agreed and was still subject to contract.
Their legal team stated that such a claim was confirmed by the fact Magnier's team sought an exclusivity agreement lasting four weeks until the end of September which meant that the Thomson-Moores could not speak to any other bidder.
After the exclusivity agreement lapsed, New York-based Maurice Regan came in with an offer of €22.5 million (AU$39.7 million), which is 50 per cent above what Magnier had offered. The Thomson-Moores accepted that offer.
