Sepals and Williams to extend record
Jockey Craig Williams holds the record, at seven, for the most wins in the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes and he hopes to extend to eight on Sepals (Calyx {GB}) on Saturday. “It's been one of those races from my early days of riding. I've just had really good success in it and I guess being able to ride at the minimum weight has been a big help and my managers have also found me the right horse,” Williams told racing.com.
Sepals | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“I've found the right horse on many occasions to win it. Hopefully I've got the right one again. Sepals fits the bill as one of those progressive horses as he's just turned four with a lot of upside. I thought I had the right one then Chris Waller produced Angel Capital a week after Sepals' Caulfield win and he was impressive. He (Angel Capital) looks like he should be the deserved favourite.”
Wild Ruler juvenile wins jump out
Tony & Calvin McEvoy-trained 2-year-old filly Face The Wild (Wild Ruler) became the first juvenile for her first season sire to appear in a public jump out, winning at Flemington on Friday morning.
Initially sold by Alma Vale and Kitchwin Hills at the Inglis Sydney Weanling Sale for $55,000 and purchased by Belmont Bloodstock (FBAA), Face The Wild was pinhooked into the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Telemon Thoroughbreds presented her and she was purchased by McEvoy Mitchell Racing and First Light Racing for $150,000.
She is the final foal of Face Forward (Charge Forward) who is a winning half-sister to Group 3-placed Priviaka (Mossman).
Outside draw might favour Miss Roumbini in Sir Rupert Clarke
Co-trainer Michael Kent Jnr thinks the wide barrier might help Miss Roumbini (Zoustar) stay out of trouble in Saturday’s G1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes. The stable had Charm Stone (I Am Invincible) in the race last year, but she jumped from barrier three and got stuck in traffic. “I think back to last year in this race when we had Charm Stone as a nice chance and she had an inside draw and is still looking for a run,” Kent Jr told racenet.com.au.
“It was a tragedy and the winner had the nice flying run to the outside of runners. At first glance, you despair a bit at the wide barrier (for Miss Roumbini) We've got the favourite drawn just to our inside and Sepals, the second favourite drawn to her outside.
“This has been a target race of ours as she is three from three second-up. The 1400 really appeals and the light weight obviously suits. We still haven't seen her best yet, but she never runs a bad race and she's one of those mares you'd take to war with you because she just gives you 120 percent every time. As in any Group 1 handicap, with a big field, you need a lot of luck, but we've got her spot on.”
Share in Charm Stone on Inglis Digital
A 10% in Group 1 winner Charm Stone (I Am Invincible) is the headline act in the upcoming Inglis Digital September (late) Sale. A $1.55m yearling purchase, she will next be aimed at either the G1 Manikato Stakes or the G2 Gilgai Stakes in the coming fortnight. Winner of the 2025 G1 Robert Sangster Stakes, Charm Stone has earnings over $1.3 million and is a valuable broodmare prospect.
Charm Stone | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
New racing minister for South Australia
South Australia has a new racing minister with the announcement of Rhiannon Pearce into the role. Deputy Premier Susan Close and Treasurer Stephen Mullighan both resigned this week, creating a cabinet reshuffle. Tom Koutsantonis has been appointed South Australian Treasurer, and previous Recreation, Sport and Racing Minister Emily Bourke has shifted to Koutsantonis’ Infrastructure portfolio.
National Thoroughbred Week hosts announced
National Thoroughbred Week announced a trans-Tasman list of hosts for the inaugural event across November 20-24, 2025. With nine trainers and stud farms open across New Zealand, and 40 across Australia, the event gives people the opportunity to get a personal view of stud farms, training stables, and veterinary clinics. Public registrations to attend these events will open on Monday October 13.
“The initiative aligns with Together for Racing International (TfRI), a movement designed to share best practices across racing nations to promote equine welfare, community engagement, and sustainable industry growth. It also follows the footsteps of National Racehorse Week (UK), which has made significant strides in how the industry engages with the public,” said the press release.
Visit www.thoroughbredweek.com.au or contact hello@thoroughbredweek.com.au for more information.
Portelli has high opinion on Queen Of Clubs
Heading into Saturday’s G2 Tea Rose Stakes, trainer Gary Portelli has a high opinion of Queen Of Clubs (Maurice {Jpn}). “I think she’s certainly got the potential, the market suggests we’ve got a filly good enough to win a Group 1,” Portelli told racingnsw.com.au.
“These are the best fillies so we’ll know more this weekend. The main thing is that this is the race we have to have to go to the Group 1 spot on. I’d be over the moon if we could run in the top three or four again.
Queen Of Clubs | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“From a mile onwards is where she’ll step into her league. I’m not sure where we get to, we’ll probably be in the second half of the race. Whether she has that tactical sectional speed you need over 1400 metres at this level and against this quality of horse. Hopefully we can draw a decent gate over the mile when we need it, where we can actually use a bit of tactical speed.”
Fangirl and Lindermann for Kepitis in 7 Stakes
Owner Debbie Kepitis has two runners in Saturday’s 7 Stakes, Fangirl (Sebring) and Lindermann (Lonhro). “(Fangirl) has been around for a while and I think that is why people take her to their hearts. We are fortunate she has been able to do that,” Kepitis told racenet.com.au.
“Early in her career, showed she could do something on the track but then she suffered a bit of a setback. But that gave Fangirl the chance to mature into herself. It shows if you can give these mares some time they will reward you and she is so exciting.
Fangirl | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Fangirl’s dam Listed winner Little Surfer Girl (Encosta De Lago) is now 19 and missed to Wootton Bassett (GB) last spring. “We are hoping she can get in foal this year as it may be her last foal. She is going to City Of Troy.”
“Lindermann is a beauty, he's such a good-looking horse, everybody falls in love with him. We are so proud of him, to have kept going the way he has. He has ‘told' us that he is not comfortable on wet tracks but he has such a will to win. He gives 100 per cent when he can, you never doubt he is not trying his best.” His dam stakes placed Self Esteem (Stratum) is booked to St Mark’s Basilica (Fr).
Lindermann | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Yellow Brick to showcase Epsom chances
Jockey Andrew Mallyon believes Yellow Brick (The Mission) is a good chance in Saturday’s G3 Bill Ritchie Handicap on his way towards the G1 Epsom Handicap. “I was pretty pleased with his first-up effort, there were a few things against him,” Mallyon told racingnsw.com.au.
“He struck a pretty heavy track and a 1200 metre race with little to no tempo in it, and the impost of 60kg. All things considered to be finishing his race off the way he did it gave us confidence going forward. He’s obviously going to improve stepping up in trip and on a dry track which is more to his liking.”
King Charles into Cox Plate for Stefi Magnetica
G1 Doncaster Handicap winner Stefi Magnetica (All Too Hard) might back up from the G1 King Charles III Stakes into the G1 Cox Plate. “She's been remarkable, and I think she's going super and is probably running like she's looking for further already. If she goes as well as I think she will in the King Charles, she could definitely end up in the Cox Plate on the back up,” trainer Bjorn Baker told racing.com.
Stefi Magnetica | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
Another Kingston Town Stakes for Waterhouse/Bott?
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott have won three of the last five G3 Kingston Town Stakes and have Vauban (Fr) (Galiway {GB}) and Elamaz (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) running this Saturday. “This isn’t Vauban’s grand final by any means, he’s still early days in his preparation, but it is a good stepping stone,” Bott told racingnsw.com.au.
“He’s very well placed and has a lot of things in his favour. I was impressed with the way he stuck on over the mile first-up. Even the way he handled himself on the day was encouraging.
“(Elamaz) has looked like he’s in need of that ground off his couple of trials hence kicking him off over the 2000 metres. He’s still lightly raced and we’re learning about him. It’s an important race for him as we decide which way we go deeper into the campaign. He was ridden a bit out of his comfort zone (in the McKell Cup), it was his first attempt at 2000 metres and first start in Australia so he had plenty against him.”
Hanseatic gains winner number eight
Second season sire Hanseatic added his eighth winner when Dan O'Sullivan-trained 3-year-old filly Gisella won at Ballarat on Friday. Having her fifth start, she was purchased by her trainer for $65,000 at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale from Vincent & Field Bloodstock. She is the fifth winner from as many to race for Chamois Princess (Fastnet Rock).
Tres Magnifique wins on debut
Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained 3-year-old filly Tres Magnifique (I Am Invincible) won on debut at Ballarat on Friday. She was sold by Gilgai Farm to Ciaron Maher Bloodstock for $400,000 at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Tres Magnifique is the third winner for Holy Cow (Teofilo {Ire}) who is a stakes placed half-sister to Listed winner Ondina (Manhattan Rain).
Half-sister to Sav On Ice wins at Ballarat
Trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy enjoyed a victory at Ballarat with 3-year-old filly Gee Tee (Grunt {NZ}) who was having her first start at three, having had one run at two back in February.
Her dam Shemakhan (NZ) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) recently enjoyed her first stakes winner when Sav On Ice (Puissance De Lune {Ire}) won the Listed Balaklava Cup. Gee Tee was purchased by McEvoy Mitchell Racing and Belmont Bloodstock (FBAA) for $100,000, where she was sold by Brookview Thoroughbreds at the Magic Millions Tasmania Yearling Sale. She was the second-top priced yearling at that sale in 2024.
Shemakhan, who died in 2024, has five winners from as many to race and is an unraced half-sister to Listed winner Top Act (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}).
Spirit Of Boom adds 3-year-old winner
At Townsville on Friday, Spirit Of Boom added a 3-year-old winner when Tom Button-trained filly Spirit Of Bluey won at her second start. She is a graduate of the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale where Riverstone Lodge sold her for $20,000 to Mark Walsh.
Spirit Of Bluey as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Spirit Of Bluey is the fifth winner for Super Swell (Danbird) who is a winning half-sister to Group 1 winner Bel Mer (Bel Esprit) and Listed winner Ken Arok, also by Bel Esprit. Bel Mer is the dam of Group 3 winner Bel Merci (Extreme Choice) and Listed winner All Too Royal (All Too Hard).
South Australia launches High Performance program
The Racing SA Apprentice Academy has partnered with Quantum Performance to launch a new High Performance Apprentice Program. “The Apprentice Academy SA has a reputation for producing world-class jockeys, and we want our apprentices to develop elite skills and habits from the very start of their careers,” Apprentice Academy Talent Manager Ruby Mayers told racingsa.com.au.
Ka Ying Rising to fly to Sydney on Sunday
Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) galloped on Friday at Sha Tin ahead of his flight to Sydney on Sunday. “He worked the course proper on the rail and Zac (Purton)( will be pleased that he did change legs,” trainer David Hayes told scmp.com.
“It was a good piece of work, it looked like he finished off in about 11.5 [seconds] doing it very easily – when he came back he wouldn’t have blown a candle out. I’m pleased to report that we weighed him and he’s thriving, he was 1164lb this morning and he raced at 1150lb, so that’s a good sign and he’s got a bit of wiggle room to go to Australia. Usually they drop about 10lb when they travel, so he’ll be right on his racing weight when he gets there.
Ka Ying Rising (NZ) | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
“I’m pleased we ran him in the Chief Executive’s Cup – he’s up 15lb or 20lb from last year but he won, so he’s got a new benchmark winning weight which we can work with. If we hadn’t run him, I would have been in the back of my mind, ‘is he too big and heavy?’.
“It’s very exciting, he’s getting the rock star treatment. He’s travelling with his vet, his farrier, his riding boy, and my assistant trainer is going down to make sure everything goes smoothly when he walks into quarantine. We’re not leaving any stone unturned.”
Half-a-billion for Keeneland
An Ashview Stud-consigned colt by Liam's Map (USA) became the last of 29 horses to breach the US$100,000 (AU$151,000) threshold during the second of two sessions in Book 5A of the Keeneland September Sale in Lexington Thursday afternoon, selling to bloodstock agent Chad Schumer, agent, for US$480,000 (AU$762,000).
And when the dust had settled on the 10th session of the auction, gross receipts had nudged past US$500 million (AU$757 million), extending the record for the sale.
“Surpassing $500 million at the September Sale marks a pivotal moment for our sport–a milestone the entire industry can celebrate together,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said. “This is a powerful testament to the health of the sport, and it reflects the remarkable energy, optimism and momentum we've been experiencing together across this entire sale.”
Queensland owned Cercene may head to Breeders’ Cup
Joe Murphy has raised the possibility of stable star Cercene (Ire) (Australia {GB}) travelling to Del Mar for the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf in November. A winner of the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, the Australia filly went on to finish second to Whirl in the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood over a-mile-and-a-quarter before reverting to a mile when fifth in the Matron Stakes at the Irish Champions Festival.
“We're contemplating the Breeders' Cup, but it's a bit too soon to say. We'll have a better idea in a week, but we're very happy with the way she came out of the race,” said Murphy of the filly who is owned by Queenslander Shane R Stafford, who is now based in Ireland.
Not This Time share to be offered
Taylor Made Sales Agency will offer a share in sire Not This Time (USA) at the second edition of the Keeneland Championship Sale, to be held in the Del Mar Paddock on Wednesday, October 29, two days before the Breeders' Cup World Championships, Keeneland said in a press release on Thursday morning.
Not This Time (USA) | Standing at Taylor Made Stallions
The share will include all income from Not This Time's 2025 breeding season, providing immediate returns, and is offered by Aaron and Marie Jones LLC, an operation that has bred and raised top-class horses for decades.
South African Champion Filly joins Reyner yard
Quid Pro Quo (Saf) (Lance {Saf}), a champion 2-year-old in her native South Africa, arrived at Jerome Reynier's yard several weeks ago and is acclimating to France. The filly races for an ownership group headed by Team Valor International.
A winner of both the G1 Douglas Whyte Stakes and the G1 Allan Robertson Championship at two, Quid Pro Quo will be given plenty of time to acclimate to the Northern Hemisphere.
“We gave her time to adapt because she has changed hemisphere and environment,” Reynier told Paris Turf. “It's been a few weeks since she arrived at the stable. The goal is to see her in Dubai this winter, but there is still a long way to go before then. In South Africa, she showed a lot of quality.”
