Skybird announced as Inglis runner in The Everest
Inglis announced on Thursday that Mitch Freedman-trained Skybird (Exosphere) would represent their slot in the upcoming G1 The Everest. Skybird runs in Friday night’s G1 Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley before heading to The Everest at Randwick on October 18.
“Since its inception, The Everest has been a captivating spectacle and the race in 2025 is shaping up as the most enthralling yet,” Inglis CEO Sebastian Hutch said in a press release.
“We work diligently through the year in consideration of prospective runners for our slot and Skybird catapulted to the forefront of our consideration with her win in the Lightning, which was nothing short of awesome.
“Mitch Freedman is a young trainer that the market has a lot of respect for and he has been very patient in his development of this filly, she is unexposed, progressive and shaping as a candidate to produce a career best at Randwick on Everest day.
“It’s been enjoyable to liaise with (Managing Owner) Michael (Scalzo) through the slot negotiations and the ownership experience of the Skybird owners is yet another fantastic promotion of our business and the industry as a whole, a $110,000 Inglis Classic Yearling that becomes a Group 1 winner of almost $1.3m in prizemoney and is now competing in the best sprint race in the world.”
| 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 | Angel Capital (Harry Angel {Ire}) | Chris Waller |
| Mulberry | ||
| Newgate & GPI Racing | Overpass (Vancouver) | Bjorn Baker |
| Inglis | Skybird (Exosphere) | Mitch Freedman |
| 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 |
Table: The Everest slots
State Visit ready for Golden Rose
He might be second-fiddle to stablemate Tempted (Street Boss {USA}) in the betting for Saturday’s G1 Golden Rose, but trainer Ciaron Maher thinks State Visit (Wootton Bassett {GB}) is a decent chance. “I thought he was very good (when fifth last start). He was drawn a bit wider and had to go further back,” Maher told racingnsw.com.au of the run in the G2 Run To The Rose.
“You’d say 1400 metres was his best run last time around, whether that was the timing of the preparation for where he peaked. We targeted the Sires' and when he went to the next one it quite possibly could have been 1400 metres was his peak run.”
It will certainly be an emotional victory if the Coolmore and partners-owned colt could deliver a Group 1 so soon after the loss of Wootton Bassett (GB).
Big ask for Queensland raider in Manikato
Friday night’s G1 Manikato Stakes is a hot field but Queensland trainers Chris and Corey Munce believe in their runner Payline (Shooting To Win) after his last start fifth in the G1 AJ Moir Stakes. “It was an outstanding effort in a high-pressure race at this track over that distance,” Corey Munce told racingandsports.com.au.
“Ideally you need to be handier than what his normal racing pattern is, but he overcame that obstacle and to be beaten a length-and-a-half, first-up in a Group 1, we were really happy. He can work the house down, but as he's getting a bit older, he's starting to work it all out and he doesn't have to overdo it in the morning. I think if we have some luck in running and his momentum is not stopped, he'll run well.”
Rawiller aiming for third Manikato
Jockey Nash Rawiller is hunting a third win in the G1 Manikato Stakes having won the race in 2001 and 2008. This year he rides Robert Heathcote-trained Rothfire (Rothesay). “I'm going back to a track that's a bit like home so I get the beauty of catching up with a few family, they'll come and watch, but not only that he's a horse I've had a little bit to do with and I've always just loved him,” Rawiller told racing.com.
Rothfire | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“I loved his courage and tenacity in a race. He's a real warrior and I think if I could get him home, it would be a pretty special night.”
Epsom not in thinking for Rise At Dawn
Co-trainer Ben Hayes isn’t thinking too hard about the ballot exemption into the G1 Epsom for Saturday’s G2 Shannon Stakes at Rosehill with Rise At Dawn (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}). “He’s in the Epsom and if he was to run well it could be something we’d consider,” Hayes told racingnsw.com.au.
Rise At Dawn (NZ) | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“But there’s the Five Diamonds Prelude and the Five Diamonds for him. The Epsom is there as a back up but we’ll most likely do the Five Diamonds prep.”
Memo needs to jump well in Scarborough
After a tardy start in the G2 Furious Stakes last time out, trainer Peter Snowden knows Memo (Capitalist) needs to begin better in Friday night’s G3 Scarborough Stakes. “The other day at Randwick she missed the start and came out three lengths behind the second-last horse, so she virtually had Buckley's chance of winning,” Snowden told racing.com.
Memo | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Her sectionals were good; she finished on the back of the placegetters and no doubt if she had have jumped, she would have ran a lot better. I trialled her with a barrier blanket on last week and she jumped well and she won her trial. Nash rode her and he's going down to ride on her Friday.
“He was impressed with her and thought the barrier thing wasn't such a big deal and he thinks he can get her to step well enough. If he does that on Friday night then she's in with a hope. She's never run a bad race, but that start is important. At that level you can't afford to make a mistake like that.”
Anders adds winner number ten
Brad Widdup-trained 3-year-old colt Young Mister Grace (Anders) made everyone pay attention with a 3.25 length victory at Hawkesbury on debut on Thursday. A homebred for Bylong Park, he becomes the tenth winner for second season sire Anders. He is the first foal of Enstarnito (Zoustar) who hasn’t had a live foal since.
Nepo Baby remains unbeaten at Hawkesbury
Lucky Vega (Ire)’s 3-year-old filly Nepo Baby made it two from two with a win at Hawkesbury on Thursday for trainers Annabel and Rob Archibald. The Yulong-sold Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale graduate was bought by her trainers for $120,000.
She’s the first foal of Written Tycoon mare Future Force, and is from the first Southern Hemisphere crop of Lucky Vega (Ire).
Chris Waller-trained 3-year-old filly The Pearls (NZ) (Proisir) also won at the meeting.
Double for Tagaloa on Thursday
Second season sire Tagaloa added an interstate double on Thursday to take his tally of winners to ten.
Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained 3-year-old gelding Savaii (Tagaloa) won on debut at Goulburn on Thursday. Offered by Cannon Hayes Stud at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Triple Crown Syndications purchased him for $145,000. Savaii is the third foal and second winner for Rockaroo (Fastnet Rock) who has a Too Darn Hot (GB) yearling colt.
At Geelong, Tagline made it two wins in succession for trainer Matt Laurie. The 3-year-old gelding is raced by Yulong and is out of Rekindled Glow (Redoute’s Choice) who is an unraced half-sister to Group 1 winner Giga Kick (Scissor Kick).
Pair of proven sires add 3-year-old winners
Goulburn’s meeting on Thursday also featured strong wins for 3-year-old by proven sires I Am Invincible and Castelvecchio. Danielle Seib-trained Wear The Crown (I Am Invincible) won the second on the card at her second start. She was a $260,000 purchase by Seib Racing and Champion Thoroughbreds from Yarraman Park Stud’s Inglis Easter Yearling Sale draft. Wear The Crown is the first foal of Group 3 winner Macroura (Snitzel), a half-sister to Group 1 winner Sunshine In Paris (Invader).
John O'Shea and Tom Charlton-trained gelding One Step Closer (Castelvecchio) won at his fourth start. His trainer along with James Bester Bloodstock bought him for $65,000 from Arrowfield Stud’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale draft.
Trio of 3-year-old winners for proven sires at Geelong
Proven sires Written Tycoon, Exceedance, and Capitalist all added 3-year-old winners at Geelong on Thursday. Julius Sandhu-trained filly Quickaz (Written Tycoon) won on debut. She was a $220,000 purchase by the Lofty Group from Arrowfield Stud’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft.
Mick Price and Michael Kent (Jnr)-trained gelding Banknote Hustler (Capitalist) who had raced in stakes company at two won his maiden. He was recently purchased by his trainers for $100,000 through Inglis Digital.
Team Hawkes-trained filly Polish Playgirl (Exceedance) won at her fifth start.
Merchant Navy duo set for G2 Hawkes Bay Guineas
Saturday’s G2 Hawkes Bay Guineas will run at Te Rapa on Saturday with a pair of 3-year-olds by Merchant Navy highly rated. A winner on debut, Landlock ran second in the G1 Sistema Stakes at two, while the colt Navy Dreams (NZ) is stakes placed but yet to win.
“I got him (Navy Dreams) to trial, but the offers didn’t come, he ran second at Taupo to Tajana and that form looks brilliant now. His first-up run was very good, so he deserves his chance and he’s trained on well,” trainer Barry Donoghue told Loveracing.nz.
Navy Dreams (NZ) | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
HKJC survives Typhoon, ready to race on Sunday
Sha Tin and Happy Valley have survived Super Typhoon Ragasa in reasonable shape and Sunday’s meeting at Sha Tin featuring the G3 Celebration Cup will run. “There’s no issue with anything – horses no issues, stables no issues and training is open as normal this morning except for the trotting area in Penfold Park because we couldn’t check it in the dark last night,” Stephen Higgins, the Jockey Club’s head of race day operations, tracks and racing facilities, told scmp.com.
200k Starspangledbanner colt tops Tattersalls Ireland
Bill Dwan, one of the biggest names in the bloodstock industry, hailed the September Yearling Sale at Tattersalls Ireland a roaring success after supplying some of the most expensive horses sold through the ring in a week when the previous best record aggregate wasn't just beaten, it was smashed.
Summing up the trade at Fairyhouse, Dwan said the action in the ring was “relentless” across the past two days, and wished trainer George Scott continued luck from this sale after the Newmarket-based handler swooped for the €200,000 (AU$356,000) top lot by Starspangledbanner from the Castlebridge Consignment.
The €8,887,000 (AU$15.8 million) aggregate was up 51% on last year's €5,869,500 (AU$10.4 million) while the median climbed a massive 59% to €35,000 (AU$62,000) and the average by 49% to €41,723 (AU$74,300). Not only that, but the clearance rate climbed by 14% to 91%. Absolutely phenomenal stuff.
Tattersalls Ireland CEO Simon Kerins said at the conclusion of Part 1 of the sale on Wednesday evening, “This has been an extraordinary couple of days, and it is safe to say we are absolutely thrilled. Every key record has been well and truly shattered – the turnover increased 51%, number of six-figure lots, the average and median, and most importantly a record clearance rate of 93%. The phenomenal demand we have witnessed reflects the rapid ascendency of the September Yearling Sale and despite our presale optimism, the level of trade we have seen has exceeded our most optimistic expectations.”
Racing Welfare launches 1% club
The 1% Club, a new fundraising initiative designed to unite consignors, breeders, and buyers in support of Racing Welfare, was launched on Wednesday.
Through the scheme, consignors and breeders are invited to nominate one yearling from their draft at the upcoming Tattersalls October Yearling Sales, pledging 1% of its sale price to Racing Welfare. Participating horses will be highlighted in sales catalogues, signalling to buyers and the wider industry their valuable contribution to the welfare of racing's people.
Dawn Goodfellow, chief executive of Racing Welfare, said, “Racing Welfare exists to care for the people who care for racing. As a charity which receives no government funding, we need to raise £3m each year to provide our vital support services to the people who keep British horseracing and Thoroughbred breeding running – 24/7, 365 days a year.
“We can only do this thanks to the generosity of our donors and the 1% Club is a simple yet powerful way of enabling people to show their support. A small pledge from individuals can have a transformational impact when combined and we are hugely grateful to those who have already shown their support and signed up.”
