Daily News Wrap

Ka Ying Rising owner loving Sydney

Hong Kong-based businessman Leung Shek-kong, owner of Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) was pleased with barrier number seven that Horse Of The Year received for The Everest. “I’m loving Sydney, the weather is good and not too humid,” Leung told scmp.com.

“I’m very excited for the race on Saturday but I’m not too worried about the result. Whether we win, run second or worse, it’s just a very big honour to be a part of the race on Saturday. I just want to enjoy everything and I hope the horse enjoys the race as well.”

Schiller’s first Everest ride is Briasa

Jockey Tyler Schiller’s first ride in the G1 The Everest is on last start winner Briasa (Smart Missile) and he thinks it’s a life changing opportunity. “I think it’s a career defining moment that can catapult you into the next stage,” Schiller told racingnsw.com.au.

“It’d be special to win it for sure and he’s a very good one to have a first ride with, he’s top tier. Other than getting beaten first-up, which is never great, it’s good that he bounced back with a great performance in sharp time. It was a personal best and I think he’s still got more to come. But he’s definitely going to have to pull out something exceptional to beat a field like that.

“He’s a winner, he’s never going to win by a big margin because once the job’s done he knows it. It’s going to be a great race, I think we can win it.”

Caulfield Cup favourite a pinch-me moment for owner

Director of property company Metricon, Jason Biasin part-owns G1 Caulfield Cup favourite Half Yours (St Jean {Ire}) who is the favourite for Saturday’s race. “My late father Mario raced horses with Colin Hayes back in the day and Dad got to know Tony (McEvoy) when he was a foreman at Lindsay Park,” Biasin told racenet.com.au.

“Tony trained the first horse I was in the ownership of in 2004, it wasn't much good but it knocked off a horse owned by John Singleton and another owned by the Ingham family when it raced at Balaklava. I was thinking ‘how good is this'. I've had a lot of slow horses along the way, probably the best result until now that I've ever had was with a horse called Zoushine who won a Group 3 race in Hobart.

“I've got to pinch myself that I've got the favourite for the Caulfield Cup and one of the favourites for the Melbourne Cup. My father passed away three years ago and when this horse won The Naturalism, I got a bit emotional. There have been times when I have thought we might not survive, in a business sense, so to now have the business going well and to have this horse is just unbelievable.”

Overpass is Baker’s dream horse

Bjorn Baker knows outsider Overpass (Vancouver) has a lot against him for The Everest but he’s in the best condition he can be. “Overpass is every trainer’s dream, especially when you’re trying to make your mark in the hardest racing jurisdiction arguably in the world,” Baker told racingnsw.com.au.

“He’s a warhorse, he’s really put me on the map. He’s actually made me a better trainer too. I’ve learned to be more patient, I’ve learned to have him fit fresh up and he’s been a remarkable horse. He’s brought a lot of clients to the stable, opened up a lot of friendships particularly in West Australia. He’s so much more than just a horse in the stable and he’s cemented my relationship with Darby Racing which has been so fruitful.

“In his first Everest we tried to get into the Everest, if you go back in time you’d love him to be fresh up. His two best runs at Randwick were in the Sydney Stakes last year and in the autumn in the TJ Smith (close second to Briasa). Both runs were fanastic, I believe he is going as well as those two days and he’s going to need to be. He’s capable of running a very high rating race and if he can do that he’s not out of it.

“He’s got that natural speed, he'll be fast, we’ll look to be in the first three and ideally we won’t cover ground.”

Familiar jockey for Japanese Cup raider

Trainer Katsunori Tanaka is using a Japanese jockey for his G1 Caulfield Cup runner Golden Snap (Jpn) (Gold Ship {Jpn}) who takes after her sire as a determined character. “We're going to have a bit of a discussion with Golden Snap about it (tactics),” Tanaka told racenet.com.au.

“She always gives the grooms a bit of a hard time but that can be one of her strengths, she's very strong with a determined mind. The fact that she's hard to handle is one reason we have brought a Japanese jockey (Suguru Hamanaka).

“I have been aiming to race her here in Australia, especially the Melbourne Cup, for a year-and-a-half. I came to Australia last year to inspect these courses for her so that has been a long plan. I think she's the right candidate as she's really lightly handicapped and her form is suited to racing in Australia.”

New strategy with Pride Of Jenni

After Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai)’s eight length demolition in the G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes, jockey Declan Bates has required a new strategy for the G1 King Charles III Stakes on Saturday. “I wouldn’t say the Queen Elizabeth was an anomaly, it was an unbelievable performance, and since then the other riders are more aware not to give her so many lengths,” Bates told racingnsw.com.au.

“But sometimes it can work in her favour because others are out of their comfort zone to try to go with her. I’ll ride her where she’s comfortable and use that asset of hers in the right manner. We ran a nice second last year (in the King Charles) and it’d be great to make amends this year and get a win.”

Tricky gate for Linebacker in Silver Eagle

Co-trainer Tom Charlton is wary of the difficult gate for Linebacker (NZ) (Super Seth) in Saturday’s Silver Eagle at Randwick. “It does look a really tricky gate to be fair, you have two of the main chances drawn one and two and they look potentially the likely leaders,” Charlton told racingnsw.com.au.

“If it doesn’t happen for him because of the gate then hopefully in two weeks’ time for the main one we get a bit more luck. But if the race maps out to give him the chance then of course we’d hope he will be very competitive over a trip that will be at the shortest of his powers.”

The trifecta for the Silver Eagle is guaranteed a run in the Golden Eagle.

Globe pays up for Cox Plate

Racing Victoria confirmed on Wednesday that the connection of Globe (NZ) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) had paid the $200,000 late fee to add the last start Group 1 winner to the G1 Cox Plate field. Owned by Roll The Dice Racing and partners, and trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, Globe took his record to six wins from 15 starts when he won last Saturday's G1 Might And Power Stakes at Caulfield.

Deep Field’s Nitro wins on debut

Wow, what a debut. Peter Snowden-trained 3-year-old gelding Nitro (Deep Field) flew home to win on debut at Warwick Farm. Stuck mid-field and at least six lengths off the leader with 100 metres to go, Nitro flew home between runners to just stick his nose in front to win.

Purchased by Darby Racing for $270,000 from Gilgai Farm’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft, the gelding is sure to be subject to offers from Hong Kong where his sire is highly sought after. He is the second foal and second winner for Listed winner Ocean Jewel (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) who had a still born foal this spring.

Doubtland filly wins on debut

Second season sire Doubtland added his eighth first crop winner on Wednesday when 3-year-old filly Vandoula Jet won on debut in WA. Doubtland already has a second crop winner with 2-year-old colt All On Red.

Trained by Stefan Vahala, Vandoula Jet was sold by Blue Gum Farm for $80,000 at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale to SM & KB Bloodstock and Vahala Racing. She is the first foal of Vandoula Lass (Vancouver) who was a city winner on debut at two.

Cool Aza Beel adds a new winner

Second season sire Cool Aza Beel (NZ) added winner number eight when Chris Waller-trained 3-year-old filly Sequel won at Doomben on Wednesday. She was placed at two and ran in the G3 Widden Stakes. Raced by Emmanuel Bloodstock, Sequel is the third foal of city winner Couvre Lit (Bernardini {USA}) who had a Sidestep colt this spring.

Tony Gollan-trained 3-year-old gelding Armes (Brazen Beau) and Chris and Corey Munce-trained 3-year-old gelding Brave Monarch (Brave Smash {Jpn}) also won their maidens at the meeting.

Prince Fawaz nabs another winner

Second season sire and Group 1 winner Prince Fawaz added his second winner this week, and third overall, when Georgie Holt-trained 3-year-old gelding Dragon Tales won at Mackay on Wednesday. He was having his sixth start, having placed on three prior occasions. Livistona Grazing Company purchased him from Oaklands Stud for $50,000 at the Capricornia Yearling Sale.

Dragon Tales is the third winner for Max’s Girl (Chateau Istana {GB}) who is a half-sister to Group 2 winner Decision Time (Foreplay).

Moira retired by Yulong

Trainer Chris Waller announced on Wednesday that Yulong had decided to retired Moira (Can) (Ghostzapper {USA}) ahead of this Saturday’s G1 Caulfield Cup. “We simply feel she is not racing at her absolute best right now and with her extraordinary resume, she will be an outstanding broodmare, a real asset to the Australian breeding industry,” said the post.

Moira was purchased by ‘Bayles’ for US$4.3 million (AU$6.6 million) at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton November Sale. Winner of the G1 Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf of 2024, Moira had five starts in Australia, running second in the So You Think Stakes and fourth both the G1 Underwood Stakes and G2 PB Lawrence Stakes.

TBA Nolan Scholarship for 2025 announced

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) announced on Wednesday that the 2025 Nolan Scholarship has been awarded to TBA Fast Track graduate Mackenzie Porter. “It’s an honour to receive the Basil Nolan Scholarship, and I am very grateful to the Nolans for this opportunity to participate in the Thoroughbred Breeding Management course at the Irish National Stud in 2026,” Porter said in a press release.

“It’s been an amazing journey so far and this will be a great stepping-stone for my career to continue its progression following on from the Fast Track program. I’d like to thank the entire team at Widden and everyone at TBA; I’m very excited to be heading to Ireland for this opportunity and look forward to bringing back a wealth of knowledge and experience.”

Porter will commence studies at the Irish National Stud from January 2026. Raheen Stud’s Basil Nolan, father of the late Basil Nolan Jnr for whom the award is named, is also Chair of the TBA.

“Mackenzie’s selection as the 2025 recipient reflects both her individual accomplishments and the ongoing success of the Fast Track program in developing skilled and motivated future leaders,” Nolan said.

“It was very special to be joined by my grandson Basil – Basil Nolan Jnr’s son – as part of the review process for this year’s applications, and to share the responsibility of choosing this year’s winner with him. It was a difficult decision with many compelling applications to review. We are very pleased to award the scholarship to Mackenzie and we wish her the very best of luck for her time in Ireland, and for a long and rewarding career in the industry over the years to come.”

Mallyon moves to Malaysia

Jockey Jordan Mallyon has signed a contract to ride in Malaysia. The hoop had a two year break from riding, working for Matthew Hoysted’s stable in Brisbane. “I have had the break from riding, which has been great, but I have missed it a bit,” Mallyon told racingqueensland.com.au.

“I have a lot of connections and friends from over there in Malayasia. I eventually got the bug back and I got my trial ticket back to ride in them. As soon as I started to do some trials, I really started to miss it and thought I should give it another shot. I thought I would silly not to have another go at my age and only being 57kg. It is going to be a great opportunity for me to ride in a place that is really up and coming at the moment.”

Waller’s Everest contenders to gallop on Thursday

Racing NSW has issued an invitation to attend Rosehill racecourse on Thursday morning to watch Chris Waller-trained Joliestar (Zoustar), Lady Shenandoah (Snitzel) and Fangirl (Sebring) gallop as they prepare for Saturday’s G1 The Everest and G1 King Charles III Stakes respectively. Waller will be joined by Michael Hawkes for a press conference around 6.10 am.

Flightline headlines Lane’s End roster at US$125k

Undefeated Flightline, the 2022 Horse of the Year whose first yearlings averaged US$749,083 (AU$1.15 million) for 55 sold this year to date, will anchor the Lane's End stallion roster in 2026 and stand for US$125,000 (AU$191,000). Flightline, whose first runners will be eagerly anticipated in 2026, had 10 yearlings sell for US$1 million (AU$1.53 million) or more between the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga and Keeneland September sales.

“2025 was an exceptional year for the Lane's End roster,” said the farm's Bill Farish, “with Liam's Map and Twirling Candy both siring three Grade I winners, as well as Flightline's knockout first-crop yearling sales results, including a sale-topping filly and an average of $749,083. With the addition of multiple Grade I winner Raging Torrent, 2026 looks to be another exciting year.”

Group 1 winner Diego Velazquez to National Stud in England

Group 1 winner Diego Velazquez will not contest the Breeders' Cup and has been retired, according to syndicate manager Sam Sangster. The son of Frankel–who was bought by Sangster's syndicate directly before his Jacques le Marois victory– is set to stand at the National Stud in Newmarket. “A Group 2 winner at two and three, with a very emotional Group 1 to his name at four, we're incredibly proud to offer Diego Velazquez to breeders in 2026,” Sangster said.

“Diego Velazquez has it all, a superb-looking son of Frankel from a great family, with an attitude to die for, he has all the attributes you need to be a success at stud.”

Sangster will still be represented at the Breeders' Cup meeting at Del Mar with Brian Meehan's Rashabar (Holy Roman Emperor), who is aiming for the GI Breeders' Cup Turf.

Goffs November breeding sale catalogue released

The catalogue for the Goffs November Breeding Stock Sale, featuring 401 mares and fillies, is now online. The dams of Group 1 standouts Precise (Starspangledbanner), Porta Fortuna (Caravaggio), Romantic Warrior (Acclamation), Excellent Truth (Cotail Glory) and Lush Lips (Ten Sovereigns) were all sold at the Goffs November Breeding Stock Sale in the past. In 2025, the sale will be held on November 21-22 immediately following the four-day Goffs November Foal Sale.

Goffs Group Chief Executive Henry Beeby said, “The progeny of November mares continue to flourish at the highest level worldwide to illustrate the strength, depth and unrivalled value on offer to breeding stock buyers at Goffs. This year's larger catalogue is a result of the strong, consistent trade invariably enjoyed at the sale and the confidence breeders exhibit in the Goffs service with each entry.

“Ireland is renowned for its illustrious bloodlines, and we are grateful to the many leading owners and breeders who have supported the sale with such quality. The team at Goffs, together with our partners at Irish Thoroughbred Marketing, looks forward to welcoming buyers from around the globe to Kildare Paddocks next month and assure them of the warmest welcome.”

Mare in foal to Cogburn tops Fasig-Tipton Mixed Sale

The Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Fall Mixed Sale, not to be outdone by its yearling sale counterpart which broke records in August, set its own highwater marks for gross, average, median and top-priced lot Tuesday in upstate New York. During the one-session auction, 133 horses grossed US$6,177,500 (AU$9.4 million), for an average of US$46,447 (AU$71,300) and a median of US$22,000 (AU$33,700). The average jumped 74.2% from last year's figure of US$26,663 (AU$40,800) and the median rose 46.7% from US$15,000 (AU$23,000) in 2024.

The broodmare Showmethemagic (Power Broker), in foal to Cogburn, brought the auction's top price of US$260,000 (AU$399,000) when selling to Jonathan Thorne's Thorndale Farm. The mare was one of four to surpass US$200,000 (AU$307,000) and one of 21 to bring six figures. Eight sold for US$100,000 (AU$153,000) or more in 2024.