Daily News Wrap

Jimmysstar to peak in The Everest

Jockey Ethan Brown is thrilled with the way Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) looks ahead of Saturday’s G1 The Everest. “He’s had to two perfect runs and by the time he gets to the race he’ll be trained to the minute,” Brown told racingnsw.com.au.

“He’ll be peaking on the day. I wouldn’t swap him for anything, I love that horse and I think he’s airborne. In every horse race you always need a stroke of luck but given his racing style he generally needs a little bit more.

“On paper it looks like it’s going to set up well for him in terms of speed. We’ve seen it time and time again with him, he can absorb that pressure mid race. He sits back and saves his carrots for the final 100 metres. His last 600 metres is so electric that not many horses can do what he does. He has his racing style and we’re going to have to trust he’s going to bring us that finish he can.”

TAB thrilled with The Everest growth

TAB CEO Gillon McLachlan is loving the growth and spectacle of The Everest. “To have Ka Ying Rising here for The Everest is significant for world racing,” McLachlan told racenet.com.au.

“We want our best sprinters racing the world's best sprinters which sparks international competition and draws in a world audience. To win The Everest I think you need a very consistent Group 1 sprinter. We had that last year with Bella Nipotina and I believe we've got that again this year with Jimmysstar.

“Sky will broadcast into 70 different countries on Saturday and all things being equal we are looking at a World Pool record for The Everest. The previous mark was Romantic Warrior's Cox Plate win in 2023 at $12.5m but with the Hong Kong interest we are on course to break that on Saturday.

“The relationships we have with jurisdictions like the Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) and the rest of the world can only help and grow racing into the future.”

Sir Delius out of Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup

Racing Victoria have scratched Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Sir Delius (GB) (Frankel {GB}) from both the G1 Cox Plate and G1 Melbourne Cup after his CT scans showed heightened risk of injury profiles. “Having reviewed the PET scan results alongside the CT scan results, the panel members have advised RV Veterinary Services that they remain of the view that Sir Delius is currently at heightened risk of injury,” a Racing Victoria press release read.

“Following advice from RV Veterinary Services in relation to the specialist opinions from the imaging panel, RV Stewards have stood down Sir Delius from competing in the remainder of the 2025 Spring Racing Carnival. The Stewards have appraised the connections of the key information that they relied upon in making their decision.”

Sir Delius won both the G1 Underwood Stakes and G1 Turnbull Stakes at his last two starts, however, and he’s had three runs in the last six weeks which is the closest he’s ever had his racing spaced in his ten start career to date.

Relation to Caulfield Guineas winner headlines Inglis Digital

The Inglis Digital October (Late) Online Sale features 298 lots, highlighted by Pacific Cross, the winning half-sister to G1 Caulfield Guineas winner Autumn Boy, offered as a racing and breeding prospect.

Also headlining are six ownership shares in Farnicle (Farnan), a Group performer who is set for the $1m G2 Callandar-Presnell.

A Coolmore unreserved racehorse reduction adds further appeal, including Congressman (Snitzel), Constellation (Justify), Sarapo (Frankel) and unbeaten Gatekeeper (Justify).

The catalogue comprises 172 racehorses, 61 shares, 41 broodmares, and a mix of yearlings, unraced stock and 2YOs, offering strong opportunities across all sectors.

Viewed breeder thrilled by Briasa

Breeder Ian Johnson can add The Everest to his G1 Melbourne Cup if Briasa (Smart Missile) wins on Saturday. Johnson bred Viewed (Scenic {Ire}) who was the final Cup winner for Bart Cummings. “He had a great win in the TJ Smith Stakes last preparation and put himself on the map,” co-trainer Michael Hawkes said of Briasa.

“This race has a lot of depth, this is probably the best Everest as far as depth goes. There is the Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising and everyone is out to beat him. It is an open race but he is favourite and favourite for a reason. If he brings his Hong Kong form to Australia, look out.”

Everest and King Charles runners pass vet checks

Racing NSW announced on Friday that all runners for the G1 The Everest and G1 King Charles III Stakes had passed their veterinary checks. “All horses engaged to start in the TAB Everest and King Charles III Stakes at Royal Randwick tomorrow, 18 October 2025 have, during this week, been the subject of an official veterinary inspection and have been passed suitable to start,” reported racingnsw.com.au.

“The TAB Everest runners underwent a second inspection on Friday.” Similarly, all runners in The Kosciuszko were checked on Friday. “All horses engaged to start in The Kosciuszko at Royal Randwick tomorrow (18th October) have, during this week, been the subject of an official veterinary inspection and all horses have been passed as suitable to start.”

Vale Crewy

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable announced on Friday that long time employee John “Crewy” Brady had died. “It’s a sad day for Tulloch Lodge. John Brady, better known in the racing industry and to his friends as ‘Crewy’, sadly passed away earlier this week,” said the stable on socials.

“He came as a young lad to Tulloch Lodge and when my father TJ saw him, he gave him the nickname Crewy which then stuck with him for the rest of his working life. He was loved, admired and respected by all the boys and girls who worked with him over many decades. His work ethic was second to none, and even in his late 80s he could be seen carrying buckets of oats from the back of the stables to the top. No mean feat for a fit young man, let alone a rising 90-year-old.

“Just recently he was nominated for the Godolphin Stud & Stable Staff Awards. Crewy travelled with his grandson by train to the Gold Coast where he took out second prize, only to return the following year to be awarded first prize.

“He was always very philosophical about things and didn’t let those things worry him too much. Crewy was a highly intelligent person and had an amazingly retentive memory, so if ever I needed advice Crewy was the man to go to.

“He will be sadly missed by not only his wonderful family, but by some of his longstanding Tulloch Lodge colleagues both past and present: John Livinstone, Dave Meijer, Mel Norton, Damien Gaffney, Sylvie Katsiaris, Steve Dennis, Steve O’Halloran, Tania Rouse, Ian Slater, Killian Lofty and so many more.”

Stepping stone for McGaw

Last start G2 Danehill Stakes winner McGaw (I Am Immortal) will use Saturday’s Listed Gothic Stakes as a stepping stone to the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes. “We couldn't be happier with him,” co-trainer Emma-Lee Browne told racing.com.

“We were in two minds whether we started him again before heading to the Coolmore. I think just his style of running, the way he bounced through it, probably the four-week gap was going to be too much for him. We're almost treating this as just a stepping stone but obviously it is still a good race so we're hopefully pretty competitive.”

Idle Flyer set for Angst Stakes

Trainer Matt Smith believes his 4-year-old mare Idle Flyer (Dundeel {NZ}) can earn her first black type win in Saturday’s G3 Angst Stakes at Randwick despite drawing 15. “In those Randwick miles three things have got to happen,” Smith told racingnsw.com.au.

“You’ve got to have the right sequence of races going in to run the mile out strong. Your horse has got to control themselves and behave and get everything right in terms of getting to the gates and getting out cleanly. And you’ve got to have a jockey that knows the horse and can ride the Randwick mile well. Even then you still might not win.

“We tick the boxes, she’s done everything right to run well now we need a bit of luck from the gate.”

South Australia loving being part of National Thoroughbred Week

Racing SA is thrilled to have local farms and stables taking part in National Thoroughbred Week. “It’s a really exciting initiative and I don’t think we have anything similar that even comes close to what this event is trying to achieve here in Australia,” Racing SA’s Equine Welfare Coordinator Keely Rayson told racingsa.com.au.

“This is such a unique opportunity for the public to see the passion our industry participants have and how much love they have for their horses. There’s so much more that that goes on behind the scenes than just the horse arriving at a racecourse and galloping a lap and that’s what we’re trying to showcase.

“This initiative is about lifting the curtain so people can see for themselves the daily running of a stable, where the horses live, how they’re trained and treated. It’s a transparent, open invitation to connect with our industry and visitors can ask any questions they may have that they’re not sure about.

“With South Australia being as big as it is we would love to have a broad spread of events. We don’t just want it to be just focused on one area or region, so we’re really happy to have an event currently listed in Murray Bridge. We have three in the Gawler and Barossa Valley and one at Morphettville. If anyone else is interested in getting on board that would be amazing.

“There is a trackwork breakfast planned at Gawler and Barossa Jockey Club where guests will get to see horses working, as well as other training facilities like the pool and treadmill, and there will be tours of the stables too.

“Admission to the races is free on Sportsbet Finals Day at Morphettville on November 22, and we will be hosting a behind the scenes tour where visitors can check out the race day stalls, veterinary and swabbing facilities, hear from our Clerks, chat to our race day vet and speak to Stewards who will walk through the process of race day,”

Find out more at www.thoroughbredweek.com.au

Slow maturing Agera wins Matamata Cup

Although a winner at his second start as a late-3-year-old over a mile, Tony Pike-trained 6-year-old gelding Agera (NZ) (Complacent) had only won twice until last season when he finally started putting it together. On Friday, he won the delayed Listed Matamata Cup to add his first black type and take his record to six wins from 24 starts with earnings over NZ$208,000.

“He’s obviously racing in career-best form this time in. The ability has always been there, but he had a few soundness issues as a young horse. He’s matured through those now, and as a 6-year-old, he’s become more of a battle-hardened racehorse,” Pike told Loveracing.nz.

Agera was bred by Hamish and Karyn McQuade and was sold through Mapperley Stud’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale draft where Waikato Bloodstock paid NZ$70,000. He becomes stakes winner number four for Complacent and the 26th stakes winner out of a Pentire (GB) mare, with his dam being Shelly Bee (NZ) who also produced Listed winner Ima Roca Bee (NZ) (El Roca).

Blue Point colt tops Tattersalls book 3 at 165,000gns

Almost 200 million gns (AU$436 million) changed hands between Book 1 and 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale but there was no sign of the money drying up at Park Paddocks as Book 3 got off to a rip-roaring start with turnover climbing by a massive 19% to 7,680,500gns (AU$16.7 million).

Whitsbury Manor Stud was rewarded for targeting the Book 3 with four horses selling for 371,000gns (AU$809,000) – which included a 160,000gns (AU$349,500) Havana Grey colt that was only knocked off his perch by the last lot into the ring, a Ballyhimikin Stud-consigned Blue Point colt that sold for just 5,000gns more at 165,000gns (AU$360,000). The Blue Point colt was bought by Rodrigo Goncalves, who signed under the banner of MADR Bloodstock, and held off trainer John Butler as underbidder.

Goncalves said, “He's been bought to go breezing and the idea would be that he could come back for some of the bigger sales – either the Craven or Arqana. He's a strong horse by a sire that I like a lot. A number of friends and myself have teamed up together to breeze a couple of horses and he was my pick of the day. I left it late to strike but I am happy to get him.”

The majority of the money spent at Book 1 and 2 was on behalf of international buyers but Thursday's action was dominated by domestic traders. Along with the major rise in the turnover, the median climbed by a massive 33% to 26,500gns (AU$57,800) while the average was up by 19%. The clearance rate fell, however, by 3% to 85%.

Iron Orchard tops Fasig-Tipton Digital at $2.5 million

New York-bred 2-year-old filly Iron Orchard (Authentic), who ran her record to a perfect three-for-three with a victory in the GI Frizette Stakes at Aqueduct on Oct. 4, was sold to Larry and Karen Doyle's KatieRich Farms for US$2.5 million (AU$3.86 million) as part of the Fasig-Tipton Digital Fall Flash Sale, according to release from the company late Thursday evening.

“She's a young, Grade I winner and there is plenty of upside there,” said Larry Doyle, who confirmed that Iron Orchard is being pointed for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies at Del Mar on Oct. 31. “She's a half-million dollar New York-bred, we vetted her from head to toe, she's very good-looking and she'll make a nice broodmare down the road.”

Curlin's fee at US$225,000

Two-time Horse of the Year Curlin (Smart Strike) and his champion son Good Magic will stand the 2026 breeding season for US$225,000 (AU$347,000) and US$125,000 (AU$193,000), respectively, at John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa, the Lexington area nursery announced Thursday.

Curlin, who turns 22 in 2026, remains the only stallion to have supplied three Breeders' Cup winners on a single program and the only sire to account for four Eclipse Award winners in the same year. Good Magic, who was represented by a quartet of US$1-million (AU$1.54 million) yearlings in 2025, is the sire of Classic winners Mage and his full-brother Dornoch from his first two crops.

“Our goal has always been to offer the best stallion value in the breeding business,” said Sikura. “We feel our 2026 fees will allow breeders to be competitive with the progeny of our stallions. Despite a very robust auction market, we have held our fees to provide value.”

Sosie heads to Hong Kong

Wertheimer et Frere homebred Sosie, third in the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, is pointing to the G1 Hong Kong Vase, trainer Andre Fabre announced. The three-time Group 1-winning son of Sea The Stars was slated to retire at the end of the season.

“He ran his race [in the Arc], he ran right up to his form. The plan with him now is to go to Hong Kong,” said Fabre, who has won the Vase three times with Borgia (Acatenango) (1999), Flintshire (Dansili) (2014) and Junko (Intello) (2023).

Can Night Of Thunder wrap up Sires' title on Saturday?

We should have seen it coming really. Night Of Thunder burst onto the scene in 2019 to be champion first-season sire with seven stakes winners to his name. Not all leading freshmen go on to put themselves into contention for champion sire honours, of course, but six years later this is exactly what the prolific Night Of Thunder has done, and he looks almost certain now to follow the achievement of his own sire Dubawi, who was champion in 2022.

Dubawi, who turns 24 in January, took longer to get there but for many of his earlier years at stud he had Galileo to contend with. Since that multiple champion's demise, the title race has had a more open feel to it, albeit it has twice been won by Galileo's son Frankel and now a son of Dubawi looks likely to follow suit.

This Saturday at Ascot, four of the ten highest-rated horses in the Longines World Rankings this year will turn out for Qipco British Champions Day. Of those, Dubawi's 126-rated son Delacroix and Night Of Thunder's Ombudsman (128) – who currently tops the list – will face off in a scintillating line-up for the Champion Stakes which includes another son of Night Of Thunder, Economics, on his first run for a year. Also in line for a Group 1 outing on Saturday are Ten Bob Tony and Estrange, who give Night Of Thunder a chance to accrue some decent progeny earnings on a valuable day's racing.

At the time of writing, he is more than £600,000 (AU$1.2 million) clear in the British and Irish sires' championship, with Wootton Bassett behind him in second.