Daily News Wrap

Ridley-Thomas joins Magic Millions

On Thursday, Magic Millions announced that Tabitha Ridley-Thomas had joined the company’s bloodstock team. She worked for Whitsbury Manor Stud and Andrew Balding Racing in the UK before moving to Australia where she was initially at Newgate Farm before a four-year stint with Archibald Racing.

“I'm incredibly excited to be joining the team at Magic Millions as a Bloodstock Consultant,” Ridley-Thomas said.

“It's a privilege to be part of a company so deeply respected within the industry for its forward-thinking approach and proven success. I look forward to working alongside such a talented and driven team, collaborating with breeders, trainers, owners and agents across the industry and embracing the opportunities ahead.”

Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch added, “We are delighted to welcome Tabitha to the Magic Millions team. Tabitha brings a wealth of experience, with strong industry knowledge both here in Australia and the UK. As Racing and Bloodstock Manager to Annabel and Rob, Tabitha most recently played a key role in the selection of quality horses for one of the fastest-growing stables in the country.”

Abounding ready for G1 Empire Rose

Trainer Rob Heathcote is pleased with Abounding (Rich Enuff) ahead of Saturday’s G1 Empire Rose Stakes. “It was an outstanding win from her,” Heathcote told racingqueensland.com.au of her last start win in the G2 Tristarc Stakes.

“It was her fourth run during the Melbourne carnival and with any luck she could have been four from four. The Empire Rose is a genuine Group 1 and she just needs a good ride and a bit of luck to win again.”

Sutton’s outsider set for Golden Eagle

Trainer Dominic Sutton is comfortable with the underdog tag for Feroce (NZ) (Super Seth) heading into Saturday’s Golden Eagle. “He’s a Group 1 winner over a mile against his own age so it was always logical to have it there,” Sutton told racingnsw.com.au.

“That wasn’t the true Feroce (in the Toorak) but until then he’d been super. His first-up effort was very good over a trip far too short for him and his Rupert Clarke run was his best rated run to date. You put a line through the Toorak and he’s going well.

“I think he fits right in. He’s a $51 shot at the moment but he’s never been a horse that’s been respected by the market so that doesn’t bother us.”

Bendigo Cup winner moves to 25 in Cup order

Ciaron Maher-trained Sayedaty Sadaty (Ire) (Anodin {Ire}) has given boost after his G3 Bendigo Cup win on Wednesday, with an adjustment to his handicap profile moving him into 25th on the G1 Melbourne Cup order. “Sayedaty Sadaty was aided by a perfect ride from Harry Coffey but ultimately was too strong for his rivals and won going away at the post to claim the Bendigo Cup,” Racing Victoria handicapper David Hegan told racenet.com.au.

“The performance does not warrant a weight penalty like it did for Sea King last year when he was lifted 0.5kg above the minimum, but Sayedaty Sadaty's win does warrant an adjustment to his handicap profile which results in his elevation up the order.

“He has been moved up to a true weight of 50.5kg in the Melbourne Cup, which is 9kg below the Weight-For-Age benchmark, but with the weight scale lifted by 1kg this year he will carry the minimum of 51kg on which he was already handicapped.”

Hunter’s Derby dream still possible

Young trainer Rory Hunter will have his first G1 Victoria Derby runner on Saturday with Autumn Mystery (The Autumn Sun). “I was (sleeping well) until we drew barrier 17. That sort of knocked us back a bit,” Hunter told racing.com.

“The horse is really happy and well. He’s come through his last run really well and worked well on Tuesday. All we can do is turn up on grand final day and have a go. Like I have said, all the way along, he’s going to be better in six months’ time. We are really excited about the future with him.”

Bedggood celebrates 200 wins

Trainer Gavin Bedggood celebrated his 200th win on Thursday with 3-year-old gelding Tivaci Code (NZ) (Tivaci) at Warrnambool. Tivaci Code was having his third start. “A great opportunity to thank all that have supported the stable, our team and myself since Maldonado became our first winner at Alexandra in Oct 2017,” said the stable on socials.

Half to Hong Kong Group winner looks exciting

Far North Queensland trainer Ricky Ludwig sold Tomodachi Kokoroe (Written Tycoon) to Hong Kong after he won six in succession for him back in 2022 when he was named Bank Bank Bank, and now he’s a Group 2 winner. Ludwig spent the grand sum of $5000 to purchase his 2-year-old half-brother.

“If he is half as good then I will be happy. We can only dream. He is not a bad sort, but Bank Bank Bank was by Written Tycoon. This one is by Jungle Cat, who is no comparison to Written Tycoon as a stallion,” Ludwig told racingqueensland.com.au.

“They are interested in him overseas if he can win a trial, but you never know with them over there. He was broken in and he was in work for a bit and then he was gelded and turned out. He has been back in about a month now. The best bit is that he is QTIS eligible.”

He has no regrets on selling Tomodachi Kokoroe. “He could gallop, I knew he was good, but I did not know he was this good. With the money we got offered, good luck to them over in Hong Kong. This horse, it is putting North Queensland on the map as far as I am concerned, they are calling him the Cairns flyer.”

Crack The Shutters headed to summer black type

Tasmanian 3-year-old filly Crack The Shutters (Alpine Eagle) stayed unbeaten for this campaign on Wednesday night at Launceston and will head to the summer carnival to seek more black type. She was stakes placed at two.

“To put a field like that away as a 3-year-old with limited starts and to run home in sub 34 seconds, she’s a special horse going places,” trainer Stuart Gandy said after the race.

“I know her best is yet to come, and when she gets out to a mile, I think she is going to be very special.” She has won three of her five starts.

Rockhampton postponed

Thursday’s meeting at Rockhampton was postponed due to an electrical outage at the track. Racing Queensland announced that the meeting will be transferred to Monday.

Another winner for King’s Legacy

Second seasons sire King’s Legacy added winner number 18 on Thursday at Warrnambool with Shane Nichols and Hayden Black-trained 3-year-old filly La Reine winning by two lengths at her fifth career start.

Newgate Farm sold her at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $200,000 to Shane Nicols Racing. La Reine is a half-sister to Listed winner Cyber Attack (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}).

Acrobat juvenile wins trial in New Zealand

Stephen Marsh-trained 2-year-old gelding King Of The Air (Acrobat) became his first season sire’s first trial winner on Thursday at Taupo in New Zealand. He covered the 900 metres in 54.74s.

Two musicals celebrate 100 years since Phar Lap was born

During November, theatre goers can celebrate the 100-year anniversary of Phar Lap (NZ)’s birth with two separate musicals dedicated to his life. The Wonder Horse! The Life & Afterlife of Phar Lap (The Racehorse) is at Motley Bauhaus, Melbourne, from November 4-8, and Phar Lap: The Electro-Swing Musical is at Hayes Theatre, Sydney, until November 22.

“One of our greatest sporting heroes is a horse. I find that really funny,” Kit Richards, writer of The Wonder Horse, told abc.net.au. The Wonder Horse is based on the relationship between Phar Lap (puppeteered and performed by James Collopy) and his strapper Tommy Woodcock (Josh Burton). “There was no Phar Lap without Tommy, and there was no Tommy without Phar Lap.”

Phar Lap: The Electro-Swing Musical tells the story of Phar Lap (played by Joel Granger) and his trainer, Harry Telford (Justin Smith). “When (Phar Lap) first arrives, he's this kid, and then he goes through his bratty teenage phase, and then it's about him finding his identity and his autonomy,” writer Steven Kramer said.

“As much as Harry teaches Phar Lap how to be a good horse and how to train and become this athlete, Phar Lap teaches Harry all about the heart and about caring. That story is what stops it from just being pure satire. The idea of a singing and tap-dancing horse sounded ridiculous and super fun.”

Frankie Dettori announces second retirement

The legendary jockey Frankie Dettori posted a statement on social media to announce his retirement from American racing after the Breeders' Cup meeting. He will also be in action across the two days aboard Wimbledon Hawkeye and Aspect Island for James Owen and the Gredley Family. Following Saturday's Californian farewell, Dettori will however take a “few rides” in South America.

His statement read, “Following the Breeders' Cup on Saturday, I will be retiring from race riding in the United States and concluding my career with a few rides in South America, something I've always wanted to do.

“It has been an honour to compete at the highest level of this sport for over four decades. I'm deeply grateful to my family, the owners, trainers, stable staff, and of course the supporters who have made my career possible.

“From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout this incredible journey. Ciao, Frankie.”

Dettori initially announced his intention to retire in December 2022 and rode for the final time in the UK on British Champions Day in October 2023. In the week leading up to his swansong he revealed a change of heart and stated his plan to continue riding in California, where he has largely been based for the past two years.

Tapit headlines Gainesway fees at US$185,000

Tapit (Pulpit), the number one active sire in North America by Grade I winners (34) and graded stakes winners (106) and a perennial leading broodmare sire, will stand the 2026 breeding season for US$185,000 (AU$280,000) at Gainesway in Lexington, the farm said in a release Wednesday morning. The farm will stand 11 stallions in 2026.

The rising 25-year-old, whose progeny have amassed earnings of over US$220 million (AU$333 million) to date, is in line for a third straight title as leading North American broodmare sire and remains a commercial standout.

McKinzie (Street Sense) will command a fee of US$75,000 (AU$113,000) in 2026, pending the results of the Breeders' Cup. Himself a four-time Grade I winner at the races, McKinzie has been represented by three elite-level scorers from his first crop, including recent Pennsylvania Derby hero Baeza, a US$1.2 million (AU$1.8 million) Keeneland September yearling and among a select field of nine for Saturday's GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic. Scottish Lassie and Chancer McPatrick have also succeeded at the highest level and each makes an appearance in at Del Mar this weekend.

Graffard trio set for Breeders’ Cup

Francis Graffard will be champion trainer in his home country this year for the first time, and he has three runners in the upcoming Breeders’ Cup meeting in America. “They seem to have travelled really well. Everyone seems to have put their weight back on, which is a very good sign,” said Graffard on Wednesday morning after watching Goliath, Gezora and Sahlan on the main track. He also runs Temptable in the GIII Goldikova Stakes on the Breeders' Cup undercard.

“Sahlan was much more relaxed this morning, and I think he looked fantastic. I've always loved him. Things didn't go his way at the beginning of the year. A mile is really the maximum trip for him, so he got caught on the line in the trial [the Prix de Fontainebleau]. Then the French Guineas was a non-event. And he was sick when he ran in the Listed race [Prix de Saint Patrick]. So I was very disappointed with that one, but after that he came back to what I was hoping he was.”

Charyn headlines Sumbe fees at €35,000

Star miler Charyn will stand at an unchanged fee of €35,000 (AU$61,700) and will anchor the five-strong Sumbe roster, which was announced on Wednesday. A winner of the G1 Queen Anne Stakes, G1 Prix Jacques le Marois and the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, he will welcome his first foals in 2026.

“Our mission has always been to make excellence accessible,” said Nurlan Bizakov, owner of Sumbe. “We believe in long-term collaboration with breeders and this adjustment is our way of showing that commitment in a tangible way. By revising our fees we're giving breeders a genuine opportunity to access top-class stallions that match their goals and budgets.”

Favourite Sovereignty scratched from Breeders’ Cup Classic

Sovereignty (Into Mischief), the 6-5 morning-line favourite for Saturday's $7-million GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic at Del Mar, will be scratched. The news was first reported by Daily Racing Form's David Grening.

The GI Kentucky Derby, GI Belmont Stakes and GI DraftKings Travers S. hero spiked a fever Monday evening after breezing four furlongs earlier that day. Treated with an anti-inflammatory, there was an outside chance that the Godolphin homebred could still make the race. That ended on Tuesday afternoon.

“If it didn't go away, we were going to have a problem,” Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott said. “And it didn't go away. “(Assistant trainer) Neil (Poznansky) called me (Tuesday afternoon) and said it had jumped back up. We retreated him and, at that point, it's not even a conversation. (Sovereignty) made the decision. That is what we said from the beginning–if he re-spiked, he would be out.”

Breeders’ Cup outlines safety protocols

The Breeders' Cup has released an outline of its safety and integrity protocols ahead of the upcoming championship weekend at Del Mar in a press release issued Wednesday.

Out-of-competition testing for the event began in July with the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit, in collaboration with the Breeders' Cup Veterinary Team, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, HISA, and the California Horse Racing Board, conducting OOC testing for banned substances of potential contenders.

Frankel'sCracksman moves to Yorton Stud

The dual G1 Champion Stakes winner and young stallion Cracksman is on the move to Yorton Stud for the 2026 breeding season, having been purchased in a partnership with owner Dai Walters.

The son of Frankel has been based at Darley's Dalham Hall Stud since 2019 and is perhaps best known in his second career as the sire of the unbeaten G1 Prix du Jockey Club and G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Ace Impact. In total, he is the sire of 11 individual black-type winners, with the others including the G2 Premio Dormello heroine Aloa and the Listed winner and dual Group 2 runner-up Shembala.

Cracksman, who has also produced a number of talented performers over jumps, including this year's Galway Hurdle winner Ndaawi, will stand in a dual-purpose role at Yorton Stud.