Huge rise in under-35s attending Cup
Of the 286,746 people who attended the four days of Cup week, 53% were under-35 according to general ticket data, up 17% on the previous year. “The success of the 2025 Melbourne Cup Carnival has emphatically demonstrated that racing is back and thriving. With our largest crowd since 2018, record-breaking wagering turnover on Lexus Melbourne Cup Day, and significant uplift in broadcast figures, the momentum and energy throughout the week was infectious,” Victoria Racing Club CEO Kylie Rogers told racing.com.
Kylie Rogers | Image courtesy of Victoria Racing Club
“What's particularly exciting is the significant growth in younger audiences. This Carnival has demonstrated that racing continues to captivate a diverse range of audiences.” Two-thirds of ticket sales came from visitors to Victoria.
Month suspension for Melham after fall on Cup day
The Racing Victoria stewards have hit Jamie Melham with a 30-day suspension for her role in causing the fall on Cup day that broke jockey Blake Shinn’s leg. Her suspension begins on November 16 and ends on December 17. “She's Got Pizzazz that was bumped and stumbled, resulting in rider Blake Shinn being dislodged,” the steward’s report read. Melham was on Fancify (NZ) (Niagara) who shifted out at the 200 metre mark when not clear of She’s Got Pizzazz (Zoustar) who was uninjured in the fall.
Jamie Melham | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Jamie Melham will be able to return to ride on Thursday 18 December 2025. In assessing penalty, account was taken of her guilty plea, good record, that it was a Group 3 event and the incident resulted in a rider being dislodged.”
Maher to target Perth with Benedetta
Trainer Ciaron Maher is planning a team for the Perth carnival, and it’ll be headlined by Group 1 winning mare Benedetta (Hellbent). “She might head over for the couple of sprint races,” Maher told RSN on Wednesday. “I was toying with a couple of others but she's probably the main one.”
Ciaron Maher | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
She struggled in the wet last start behind Giga Kick (Scissor Kick) in the G1 Champions Sprint. “Jamie (Melham) said she balled up underneath her and was really going to let rip but she probably wasn't ready for those sorts of conditions. Her condition probably gave out late but she's definitely on an upward trajectory. Hopefully in the next couple of runs, she can hit the target again.”
Resurgent Apulia heads to Perth
Lindsay Park are aiming 5-year-old entire Apulia (Fiorente {Ire}) at the Perth carnival after he returned from injury to win two in succession including a last start win in the Listed Chester Manifold Stakes on Oaks day. “It would be great if he wins over there because he's 50 per cent owned by the Hayes family,” co-trainer Ben Hayes told racenet.com.au.
Apulia | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“People forgot about him because he'd been off the scene for so long and hadn't won a race in ages. He did injure himself and needed a year off but that's OK, he'll be all right going forward.” The G1 Northerly Stakes runs on December 6.
Lees hunts for The Hunter with pair of outsiders
Trainer Kris Lees will run Brudenell (Russian Revolution) and Infancy (Wandjina) in Saturday’s $1 million The Hunter. Brudenell has drawn an inside barrier. “It gives him the chance to run out the trip. He gets himself straight on the speed without doing a great deal of work so it’s got to be to his advantage somewhat. It comes down to the pressure of the race,” Lees told racingnsw.com.au.
Kris Lees | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“Infancy didn’t get a huge amount of room at Flemington, so it’s probably a better run than it reads on paper which can happen in straight track racing. She’s just relying on tempo, the alley isn’t as bad as it looks to me. In most of her wins she’s had clear air so on the spacious track at Newcastle it’s not the worst.”
Cool Archie to stay in Brisbane
Trainers Chris and Corey Munce will aim G1 JJ Atkins Plate winner Cool Archie (Cool Aza Beel {NZ}) at the R.Listed Magic Millions Guineas. “At this stage he will have an exhibition gallop on the course proper on Saturday at the races,” Chris Munce told racenet.com.au.
Cool Archie | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
“He has gone from a boy to a man and he's a colt, he just needs to be stimulated a bit more and start to get his head back in the game of being a racehorse. As long as his form warrants it, then he will probably have a freshen up (after the Guineas) and go to Sydney in the autumn.”
Promotion for Blinksell at Kembla Grange
The Illawarra Turf Club announced that Darryn Blinksell has been promoted to General Manager of Tracks and Grounds from his long-time assistant position. “Darryn has served as the 2IC of Tracks and Grounds for 15 years and has extensive knowledge and a thorough understanding of the intricacies of the Kembla Grange surfaces,” Illawarra Turf Club's CEO, Steven Keene told racingnsw.com.au.
“He has played an important role in major projects including the reconstruction of the Polytrack and installation of new B-Grass.” Former General Manager Dave Anderson has joined the Australian Turf Club as Royal Randwick Racecourse Manager.
Blaze Away gives Patterson first city winner
Claire Patterson trained her first city winner at Caulfield on Wednesday with 3-year-old gelding Blaze Away (Doubtland) who won his maiden the start before at Moe. “I’m shaking. It’s so good, I think I went a bit shrill at one point,” Patterson said post-race.
“Isn’t he lovely? He’s teeny, tiny; when Lachie went on him last start, he said, ‘this is the smallest horse I’ve ever been on’. I said, ‘don’t be mean. Don’t say bad things about him’. And now look at him. He’s gorgeous. I would’ve been happy with a place. It’s a big step, coming up from a maiden to Benchmark races, especially in the city, but he’ s just done it.”
Not offered at auction, he is the second foal and first winner for unraced Fizzle Dizzle (Street Boss {USA}).
Hot And High stays unbeaten in Perth
At Belmont on Wednesday, Dion Luciani-trained 3-year-old filly Hot And High (Too Darn Hot {GB}) stayed unbeaten with her second win in a dominant three length victory. Owned by Cape Fall Thoroughbreds, she is the first winner for High Conviction (Snitzel) who won three of her six starts in Perth for the same owners.
Lucky Vega adds new winner
At Belmont on Wednesday, second season sire Lucky Vega (Ire) added a new winner when 3-year-old gelding Storm Away broke through at his sixth start for trainer Mitchell Pateman. He placed on debut at two, and ran mid-field in the R.Listed Magic Millions Perth 2YO Classic. At three, he ran in the Listed Belgravia Stakes last start.
Storm Away was sold by Kingsgrove Stud at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $65,000 to his trainer. He’s one of four winners for Nightingales (Street Cry {Ire}).
Winx's three-quarter-sister gets up at Caulfield
Winx's (Street Cry {Ire}) 4-year-old three-quarter-sister Wings Of Desire (Pride Of Dubai) posted her third career victory, and first at metropolitan level, at her first start for new trainer Grahame Begg on Wednesday. The mare, who has been retained to race by breeder John Camilleri, let down strongly coming home in the last race at Caulfield to hold off Tournelle (Ire) (Sea The Moon {GB}) by a neck.
“She's exquisitely bred and we’re very pleased for John Camilleri and all our team,” said stable representative Rohan Hughes. “It’s obviously her first preparation down here with us and she took a while to settle in, but Jack Lake initially and Bec Shanks, who have ridden her throughout her time with us, have done a very good job getting her into a good rhythm.
“She's a big striding mare. She drew out a little bit and with just one turn was able to get into a good rhythm and hold a good gallop all the way through to the line.
“She's a little bit quirky, and she's got a bit of attitude, but like I say, Grahame's been very happy with her progressing through to here, and I'm sure once she gets a run or two under her belt, she'll start to get into a better groove in herself. I’m sure Grahame will find a target race for her down the track to get a good result.”
Previously trained by Michael Freedman where she won her first two starts, Wings Of Desire is the last foal from Vegas Showgirl (NZ) (Al Akbar), who died last year.
I Am Invincible juvenile wins in New Zealand
On Wednesday, Andrew Carson-trained 2-year-old filly I Am Belle (I Am Invincible) won on debut at Riccarton. “I don’t like to rush them in trials, I like them to learn something, and I felt she had improved from her first trial to her second trial,” Carson told Loveracing.nz.
“She has taken a little bit and she is a very unassuming filly, she just does what she has to do, but there is something about her I really like.” Owned by Glenn Ritchie, I Am Belle was initially sold by Vinery Stud at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale to Woburn Farm for $200,000. She went through Woburn Farm’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale draft where her trainer bought her for NZ$260,000.
“She has taken everything in her stride and I imagine she will continue to do so,” he said. “We might have to venture north at some stage, work our way up the Island and see where we end up.” She is a three-quarter sister to Group 2 winner and sire Santos.
Record breaking Keeneland Breeding Stock Sale concludes
The Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, which continued straight on from the strength of the company's record-setting September Yearling Sale, concluded its eight-day run Tuesday with new highwater marks for average and median and the auction's highest gross since 2007.
“This year marked a watershed moment for Keeneland Sales,” said Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin. “From a record-shattering September Yearling Sale that topped $500 million in gross sales to the continued momentum into an outstanding November Breeding Stock Sale, the confidence in this marketplace has never been stronger.
“These successes speak to Keeneland's position as the world's marketplace, but more importantly, they highlight the strength of our customers. These are the achievements of the breeders, sellers and buyers who place their trust in Keeneland year after year.”
Through nine sessions, 1,891 horses grossed US$237,456,400 (AU$363 million). The cumulative average of US$125,572 (AU$192,000) was up 37.25% from the 2024 November sale, which saw 2,050 horses sell for US$187,557,400 (AU$287 million) and a then-record average of US$91,491 (AU$140,000). The median of US$60,000 (AU$91,800) rose 50% from the 2024 previous record figure of US$40,000 (AU$61,200). The buy-back rate was 20.45%, on par with last year's figure of 20.67%.
“It's been remarkable,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “To be very frank, we were hoping this would be a good, solid sale. We felt the quality was here and we had a good group of horses that would fit a large group of people. We were very pleased with the number of buyers that showed up–especially the international contingent–and we saw a lot of people here that we haven't seen in a number of years. It was very encouraging to see people energized to come back.
“But what was really encouraging was to see the domestic market so strong when it came to retaining a lot of these higher-end mares and retaining the gene pool,” Lacy added. “The weanling market was also exceptional, and I think that allowed breeders to feel motivated and positive as they plan to breed mares into the next season and into the near future.”
A total of 18 horses sold for seven figures during the November sale. That is double the figure from 2024 and the most at the auction since 2017. Three topped US$3 million (AU$4.6 million), while eight sold for US$2 million (AU$3.06 million) or more.
Tony Lacy | Image courtesy of Keeneland
“The domestic buyers were definitely very, very strong,” Lacy said. “The Japanese buyers are historically very strong, but even they were finding it very competitive and probably not getting as many as they might have expected. It was just really good to see established breeders that were looking to upgrade some of their mares and complement their portfolio with some new mares and some new bloodlines. And we had some new people coming into the game. It was very encouraging overall. It's a good sign for the next few years.”
Shadwell's Baaeed reduced to £55,000
Shadwell has announced the fees for its five-strong roster of stallions, with the six-time Group 1 winner Baaeed standing for the reduced sum of £55,000 (AU$110,600) in 2026 – when he will be represented by his first 2-year-old runners.
“The roster is headed by Baaeed, the highest-rated racehorse in Europe for over a decade and who stands as a fitting tribute to Shadwell's dedication to the Thoroughbred,” read a statement from Shadwell.
“Supported by many of the world's leading breeders, Baaeed has already covered three outstanding books of mares. His first yearlings were offered this year and included sales of €800,000 and 625,000gns etc., reaffirming his status as one of the most exciting stallion prospects of the modern era. At his fee of £55,000, Baaeed offers breeders the opportunity to be part of something truly special.”
Mohaather will stand for £10,000 (AU$20,100) next year, after first-crop son Big Mojo provided him with a breakthrough Group 1 success when winning September's Haydock Sprint Cup, while Mostahdaf's fee has been dropped to £9,000 (AU$18,000) ahead of his first foals being sold in the coming weeks.
At Derrinstown Stud In Ireland, Minzaal remains unchanged at €12,500 (AU$22,100), while Awtaad has had his fee increased slightly to €8,500 (AU$15,000).
Two quality mares added to Sceptre Sessions
Unbeaten Listed winner Pintara (Pinatubo) (lot 1760A) and Group 1 producer Wouldntitbelovely (Kodiac) (lot 1760B) have been added as wildcards to the Tattersalls December Mares Sale which takes place from December 1-3. They will both sell during the Sceptre Sessions on December 1-2.
A winner of the Montrose Fillies' Stakes at Newmarket, Pintara is out of a half-sister to G1 Prix du Moulin runner-up Akatea (Shamardal) and is a half-sister to G2 Italian Derby second Juan De Montalban (Lope De Vega).
Wouldntitbelovely is the dam of G1 British Champions Sprint hero Powerful Glory (Cotai Glory) and is rated 120 by Timeform. She is in foal to Big Evs.
Irish National Stud Management Class of 2026 announced
The Irish National Stud has announced the Thoroughbred Breeding Management Class of 2026, comprising a diverse cohort of 26 students representing countries including the United States, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Japan, India, France, UK and Ireland.
The six-month programme provides students with knowledge and skills in all aspects of Thoroughbred breeding and management, covering key areas such as equine breeding, mare and stallion management, foaling procedures, pedigree analysis and equine welfare.
“We are once again delighted by the outstanding quality of applicants this year and the Class of 2026 truly stands out,” said Anne Channon, education manager at the Irish National Stud. “With the bloodstock industry constantly advancing, preparing future leaders with the expertise and insight to shape its future is more important than ever. We are excited to welcome the new class to the INS in January.”
The Australian and New Zealand members are Libby Coster (New Zealand), Jackson Gwynne (Australia), Hannah Kelley (Australia), Joe Moore (New Zealand), Xavier Pegum (Australia), Mackenzie Porter (Australia), and Zania Slabber (New Zealand).
Zelzal heads Haras de Bouquetot 2026 roster
Zelzal, who will stand for an unchanged fee of €10,000 (AU$17,700), anchors Al Shaqab Racing's Haras de Bouquetot roster next year. Jour de Galop first reported the news. The 12-year-old son of Sea The Stars has sired 11 stakes winners to date and has a trio of Group/Grade 3 winners to his credit in Dolce Zel, Short Final and Ouraika.
Zelzal | Standing at Haras de Bouquetot
Wooded, who sired G1 Prix Jean Prat hero Woodshauna this season, will also stand for his 2025 price at €7,000 (AU$12,400). Priced at €5,000 (AU$8900) in his first year at stud, Al Hakeem remains at that amount for 2026.
Northern Hemisphere name availability checker launched
The United States's Jockey Club and Europe's Weatherbys have partnered to launch 'Racehorse Naming,' the organisations announced in a joint statement on Tuesday.
The website enables users to check the potential availability of a Thoroughbred name in Great Britain, Ireland, the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.
According to the statement, 'Racehorse Naming' “streamlines the naming process for owners and breeders and will be especially useful for unnamed Thoroughbreds bred or purchased in one country and imported to another, which requires name approval by the exporting and importing authorities.”
“We're proud to partner with Weatherbys to launch Racehorse Naming, and we hope that owners and breeders find it easy to use and helpful in streamlining the naming process,” said Andrew Chesser, director of Registration Services and director of Business Development for The Jockey Club. “Given the scale of trade between Britain, Ireland, and North America, it made perfect sense to create a shared tool that supports those naming horses bred in one jurisdiction and racing in another.”
The Jockey Club oversees naming in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico, and Weatherbys covers Great Britain and Ireland. The results of a name search on Racehorse Naming indicate if the name is potentially available in both jurisdictions, only one jurisdiction, or neither jurisdiction.
