Proper WFA Jimmysstar can win CF Orr
Jockey Ethan Brown believes Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) can win Saturday’s G1 CF Orr Stakes. “He's had a big preparation but there's still a horse there,” Brown told racenet.com.au.
“The best of him, I believe, he's flying. He's cemented himself as a proper weight-for-age horse, that's been evident in his form, he had to take that step but he's done it.” The last start winner was third in the G1 The Everest the start prior.
Arrowfield’s strong spring to continue
Arrowfield Stud hope to end their spring on a high with Clear Thinking (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) in The Hunter and Verity (The Autumn Sun) in the G3 Spring Stakes. “Clear Thinking is a very talented mare but she will need to be at her best as this is the strongest field she has met,” John Messara told racenet.com.au.
“She is still very lightly-raced and there is more to come from her. It is likely she will go for a break after The Hunter and we will look at the autumn carnival with her. We are open to keeping her in training next season as she has been very consistent at a high level and if she is well and sound, I would say we will keep going with her.”
John Messara | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Verity has won her last two in succession. “It was a very good win by Verity the other day, she came from a mile back. Paul and Leah feel the filly will stay. She is screaming for more ground and to us she looks like an Oaks filly next year. We will give her a break after the Spring Stakes and look to autumn.
“If we can win with either Clear Thinking or Verity, it would be a wonderful end to a brilliant spring.”
Geoghegan joins Magic Millions Digital
Magic Millions announced on Friday that Charlotte Geoghegan has joined the company as Digital Sales Co-ordinator. “Returning to Magic Millions, where my career began, is an incredible privilege,” Geoghegan said.
“Stepping into this new chapter alongside Bryce—who has already shown himself to be a steady and progressive leader—has created a real sense of unity and momentum. Together with this exceptional team, we're committed to building Magic Millions Digital into a best-in-class platform for the industry. This is an opportunity to help shape the next evolution of our digital footprint, bringing new ideas and meaningful innovation to the way we operate.
“I'm excited to contribute to a platform that not only supports our industry today but sets it up for long-term success.” Geoghegan spent seven years with the Perth branch of Magic Millions before a recent stint with Perth Racing.
First winner for Resolute in Australia
John and Chelsey Stewart’s Ernaux broke through at Canterbury on Friday night, registering Resolute Racing's first winner in Australia. The I Am Invincible filly, a $3-million Inglis Easter purchase, had previously finished fourth and second at Newcastle for Chris Waller.
She’s the second foal and second winner out of Group 1 mare Booker, a $1.6 million purchase for Tom Magnier at the Chairman's Sale.
Ernaux's ownership line consists of Resolute Racing (Mgr: Miss C Stone), Coolmore (Mgr: T V Magnier), Westerberg (Mgr: M Ryan), and J Poulin.
Black-type opportunity for Probability Theory
Trainer Nacim Dilmi is hoping for his first black type win with 3-year-old filly Probability Theory (Microphone) in Saturday’s G3 Spring Stakes at Newcastle. She is backing up after a win last weekend. “She’s come out of the race in great order,” Dilmi told racingnsw.com.au.
“I didn’t want to throw her in the deep end so I did the right thing by her and she won so well and pulled up so well. The owners said if you want to back her up and try to pick up some black type it’s the right race to do so. I never thought it would happen that quickly but while we have the horse we might as well give it a shot.”
Winterbottom favourite Giga Kick won’t go
Owner Jonathan Munz announced on Friday that his star sprinter Giga Kick (Scissor Kick) won’t travel to the Perth carnival. “The horse is fine, but he had a hard run on a heavy 9 track in the Champions Sprint,” Munz told racenet.com.au.
Giga Kick | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“We have decided to give him some extra time in the paddock to have a first-up tilt at the Lightning next year. It would have been good for Perth for him to be there and it would have been good to see him win his fourth Group 1 in a fourth state. But we can always go to Perth next year perhaps.”
Godolphin reduction features in Inglis Digital November Late Sale
The Inglis Digital November (Late) Sale kicked off on Friday, and the 253 lots are headlined by a 12-horse reduction from Godolphin's racing stock.
The catalogue also features a 2% stallion share in Newhaven Park resident Cool Aza Beel (NZ) and Moonquake (USA) (Medaglia D'Oro {USA}), a half-sister to multiple Group 1 winner Hartnell (GB) (Authorized {Ire}), in foal to Shinzo with her Maurice (Jpn) foal at foot. Final countdown commences on Wednesday, November 19, at 10am.
Take the National Pathways Survey
The National Thoroughbred Demand and Pathways Survey closes on November 24. If you own a retired Thoroughbred, a currently racing Thoroughbred, or work in the racing industry or as a retrainer, this survey is for you.
The survey is being run by Racing Australia, the state PRAs, along with Hartpury University, Sydney University, and Jennifer Krawczyk (Consultant). The project is funded by AgriFutures Australia.
Ka Ying Rising trials well on Friday
G1 The Everest winner Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) trialed at Sha Tin on Friday ahead of his G2 Jockey Club Sprint target on November 23. “It was an upper-class trial with some of Hong Kong’s best horses and he did what he does. He trialled like I thought he would,” trainer David Hayes told scmp.com.
“It was certainly better than the Randwick trial. (Zac Purton) still said he didn’t quite change legs but he doesn’t have to. When he needs to, he will. Under trial conditions, he was comfortable on the wrong leg. He’s come back from the overseas trip in terrific order and I think mentally it’s improved him a bit.
“A lot of horses – not all – but a lot who have had these international trips come back better if they’ve handled it well. I think he has and I’m actually confident that the trip has brought him on, not taken away.”
Two in a row for Ole Kirk filly
On Friday at Gundagai, Nick Olive-trained 3-year-old filly Hip Hip Ole (Ole Kirk) won her second race in succession. She was fourth on debut at her only other start. One of 23 winners for second season sire Ole Kirk, she was purchased by her trainer for $42,500 at the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale from Clarke and Croft Bloodstock.
New winner for King’s Legacy
Second season sire King’s Legacy enjoyed winner number 21 when Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained 3-year-old gelding Regeneration won at his third start, having placed in his first two starts, at Geelong on Friday.
Regeneration was sold by Bhima Thoroughbreds at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale to his trainer and Byron Rogers for $220,000. He is the second foal of Orchids (NZ) (Savabeel) who is a full sister to Group 1 winner Atishu (NZ) and Group 3 winner Mazzolino (NZ).
Juvenile winner for Shalaa
At Rockhampton on Friday, Clinton Taylor-trained 2-year-old colt Erimar (Shalaa {Ire}) won on debut over 1050 metres by half-a-length. In second was Bowdene, who is the first runner for first season sire Barbaric, while Maganista (Pierata) was third.
Erimar as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
Erimar was purchased by his trainer for $30,000 from Twin Hills Stud’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale draft. He is the fourth winner for Thud (Snitzel) who won twice, including once in Sydney.
Yeomanstown Stud snaps up Sands Of Mali via silent auction
One of the most exciting young stallions in Europe is on his way to Yeomanstown Stud after Gay O'Callaghan struck the winning bid for the sire of Group 1 winner Time For Sandals at a Tattersalls Ireland silent auction.
Sands Of Mali has been at the centre of a legal dispute between Steve Parkin of Clipper Logistics and Ballyhane Stud boss Joe Foley, who has managed the career of the 10-year-old stallion since he joined the roster back in 2021.
In that time, the Group 1 winner has confirmed himself one of the hottest young stallions around with Commonwealth Cup winner Time For Sandals, Windsor Castle Stakes hero Ain't Nobody and Group 3 scorer Copacabana Sands just some of his notable flagbearers.
The Yeomanstown roster is completed by Dark Angel, Mill Stream and Supremacy, and O'Callaghan is in little doubt that Sands Of Mali has just the right profile to lead the stud into the future.
“I think he will complement Dark Angel and the rest of our stallions very well. As the fella says, you pay your money and you take your chance. We're just delighted to have secured him and he'll stand for €22,500,” O’Callaghan said.
Calandagan rated the world's best racehorse
Aga Khan homebred Calandagan (Gleneagles) triumphed in the G1 Champion Stakes on QIPCO British Champions Day and is now rated the best horse in the world in the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings.
Rated 130 from 125, the gelding defeated G1 Prince Of Wales's Stakes/G1 International Stakes hero Ombudsman (Night Of Thunder) (128), group winner Almaqam (Lope De Vega) (122) and G1 Eclipse Stakes victor Delacroix (Dubawi) (126) last month. The G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud both went his way in his two previous starts.
Sharing third in the rankings is the 127-rated Forever Young (Real Steel), who won the GI Breeders' Cup Classic defeating last year's Classic winner Sierra Leone (Gun Runner) (126), the 125-rated Fierceness (City Of Light) and GI Preakness Stakes winner Journalism (Curlin).
Also at 127 is Arc hero Daryz (Sea The Stars), Classic winner Field Of Gold (Kingman) and the GI Kentucky Derby/GI Belmont Stakes hero Sovereignty (Into Mischief). At the same level as Delacroix are the 126-ranked Hong Kong superstars Ka Ying Rising (Shamexpress) and Romantic Warrior (Acclamation).
Ace Impact lowered to €30,000
Haras de Beaumont has announced a reduction in fee for its unbeaten Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Ace Impact, who will stand at €30,000 (AU$53,000) next season, down from €40,000 (AU$71,000) in his first two years.
En route to his victory in the Arc, Ace Impact set a new record when winning the Prix du Jockey Club – a race won in recent years by the likes of Shamardal, Lope De Vega, Le Havre, New Bay and Study Of Man.
“Ace Impact was the highest rated three-year-old in 2023 and his ability to quicken was extraordinary. He has been very popular since retiring with us, covering more than 200 black-type mares or black-type producers in his first two seasons, and we are looking forward to his first foals selling soon,” said Mathieu Alex, manager of Haras de Beaumont. “Feedback from French and international breeders has been unanimously positive.”
Pegasus World Cup joins Breeders’ Cup Win and You’re In
The GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational will for the first time be included in the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In, Breeders' Cup Limited and 1/ST announced Thursday.
The Breeders' Cup Challenge Series is an international series of 94 stakes races in 15 countries whose winners will receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race at the 2026 Breeders' Cup World Championships, scheduled to be held Oct. 30-31 at Keeneland Race Course in Lexington.
As part of the global series of automatic qualifying races for the GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic, the Pegasus World Cup Invitational, which will be held on Saturday, Jan. 24, 2026, at Gulfstream Park, will offer the winner an automatic starting position along with pre-entry and entry fees paid (a $150,000 value). Additionally, the nominator of the winning horse will receive a $10,000 award.
Touch Gold dies aged 31
The oldest living GI Belmont Stakes winner, Touch Gold (Deputy Minister), has passed away at Old Friends Farm in Georgetown, Kentucky, according to a post on X from the retirement home late on Thursday.
The message said, “We are devastated to share the passing of Touch Gold, the 1997 Belmont Stakes winner, who succumbed to the infirmities of old age at 31. Tough, intelligent, determined, and courageous, he embodied the very spirit of a champion on the track and in retirement.”
