Daily News Wrap

Proven sires trifecta the Max Lees Classic

Trainer Peter Snowden’s 2-year-old colt Seeiaye (Russian Revolution) won Saturday’s Max Lees Classic over 900 metres by 1.7 lengths over Michael Freedman trained filly Mystical (Exceed And Excel) with Kris Lees-trained filly Pomelo Chamomile (Maurice {Jpn}) in third.

“He's a Magic Millions horse so that will certainly be in our mind. Whether he has another run now or a little freshen up then back in and we give him another run or two. I will wait until next week and make a call through the week on what we do,” Snowden said.

Seeiaye was initially sold by Fairhill Farm at the Inglis Sydney Weanling Sale for $27,500 to Musk Creek Farm, who pinhooked him into their 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft. He was purchased by Capri Racing and Peter Snowden for $65,000. He is the second foal and second winner for unraced Blue Blazers (I Am Invincible) who has an Artorius yearling filly and a filly foal by Farnan. Blue Blazers is a full sister to Champion 2YO In Singapore and sire Super One.

Luana Miss adds another stakes win in Placid Ark

Late on Saturday night, 3-year-old filly Luana Miss (Bivouac) added her second career Listed victory in the Listed Placid Ark Stakes at Ascot. Trained by Trevor Andrews, Luana Miss won the Listed Supremacy Stakes at two.

She took her record to four wins from six starts with earnings over $500,000. She’s one of three stakes winner for second season sire Bivouac and was a $110,000 purchase by her trainer from the Western Breeders’ Alliance at the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.

“Relief. She was in a good spot, but with horses all around and had nowhere to go. She has this electric turn of foot and she’s just a ripping filly,” said Andrews. A decision on the G1 Winterbottom Stakes will be made next week.

Juvenile winner for Hellbent at Doomben

Doomben’s QTIS 2-year-old race on Saturday was won by Chris and Corey Munce-trained colt Zip Lock (Hellbent) who defeated Tony Gollan-trained gelding Itchintogo (Sun City) by 1.5 lengths. Stephen Kirkwood-trained filly Magritte (Better Than Ready) was third.

Zip Lock was sold by Yarraman Park Stud at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale to Munce Racing and Arthur Hoyeau for $160,000. He is the fourth foal and fourth winner for winning mare Honolulu Lass (Hinchinbrook), who has a yearling colt by Brave Smash and no foal in 2025.

It’s a family with strong juvenile form, as Honolulu Lass is a half-sister to G3 WATC Sires' Produce Stakes winner Debellatio (Smart Missile) and Listed Princess Stakes winner Devoirs (Dehere {USA}), with all three out of G2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes winner and G1 Ellerslie Sires' Produce Stakes-placed Velasco (Flying Spur).

I Am Immortal adds 2-year-old winner

The opening race at Morphettville on Saturday was won by Phillip Stokes-trained 2-year-old Portarlington (I Am Immortal) who had run fourth on debut. He won by half-a-length from Andrew Gluyas-trained Churchill Rose (Churchill {Ire}) with the rest of the field over 11 lengths from this pair.

Portarlington is one of three winners for G3 Dark Jewel Classic winner Seaside (Redoute’s Choice). Rosemont Stud sold him to J Douglas for $1000 at the Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale, and he was on-sold via Inglis Digital in August 2024 for $6000 to Darwin Crew.

G3 How Now Stakes won by Proved

Enver Jusufovic-trained 5-year-old mare Proved (NZ) (Time Test {GB}) didn’t start racing until she was a spring 4-year-old, but she showed she was worth the wait when winning her first five in succession. Back this spring, she resumed with her only career loss when fifth, but bounced back in Saturday’s G3 How Now Stakes to record her first black type victory.

She becomes the 10th stakes winner for New Zealand based Time Test (GB) and is the only foal for Out To Impress (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) who died after foaling her. Out To Impress is a half-sister to Group 1 winner and sire Monaco Consul (NZ).

Double for Complacent as Agera wins G2 Tauranga Stakes

On Saturday, Agera (NZ) (Complacent) won the G2 Tauranga Stakes to go with his Listed Matamata Cup. The 6-year-old gelding, trained by Tony Pike, has won three in succession, and a career total of eight wins with earnings over NZ$340,000. He is one of four stakes winners for his sire, who was exported to France in 2022.

Sold by Mapperley Stud at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale for NZ$70,000 to Waikato Bloodstock, Agera is a half-brother to Listed winner Ima Roca Bee (NZ) (El Roca). Complacent had a double at the meeting with 3-year-old filly Rising Star (NZ) who made it two wins in succession.

Storyville wins the G3 RJ Peters Stakes

The last on the card at Ascot, the G3 RJ Peters Stakes named in honour of owner Bob Peters was won by Grant and Alana Williams-trained 4-year-old mare Storyville (Overshare). Ridden by William Pike, who made it a treble for the day, Storyville won by 0.2 lengths from Neville Parnham-trained Demolish (Rich Enuff) with Bob Peters-owned and Michael Grantham-trained Cosmic Crusader (NZ) (Maurice {Jpn}) having to settle for third.

Storyville won the G3 Champion Fillies Stakes at this meeting last year before adding the G2 WA Guineas. All up, Storyville has won five of her 14 starts and over $650,000. She is a half-sister to stakes placed pair of Crescent City (Fiorente {Ire}) and Axeman’s Jazz (Dundeel {NZ}). Overshare's other stakes winner is Group 1 winner Lady Laguna.

Bozo no clown in winning G3 New Zealand Cup

Fitness was the key in a gruelling G3 New Zealand Cup over two miles in heavy conditions, and it was Kevin Myers-trained 5-year-old mare Bozo (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}) who toughed out the victory. In second, 3.5 lengths in arrears was Notabadspillane (NZ) (Time Test {GB}) with Canheroc (NZ) (El Roca) another length back in third.

It was the fourth win in the race for Myers and the second for jockey Tina Comignaghi. “Tina gave her a great ride. We thought, with a bit of pace in the race, they would end up going quite slow late in the race in these track conditions. We just wanted to get her to the outside and see if she could finish over the top of them,” said Myers’ son Jason.

“From the 1000m, once she started picking runs in between horses, I was starting to grow in confidence. She looked to be travelling pretty well, and then she was just too strong for them in the end.”

Quirky gelding wins the Listed Village Stakes

Consistent galloper Boston Rocks (Hellbent) rewarded trainer Matthew Dale’s persistence when winning Saturday’s Listed Village Stakes at Caulfield. “He's always been such a consistent horse. It is a great result and I have his half-sister by So You Think, so it is good residually for her as well,” said Sean Driver of Kurinda Bloodstock.

“It has been tough this spring. We have been thrown a few curve balls with Private Harry going amiss and then we had Hidden Motive win the Roman Consul in Sydney, and now Boston Rocks. Matthew has done such a wonderful job with this horse. He's a quirky gelding and to keep him sound, he's got tricky feet.”

Now the winner of seven of his 22 starts, Boston Rocks becomes the ninth stakes winner for Hellbent. Kurrinda Bloodstock and Singleton Racing purchased him from Segenhoe Stud’s Inglis HTBA Yearling Sale for $100,000. Segenhoe Stud have a close relative going to the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale with Lot 411, a Stay Inside colt out of Boston Rock’s half-sister Kahlo (Dissident).

Listed Keith Noud won by Epic Proportions for Maher stable

The multi-state stable of Ciaron Maher won the Listed Keith Noud Handicap at Doomben on Saturday with 5-year-old gelding Epic Proportions (Better Than Ready) who became stakes winner number 16 for his sire.

He took his record to seven wins and seven seconds from 25 starts with earnings over $470,000. He was purchased by his trainer for $70,000 from Yarramalong Park’s 2022 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. His dam, Commanding Epic (Commands) had a colt by Alpine Edge this season.

Better Than Ready had a double at Doomben with Ready To Schipp who took her record to four wins from 12 starts.

Peters wins Listed Jungle Mist Classic

Owner Bob Peters won the Listed Jungle Mist Classic with 5-year-old mare Drakania (NZ) (Ace High). Drakania began her career in New Zealand where she won the Listed Otago Breeders’ Stakes at three, before heading to Perth. After a couple of starts at four, she had a long layoff before resuming this winter.

Trained by Michael Grantham, she has won twice over winter and was fresh today. The front runner Cessation (Sessions) clung on for second while Objectify (No Nay Never {USA}) was a length back in third.

One of four stakes winners for her sire, Drakania is out of Justa Secret (NZ) (Sakhee's Secret {GB}), making Drakania a half-sister to Group 3 winner Raziah (NZ) (Niagara).

Storm no drama for Inflamed in Listed Stewards Stakes

The races delayed at Riccarton after a severe storm with hailstones the size of golf balls and torrential rain in a 15 minute session after race four. Fortunately for trainers Brian and Shane Anderton, the meeting continued and their last start winner Inflamed (NZ) (Ghibellines) thrived in the Heavy 9 conditions to win the Listed Stewards Stakes. “When the rain came it didn’t do her any harm as she goes on most ground. Everything we have put Donovan (Cooper) on has gone alright and he is a very good rider,” Shane Anderton said.

Bred and raced by Brian Anderton and his late wife Lorraine of White Robe Lodge, Inflamed became the ninth stakes winner for their resident sire Ghibellines. The 6-year-old mare took her record to six wins and earnings over NZ$230,000. Inflamed is a three-quarter-sister to Group 1 winner Smokin’ Romans (NZ) (Ghibellines) and is out of Listed Inglewood Stakes winner Ortem Fire (NZ) (Gallant Guru).

Resolute Racing’s Ernaux wins maiden

At Canterbury on Friday night, Resolute Racing’s $3 million yearling, now 3-year-old filly Ernaux (I Am Invincible) won her maiden for trainer Chris Waller. She beat the favourite Bjorn Baker-trained Pyrolysis (Zoustar) by a head. Placed twice at two, Ernaux has had three starts at three.

She is the second foal and second city winner for Group 1 winner Booker (Written Tycoon) who has a Home Affairs 2-year-old colt and a Justify (USA) colt foal. Booker is a full sister to Listed winner and young sire Banquo.

New winner for Ole Kirk

On Friday night at the Sunshine Coast, trainer Jamie Bayliss provided second season sire Ole Kirk with his 24th winner when 3-year-old gelding Kozak Prince won his maiden in race four. The meeting was abandoned after the win due to lightning strikes in the region.

Kozak Prince was sold by Gilgai Farm to his trainer at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $30,000.

Whistlejacket sold to France

Group 1 winner Whistlejacket (Ire) (No Nay Never {USA}) has been acquired by a group of breeders led by Jean-Philippe Dubois and will stand for €14,000 (AU$25,000) at Haras de Grandcamp next year, France-Sire reported on Friday. The full-brother to fellow juvenile top-level winner Little Big Bear will have his stallion career and syndication managed by Jean Daniel Manceau of Capucines Bloodstock.

Dubois said in a statement, “I had the opportunity to follow the 2-year-old season of Whistlejacket, a true model of precocity and courage. His victory in the Prix Morny made an impression. It has been a long time since a 2-year-old of this calibre has returned to stud in France.”

Dark Angel fee released by Yeomanstown

Fresh off the news that Sands Of Mali would stand for €22,500 (AU$40,000) next year, Yeomanstown Stud also revealed fees for the remainder of its roster. Tops of the stud is reigning champion sire Dark Angel, who will stand at €45,000 (AU$80,100), down from €60,000 (AU$107,000).

The son of Acclamation is responsible for 115 stakes winners. A total of 13 of his progeny have struck at stakes level this season, with the consistent Khaadem successful across the pond in Keeneland's GII Woodford Stakes before running third in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint. Heredia won the GII Yellow Ribbon Stakes this year, while Just Call Me Angel struck in Milan's G2 Premior Dormello. In Canada, The Big Con saluted in the GII Grey Stakes, Time To Turn claimed the G3 Horris Hill Stakes at Newbury and the G3 Prix du Bois in France fell to Moojeed. Art Power claimed the G3 Renaissance Stakes in Ireland.

Sales companies in Europe agree to new starting letter

Arqana, Goffs, Goffs UK, Tattersalls and Tattersalls Ireland have agreed to harmonise the starting letter for sales catalogues from January 1, 2026. The agreement will see all sales which are catalogued alphabetically, either by lot name or dam name, start with the same letter across the participating sales companies. The starting letter for the next three years will be as follows:

• 2026 – F

• 2027 – K

• 2028 – P

Tough decision to sell Suelita

Ed Harper has admitted to wrestling with the decision to part with Whitsbury Manor Stud's outstanding producer Suelita (Dutch Art) at the forthcoming December Mares Sale at Tattersalls. The dam of the 2,000 Guineas winning-sire Chaldean, among others, Suelita will go under the hammer as lot 1726 during the second of the two Sceptre Sessions on Tuesday, December 2.

“It was a really difficult decision. To be honest, it was one we only made right up until the last day of entries. We were going back and forth over it,” Harper said.

“Thinking about our young stallions – Dragon Symbol, Elite Status and Sergei (Prokofiev) – we're probably better off investing the money she can realise into young mares that can go to those stallions. She's far too special to go to unproven stallions. She needs to be going to the cream of the crop every time.”

“The truth of it is that she's probably outgrown us. The thing that really keeps Whitsbury growing is our reputation for building stallion careers and supporting our own stallions. She's done a great job with that. We bred (G2 Mill Reef Stakes winner) Alkumait and (Listed Cecil Frail Stakes winner and G1 Flying Five Stakes runner-up) Get Ahead by Showcasing and we've got a lovely colt foal by Havana Grey.

“But the truth of it is that she's probably been to a Whitsbury stallion for the last time. She's in foal to Frankel now, it's the perfect match, and now is the time (to sell her).”

Breeders’ Cup betting champion crowned

Dave Smyth, a financial planner and horseplayer from Lexington, KY, saved his best for last at the 2025 Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge (BCBC), parlaying an US$8,000 (AU$12,250) Daily Double on the final two legs into a record US$607,800 (AU$930,000) payday.

“As a financial planner, I put puzzles together,” he said. “I absolutely loved Forever Young,” he recalled of the eventual GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic winner.

“He had tactical speed and was ready to fire.” In addition to betting Forever Young across the board, Smyth went big on a Forever Young exacta box with defending champion Sierra Leone, which grossed US$17,150 (AU$26,000).

Smyth finished with a total score of 144,800 points and combined those earnings with his first-place prize of US$463,000 (AU$709,000) for the US$607,800 (AU$930,000) total. As a commitment to the future of the sport, Smyth is donating 5% of the first-place prize to Amplify Horse Racing. The organization fosters Thoroughbred industry education, mentorship, and career opportunities with horse programs for youth and young adults. The tournament players generated a record US$8,902,863 (AU$13.6 million) in wagering handle.