Five for Maher in Zipping Classic
Trainer Ciaron Maher will have five runners in Saturday’s G2 Zipping Classic, led by Group 1 winner Light Infantry Man (Fr) (Fast Company {Ire}) who won’t be heading to Hong Kong. “Light Infantry Man was in question to go to Hong Kong, but we've opted to stay here and target the 2400m. It's going to be hard to split them but naturally you would pick Light Infantry Man on top,” assistant trainer Jack Turnbull told racing.com.
Light Infantry Man (Fr) | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
The others are Smokin’ Romans (NZ) (Ghibellines), Berkshire Breeze (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}), Interpretation (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Strawberry Rock (Ire) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}).
Cumani’s project horse resumes in Group 3
Trainer Matt Cumani has been nursing 8-year-old gelding Monbaher (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}) back to form. He hasn’t run since winning the Listed Moonee Valley Night Cup in February 2024, and will resume in Saturday’s G3 Eclipse Stakes at Caulfield. “I was gifted the horse and I've spent plenty of time trying to nurse him back,” Cumani told racenet.com.au.
Matt Cumani | Image courtesy of Cumani Racing
“Because I own him, I look after him in the stable and Holly, who rides him, is completely in love with the horse and I could never not have him in the barn. We've taken double the amount of time in the conditioning phase and if I was an owner of him, it probably wouldn't be possible because it's too expensive to do that. He's going well but we are being extra cautious with him because he does seem to be injury-prone.”
Kennewell targets Gold Coast with Listed debutants
Trainer Lloyd Kennewell has two debutants running in Saturday’s Listed Merson Cooper Stakes, Eternal Warrior (Extreme Warrior) and Forbidden Desire (Tassort), and both will be targeted at the R.Listed Magic Millions 2YO Classic. “I've always got the Gold Coast in the back of my mind. We've had a lot of success up there over the years, albeit with the 2-year olds, I think it's hard for the southerners to get up there and win that race,” Kennewell told racing.com.
Lloyd Kennewell | Image courtesy of Western Racepix
“I think clearly Forbidden Desire is the real sharp, precocious, on-speed horse. They'll want to be quick to lead her, I would think, whereas the other horse (Eternal Warrior) is very workmanlike. There's not a lot between, on the training track this morning they both were really good, I'm very happy with them.”
Clipperton returns to the races on Thursday
Jockey Sam Clipperton, twice Sydney’s champion apprentice, returns to the saddle on Thursday for the first time since late 2024. “It was a time in my life that I needed to step away and at the time I had no intentions of coming back,” Clipperton told racenet.com.au.
After working as a real estate agent, Clipperton found his love for riding again. “I spoke to quite a few people. Breeders like Henry Field and Charles Kelly. Trainers like Chris Waller, Ron Quinton and Michael Freedman as well as Darren Beadman. They all provided me with encouragement and advice on different things, and I know that I'm coming back for the right reason with enthusiasm I haven't had for a long time.
“I'm so excited. I haven't felt like this since back in my apprentice days. The difference between the two versions of Sam Clipperton is this time I know how to achieve what is expected of me and I know what to hold onto and what to let go of.”
Australian Derby winner Levendi dies from colic
Magnum Park announced on Wednesday that their resident stallion Levendi had died on October 18 from colic. “Even in grief, we carry pride. His legacy lives on in his foals, who already show his temperament, his strength, his stride and his spark. His story is not ending here. His story continues through his progeny and through everyone who loved him and believed in him,” said the statement.
“To everyone at Peter Gelagotis Racing and the Gelagotis family, thank you for entrusting us with your boy. Caring for Levendi and giving him a home where he was cherished every day has been one of the greatest honours of our lives and a privilege we will remember forever.”
Levendi, a son of Pierro, won the 2018 G1 Australia Derby in a five win career that netted over $1.7 million. From small crops, with his oldest foals currently 3-year-olds, he has one winner, 3-year-old gelding Tempt The Gods who has won two of his six starts.
New winner for Lucky Vega
Second season sire Lucky Vega (Ire) added a new winner when 3-year-old colt That’s Gold broke his maiden in New Zealand at his tenth attempt. He ran fourth in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes at two.
That’s Gold was sold by Yulong Stud at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale for $57,500 to Chris Wood Racing, Paul Moroney and Catherynne Bruggemann.
Well bred King’s English wins in New Zealand
Te Akau Racing’s $700,000 purchase 3-year-old colt King’s English (Snitzel) won at Te Aroha on Wednesday. Third in both of his first two starts, this was his third career outing. “He was electric,” co-trainer Sam Bergerson said.
“We thought they had gone pretty hard early, and obviously the other leader weakened off, but he kept going right through the line and he is just going from strength-to-strength this horse. A bit of time between runs he was feeling very well and it was good to see him put in a performance like that.”
He was sold by Newhaven Park Stud at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, and is the second live foal of Group 1 winner English (Encosta De Lago) whose 2-year-old filly has been named Queen’s English (Snitzel) and she has Dundeel (NZ) yearling colt and a Mo’Unga (NZ) filly foal.
Gentildonna dies aged 16
Japan’s Sunday Thoroughbred Club has reported that champion mare Gentildonna (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) has died aged 16. “After making her debut in November 2011, she became the fourth filly to win the Triple Crown at age three, winning the Oka Sho, Oaks, and Shuka Sho,” said the statement.
“Her fierce battle with Triple Crown winner Orfevre in the Japan Cup by a nose remains legendary. The following year, she won the Japan Cup twice in a row. At age five, she won the Dubai Sheema Classic, a G1 race overseas, and retired with a flourish in the Arima Kinen, marking her seventh G1 win.
“Leaving a glorious record behind, she passed away peacefully on November 25, the same day as her first Japan Cup victory.” As a broodmare, Gentildonna produced two winners led by G1 Hanshin Queen Elizabeth II Cup winner Geraldina (Jpn) (Maurice {Jpn}).
Dragon Symbol's foals a big hit at Tattersalls
Improved trade punctuated by a steady stream of notable results for the progeny of Dragon Symbol (GB), a son of Cable Bay (Ire), would be a neat summation of Tuesday's opening session of the December Foal Sale at Tattersalls, with Whitsbury Manor Stud's first-crop sire alone accounting for nearly 25% of the 1,684,200gns (AU$3.56 million) that changed hands on the day.
That total turnover represented a 23% increase compared to 12 months ago, while the average and the median also painted a much prettier picture as opposed to what was a sluggish start to last year's December Foal Sale. The average was up by 22% to 14,774gns (AU$31,400) and the median by 8% to 9,750gns (AU$20,700).
The top lot was from the Norris Bloodstock draft, a Dragon Symbol colt out of the Showcasing mare Perfect Showdance, who went the way of Paul McCartan of Ballyphilip Stud for 75,000gns (AU$160,000). Late in the day, he was joined at the top of the leaderboard by a filly belonging to the first crop of the dual Group 1-winning sprinter Shaquille, with Luke Barry of Manister House Stud striking the successful 75,000gns (AU$160,000) bid.
Economics sold to India
Brilliant Irish Champion Stakes winner Economics will embark on his stallion career in India after being sold to Poonawalla Stud, bloodstock agent Ajay Anne has confirmed.
Trained by William Haggas, Economics took the scalp of Auguste Rodin in that memorable Leopardstown tussle last year. He also won the Dante Stakes in breathtaking fashion earlier on in his 3-year-old campaign. The son of Night Of Thunder will join fellow import Territories on the roster at Poonawalla Stud.
Anne commented, “Mr Zavaray Poonawalla has a big ambition of improving the breeding stock in India. They have been breeding horses for half a century and have stood some very good stallions and recently purchased Territories last year.
“This year, Mr Poonawalla was looking to buy a stallion from off the track, and Economics is one of the highest-profile horses that has gone to India in my memory. A winner of the Irish Champion Stakes and by a very hot sire in Night Of Thunder, he is also an extremely good-looking horse. He looks just like his father – is just a bigger model and he is out of dual Group 2 winner in La Pomme D'Amour (Peintre Celebre). I think we are very lucky to get a stallion like him.”
Amplify’s outreach to America’s youth is strong
Amplify Horse Racing, the national organisation connecting youth to the Thoroughbred industry, closed out its 2025 season outreach with a busy week in November.
Amplify began the week by welcoming over 75 students and 4-H leaders from 11 different states participating in the Eastern National 4-H Horse Roundup to a Thoroughbred Industry Discovery Day at Keeneland. Students heard from industry professionals about racehorse training and equine safety, explored the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, and joined a lunchtime career activity that connected them directly with mentors and employers in the industry.
Amplify conducted a field trip to Godolphin's Gainsborough Farm for 40 students from the Walden School in Louisville, and capped off the week by exhibiting at the Fayette County Public Schools Career Expo at Tates Creek High School.
“Our goal has always been to meet youth where they are, in their schools, communities, and online, and show them that there's a place for them in this industry,” said Annise Montplaisir, Amplify's Executive Director and Co-Founder.
“This type of transformative programming doesn't happen without the collaboration and generosity of industry partners and donors. The financial support we receive directly fuels our ability to reach youth who might otherwise never discover this incredible industry. As we look toward 2026, we invite everyone who believes in the future of horse racing to join us in this mission.”
