Daily News Wrap

St Jean dies in paddock accident

St Jean (Ire), the sire of G1 Caulfield Cup and G1 Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours, has died in a paddock accident. “After covering a mare, Memory Lane, on Monday the 24th of November, St Jean was returned to be fed in his paddock where he had lived happily and safely since the autumn of 2017,” Brackley park Stud manager Grant Dwyer said in a statement.

“On the morning of 25th of November it was discovered, that for reasons unknown, St Jean had run into a fence post overnight, breaking it off at ground level and shattering his near side front leg around the elbow region. His death was very untimely as breeders were only starting to recognise what an incredible pedigree this stallion had.

“Bookings had started to pick up and he was due to cover a mare by Desert King that afternoon which would have given the same cross as Half Yours. He was due to cover five mares by Desert King this season and had bookings of 35 mares in total. I lament the fact that more breeders did not take the opportunity to breed to this stallion in the first few seasons at stud at an incredibly low price, when the opportunity was afforded to them.”

The Group 3-winning son of Teofilo (Ire) had 35 named foals, for 22 runners and 12 winners. Half Yours is his only stakes winner to date.

ATC show cause meeting

The Australian Turf Club met with Racing NSW on Thursday to discuss RNSW’s Show Cause notice. “The Australian Turf Club board met today with the Racing NSW board to discuss the show cause notice issued to the club. The meeting was constructive, with both boards agreeing on ongoing engagement in the interests of NSW racing,” an ATC spokesperson said afterwards.

Last week, the ATC released their 2024/25 Annual Report, declaring a $2.59m loss, with Chair Tim Hale saying, “The Board has reviewed detailed cash flow forecasts, tested key assumptions, and considered the Club's asset base, debt levels and trading performance. I'm satisfied the Club can meet its obligations as they fall due. The ATC remains asset rich and full of opportunities to further futureproof our long-term plans.”

Warwick’s Friday meeting cancelled due to storm

A storm has caused major damage to the facilities at Warwick racetrack in Queensland, forcing the abandonment of their Friday meeting. Wednesday night’s storm lifted the roof off the clubhouse, wrecked the bookie’s ring, blew over the running rail, and damaged other buildings. “To be honest, it's a warzone,” Racing Queensland chief executive Lachlan Murray told racenet.com.au after driving to Warwick to inspect the damage.

“It is worse than I was expecting. But this club has shown they have got great resilience. The committee is out here and they have rolled the sleeves up, they are just cracking on with the clean up job. Whatever we need to do, we will throw heaven and earth at getting them up and running again and insurance will play a role in that.” The club hosts 12 meetings a year.

“The first we knew was when we got a message from the neighbours across the road that the roof was missing off the clubhouse,” Warwick Turf Club president Eric Standing said.

“The main damage was our big barrier shed, which was a complete write off. The neighbours told our track manager this morning that there was 15-20 seconds at the most of carnage and then it was all over. We were meant to race on Friday, but we obviously aren't now. We have got our next race meeting on Boxing Day and I'll be very surprised if we are not up and running by then.”

Aviatress ready for Doveton Stakes

Trainers Richard and Chantelle Jolly hope Aviatress (Smart Missile) will continue her good record at Caulfield in Saturday’s Listed Doveton Stakes. She’s had four runs at the track and never been worse than fourth including a last start second. “She would have won if she drew better, the outside gate made it hard, she probably ended up four lengths further back than needed, and that was the difference,” Richard Jolly told racingsa.com.au.

“In a perfect world, it would be 1200m, but it was that or go to 1400m, and I don’t think she’s had a prep for that. There isn’t a lot for her, maybe Christmas Handicap over there or here, but she might get too much weight here.”

Heathcote hoping for back-to-back Tattersalls wins

Trainer Robert Heathcote won the Listed Tattersalls Classic last year with Abounding (Rich Enuff) and this year runs En Pointe (Better Than Ready). “I wish I had Abounding in this year’s race,” Heathcote told racingqueensland.com.au.

“En Pointe is no Abounding, but she deserves her chance in a Listed race. She’s done a great job considering she was such a cheap buy. She won in open company at the Sunshine Coast two starts back but this race is a lot harder. This could well be her last season before going to stud but she’s in good form.” The winner of eight races and over $350,000 was a $37,500 purchase from Alexia Fraser Bloodstock’s Magic Millions March Yearling Sale draft.

Treble for Johnstone brings up 50

Apprentice jockey Jabez Johnstone rode a treble at Launceston on Wednesday night to bring up 50 career wins. “I’m getting very good opportunities, and I thank everyone for giving me a chance,” Johnstone told tasracing.com.au.

“I’m down to one and a half (kg claim) now, and I appreciate everyone a lot, and I couldn’t have done it without a lot of people.” He won on Halen (Stratosphere), Make A Decision (Decides), and Elegantly Written (Written By).

Olive hunting fourth successive Queanbeyan Cup

Trainer Nick Olive won last year’s Queanbeyan Cup with Just Go Bang (Sizzling), and the two prior with Invincible Dash (I Am Invincible). This year, on Friday, he hunts his fourth in succession with Epaullo Creed (Epaulette). “He has drawn the car park (Gate 14) but he is racing so well,” Olive told racingnsw.com.au.

“He will get out in front and do his own thing from there.” He’ll be ridden by apprentice jockey Ryan Bradley whose parents share in the ownership. “I just love him. He has helped me out a lot in these big races. I have won a few races on him and he always gives his best,” said Bradley.

Lime Country Thoroughbreds welcome De Lautour

Lime Country Thoroughbreds announced on Thursday that Jess de Lautour will join the team as the new Business Support and Client Relations Coordinator. She takes over from Aoife Crotty. “She brings a fantastic mix of practical and academic experience to the farm; she holds a Bachelor of Sport (majoring in Sport Science with a minor in Media and Communication) and completed her studies while simultaneously working in racing stables in both hands-on and marketing capacities,” said the release.

“She will work closely with Greg and Jo to ensure our operations run smoothly and help us to further elevate the standard of service and communication we provide. Jess is keen to deepen her knowledge of the Australian bloodstock industry while supporting our clients and prospective buyers on-farm and through the upcoming sales period. Growing up as a farm girl with a horse background, she is particularly excited to watch our young stock develop from the paddock to the track.

“We would also like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Aoife for her contribution and dedication during her time at Lime Country Thoroughbreds. We wish her the very best in her next chapter.”

New winner for King’s Legacy

King’s Legacy added winner number 23 when Lachie Manzelmann-trained 3-year-old gelding Mayor Of Kingston won at Rockhampton. He is a half-brother to Group 3-placed Hasty Honey (Epaulette). The remainder of the meeting was moved to Friday due to lightning storms in the area on Thursday.

Mayor Of Kingston went through the sales ring three times. Tyreel Stud sold him for $70,000 at the Inglis Sydney Weanling Sale to Robyn Wise, who sold him for $100,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He went through an Inglis Digital Sale in November 2025 where John Manzelmann picked him up for $6000. He’s had two starts for his new stable for a second and a win.

Women In Racing awards nominations close Monday

The 2026 Magic Millions Racing Women supported by TAB Achievement Awards will recognise the contribution of Extraordinary Women in all States & Territories to the Australian Thoroughbred Industry. Nominations for the five state-based national categories close on Monday December 1.

Each winner will receive a $10,000 Racing Women scholarship from TAB.A gathering of the thoroughbred industry’s elite to announce the winners will be held on Friday January 9, 2026.

Bowman and Ho cement IJC places

Both Hugh Bowman and Vincent Ho rode winners at Happy Valley on Wednesday, resulting in the pair winning the coveted last two positions in the International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) on December 10. Bowman won on Allcash (Brz) (Kentuckian {USA}). “It’s always a privilege to ride in the IJC and I came here tonight with some strong chances and we had a really good night,” Bowman told scmp.com.

“I’m really pleased with that. Allcash was strong. He trialled well recently and his better form is on the all-weather track – we were aware of that – but he’s got points in hand and he showed that tonight.”

Ho rode a double on The Boom Box (Spirit Of Boom) and King Miles (Exceed And Excel) to bag the local jockey slot. “It means a lot and each winner, I’m really grateful for the horse, owner and trainer for the trust. After seven months and the comeback, there are a lot of uncertainties,” said Ho.

“I want to thank all of the medical teams, my sports psychologist, the people in Switzerland who helped me and, of course, the (Hong Kong Jockey) Club for their support. I do feel extremely grateful for this and this is what I want to do, especially this year. (The) line-up is really great with great jockeys and a lot of friends. The winning year (2023) was great but this one to be racing together with this group of jockeys is really meaningful.”

Rivals confirmed for Ka Ying Rising’s Sprint attempt

Twelve sprinters will take on Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) in the G1 Hong Kong Sprint, attempting to prevent him from back to back wins in the race. Last year’s placegetters Helio Express (Toronado {Ire})) and Japan’s Satono Reve (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) are back again. Win Carnelian (Jpn) (Screen Hero {Jpn}) will also represent Japan, while the other international raider is Britain’s Khaadem (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}).

Locally trained horses round out the field including Wunderbar (Rich Enuff), who remains the only horse to have beaten Ka Ying Rising in his career, albeit at the beginning of proceedings back in January 2024.

Voyage Bubble (Deep Field) has been confirmed for the mile, and international raider Giavellotto (Ire) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}) will defend his Vase crown, meaning all of last year’s winners will be present. No Australian trained horses have confirmed to run.

British Horseracing welcome tax news

The British Chancellor Rachel Reeves confirmed on Wednesday that remote betting on British horseracing will be exempt from tax rises and remain at 15%. The British horseracing industry welcomed the news.

The British Horseracing Authority said in a statement, “It is welcome that the Chancellor has today rightly recognised the vital importance of racing as a cultural, social and economic asset and acted to help secure the sport's long-term future.

“The Chancellor's positive decision recognises the potential damage to our sport, and the jobs supported by it, if the Government followed through on its proposal to “harmonise” remote gambling taxes and place horserace betting at the same rate as online casino betting.

“While the BHA led the sport's response to the Treasury's consultation, it was an all-of-sport effort to come together in a way which demonstrated the strength and solidarity of racing when collaborating with a shared purpose. We are grateful that the Treasury and No10 have listened to racing, speaking as one, and acted to protect the future of racing.

“We also note the increases in other gambling duties for the betting industry a result of the Budget, given the Government's need to raise more money from general taxation. The relationship between racing and betting remains as important as ever and we will be working with our partners in the betting industry to understand the impact of this on British racing.

“The BHA will now analyse the Budget documents in greater detail to establish whether there are any other potential issues that may impact racing. We look forward to continuing to work with the Government to champion our sport and ensure that British racing can support its agenda for growth moving forward.”

Over 300 entries for Dubai meeting

Over 300 horses from 19 countries have applied for the 2025-26 Dubai Racing Carnival (DRC) at Meydan this season. The 16-week stand kicked off on November 7 and ends on March 28 with the G1 Dubai World Cup card.

Meydan races three times in December, on Friday, 5, 12 and 19, culminating in Festive Friday which hosts the G2 Al Maktoum Mile and the G2 Al Rashidiya.

“We are delighted to have acceptors for the Carnival from so many different countries,” commented Erwan Charpy, head of department, Racing Operations & International Relations for Dubai Racing Club.

“This further underlines the position of Dubai as the centre of the racing world and is a compliment to both our facilities and our racing programme, both of which continue to evolve. We are excited about welcoming so many Group 1 winners and high-class horses to Dubai over the next few weeks and wish everyone the best of luck with their planning and travel.”

More distance for Further Ado

Spendthrift Farms' Further Ado (USA) (Gun Runner {USA}), who will make his next start in Saturday's GII Kentucky Jockey Club S. at Churchill Downs, ran sensationally in his last start, winning a Keeneland maiden by 20 lengths, earning a 98 Beyer figure. The Beyer number is tied for the second fastest race by a 2-year-old in 2025.

Further Ado debuted July 26 at Saratoga and finished fifth in a six-furlong maiden. He returned Aug. 30 at Saratoga in a seven-furlong maiden and ran a distant third.

The most obvious difference between his first and second races and his third was the distance. Cox stretched him out to a 1 1/16 miles (1700 metres) and got one of the best performances by any 2-year-old this year. “I think he just didn't handle the distance in those first two starts,” Cox said.

“Getting him out around two turns seemed to make the difference. We liked him a good bit in all three starts. He was able to put it all together going long that day at Keeneland. No, I never thought he'd win by 20 lengths.

"Watching the race that day at Keeneland, I thought, 'Wow he's really moving well and they were going quick enough up front.' It didn't seem like anyone was closing in on him going into the far turn. It looked like he had the horse in front of him measured and he just kept extending the margin. It was a very impressive win, to say the least.”