Merry Christmas from the TTR team
As we close out a big year at The Thoroughbred Report, we want to sincerely thank our readers, contributors and supporters for the loyalty, engagement and trust you continue to place in us. 2025 has been a demanding, fast-moving year for the industry, and the strength of TTR comes from the people who read us, advertise with us, support us, back independent journalism, and value informed, accountable coverage.
We’ll be taking a short break over the holiday period and will resume full coverage from January 1. There’s no shortage of important stories ahead, and we’re looking forward to 2026 with renewed focus and energy. From all of us at TTR, thank you for being part of this community - and here’s to a positive, constructive year ahead for horse racing.
Vale Bronte Simpson
Apprentice jockey Bronte Simpson has died in a car crash aged 24. Born in Ballarat, Simpson won on Kristen Buchanan-trained Stylebender (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) at Muswellbrook at her very first ride in May 2025. “A gifted young rider with a bright future, Bronte’s dedication and passion for the sport were evident to all who worked alongside her. Racing NSW extends its deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to Bronte’s family, her friends and her fellow riders,” said Racing NSW in a press statement.
“We've lost a member of our family in this devastating and tragic event. We have been left devastated by the news. On behalf of the association and our fellow jockeys we extend our heartfelt condolences to Bronte's family. In our ranks we have a lot of young female riders, many of whom Bronte was very close with and it has hit them the hardest. The association will wrap its arms around them and make sure we put the right support around them to deal with this tragic event,” NSW Jockeys' Association CEO Tony Crisafi told racenet.com.au.
“A woman died when her SUV left the highway and hit a tree about 80km north-west of Dubbo overnight. Emergency services were called to the Castlereagh Highway at Mendooran, about 9.15pm (Monday 22 December 2025), after a passing motorist saw the crashed vehicle. Passers-by assisted the driver; however, the woman – believed to be aged in her 20s – died at the scene,” said a NSW Police statement.
Juvenile winner for King’s Legacy
Jenny Graham-trained 2-year-old gelding Royal Exile (King’s Legacy) had to beat the older maidens in winning the first at Taree on Tuesday. On debut, he won by three-quarters of a length while short favourite. Royal Exile was sold by Ridgmont at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale for $70,000 to his trainer.
He is the second foal of Zanzidance (Deep Field) whose first foal, 3-year-old gelding Dynamite Dancer (Pierata) won two days ago at his second start for trainer Daniel Bowman. Zanzidance has an Artorius yearling filly and an Ole Kirk colt foal. Zanzidance is a winning half-sister to Group 3-placed Rome (Pierro).
Justify (USA) enjoyed a double at the same meeting with 3-year-old gelding Dark Justice and Triple Treat who took his record to two wins. Deep Field, the damsire of Royal Exile, had a winner at Taree with Cool Fizz.
Overshare filly flies at Mornington
John McArdle-trained 2-year-old filly Divine Dot (Overshare) was impressive on debut at Mornington, winning by 2.75 lengths. Regal Banter (King’s Legacy) was second in the juvenile event with Foxy Vixen (Alabama Express) in third. “She’s got a level of ability and what that level is, we’ll find out in the future,” McArdle said.
“My wife’s happy, she bred her, so Christmas presents for the kids now! She probably showed more than others in the family to this point.” She is the third winner for Miracle To Me (Bel Esprit) who won three times in her career, twice in Melbourne.
Pair of Summer Cup runners for Waterhouse and Bott
Major Beel (NZ) (Savabeel) and promising stablemate Shangri La Spring (Castelvecchio) will go head-to-head in the G3 Summer Cup on Boxing Day at Randwick for trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. “They're both in great shape, they came through the ATC Cup and had a bit of time between then,” Bott told racingnsw.com.au.
Shangri La Spring | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“We’ve tried to follow a similar formula with both going into the race. They had a nice tickover trial during the week and both look in great shape. There was plenty of merit to both their runs on the day so it’s hard to split them once again. Shangri La Spring looked a bit sharper in the trial but that’s the way they trialled last time going into it and Major Beel was able to turn the tables over the trip.”
Comeback for Craig in Lord Stakes
Boxing Day’s Listed Lord Stakes at Sandown will provide Craig (GB) (Territories {Ire}) an opportunity for a comeback. The Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained import has had only one start since running in the 2024 Golden Eagle. “I think you'll see a sharp improvement from his first-up run,” Busuttin told racing.com.
Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Obviously, he'd need to. We were happy enough with it, he was coming off a long, long gap between runs and he was definitely a bit rusty in his ringcraft, Craig Williams said, but, most importantly, he was a hundred per cent happy with his breathing. He's coming off a wind op, so he thought his breathing worked fine, he's still got to show results to say it's worked but I'm fairly confident we'll see a much-improved run from him this time.”
Royal Ascot still on for Lady Of Camelot
A trip to Royal Ascot is still on the cards for G1 Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot (Written Tycoon) who returns to the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable soon. “We brought her in and there were a few niggles there, so with a plan of potentially trying to get to an international campaign next time in, we thought we'd give her a good break and do a big, full build-up from there,” Bott told racingandsports.com.au.
Lady Of Camelot | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“She has just kicked off pre-training, and she will be in the stables soon. We will see her through the autumn, then there is the potential that we will look at an international campaign with her. We will have that in the back of our minds early in her preparation, keep those options open and Sir Owen will make a call as to what he'd like to do once we're in the initial stages of that program.”
ATC welcome fans for Boxing Day
The G3 Summer Cup is the highlight for Boxing Day at Randwick, and the week concludes with the Listed Canterbury Sprint on New Year’s Day. “Christmas and New Year is a wonderful time for ATC Members and our customers to share time with family and friends in a festive atmosphere,” Australian Turf Club's Interim CEO, Steve McMahon said in a press release.
Steve McMahon | Image courtesy of Australian Turf Club
“Boxing Day at Royal Randwick has built a new tradition with an Irish and international flavour as large groups of those communities make for a vibrant raceday. We also look forward to Saturday at Royal Randwick and then on New Year’s Day free entry into Canterbury Park, along with a host of food stalls and free entertainment for families to welcome in 2026.”
New winner for Farnan
Bathurst’s Tuesday meeting saw a new winner for second season sire Farnan, whose 3-year-old filly Atlantic Diva became his 28th winner. Trained by Annabel and Rob Archibald, she was having her fourth start. She was a $250,000 purchase by her trainer from Lime Country Thoroughbreds’ Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft.
Her dam, Lusitana (Sepoy) is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Alinghi (Encosta De Lago). This is also the family of sire Beneteau.
Anders adds new winner
Second season sire Anders added winner number 21 at Mornington when John McArdle-trained 3-year-old gelding Lapland won at his fourth start. He’d placed in all his first three starts. Passed in as a yearling, he is raced by Bridsan Bloodstock.
The second foal of Hinchin Time (Hinchinbrook), Lapland is from the family of speedy juveniles Speedy Bell (Brocco {USA}) and Whoever (Redoute’s Choice).
TBA’s new modules on yearling preparation
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) announced on Tuesday that a new TBA Learning module is available. It is focused on promoting industry best practice for preparing horses for the yearling sales. “The Yearling Sales Preparation module was initiated following feedback from breeders and vendors after the Perth Magic Millions Sale, where there was strong interest in practical, structured guidance tailored to the realities of modern yearling preparation,” said the press release.
“Originally proposed by Thoroughbred Breeders WA, it was quickly recognised that this content would be of value nationally and has therefore been developed for rollout across TBA Learning.
“TBA thanks everyone who contributed to the development of the module, including Kayleigh Walsh – Equine Veterinary Nurse, TAFE NSW Equine Teacher and experienced thoroughbred industry professional, Magic Millions and Inglis, and industry experts including Dr Fiona Lacey, Equine Veterinarian (Mogumber Park, WA), and Brent Atwell, Stud Manager (Darling View Thoroughbreds, WA).”
Applications open for the 2026 AgriFutures courses
Applications are now open for the 2026 AgriFutures Learning and Development Opportunities. The courses available include AICD – Foundations of Directorship; AICD – Company Directors Course; ARLF – Australian Agribusiness Leadership Program; ARLF – TRAIL Emerging Leaders Program; and Marcus Oldham Rural Leadership Program.
Applications close 4pm Monday 12 January 2025. You can find more information and application links here. https://agrifutures.com.au/opportunities/learning-and-development-opportunities/
Snitzel son to take on unbeaten Well Written
Te Akau Stud’s 3-year-old colt He Who Dares (Snitzel) has a big task ahead of him in the G2 Auckland Guineas with the presence of unbeaten Group 1 winner Well Written (Written Tycoon) in the field. “It is light on numbers, but with Affirmative Action and Well Written there it is certainly not easy,” co-trainer Sam Bergerson told Loveracing.nz.
“He trialled really well at Matamata, he has really bounced back from his trip to Riccarton, he has come back from a freshen-up in really good order. I thought his trial was really good, he has come through it really well. It is a little bit of a sticky gate (7), which I think we will roll forward from.”
Qali Al Farrasha looking to return to form in Group 1
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson-trained mare Qali Al Farrasha (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) can overcome a poor run last start in the G1 Zabeel Classic on Boxing Day. She was a bit of a headscratcher last time, beaten a short-priced favourite,” Bergerson told Loveracing.nz.
Qali Al Farrasha (NZ) | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
“We think she may be a bit better suited to right-handed, that is the only thing we could put it down to. Opie (Bosson, jockey) gave her a lovely run and she was just a bit flat there up the straight. We freshened her post the first two legs of the triple crown and maybe Pukekohe, with the turnaround, took the edge off her a little bit heading into Te Rapa.
“Her work has been really good since and she gets back to Ellerslie where she normally runs really well. We think up to 2000 metres suits with a reasonably nice barrier (4), and we are hoping she can bounce back to a bit of form in what has come up as a pretty strong field.”
Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance board changes
Drew Fleming, the president and chief executive officer of Breeders' Cup Limited, and Elliott Walden, president, CEO and racing manager for WinStar Farm, have been elected as directors of the board of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, the organization said in a release Monday.
For a second consecutive year, Walter S. Robertson, Jr., a member of the law firm Stites & Barbison PLLC, will serve as TAA president.
“I am honoured to continue serving as President of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance and grateful for the continued confidence of the Board of Directors,” said Robertson. “It is a privilege to work alongside such a dedicated and passionate group of industry leaders whose leadership and generosity are fundamental to advancing our shared mission. Together, we will continue to build upon the strong foundation of accredited aftercare to ensure a safe, dignified, and meaningful future for Thoroughbreds after their racing careers.”
The recently appointed directors will join the current board, which is comprised of Tony Allevato, Craig Bandoroff, Laura Barillaro, Donna Barton Brothers, Price Bell, Dr. Jeffrey Berk, Christina Blacker, Boyd Browning, Aidan Butler, Dr. Bonnie Comerford, Larry Connolly, Joe De Francis, Georganne Hale, Melissa Hicks, Jay Privman, Walt Robertson, Dean Roethemeier, Yvonne Schwabe, Mark Simendinger, Barbara Vanlangendonck and Ric Waldman.
After dedicating years of expertise, leadership and resources, Madeline Auerbach, Tom Cannell, and Jack Damico will conclude their service on the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Board of Directors at the end of 2025.
Thayer and Hendricks join Amplify board
Damon Thayer and Liza Hendriks have been named to the board of directors of Amplify Horse Racing, the organization announced Monday. Amplify Horse Racing is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that connects youth and young adults to education and career pathways in the Thoroughbred industry through classroom education, mentorship programming, and immersive experiences.
“Since leaving the Kentucky Senate last year, I have been looking for a way to give back to the racing industry that I am passionate about,” Thayer said. “Amplify Horse Racing's mission is much-needed and worthy of support, and I am honoured to have been asked to join the board and look forward to working with the team to connect young people to careers in the industry.”
Hendriks founded Wanamaker's, one of the first online Thoroughbred auction platforms in the U.S., which was acquired by Inglis in 2024, and she now serves on the Board of Inglis Digital USA.
