Future History makes it a hat-trick in January Cup
It was a miserable bleak day at Rosehill on Saturday, but not for Ciaron Maher’s stayer Future History (GB) (Showcasing {GB}) who made it three wins in succession in the Listed January Cup. “It was a last-minute decision to start him in this race today and it's obviously paid dividends for the team,” Ciaron Maher stable representative Sam Fitzgerald said.
“Coming back from the 2800 metres of the Bagot last start, he had a good amount of fitness under his belt and that was probably the difference out there today in those conditions. He came off the truck on Wednesday night bouncing around like he was a yearling so he was nice and fresh and we didn't have too many concerns about the drop back to the 2000 metres today.
“We didn't give Nash (Rawiller) any instructions. I was surprised he held the rail but you don't question Nash. He's done it too many times.” The horse will head to the Listed Australia Day Cup at Warwick Farm next. Future History has won 10 of his 39 starts and over $1.3 million.
Double for Dirty Work on Saturday
Widden Stud’s second season sire Dirty Work enjoyed a double on Saturday when John Thompson-trained 3-year-old filly Melanite won the Magic Millions Maiden at the Gold Coast, and 3-year-old filly Dirty Old Town won at Morphettville.
Melanite was having her first start at three, having placed at two. She was purchased by her trainer with Boomer Bloodstock (FBAA) at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $140,000 from Fernrigg Farm’s 2023 draft. The win took her earnings over $160,000.
Trained by Andrew Gluyas, Dirty Old Town was sold by Sullivan Bloodstock at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale for $80,000 to S Chambers. She is the first winner for Sharing (Henny Hughes {USA}) who was a city winner of four races.
Better Than Ready juvenile wins at Doomben
David Murphy-trained 2-year-old colt Areprice (Better Than Ready) made a statement at Doomben on Saturday with a five-length victory on debut. He was purchased by his trainer for $47,500 from Figtree Farm’s 2025 Magic Millions March Yearling Sale draft.
He becomes the third juvenile winner for Better Than Ready this season. Areprice is one of four winners for Lady Denman (Denman) who is a half-sister to stakes placed A Wee Dram (Half Hennessy).
Murray Bridge juvenile race won by Zouwin
Trainers Aaron Bain and Ned Taylor won the juvenile race at Murray Bridge on Saturday with debutant 2-year-old filly Zouwin (Zousain). She was sold by Ambergate Farm at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale for $36,000 to Bain Racing and Summit Bloodstock.
She is the third winner for Love Lucille (Manhattan Rain) who is a full sister to Group 2 winner Scarlet Rain.
Sir Carter wins Country Cup
Trainers Peter and Will Hulbert held their breath as three horses dived across the line in the Magic Millions Country Cup, and it was Sir Carter (Zoustar) who prevailed by a nose from Astra Star (Cosmic Force) with Oberoi Princess (Dracarys) in third. “That was great. Twelve months ago he was first emergency and we reckon he would have run second last year so we set the goal to get him hear this year,” Will Hubert said.
“He had one more run in the country to qualify today. He only had one trial so we said to the boys that if he earned a cheque then, happy days. We gave him a jump out two weeks after that. I rode him in the jump out and the jockeys were going too hard so I just poked around the back with 75 kilos and he flew. He just keeps getting better and the older he gets.”
The 6-year-old gelding has won seven of his 37 starts and over $460,000. Initially sold for $100,000 by Raheen Stud to Grey Skies Bloodstock at the 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, he was on-sold through Inglis Digital in 2022 for $17,000 to Hulbert Racing.
VRC donates to bushfire appeal
The Victoria Racing Club have donated $10,000 to the Victorian Bushfire Appeal with Saturday’s card dedicated to first responders. “We had our staff go up to the Inglis Sales Complex to assist. We had 30 people go up on Tuesday to muck out boxes, which included people from the IT department, marketing, accounting and finance and they went up again on Thursday,” VRC Chief Racing Officer Leigh Jordon told racing.com.
“It’s about supporting people who were affected in the fires, and we are doing what we can to help the racing participants. It’s amazing how the industry comes together in these times of crisis helping people impacted by the fires. 100 per cent of the funds will go to the fire victim. Horse racing and breeding industry is spread wide across the state and whatever we can do we want to help.”
The Victorian Bushfire Appeal Plate was won by Dictionary (All Too Hard). Immortal Star (I Am Immortal) won the Thank You Emergency Services Handicap, while Supernima (NZ) (Super Seth) won the Thank You Volunteers Handicap. The Thank You Firefighters Plate was won by Sass Appeal (So You Think {NZ}).
City double for apprentice Newman
Apprentice jockey Jett Newman had a brilliant city debut with a double at Rosehill on Saturday, combining with her boss Matt Dunn to win on Considered (So You Think {NZ}) and Band Of Brothers (Omaha Beach {USA}). “Seriously, I just can't believe it,” Newman said.
“Matt (Dunn) trusted me to come down and ride the two horses today and I just can't thank him enough for having the confidence in me to do that. When she (Considered) found that gap in the straight she just took it all in her stride and kept on improving into the race. She's such a tough filly but she's only tiny … it's a great feeling and I couldn't be happier.”
February will mark one year since she had her first ride and today’s double took her to 79. “(Band Of Brothers) handled it in his stride, took the lead up easily like I thought he would and just travelled into it beautifully.”
Fan favourite Doctor Askar wins Thorndon Mile
The G2 Thorndon Mile was downgraded by the pattern committee from Group 1, but that didn’t stop the emotions as fan favourite Doctor Askar (NZ) (Derryn) won for trainer Joanne Moss. “I am really blown away, that was quite a good field,” Moss told Loveracing.nz.
Expat Irish jockey Joe Doyle was able to celebrate with his parents on track. “What a super horse. My Mum and Dad are here today, so it was nice to ride a big winner in front of them.
“We are horse racing people to the bone and it means everything to us. I am gutted that it is not a Group 1 still, but any big win on a Saturday is fantastic for super connections, and having Mum and Dad oncourse just adds to it.”
Doctor Askar, named after the doctor who saved Moss’s child’s life, has won seven of his 21 starts and over NZ$580,000. It was his third stakes victory.
Quinella in G3 Desert Gold Stakes for James and Wellwood
Trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood had the perfect result in Saturday’s G3 Desert Gold Stakes for 3-year-old fillies with their two runners providing the quinella. Fairy Dream (NZ) (Proisir) won from Waimea Bay (NZ) (Savabeel) with only a short head the margin. “She (Fairy Dream) had a little bit of a traffic issue and didn’t get out until late, but it was a good effort,” Wellwood told Loveracing.nz.
“She is a top-class filly and I do think with some more time and a better surface we are going to see her do some special things in the future. Waimea Bay had a little set back in the spring but has come back nicely and won really well at her last start. For her to pick up some black-type is great as she is a well-bred Savabeel filly, owned by the Chittick family.”
Fairy Dream was sold by Elsdon Park for NZ$360,000 to James and Wellwood at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale. She is a half-sister to stakes placed Dottie Dee (NZ) (Brazen Beau) out of Listed winner Fairygem (NZ) (Viscount) who is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Penny Gem (NZ) (Pentire {GB}).
Zoustar and Shamus Award enjoy doubles
Zoustar had a double on Kangaroo Island with 3-year-old filly Gimme Some Lovin’ and Lastar. Shamus Award enjoyed a double at Camperdown with Mosquito Award and Wimmera Star.
Farnan adds new winner at Gosford
Gosford races were abandoned after the second due to heavy rain, but second season sire Farnan managed to add a new winner before then when Brad Widdup-trained 3-year-old filly You’re The Choice won the first race for owners Mulberry. She becomes winner number 33 for her sire.
You’re The Choice was purchased by her trainer for $260,000 from Bell River Thoroughbred’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft. Her unraced dam, She’s Our Choice (Duporth) is a half-sister to Bell River-bred outstanding sire Extreme Choice.
Double brings up the 600 for Pitman pair
Trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman enjoyed their 600th victory as a training partnership at Trentham on Saturday, when Enterprise Gem (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) won. “We thought we would get it (600 wins) at the Coast but it couldn’t happen at a better place, this is my favourite track, I just love coming here,” Michael Pitman told Loveracing.nz.
They made it a double when Rosso (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) won the G3 Trentham Stakes. “Bring on two miles, it will be great,” Pitman said. “I am 70 years old but I have a love for this game and I love training winners. I am still as keen as I have ever been. Matthew and I drove up with the truck on Thursday together and Diane flew up. The three of us are up here today because we thought we would have a special day together, and so it has proven.”
Rosso was purchased by the Pitman family for $47,500 from an Inglis Digital sale last year. The victory was his first black type win, and he becomes the 70th stakes winner for Camelot (GB). Out of Fastnet Rock mare Egyptian Sky (Ire), he has five wins, four in New Zealand and one in Ireland.
Ka Ying Rising is 2025’s Timeform HOTY
Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) has been crowned Timeform's 2025 horse of the year. David Hayes's sprinting superstar became Timeform's highest-rated horse in training when achieving a rating of 135 for a facile victory on his return to action this season in the Chief Executive's Cup, where he gave multiple Group race-winning sprinters significant amounts of weight.
The son of Shamexpress also received a second award, being named Timeform's Champion Sprinter. Following his reappearance in September he went on to land the global sprint showpiece, The Everest, at Randwick in October before returning to Sha Tin to defend his G1 Hong Kong Sprint crown at the Hong Kong International Races.
On receiving the award at Sha Tin, David Hayes said, “It's been a perfect season for Ka Ying Rising. He keeps stepping up and improving, he just absorbs so much pressure so easily and puts the race away – he's a freak.
“He has a massive stride and how fast he can go just takes other horses out of their comfort zone mid-race, it just blows them out and then he is able to extend away like no other horse I've ever trained.
“He's the best I've ever trained. I'm a massive Black Caviar fan, she's an out and out champion and the best I've ever seen – for me, he is comparable to her and that's incredible to have a horse capable of that.”
Double for Written Tycoon at Pakenham
Pakenham’s Friday night meeting saw a double for Written Tycoon with Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained 3-year-old filly Miss Maranda winning her maiden at start number four, and stablemate Olivia Rose making it two wins from nine starts later on the program.
Olivia Rose was purchased from Arrowfield Stud’s Inglis Easter Yearling Sale draft by Yulong for $410,000. Her half-sister by Maurice (Jpn) will be presented by Arrowfield as Lot 272 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.
Eustace to unveil well-credential debutant
Trainer David Eustace will unveil four-time winner Glittering Legend (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) on Sunday night for his first Hong Kong start. A Listed winner in England, Glittering Legend is being set for the 4-Year-Old Series. “He had a slight setback immediately out of quarantine – nothing major, but Bon (Ho)’s very patient and has got plenty of experience with racing European horses in Hong Kong,” Eustace told scmp.com.
David Eustace | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
“We would have loved to have got him to the races three or four weeks earlier, if not more, but he’s had a smooth three months since then and his trials have been good. He’s got a good draw which of course is important for every horse, but I think just for him at his first start here, just getting him to drop his head and relax is the key.”
Eustace has had a run of second placings recently. “I’m leading the championship for seconds. Obviously it’s frustrating, but the horses are running well and you’ve just got to remain patient,” Eustace said of his 22 seconds, equal most this season with David Hayes.
Increased TV exposure for small yards in new deal
A new two-year partnership between Racecourse Media Group (RMG) and the National Trainers Federation (NTF) was agreed upon to support trainers and help further grow the sport of horse racing.
Nick Mills, CEO of RMG, said, “It's great to be building a closer working relationship with the NTF. We share several common goals, and this new two-year-deal will be mutually beneficial as well as good for racing as a whole. We look forward to working closely with Paul (Johnson) and would welcome NTF members from across the UK to get in touch with their thoughts and ideas for content to broadcast across our platforms.”
Nick Mills | Image courtesy of Racecourse Media Group
The deal sees RMG commit to a range of support and integration with the NTF, from helping produce content for play-out on Racing TV's (RTV) broadcast and digital channels, to an annual contribution to cover the NTF's legal expenses insurance. There is a specific commitment to help raise the profile of smaller yards through increased TV exposure, while NTF members can access footage for use on their own channels.
Longines World’s Best Horse to be livestreamed
The 2025 Longines World Racing Awards will be held on Tuesday, January 20, and will be available via live stream. Organised by Longines and the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), the ceremony will honour the Longines World's Best Racehorse (WBR) and the Longines World's Best Horse Race (WBHR) of the 2025 season.
Winners will be announced beginning at 1:40 p.m. GMT at The Savoy in London. The IFHA website will also stream the ceremony. The IFHA will also be releasing the world's top 100 Group/Grade 1 races, as well as the rankings for all horses rated 115 or higher worldwide.
