Beiwacht being set for Dubai
The Dubai carnival at the end of March is a target for G1 Golden Rose winner Beiwacht (Bivouac). “I'd love to take a horse to Dubai and I think Beiwacht is the right style of horse to take over,” trainer Chris Waller told racenet.com.au.
“There's obviously a lot to get through and the ultimate decision will rest with Godolphin but it's something that we've been looking at for a while now with him. I think the horse is best when he's rolling along in front and everything considered his run in the (Group 1) Coolmore in the spring was very good at his first run down the straight.
Beiwacht | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“It's looking like first up in the Eskimo Prince (on February 7) at home before going into the Newmarket (March 7) second-up. I'd love to get another Group 1 with him. The Dubai meeting is the last Saturday in March so that would work in well.”
Jimmy Recard ready for Australia Stakes
Not many 3-year-olds have won the G2 Australia Stakes, but Ciaron Maher’s team think G3 Vain Stakes winner Jimmy Recard (I Am Invincible) is up to the task on Friday night. “Jimmy's good. He's had two jump outs and we've been happy with both of them. He's come through them fine and he's a big lad with plenty of racing to come,” Maher's national assistant trainer Jack Turnbull told racingandsports.com.au.
“Ultimately we'll follow the weather that is around and whether that is in Adelaide or Sydney to look at something like The Galaxy, that would be fantastic. For the moment to kick him off, he's ready to go, and goes well first-up.” The last 3-year-old to win the G2 Australia Stakes was Holler (Commands) in 2016.
Space Rider set for Guineas
Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained 3-year-old colt Space Rider (Zoustar) will resume in Saturday’s G3 Manfred Stakes with a G1 Australian Guineas target. “Space Rider is two-for-two first-up but the gate makes it tricky,” Kent Jnr told RSN.
“I think we'll ride him to finish off because you'd hate to see him posted wide with no cover and fold with the idea of going to the Australian Guineas third-up.” Space Rider hasn’t run since the G1 Caulfield Guineas where he faded to 11th. He is a full brother to Group 3 winner Brereton.
Space Rider | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
Victoria to start early due to heat
A forecast of 40C for Saturday for Victoria has Racing Victoria shifting several meetings earlier to avoid the heat of the day. “The 10-race meeting (at Caulfield) will now commence at 11:20am and conclude at 4.25pm to avoid the hottest part of the day. Importantly, this also reduces the length of the day by 15 minutes as a 35 and 40 minute gap at the end of the day are replaced by 30 minute gaps at the start of the day,” said the press release.
“In accordance with RV’s Procedure for Racing in Hot Weather Policy, the time a horse is required to arrive on course will be reduced to an hour prior to their intended race time. Additionally, the time horses are required to spend in the mounting yard will be reduced and extra cooling stations will be provided in horse specific areas.
“With acceptances closing today for Saturday’s other meetings at Great Western and Yea, which feature their respective country cups, race times have also been brought forward from their provisional schedules. Great Western will now commence at 11:31am and conclude at 3:26pm, while Yea will commence at 12:06pm and finish at 3pm.
“RV wishes to acknowledge and thank the Melbourne Racing Club, Great Western Racing Club and Yea Racing Club for their assistance in making these important changes.”
Inglis Challenge moves to Wagga Cup day
On Thursday, Inglis announced that the $200,000 Inglis Challenge for 2-year-olds will be run on Wagga Gold Cup Day at the Murrumbidgee Turf Club (MTC) on Friday May 1. “The Wagga Gold Cup Carnival is traditionally one of the best supported country carnivals in Australia and for Inglis to have one of our Race Series events as part of Wagga Gold Cup Day is a huge thrill,” Inglis CEO Sebastian Hutch said.
“With the Challenge being open to a broader cross section of horses this year, the location of Wagga means that the race is just as accessible for Victorian-based horses as it is for those in New South Wales.
“Every year you see horses out of the Wagga Gold Cup Carnival head to Queensland and compete strongly in some of the bigger races up there and the timing of the Challenge in early May provides a great pathway for trainers and owners to race for lucrative juvenile prizemoney or to use the race as a stepping stone to the G1 JJ Atkins in Brisbane and its lead-up races.
“The team at the MTC is known as being one of the most innovative in Australia and is renowned for generating incredible levels of community engagement, which will be exciting for Inglis to be a part of.”
Long weekend of action in Sydney
The Australian Turf Club will host three meetings over the long weekend, kicking off with a night meeting at Canterbury on Friday. The Listed Carrington Stakes runs at Randwick on Saturday, with the Listed Australia Day Cup on Monday at Warwick Farm. “The long weekend and Kia Friday Night racing continue a very busy period for the ATC and Sydney racing during the summer holiday period,” Australian Turf Club Head of Racing and Wagering Nevesh Ramdhani said in a press release.
“It allows owners and trainers, our Members and customers a variety of different days and atmospheres at three of our racecourses. We are also on the cusp of Sydney’s world-class Autumn, and this weekend marks less than 50 days to the official start of the Carnival. From next Saturday we begin 12 consecutive weeks of Group races and some of the most iconic events in world racing.”
Trio for Baker in Carrington Stakes
Last year’s Listed Carrington Stakes wasn’t run due to a lack of nominations, but this year, 13 horses will face the starter including three from Bjorn Baker’s stable. Baker rates all three, War Eternal (NZ) (Pierro), Thunderlips (Zoustar), and Sandpaper (Snitzel), well. “I think all three are chances,” Baker told racenet.com.au.
“War Eternal often needs a run or two to get back to his best but he ran really well last preparation. Thunderlips, the wetter the better for him so hopefully it's still a wet track and then he is definitely a live hope. It was probably a little bit sharp for him last start in terms of where he was at but he should be fine.
“I think Sandpaper is going really well, he has race fitness and is going well so he's not out it. He is ready to go.”
Bjorn Baker | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Joliestar set for Royal Ascot
Trainer Chris Waller will set Joliestar (Zoustar) for a trip to Royal Ascot in the middle of the year. “She'll head to the Canterbury Stakes and then the TJ (Smith) and all being well would then be aimed at Ascot,” Waller told racenet.com.au.
“Her owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay (of Cambridge Stud) are very supportive of taking her over as it would be great for her resume. She's at the right age and is a proven Group 1 winner down the straight.” Waller won the G1 King’s Stand Stakes win 2022 with Nature Strip (Nicconi).
Tom Kitten can fill hole left by Via Sistina
Trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman are thrilled with Tom Kitten (Harry Angel {Ire}) as he prepares for the autumn, and they see opportunities for him now that Via Sistina (Ire) (Fastnet Rock) has retired. “The mare retiring the other day probably helps his chances in some of those races if we go to Sydney but he’s sound, he’s well. We’ve had a clear prep this time around and hopefully we see the best of him,” Sam Freedman told racing.com.
Tom Kitten | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“He’ll probably just go on that typical path towards the Australian Cup; he’ll line up in an All-Star Mile probably second up and he’ll go to one of those 1400s at Caulfield first up. He’s just a lovely old gelding that’ll pop up and win his race when circumstances appear.”
Silver Wedding chasing black type in New Zealand
Ciaron Maher-trained Silver Wedding (Zoustar), the full sister to Group 1 winner and young sire Schwarz, will run in Saturday’s G3 Aotearoa Classic in New Zealand. “There wasn’t any obvious black-type races in Brisbane or Sydney and this one was on the radar, so we brought her over and win, lose or draw she’ll have four weeks at the farm at Karaka and then go back to Sydney,” Cambridge’s chief executive Henry Plumptre told Loveracing.nz.
Silver Wedding | Image courtesy of Race Images
“It’s hard to line-up the form, she’s an improving type with a good turn of foot and she’s a Zoustar and they can keep improving.” Cambridge Stud purchased her at the 2023 Inglis Easter Yearling Sale for $600,000 from Widden Stud and she has won three of her 11 starts.
New winner for Bivouac
Second season sire Bivouac added winner number 28 when 3-year-old filly Swanfels won at Warwick for trainer Desleigh Forster. A homebred for Basil Nolan and family, Swanfels was having her second start.
Swanfels is a half-sister to stakes placed trio of See Marie (Sebring), Hardly Surprising (All Too Hard) and Weinholt (Stratum). All are out of Annamarie (Elusive Quality {USA}) whose final foal is a yearling by Top Ranked (Ire). Annamarie won a juvenile race in Melbourne at her second start, and later added three more wins in Queensland.
Trailblazing jockey gets race named in her honour
Auckland Thoroughbred Racing (ATR) announced on Thursday that they would rename the Royal Descent Stakes after jockey Jo (Joanne) Giles, the first woman in New Zealand to ride in a totalisator race, achieving the milestone on 15 July 1978 at Waimate. “Horse racing is unique in sport because men and women compete under identical rules, safety standards and licensing requirements, with no gender-based allowances or stake money splits,” ATR’s EGM of Racing and Operations Craig Baker said.
“Naming the race after Jo is a powerful way to acknowledge a woman who helped pave the way for that equality in New Zealand racing. Joanne was a genuine trailblazer, yet her achievement hasn’t always received the recognition it deserves. The Jo Giles Stakes ensures her name is permanently part of the racing landscape, and it sends a strong message about the values of our sport.” Giles died in 2011, aged 60, in the Christchurch earthquake and had also represented New Zealand in pistol shooting.
Spicer to represent Queensland at Asian Racing Conference
Racing Queensland’s Regional Thoroughbred Tracks and Racecourse Supervisor Luke Spicer will represent the state body at the upcoming 41st Asian Racing Conference in Riyadh from February 9-14. “It is a huge honour working under Racing Queensland and to have this opportunity to go over there and represent RQ and what they do and get a different view is fantastic,” Spicer told racingqueensland.com.au.
“I also want to show people that RQ is constantly interested in development, striving to be better and looking at different ways to do things. With all the different keynote speakers, I am keen to learn about different procedures that go on within racing, whether it's internally or externally or through track managers and jockeys.
“I've never done anything racing-related overseas, so it's definitely going to be an eye opener in regards to how different countries deal with different situations and procedures in order to achieve a high level of racing.”
Treble for Atzeni at Sha Tin
Wednesday’s dirt meeting at Sha Tin was dominated by jockey Andrea Atzeni who rode a treble on New Forest (Justify {USA}), Noble Deluxe (Toronado {Ire}), and Sight Dreamer (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}). “In a small field, he got control of the pace and he’s always hard to beat when he does that,” said New Forest’s trainer Mark Newnham.
“He had a very easy time of it, which made it harder for Talents Ambition, but it helped New Forest. I don’t think either of them will be going to Dubai now, but we can build on this season with both of them – there will be other races for them. Talents Ambition has been running consistently well but he needs a pace on as he gets back.” New Forest is a full brother to Group 3 winner Lilac.
Vale Ciara Eglington
Tony O'Callaghan, David Redvers and Joe Foley have led the tributes to Collegelands Stud's Ciara Eglington, who died following a short illness on Tuesday. She was 59.
Along with her husband Austin Lyons, Eglington churned out a hatful of smart horses from her County Meath base, headed by American Grade I winner Watsdachances. The Group 1-placed Aloha Star was another smart performer that flew that flag for Eglington's operation.
O'Callaghan said, “A very good consignor, she was also a very good person and was extremely popular around the sales. We would have been big fans of her and it's very sad news. Ciara was very well regarded and we did a lot of business with her down through the years. She always had her horses turned out well and they looked great. We have known her for a long time and she got a big plus from us. I saw her two months ago and she looked great so it's very sad.”
Redvers echoed O'Callaghan's sentiments. “It's absolutely shocking news,” Redvers said. “I actually bought a foal from her in November – have bought quite a few from her down through the years – and she always produced them exceptionally well.
“She was such a good breeder and presented her stock so well, we actually sent her some mares as a result. She was just a very unassuming person who went about her business quietly but did it supremely well. I feel that she will be very much missed, not least by everyone who frequented Goffs, because she was always one of the first people that you would see in Barn A there. She was a proper horsewoman.”
Daiwa Major dies aged 25
One of the last sons of Sunday Silence, Daiwa Major died on Tuesday morning, according to Netkeiba. Based at Shadai Stallion Station, the pensioned Classic winner was 25.
A two-time champion miler, the son of Daiwa Scarlet (Northern Taste) was bred by Shadai Farm. Successful in the Satsuki Sho (Japanese 2000 Guineas) in 2005, he landed the Tenno Sho (Autumn) and his first Mile Championship in 2006. He added the Yasuda Kinen and the Mile Championship in 2007. Also at five, he was third in the Dubai Duty Free.
Trainer Hiroyuki Uehara told Netkeiba, “The Satsuki Sho is my most memorable race with him. He was like a teacher who taught me so many things. I wished he could have lived longer, but at 25, I believe it was a full life.”
At stud, Daiwa Major has sired 1014 winners from 1378 starters (74%). His 48 stakes winners are anchored by 23 group winners and nine Group 1 scorers. Admire Mars is his best progeny and currently stands at Shadai Stallion Station and previously shuttled to Arrowfield Stud from 2021 to 2024.
Lastotchka tops Tattersalls Digital Sale
Multiple group winner Lastotchka (Myboycharlie) topped the Tattersalls Online January Sale at 60,000gns (AU$124,100) when selling to Capucines Bloodstock. Sold as lot 59 from Ronald Rauscher's consignment, the 7-year-old mare is a winner of the G3 Prix Gladiateur and G3 Prix Belle de Nuit.
Jean-Daniel Manceau of Capucines Bloodstock said, “She has been purchased by Capucines Bloodstock in a new partnership including a few regular breeders from Haras des Capucines. We really liked this mare's profile and we had the chance to inspect her before bidding. She is a nice, well-made filly with a really good walk. She was consistent on the turf and a multiple Group winner so it was a great opportunity. We think she was really good value at this price and we were delighted to buy her.”
A breeding right in Space Blues (lot 102) brought 32,000gns (AU$66,200) from Hurworth Bloodstock. The stallion is already a Group 1 sire after the victory of Power Blue in the Phoenix Stakes. Of the 96 lots offered, 53 sold (55%) for a gross of 438,200gns (AU$906,000).
Fourteen riders to compete in Jockeys' Challenge
The 14 participants for the 2026 International Jockeys' Challenge in Riyadh during the Saudi Cup meeting, were revealed on Wednesday. Featuring 14 jockeys, seven men and seven women, the four-race contest sees the return of last year's champion, local rider Mohammed Aldaham. Queensland’s Angela Jones, the first woman rider to win the Brisbane Jockey’s Premiership, will attend.
Mickael Barzalona, the regular rider of the Longines World's Highest Rated Racehorse Calandagan (Gleneagles) is signed on, as is 2025 Irish Champion Jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle. Panama's Luis Morales is based in Saudi Arabia alongside Aldaham. Other male jockeys set to mark their mark on the contest include: Frenchman Flavien Prat who rides in America, Japan's Keita Tosaki, and star-on-the-rise Billy Loughnane from Britain.
Previous participants Hollie Doyle, a Classic-winning rider, and Saffie Osborne are signed on from Britain, while French champion Marie Velon, America's Forest Boyce, and debutantes Nina Baltromei from Germany and Frida Valle-Skar of Sweden who rides primarily in France, are aiming to make their mark.
Grade 1 winner added to Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Sale
Iscreamuscream (Twirling Candy) (hip 385), winner of the GI Del Mar Oaks, has been supplemented to Fasig-Tipton's Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale on Monday, Feb. 9. Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, she is offered as a broodmare prospect.
“She was one of the most talented fillies I've ever had in my barn,” said her trainer Phil D'Amato. “Broke her maiden first time out impressively at two, won her first four starts, just a complete freak of a racehorse. A big, strong filly with good size and scope, a great mind, and she has every right to develop into a true blue-hen type broodmare.”
Iscreamuscream will be offered along with a pre-approved nomination to Not This Time, the young super-sire standing at Taylor Made. The Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale will take place on Monday, February 9, in Lexington, Kentucky.
