Think About It dies from colic
Dual Group 1 winner Think About It (So You Think {NZ}), and winner of the 2023 The Everest, has died from complications of colic surgery. The Joe Pride gelding hadn’t raced since collapsing in the G3 Sydney Stakes of 2024, miraculously getting to his feet and walking to the veterinary clinic.
“Proven Thoroughbreds is deeply saddened to announce that Think About It was euthanised yesterday (Tuesday) due to complications arising from colic surgery,” a statement on social media from syndicators Proven Thoroughbreds said.
“Unfortunately, our horse affectionately known as ‘Spud' was not able to cheat death twice. A once in a lifetime horse, Think About It rose to stardom in the blink of an eye, progressing from a midweek BM72 to a pair of Group 1s and of course The Everest in a whirlwind 2023.
“But where his story became truly remarkable was in the following year when he survived a massive pulmonary haemorrhage after falling in the Sydney Stakes at Randwick. He was swiftly retired after that scare and placed into the care of his regular jockey Sam Clipperton.
“After initially coming through colic surgery successfully, Spud took a turn for the worse despite the efforts of the amazing team at Randwick Equine Centre. A high-energy horse, Think About It applied himself 110 per cent to everything he did, without a great deal of self-preservation. He tried his absolute guts out every time he raced and that is all any owner/fan/punter can ever ask for. Maybe he was supposed to ‘Live fast, die young'.”
Think About It won 11 of his 19 starts including nine in succession in 2023. He earned his connections over $12 million and was purchased by Proven Thoroughbreds and Joe Pride Racing for $70,000 at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale from Newgate Farm. His dam, Tiare (Flying Spur) left three winners.
Autumn Glow likely to stick to mile races this Autumn
The unbeaten Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) could potentially be kept to races at a mile and under this autumn as connections look potentially long-term at a Royal Ascot campaign in 2027.
“We have got ourselves a 'filly' that is world class and that is why we are looking beyond our shores in 2027,” Messara told racingandsports
“Royal Ascot next year is a very real possibility. It is a fantastic, iconic race meeting and either the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (1200m) or the Queen Anne Stakes (1600m) would be the target.
“Autumn Glow is adept up to 1600m, we know that, so we are mindful of keeping the 'sprint' in her legs.
“Of course, we will be guided by Chris (Waller, trainer). He will do what is right by the mare.”
Waller confirmed Autumn Glow will be kept to races up to 1600m – for now at least.
Chris Waller | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
“She will resume in the Apollo (Stakes, 1400m), then the Chipping Norton (Verry Elleegant Stakes, 1600m) and the George Ryder (Stakes, 1500m) all going to plan,” Waller said.
“Then we will work it out if she goes to either the Queen Elizabeth (Stakes, 2000m) or the Queen of the Turf (Stakes, 1600m).”
Guineas target for Sixties
Trainer Chris Waller will send last start winner Sixties (Flying Artie) to Melbourne next with the G1 Australian Guineas as his main target. “He’ll head down to Melbourne tonight and run in the CS Hayes Stakes in 10 days and then go to the Australian Guineas after that,” Waller told racing.com.
“He’s well-bred, he’s a brother to Artorius. He won a Group race in the spring and he’s come back better.”
Sixties | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Gandharvi boss set to be charged for alleged crimes
The former director and chief executive officer of healthcare technology startup Biofourmis Holdings is set to be charged in a Singapore court on Wednesday (Feb. 4) for his alleged involvement in a series of financial crimes, according to a statement released by the Singapore Police Force on Tuesday.
The Business Times in Singapore identified the accused as Kuldeep Singh Rajput, the company’s founder and former CEO, who stepped down from his role in August 2023. Rajput was also the head of Gandharvi Racing, which has been active in racing and bloodstock globally in recent years.
Police said Rajput will face charges including falsification of accounts, fraud by false representation, and forgery for the purpose of cheating. According to investigations, Rajput allegedly instigated company staff to falsify invoices between Aug. 18, 2021, and Feb. 28, 2022, which purportedly showed that Biofourmis Singapore had provided nearly $16.5 million worth of services to Singapore’s Ministry of Health. Authorities said the services were not rendered.
Rajput is also accused of making, and abetting the making of, false representations concerning Biofourmis Holdings and its subsidiaries between March and April 2022. In addition, he allegedly forged an employee stock option plan offer letter with the intent to deceive a bank in connection with a proposed funds transfer.
If convicted of fraud by false representation or abetting such an offence, Rajput faces a potential sentence of up to 20 years’ imprisonment, a fine, or both, per charge.
Williams claims four at Eagle Farm
Queensland apprentice Jai Williams kept up his run of strong form, collecting four winners at Eagle Farm on Wednesday. Claiming 3kg, Williams had wins on the Matthew Dunn-trained Emperor (I Am Invincible), the Tony Gollan-trained Quickzou (Zoustar), the Ciaron Maher-trained So Long Farewell (NZ) (Super Seth), and finally on the John Gilmore-trained Backstage ( Astern).
All upside from here with Where’s The Circus
R.Listed Inglis Nursery winner Where’s The Circus (Trapeze Artist) has already earned far in advance of her $1250 Inglis Digital purchase price, and runs in Saturday’s R.Listed Inglis Millennium. “You just like to see them come through, win a couple of races for your owners and have a bit of fun,” trainer Paul Murray told racingnsw.com.au.
Where’s The Circus | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“We’ve never pushed her hard, when JVO (Jean Van Overmeire) trialled on her and won on her he said he hadn’t even tested her. The biggest test will be on Saturday. It’s a different field, it’s a lot harder, but - win, lose, or draw - she doesn’t have to do us any more proud.”
Star Of Jamaica set to copy sire
Chris and Corey Munce-trained 2-year-old colt Star Of Jamaica (Profiteer) will attempt to copy his sire and win Saturday’s R.Listed Inglis Millennium. You can only go on what you see with your own eye and he’s certainly shown me enough to say he’s up to that sort of horse,” Chris Munce told racingnsw.com.au.
Star Of Jamaica | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
“It’s a tough little race but he’s drawn well and he’s got Zac (Lloyd) on him so he’s there to run well. I think Randwick will suit him, the 1100 metres will suit him. (Ryan Maloney) couldn’t pull him up until around the back so the horse is very fit and he hasn’t gone backward.”
ATC and Inglis partner for Saturday's race day
The Australian Turf Club announced that several of Chris Waller's horses will do an exhibition gallop at Saturday's Inglis Millennium race day, including Aeliana (NZ) (Castelvecchio {NZ}), Lazzura (Snitzel), and Lady Shenandoah (Snitzel).
”The Inglis Millennium has quickly developed into one of the most critical 2YO races in Sydney thanks to winners such as Castelvecchio, Profiteer and Learning To Fly from just seven editions of the race," said Inglis CEO Sebastian Hutch in the ATC press release.
Sebastian Hutch | Image courtesy of Inglis
“Saturday’s field is as strong as we have ever had and to have form lines from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and New Zealand – as well as many provincial regions – all coming together and I’m confident that several genuine Golden Slipper contenders will emerge from the race this year.
“The Inglis Pink Bonus Series is another exciting element of the Millennium and this year the connections of Lassified, Sheza Boom and Oh Yes She Did – and possibly second emergency Profitabelle, pending scratchings – will also be racing for up to $400,000 in Pink Bonus additional prizemoney.”
Buckaroo to resume in Futurity
Trainer Chris Waller will target a trio of Group 1 races this autumn with Group 1 winner Buckaroo (Ire) (Fastnet Rock). “He’s good. He’s freshened-up well. He’s had two trials,” Waller told SEN’s Giddy Up with Gareth Hall.
Buckaroo | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“He travels down to Melbourne next week and he’ll run first-up in the Futurity. He loves Caulfield. He’ll be our Futurity, All-Star Mile, Australian Cup horse. They’re his best distances.”
Stradbroke goal for Transatlantic
Trainer Tony Gollan has pulled the pin on Group 1 winner Transatlantic (Snitzel)’s autumn campaign and will set him for the G1 Stradbroke Handicap instead. “I had him back in (at work) and I just wasn't happy with him there at one stage. I thought it was going to be a tight timeline to the autumn in Sydney and I decided to back off with him a little,” Gollan told racenet.com.au.
Transatlantic | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
“We'll change tack and we're now going to head towards the Stradbroke with him. He's a good miler and they're the sort of horses that win Stradbrokes. His rating will be such that he'll get in the race this year so we don't have to qualify.”
Autumn Break attempt four from four
Unbeaten in his first three starts, 3-year-old gelding Autumn Break (The Autumn Sun) runs at Randwick on Saturday. “I’m getting calls from left, right, and centre. He’s caught the imagination so hopefully he performs like what everyone’s expecting from him,” trainer Kym Davison told racingnsw.com.au.
“We’ve knocked back quite substantial offers, he’s got to win a few races shall we say to break square. There’s 18 owners in the horse, and one group has six and a group of ten, and yes the money was good but when you break it all down it wasn’t going to be life changing.
“We thought in time he’d be an Albury or Wagga Cup horse for us but he’s coming out and doing this so we’ll worry about that later on. We’ve been in horses for years and have a promising one, it’s very exciting for everyone, so we’ll enjoy the ride hopefully.”
Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards open
The 2026 Australian Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards (ATIEA) nominations are now open. Formerly known as the Stud and Stable Staff Awards, nominations close on Monday, February 16, with the Awards Ceremony to be held on Monday, May 25 on the Gold Coast.
The sponsors of each award are Magic Millions (Dedication to Breeding); Yulong Stud (Dedication to Racing); Inglis (Horsemanship); Queensland Off-The-Track Program (Thoroughbred Care and Welfare); AgriFutures (Leadership); The Straight (Administration and Ancillary Services); Australian Trainers Association (Newcomer); and Godolphin (ATIEA Lifetime Achievement Award).
Derby target for Sandown winner
Wednesday’s Sandown winner 3-year-old gelding Kaye Jay (Crackerjack King {Ire}) will be set for the G1 South Australian Derby by trainer Clayton Douglas. “This horse has taken leaps and bounds from the time he arrived,” Douglas said. He was having his second start.
Clayton Douglas | Image courtesy of Clayton Douglas Racing
“I think he got beaten 20 or 30 lengths in his first ever jump-out. He was completely hopeless, but he has taken that improvement, and you like to see that in 3-year-olds, especially staying types. I haven't had to train him up too much this time, he's got there himself and to run well at his first start and then win at his second, he can definitely go forward.
“He's a big, strong horse. With the facilities (of owner Barb and Barry Saunders) at Deniston Park, we can chop and change things with the Mornington stable. He's a horse with plenty of substance there and when he gets out to those staying trips he should really come into his own.”
Travel subsidy under review for Aussies
This season, Australian-trained horses were paid a NZ$10,000 travel subsidy to race in New Zealand, but this is under review for next season. “We just wanted a clean, easy to explain incentive to get Australian horses here for the major meetings,” NZTR general manager of racing Mitch Lamb told nzherald.co.nz.
“We believe having those horses here drives turnover and interest, not only locally but enormously so in Australia, and the figures we have seen so far back that up. We get a slice of that Australian turnover but this is part of a longer-term plan to encourage more Australian participation in the major carnivals here.
“Part of the review will include looking at how much money we believe they are returning to the New Zealand industry directly and we may also put measures in place to ensure the horses receiving the subsidy have to be of a certain ratings level.”
Magic Millions Tasmania races hot up
Jockey Craig Newitt will ride unbeaten 3-year-old filly Swift Force (Magnus) in Friday night’s Magic Millions 3&4YO Classic at Hobart. “Mazzini is arguably one of the best horses in Tassie, but I’m riding a very high-class filly,” Newitt told tasracing.com.au.
Craig Newitt | Image ocurtesy of The Image Is Everything
“I think it’ll be a very good race to watch. It’s two high-potential horses, and I’ve got no reservations whatsoever that they’ll stack up to races outside of Tassie.” In the 2-year-old race, unbeaten colt Aristopolos (St Mark’s Basilica {Fr}) will attempt to make it four in succession. He’ll be ridden by Erica Byrne Burke.
Guineas winner targets The Kiwi
G2 Hawkes Bay Guineas winner Magic Carpet (NZ) (Satono Aladdin {Jpn}) resumes on Thursday for trainer Stephen Marsh and will be set for The Kiwi, rather than the G1 New Zealand Derby. “I would have preferred to run him in his own age-group but they scrapped the 3-year-old race at Tauranga. If he runs well we’ll definitely look at the Kiwi with him,” Marsh told Loveracing.nz.
Magic Carpet (NZ) | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
The Kiwi will run on March 7 over 1500 metres at Ellerslie, Magic Carpet’s unbeaten stablemate Well Written (Written Tycoon) is a very warm favourite.
Ex-racehorse advocate gets MBE
Grace Muir, founder and CEO of HEROS Charity, received her MBE from Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal at St James's Palace on Thursday, January 29.
Muir was recognised in the King's Birthday Honours List and appointed an MBE in June last year, having devoted her life to retraining and rehoming former racehorses and providing educational opportunities for young people.
“I am passionate about what I do because I truly love my work – it is my life. To be recognised and awarded an MBE in the King's Birthday Honours List was incredible and beyond my wildest dreams. It was a great privilege for my family and I to attend St James's Palace, and it felt especially fitting that Princess Anne presented the award, given her deep involvement in the equine world,” said Muir.
“I hope this recognition will strengthen my ability to advocate for ex racehorses and young people. As we celebrate 20 years of HEROS, I remain as determined as ever to advance our mission and expand our efforts to support positive, happy outcomes for both horses and young people.”
HEROS first achieved official charity status in 2006, before Muir – with support from The Racing Foundation – founded HEROS Education in 2015. HEROS Education aims to provide a safe, nurturing environment for young people who, for a variety of reasons, struggle within traditional learning settings.
Were you part of the INS Class of 1976 or 2001?
In June, the Irish National Stud is hosting a get-together for all individuals who embarked on the Thoroughbred Breeding Management course in either of those years.
If interested in attending the reunion, all relevant parties should get in touch at achannon@irishnationalstud.ie or +353 45 521251.
Irish National Stud Class of 2021 | Image supplied
Back in 1976, the following trainees from Ireland were John Armstrong, Gertrude Brereton, William De Burgh, Mark Dixon, Noal Kennedy, Miceal Magill, Marion Mitchell, Elizabeth O'Neill, Amanda Power Smith and Simon Treacy. France was represented by R. Chavel, M. H. & Olivier Coulomb and Antoine Lepeudry. Other trainees were Hellen Blanche Egan (Australia), Jennifer Griffiths (Great Britain), Jocelyn Johns (New Zealand), Daniel P. Mooney (Canada).
Over 360 horses remain in Triple Crown contention
A total of 367 of the world's top 3-year-old Thoroughbreds became eligible to compete in the 2026 Triple Crown series during the early nomination phase, which closed on Monday, January 26, Churchill Downs said in a press release on Tuesday.
This year's early nominees span the globe and include several horses that have already made an impact on the 'Road to the Kentucky Derby', led by graded stakes winners Further Ado (Gun Runner), Golden Tempo (Curlin), Intrepido (Maximus Mischief), Litmus Test (Nyquist), Napoleon Solo (Liam's Map), Nearly (Not This Time) and Paladin (Gun Runner).
International representation included 37 horses from Japan, led by Godolphin's Pyromancer (Jpn) (Pyro), winner of the Listed Zen-Nippon Nisai Yushun at Kawasaki Racecourse.
When it comes to the sires of nominees, Not This Time tallied 16. The other stallions who left their mark include: Gun Runner (15), Into Mischief (14), Nyquist (14), Constitution (13), Maxfield (12), Curlin (11), Liam's Map (10), American Pharoah (9), Quality Road (9), Street Sense (9) and Tapit (8).
Hall of Famer Todd Pletcher led all trainers with 31 nominees, followed by Bob Baffert (23), Chad Brown (22), Brad Cox (21) and Daisuke Takayanagi (14).
Massive catalogue for Ocala breeze up sale
Ocala Breeders' Sales Company has catalogued 816 horses for its 2026 March Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training, which will be held over three days on March 10-12, the auction company said via a Tuesday press release.
The 2025 March auction posted year-to-year gains in gross and average and was highlighted by the sale of Brant (Gun Runner–Tynan, by Liam's Map) who was purchased by Zedan Racing from the Eddie Woods consignment for an all-time OBS record price of US$3 million (AU$4.27 million) after breezing in :9 3/5. Brant went on to capture the Grade I Del Mar Futurity and was an Eclipse Awards finalist for champion 2-year-old male.
Stronach pleads not guilty to sexual assault charges
Austro-Canadian billionaire and prominent racing owner/breeder Frank Stronach will face a sexual assault trial later this week in Toronto that will be decided solely by a judge, according to a report from the BBC.
The article states that 93-year-old Stronach, one of Canada's richest men, has been charged in relation to more than a dozen historical sexual assault allegations that span nearly a half-century.
Stronach has pleaded not guilty to the 12 Toronto charges, and has denied all of the allegations against him. Prosecutors have split his case into two separate proceedings, with a second trial in nearby York Region scheduled for later in the spring. The Toronto trial was set to begin Tuesday, but has since been delayed to Thursday.
He faces a total of 18 offences involving 13 complainants, according to prosecutors.
