Daily News Wrap

Racing NSW CEO launches legal action against TTR

Racing NSW CEO Peter V’Landys has launched legal action in the NSW Supreme Court on Tuesday, filing defamation proceedings against this publication (The Thoroughbred Report) and our managing director Vicky Leonard. The case will be heard on March 27.

The proceedings related to an article from November discussing long-term CEO tenure. V’Landys told the Sydney Morning Herald that he believes the story wrongly implied that his Rugby League role took his attention away from racing, amongst other claims.

“Our article was a measured, data-drive analysis of CEO tenure – it was not defamatory, and we will be defending this claim vigorously. In fact, we believe Mr V’Landys has defamed me personally, and we have issued our own concerns notice in response,” Leonard said.

“Using a Supreme Court writ in response to independent media asking uncomfortable questions is a clear failure of governance," said Leonard. "It is textbook ‘chilling effect’ – the exact behaviour the NSW parliament formally cautioned Mr V’Landys against only months ago.”

He is also involved, as Racing NSW CEO, in legal action with the Australian Turf Club with that hearing to be held in the Supreme Court next week.

Note to TTR readers:

We are very appreciative of the widespread support from industry participants all around the globe. Be assured, TTR is committed to providing our readers with strong analysis and deep reporting, including asking difficult questions of our industry’s leadership when it is required.

We will continue to be anchored by this mission.

McDonald's suspension reduced

At Wednesday’s appeal hearing, jockey James McDonald successfully appealed his whip related suspension on R. Listed Inglis Millennium victor Fireball (Snitzel). The Racing NSW appeal panel, chaired by Lachlan Giles SC, reduced his suspension from 10 days to six days, clearing him to ride Rosehill Gardens or Caulfield on Saturday, February 21, but doubled his fine to $40,000.

“Every time we get a whip offence, it opens public debate. All the negative publicity does nothing for the image of racing. Strong penalties and deterrents are required,” Racing NSW senior steward Steve Railton said.

Unbeaten streak on the line for Autumn Glow

Trainer Chris Waller doesn’t mind if Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) loses her unbeaten tag on Saturday’s G2 Apollo Stakes as she resumes for the autumn carnival, but he does think only bad luck can beat her.

“I’ve been in that territory before. She’s prepared exactly how she would have been prepared last prep,” Waller told racingnsw.com.au referring to Winx’s (Street Cry {Ire}) unbeaten streak (although she had been beaten a few times early in her career).

“She is not screwed down and there’s room for improvement. When they get beaten it’ll be bad luck not through horse ability. If you prepare the best you can, you don’t have to think about it.

“She’s come back well, basically where she left off which was pretty good. Everything has gone to plan so far. Two trials and a nice easy gallop, James (McDonald) was very happy and said she was never out of second gear in the gallop.”

Cool Archie retired

Last season’s G1 JJ Atkins Plate winner Cool Archie (Cool Aza Beel {NZ}) has been retired with a knee injury. The Chris and Corey Munce-trained 3-year-old colt won five in succession in the autumn last season, including the Listed Dalrello Stakes, G2 Spirit Of Boom Stakes, G2 Sires’ Produce Stakes, and G1 JJ Atkins Plate. He'd also placed in the G3 BJ Mclachlan Stakes as a pre-Christmas 2-year-old.

“I officially retired him on Monday,” owner Max Whitby told racenet.com.au. “We got exhaustive vet checking done and got various medical opinions. The bottom line is that we didn't want to diminish his 2-year-old record, which we all know speaks for itself.

“I would have loved to have got him back as a three-year-old, but it was not to be. I could have put him in the paddock for a year, but he would have been a 4-year-old. He has an injury to the upper part of his knee, a very hard part to get to. I was hanging in there with him for a while, I thought maybe he could come back.

“But the injury was very significant, not life-threatening or anything, but definitely career-threatening. I couldn't wait until he was four to start racing again and then if he had come back and if he had failed, it would have done damage to his reputation. It's a bit sad, because he could have been anything.”

Sold by Newhaven Park at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale for $100,000, Cool Archie earned over $1.6 million. Out of winning mare Aware (Tale Of The Cat {USA}), his second dam is good juvenile and G2 Magic Night Stakes winner Media (Gilded Time {USA}).

“I've got probably five or six studs interested. There is one prominent New South Wales Stud that is well advanced in negotiations with me,” Whitby said.

His full brother will be offered at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale as Lot 225.

Hobart Cup under investigation

Tasracing announced they had launched an investigation into why the G3 Hobart Cup was run over 37 metres shorter distance than the advertised 2400 metres. “No objections were lodged following the running of the Hobart Cup,” said Tasracing’s statement, however the race was won in record time of 2:29.67s by Imogen Miller-trained Blonde Star (Star Witness).

Peter Luttrell, the trainer of third-placed Distrustful Award (Shamus Award), is planning an appeal. “If it had been run at the true distance, my horse would have finished the race off the best of all of them and the result would have been a lot different,” Luttrell told abc.net.au. Distrustful Award was only 0.22 lengths behind the winner with Ciaron Maher-trained Ziryab (GB) (Kingman {GB}) in second.

“There's a lot of difference between first prize money and third prize money, but more than the money, it's the prestige of winning your hometown cup. I put 12 months' work into that horse to have him spot on for Sunday, and to have that happen on Sunday is just so disappointing.

“Can we sue TasRacing for the difference in the prize money? I don't know. But I'm not going to just say it's over and done with and leave it at that. I'm going to see if there's any recourse. I'm just really disappointed with the whole scenario.”

Stars return to the ATC for the autumn

Saturday’s meeting at Randwick will several stars return, led by unbeaten mare Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun), as well as Apocalyptic (Extreme Choice), Joliestar (Zoustar), Aeliana (NZ) (Castelvecchio), Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}), and Stefi Magnetica (All Too Hard).

“Autumn is always right at the door on Apollo Stakes Day, and the depth in this Saturday’s features is amongst the strongest we have seen at this meeting in recent memory,” Australian Turf Club Interim CEO, Steve McMahon told racingnsw.com.au.

“Sydney racing fans and Australian Turf Club Members can expect world-class racing at iconic Royal Randwick as we head towards the official start of the Autumn Racing Carnival.”

Apocalyptic to prepare for Tempted clash

Group 1 winner Apocalyptic (Extreme Choice) will run on Saturday as she prepares for a G1 Surround Stakes clash with last start winner Tempted (Street Boss {USA}).

“I’m a bit nervous after watching Tempted win the way she did,” jockey Tommy Berry told racingnsw.com.au.

“She’s obviously come back in great order and our filly has to do the same this weekend. We’re very lucky to have good 3-year-olds right across the board. You’ve got Tentyris, Autumn Boy coming back, Ninja is hanging around, Beiwacht among the boys. One of the girls came back and did it last week, it’s our turn this week and hopefully it sets up for an exciting clash.”

Treasurethe Moment prepares with slick jumpout

Group 1 winning mare Treasurethe Moment (Alabama Express) prepared for the G1 Futurity Handicap with a jumpout on Wednesday. “I was really happy with her. She was asked to quicken up a bit, the last two furlongs, she did that well and Damian (Lane) was happy,” trainer Matt Laurie told racenet.com.au.

“I'm happy with the prep so far and if she could produce what she did last time, she's going to be right there. I may consider bringing her back here Tuesday … another trip away for a final gallop wouldn't hurt and we're ready to go.”

New winner for Hanseatic

Second season sire Hanseatic added winner number 20 when Robbie Griffiths-trained 3-year-old gelding Sea Trader won at Sale on Wednesday. He was having his second start. Purchased by his trainer and Peter Ford Bloodstock (FBAA) for $110,000 at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, he was sold at Aristia Park.

He’s the fourth foal and third winner for Argemone (Lonhro) who is a daughter of G2 Moonee Valley Fillies Classic victrix Romneya (Red Ransom {USA}).

Bivouac adds winner number 31

As Beiwacht (Bivouac) prepares to resume in the G1 Lightning Stakes on Saturday, his second season sire added winner number 31 when Mick Huxtable-trained 3-year-old filly Dazelles won her maiden at Gawler on Wednesday. She debuted in the Listed Cinderella Stakes at two, and recently resumed with a last start third.

Purchased by her trainer for $60,000 from Widden Stud’s Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, she is out of Chazelles (Lonhro) who is a winning half-sister to Group 2 winner and sire Incumbent, and Group 3 winner Royal Chalon (Royal Academy {USA}).

FBAA announces 2026 mentor program

The Federation Of Bloodstock Agents Australia have announced the applications for the 2026 mentorship program will open on Friday February 27. The timing for this year’s mentorship program has been altered to “alleviate pressure on stud farms, racing stables and FBAA members, it is proposed that the mentorship program will take place during the Magic Millions National Sale and the Inglis Great Southern Sale and conclude before the commencement of the breeding season.”

Applications are open to anyone who aspires to be a bloodstock agent, and has at least two years practical experience in the industry.

Macedon Racing launched

Dual Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Sheila Laxon is a key part of the newly launched Macedon Racing. She trains with John Symons, and they have teamed up with hospitality millionaire Bruce Dixon, who now owns Macedon Lodge, to form the new venture.

Hong Kong leader calls for unity at Asian Racing Conference

In the opening address at the Asian Racing Conference, Hong Kong Jockey Club CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges called for unity between racing authorities to combat several issues threatening the sport including illegal gambling. “The inability of our sport to overcome fragmentation,” Engelbrecht-Bresges said of our biggest challenges.

“We don’t compete against each other, we need to adopt global collaboration. We must brand our sport as a global sport and market it globally. Our sport faces three major challenges: the growth of illegal and unlicensed operators, competition increasing from sports betting, i-gaming and prediction markets, and widening the sport’s fan base.

“I would like to appeal that we work together to create global competition and a global brand.

“Over the 65 years since the first Asian Racing Conference, each of the ARCs has played a part in shaping the future of thoroughbred racing, but as we gather here now, in a world wracked with geopolitical tensions and division, and with our sport facing the headwinds of multiple challenges, the 41st ARC will be especially important.

“By any measure, thoroughbred racing is a major sport. It is underpinned by feats of incredible athleticism, it is followed by millions across the globe, and it generates substantial benefits for society both economically and through contributions to bettering the community.

“But at the same time, our sport is very different to almost every other major sport, because unlike others, the centre of our sport is the horse. Not only does this define the Asian Racing Federation’s priorities, including welfare, integrity and development of the breed, but it is also the source of one of our greatest strengths, namely that this shared affinity for the horse provides a common purpose, inspiring us to work together across borders and take our sport to its greatest heights.

“As we enter the Year of the Horse, I am both conscious of the obstacles we must meet and excited by the possibilities that lie within our reach if we are bold enough to grasp them.”

Ocala Breeders’ Sales announce new chair

Dual Hall of Fame trainer Mark Casse has been named the sixth chair of the board in the history of Ocala Breeders' Sales Company, Inc., succeeding Francis Vanlangendonck, who steps down after 35 years on the OBS board.

Vanlangendonck had held the position of chairman since 2022, succeeding Mike O'Farrell, who was elected chairman in 2007 and was an OBS board member for nearly 40 years. George Onett was the first chairman in 1975, followed by Harry T. Mangurian, Jr., Norman E. Casse, O'Farrell and Vanlangendonck.

Vale King Leatherbury

USA Hall of Fame trainer King Leatherbury, whose career spanned eight decades and included 52 training titles combined at Pimlico and Laurel, has passed away. He was 92 and died on Tuesday at his home.

“He's one of a kind,” said one of his twin sons, Taylor Leatherbury. “There's never been a man more appropriately named than my father.”

Born in Shady Side, Maryland, Leatherbury was raised on a farm where his father had horses. After graduating from the University of Maryland with a degree in business administration, Leatherbury went to work on the track and won his first race in 1959 at Sunshine Park, now known as Tampa Bay Downs.

But it was in Maryland that he made a name for himself. The quartet of Leatherbury, Grover “Bud” Delp, Richard Dutrow and John Tammaro Jr., also known as the “Big Four,” dominated the circuit throughout most of the seventies and eighties.

Leatherbury's specialty was claiming horses. He had a knack for finding cheap horses with an upside, ones he thought he could maneuver up the claiming ladder.

“My people would claim horses for $20,000, $10,000, $5,000 and buy a yearling for $22,000, something like that,” Leatherbury told Tom Pedulla in 2020. “I didn't have big clients who wanted to spend $1 million for a horse or $100,000 even.”

Between 1972 and 1997, he won at least 100 races every year and from 1974 to 1984, his total hit 200 annually. He led all trainers in wins in 1977 and 1978, winning 322 in 1977 and 304 the next year. In addition to his training titles at the Maryland tracks, he won four titles at Delaware Park.

“I was making good claims,” Leatherbury told Pedulla. “You have an owner and you start winning for them and they claim more horses.”

With 6,508 career wins, he is the fifth winningest trainer of all time. He is honored each year at Laurel Park with the running of the King T. Leatherbury Stakes for 3-year-olds and up at 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf. He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Linda Marie Heavener Leatherbury, 82; twin sons, Taylor and Todd, 58; and grandson Heavener, 18.