Bloody good filly for Guineas
Co-trainer Peter Moody isn’t bothered about the historical lack of fillies winning the G1 Randwick Guineas with his 3-year-old filly Sheza Alibi (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}). “She’s a Group 2 and 3 winner so this is the next step for her,” Moody told racingnsw.com.au.
“She’s a bloody nice filly with good ability, I don’t think there’s any secret. We could have waited a week for the Coolmore but we’ve got a small field and it’s a class line up. She’s raced Autumn Boy before and had no luck and ran second to him. If he’s the benchmark we feel we can certainly be competitive.
Sheza Alibi | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“She was going to be in the Australian Guineas but we gave her an extra week and missed our first-up run so it set us back a week and put us on a path to this or the Coolmore (Classic). She won’t have a deep preparation, she is nominated for everything. She might have one more run or this might be it.”
Stretan Ruler can take Todman too
Last start G2 Silver Slipper winner Stretan Ruler (Wild Ruler) will run in Saturday’s G2 Todman Stakes as he heads towards the G1 Golden Slipper. “I haven’t been down this road before but it looks like an even bunch. It’s a good year to have a runner,” trainer Phillip Stokes told racingnsw.com.au..
Stretan Ruler | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
“Sydney has eluded me which has annoyed me a little bit so we’re going to try and have a bit more of a presence there in the future. He’s settled in really well at Rosehill and had a couple of gallops there now, and he’s really coming on.”
McEvoy returns from injury for Todman
Jockey Kerrin McEvoy returns to racing on Saturday to ride Seraphox (Harry Angel {Ire}) in the G2 Todman Stakes. He’s been out with a broken foot since January 14. “I have been back at trackwork this week so I will tick that box with a few trials on Thursday morning to get that fitness and strength back into the leg and be ready to go,” McEvoy told racenet.com.au.
“It's nice to be back. It has been a bit frustrating but the healing process has been nice and smooth."
Kerrin McEvoy | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Big sprint target for Caffe Florian
Last start Listed Gosford Guineas winner Caffe Florian (Snitzel) will resume in Saturday’s Listed Fireball Stakes ahead of a G2 Arrowfield Sprint target. “She had a short turnaround with a few weeks in the paddock,” trainer Richard Litt told racingnsw.com.au.
“She’s come back and done very well, she’s had that one very quiet trial. She seems to be progressing in the right way, she’s come back a little bit different again. A little bit stronger, a little more content, a bit more relaxed. By all means she’s definitely not screwed down to 110 per cent fitness for this first run, our grand final is the Arrowfield Sprint.”
Dwyer hunts kiwi prizemoney
Trainer Henry Dwyer will run OTI Racing’s Paradise Storm (Fr) (Masked Marvel {GB}) in the G2 Auckland Cup and Seymour Bloodstock’s Cote Atlantique (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) in the G3 King’s Plate in New Zealand on Saturday. “We were going to go to the Adelaide Cup with Paradise Storm and we pivoted a bit when we saw the prizemoney over there (Ellerslie),” Dwyer told Loveracing.nz.
Henry Dwyer | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“We got him out to 2400 metres last preparation and always thought he would be a two-miler, so the Adelaide Cup came into play. It’s on the same weekend and there’s more money in New Zealand and in fairness it looks a more winnable race, so it’s the better option. It takes eight hours to get to Adelaide and takes two hours to the airport and three hours on a plane to Auckland and then on to Cambridge, so it’s a similar trip.”
“Cote Atlantique will be first-up and was going to go for a race in Sydney this weekend, but again it’s just as easy to go to New Zealand. He’s probably a mile to 1800 metre horse, but he’s nice and fresh and can run a race over six furlongs.”
Capitalist gelding on song for Magic Millions
Co-trainer Will Hayes thinks Rich On Bubbles (Capitalist) can give the stable another win in the Magic Millions SA 2YO Classic at Murray Bridge on Saturday. They won the race in 2023 with Tacito (Showtime). “He’s a really nice horse and we had a high opinion of him when we ran him down the straight in the race that Eurocanto won but he was too colty that day and we gelded him off the back of that,” Hayes told racingsa.com.au.
“He’s really come back a better version of himself, his two jump outs were excellent and I thought it was a good effort to win at Pakenham recently. I think he’s come on from that experience and the Magic Millions looks ideal for him on Saturday.”
Will Hayes | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
The stable will bring several horses to the Adelaide carnival including 3-year-old Tycoon Star (Written Tycoon). “A lot of the horses we have targeted towards Adelaide, including Tycoon Star, are about to start trialling which is exciting,” he said.
“I think Reserve Bank showed what those 3-year-olds can do last year and Tycoon Star will be on a similar sort of path if he shows he’s racing well enough. He seems to be a little bit more mature this preparation which I think is a good thing for a colt that can sometimes be a bit above himself.”
Briga Fliedner crowned 2026 Lady Of Racing
Country Racing Victoria Director Briga Fliedner has been crowned the Victorian Wakeful Club's 2026 Lady Of Racing. A former trainer who was the first female trainer to land the Mildura trainers' premiership, alongside her long-term board member role, Fliedner has been a member of the Bendigo Jockey Club for 20 years, including serving four years on the committee. Fliedner has served the CRV board since 2018.
“Briga’s contribution to racing across Victoria should never be underestimated," said CRV Chief Executive Officer Scott Whiteman. "She’s been a trailblazer across the industry, is well respected by all that she comes across, and is willing to put her hand up to help anyone. Her insight and knowledge of our game spreads far and wide, she’s an incredible mentor to many, and CRV has benefited significantly since Briga joined as a director in 2018."
Wagering companies on notice for using influencers
NSW Liquor and Gaming have warned wagering companies around the use of social media influencers to promote gambling. “L&GNSW is responsible for monitoring online wagering and gaming machine advertising visible to the NSW community, including posts on social media, to ensure they comply with NSW laws,” NSW Liquor and Gaming's Tarek Barakat told racenet.com.au.
“With the rise of social media influencers promoting gambling, it was important businesses including online bookmakers and gaming machine operators understood the law and their responsibilities. We are putting gambling operators on notice that a key priority for us this year is examining their marketing and customer retention practices, including the use of social media personalities.
“Gambling operators should be careful about any affiliate or partnership arrangements as we are holding them responsible for the advertising of their products. The things we are targeting include paid and unpaid promotional partnerships with wagering operators and gaming machine operators. Also, influencer content that normalises betting behaviour or glamorises gaming products, and in particular, the use of platforms, including podcasts, with large youth or vulnerable audiences.”
Massive weight for Berkeley Square
Berkeley Square (Territories {Ire}) has been given 59.5kg for Monday’s G2 Adelaide Cup, and no horse has won carrying more than 58.5kg since 1973. “He's earnt the weight. He's a Group 2 winner and a listed winner – to get 59.5kg is OK,” trainer Dan O'Sullivan told racenet.com.au.
“He's going from carrying 62kg and 61.5kg, down to 59.5kg, so he's actually dropping in weight. You've always got to carry weight, and it's his first time over 3200 metres as well – that is still an unknown. As much as we want to try and tell ourselves he'll get it, you don't know until you go there. We're confident he will. He ran 2500 metres as a 3-year-old, he's been strong every time he's been over 2500 metres before.”
Dan O'Sullivan | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
Jockey Tilley out for six weeks
Queensland jockey Les Tilley will be out for at least six weeks with a broken collarbone sustained in a fall at Townsville on Friday night. “I was dazed for about 20 minutes, I hit the ground hard. It was the worst pain I have ever been in, my collarbone is stuffed,” Tilley told racenet.com.au.
“I am petrified of needles, the last time I came off a horse and was hurt I put on a turn that I didn't want the needle to get morphine. But that was the first thing I asked for this time. All going well, I will be in a brace for about six weeks. I am taking that to mean it will be at least six weeks before I can even get on a horse again. I will be doing everything properly and I won't be rushing back.”
NSW jockey Aaron Bullock will also miss several weeks after sustaining rib, scapula and head injuries in a fall at Taree on Tuesday. He fell from the winner King Potter (Rothesay) after the winning post.
Racing SA purchases more land
Racing South Australia has purchased an 11-hectare parcel located on the southern boundary of Strathalbyn racecourse. “This is an important milestone for Racing SA and for the broader South Australian thoroughbred industry. Securing this land gives Racing SA the opportunity to cater for current demand and ensure we have the infrastructure capacity to support the industry over the long term,” Racing SA CEO Nick Bawden said.
Nick Bawden | Image courtesy of Ministry Of Sport
“A key priority is improving access to quality surfaces for racing and training across the year, which is critical as we continue to manage demand across the state’s racing and training network.”
Mr Independent in a thriller
Second season sire Doubtland’s 3-year-old gelding Mr Independent made it two wins in succession with a thrilling victory at Caulfield Heath on Wednesday. “My wife has a small share in a few horses. It's a lot of fun and a great release,” part-owner Cheryle Gatto’s husband Mick told racenet.com.au.
“I thought he was in trouble on the home turn, but he came back well.” Trained by Julius Sandhu, Mr Independent has two wins from five starts. He was a $40,000 purchase by Three Star Racing from Collingrove Stud’s Inglis Premier Yearling Sale draft.
He is out of Group 3-placed Misty Blue (Commands) from the family of Group 1 winners Broadsiding and Tropical Squall (Prized Icon). On the same card, second season sire Prague’s 3-year-old gelding Loud Charlie scored his second victory.
Lord Allen resigns as BHA chair
Lord Charles Allen has resigned as chair of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) after just six months in the role, having been unable to achieve the governance change that he proposed when taking up his post on September 1.
Lord Allen was first nominated as chair in November 2024, but the start of his tenure was delayed as the BHA said that he wished to “continue meeting stakeholders to better inform his vision for the sport”.
Three months later than was originally planned, Lord Allen stepped into his position at the helm of the BHA after its member organisations (Racecourse Association, Racehorse Owners Association, Thoroughbred Breeders' Association and Licensed Personnel) reached an agreement that there should be a completely independent Board and that the BHA should have a commercial remit.
However, in a statement issued by the BHA on Tuesday, it was revealed that unanimous support for those two goals – which is required in order to make changes to the BHA Articles – had not been possible to achieve among the members who currently nominate representatives to the Board. It was this impasse which has ultimately led to Lord Allen's decision to step down.
“Horseracing is an amazing sport with great potential and over the last year I have met some incredibly passionate people who love the sport who believe to survive and prosper that change is needed. I also want to pay tribute to the hardworking and dedicated BHA team. I wish the sport well for the future,” Lord Allen said.
The BHA Board is now set to meet to determine what interim arrangements will be put in place.
Rothemeier’s complicated way home
As part of his official duties, Keeneland's Director of Sales Operations Dean Rothemeier was attending the races Saturday at Meydan in Dubai at the same time that drone and missile attacks launched by Iran were hitting nearby.
“I've been to a few Super Saturdays at Meydan and the crowd is always big and very lively. This crowd was as big as I've ever seen it and the racing was great. But everyone was asking 'What is going on?' We heard big bangs and booms and saw the drones and missiles being intercepted. Despite all that, it was pretty much business as usual. When Sheikh Mohammed showed up at the races, that gave everyone a lot more confidence that everything was going to be OK,” Rothemeier told TDN.
“Yes, it got to be a little nerve-wracking. I would have felt safe remaining in Dubai. But there were no flights going out. It was more of a logistical challenge.” He helped gather a group that also included Keeneland colleague Ed Prosser, Arqana's Ludovic Cornuel and bloodstock agent Alessandro Marconi. The group made a connection with Mohammed Al-Saadi, a horse owner based in Oman. It was Al-Saadi who arranged the “great escape.”
“After racing was cancelled at Jebel Ali, the airport in Dubai was still closed,” Rothemeier said. “Our best option was to get to Muscat in Oman. The owner from Oman managed to get us a ride across the border. He sent a car to pick us up and get us to the airport. He was so gracious. He even had us over to his house.”
With Muscat International Airport operating, the group was able to move on. They went separate ways, some going to Munich, others to Paris, all with the same goal in mind, to get on a flight to take them home.
“Right now, everybody is back in Europe, so it all worked out,” Rothemeier said. “Everyone at Keeneland, including Tony Lacy and Shannon Arvin, was very supportive and they all worked to find options to get us out of there.”
UAE racing to continue this week
Racing in the United Arab Emirates is due to continue this week according to ex-pat Aussie and race caller Pat Comerford. “We will, at this stage be continuing on racing through Thursday, Friday and Saturday,” Comerford told racing.com.
“Nothing in our racing card has changed at this point in time, so we’re business as usual, along with a lot of other industries here in Dubai.” He has been the English language caller in the region since 2023.
Plans to travel to World Cup still happening for USA owners
While the war raging in the Middle East has caused uncertainty and danger throughout the region, it appears that most among the group of U.S.-based horses that had been planning on running on the Mar. 28 GI Dubai World Cup card will make the trip to the United Arab Emirates and continue to prepare for one of the world's richest days of racing.
“We're making plans and arrangements as if the world were normal,” said David Fiske, the racing manager for Winchell Thoroughbreds, which owns Dubai World Cup hopeful Magnitude (Not This Time).
According to trainer Jose D'Angelo, who is pointing Bentornato (Valiant Minister) to the GI Dubai Golden Shaheen, the plane that will take American horses to Dubai is scheduled to leave March 14.
“We are still planning to go,” D'Angelo said. “Everything is set up to go. We have talked to the people in Dubai there and they say that everything is good to go. They say that at the moment everything is good there. Of course, I am worried about it. This is not normal. We see from here on television everything that is going on. But, hopefully, in two weeks the situation will be better.”
It's expected that Magnitude will be joined in the Dubai World Cup field by last year's winner, Hit Show (Candy Ride {Arg}). His trainer, Brad Cox, also said that the plans have not changed and that the recent winner of the G3 Mineshaft Stakes will be back to defend his title.
“We're planning on going as of right now,” Cox said. “I don't know much about what is going on. It's an unknown. We're trying to prepare a horse for a race and it's obviously a prestigious, valuable race with a big purse. We'll just have to see what happens. If it doesn't happen and they can't pull it off, we have other options.”
One horse who will not be making the trip is the New Jersey-bred star Book'em Danno (Bucchero), who was being pointed to the Dubai Golden Shaheen. “We're not going basically because of the war, the political issues over there and the safety factor,” said Jay Briscione, who heads the partnership that owns last year's Eclipse Award winning sprinter.
“I think that any time the State Department tells you not to travel, it's probably good to heed their advice. Something like this doesn't seem like it's going to end quickly. People have always been saying Dubai is the safest city in the world, and I bet that is right. But it's never had a war going on around it like this.”
English Guineas entries released
Breeders' Cup hero Gstaad (Starspangledbanner) is as short as 8-1 in the betting, as the entries for the G1 Betfred 2000 Guineas and G1 Betfred 1000 Guineas were released on Tuesday. There are 52 colts entered and 57 fillies at this entry stage.
Sharing those odds with George Boughey's G2 Royal Lodge Stakes hero Bow Echo (Night Of Thunder), Gstaad is one of nine in the race for Aidan O'Brien and the Coolmore partners.
Gstaad | Image courtesy of Coolmore Stud
Dewhurst hero Gewan (Night Of Thunder) now races for Yulong's Zhang Yusheng, and he also won the G3 Acomb Stakes. He is 10-1 and is trained by Andrew Balding, as is the two-for-two Item (Frankel) in the colours of Juddmonte.
The Coolmore partners hold a strong hand in the 1000 Guineas, as well, with the market leader, the 5-2 Precise (Starspangledbanner). She claimed the G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes at The Curragh over Group 2 winner Beautify (Wootton Bassett) and wrapped her season with a 3.25 length win in the G1 Fillies Mile.
One of 10 for Coolmore in this Newmarket Classic, Precise's biggest challenge might hail from her stablemates, as the 7-1 Diamond Necklace (St Mark's Basilica) is no stranger to high-class competition as she was undefeated in three starts including the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac.
Goffs Breeze Up sale catalogue released
Goffs has released the catalogue for the Doncaster Breeze-Up Sale, which has been a source of 11 Royal Ascot winners throughout the past decade. This year's sale will take place on Tuesday 21 April and Wednesday 22 April and features a typically strong book with stallions like Mehmas, No Nay Never, Starman, Havana Grey, Lope De Vega, Night Of Thunder and Too Darn Hot all represented.
Goffs UK Managing Director Tim Kent said, “A strike rate of 110% for Royal Ascot wins in the last 10 years is a phenomenal statistic for any catalogue, let alone one that sells only around 200 horses a year. It's that unrivalled performance that has driven this sale to new heights, setting records across the board last year, headlined by the £1,000,000 top price.
“The Doncaster Breeze-Up's seat at the top table has been hard earned and feedback from our inspectors is that our vendors have delivered a catalogue that builds on those successes. Following last year's superb results, demand for places in the sale has been incredibly strong and due to the high standard of nominations, we have seen the number catalogued increase on last year to 233 2-year-olds, which is also just two less than was catalogued in 2024.”
Former shuttle sire Mujahid dies aged 30
Mujahid, who enjoyed his career highlight when winning the G1 Dewhurst Stakes in 1998, has died at Allevamento di Besnate in Italy. He was 30.
The Shadwell homebred was trained by John Dunlop and ridden by Richard Hills in each of his 12 career outings. He won three of his four starts at two, culminating with a two-length defeat of Auction House in the Dewhurst, while his best performance as a 3-year-old came when finishing third behind Island Sands in the 2,000 Guineas.
Mujahid began his stallion career at Shadwell's Beech House Stud, before moving to Allevamento di Besnate in 2008. He is the sire of 32 individual stakes winners, including the multiple Group 1 scorer Danleigh, who was conceived during his time shuttling to Widden Stud in Australia, and the G2 Jebel Hatta winner Balius. The son of Danzig was also crowned champion sire of Italy on seven occasions.
“He became a big gain for Italy. He is also a very, very good broodmare sire and did very well in Australia in the few years he shuttled. His horses could run forever, every second week, and if you had a racehorse by Mujahid you would never be let down,” said Paolo Crespi of Allevamento di Besnate.
“His progeny could be running in Group, Listed, handicap or even selling races – they would be competitive and totally affordable. He was like that himself, always aggressive, eager to cover a mare or to eat a tonne of hay. He was the same every day, until his last one. He was our friend.”
Faith Understood tops Inglis Digital USA
The 2026 Inglis Digital USA March Sale closed Tuesday displaying steady trade in the broodmare prospect market, led by the US$80,000 (AU$114,000) purchase of broodmare prospect Faith Understood (Catholic Boy), the online auction company said on Tuesday.
Chris Nolan was the winning bidder on the 5-year-old mare, who was made available for inspection in the Gulfstream Park barn of trainer Jennifer Young. She was consigned by owner Team Adams Racing.
Faith Understood | Image courtesy of Inglis Digital USA
“We saw action from all over the globe today,” said Inglis Digital CEO Kyle Wilson. “Thanks to all of our customers who continue to support us and we wish everyone the best of luck with their purchases.”
Canada’s Pattern Committee annual review
The Jockey Club of Canada's Graded Stakes Committee held its annual review of graded and listed stakes, and the number of graded races will remain at 41, according to a press release late on Tuesday from the Jockey Club of Canada.
The Committee reviewed the North American Race Committee (NARC) figures for all graded, listed and potentially listed races in Canada. Based on the data, the committee determined that the G3 British Columbia Derby will be downgraded to Listed status and the early October running at Woodbine of the bet365 Algonquin Stakes for 2-year-olds on the turf will be upgraded to a Grade 3.
