Arabian Summer to grace the ring at Inglis Chairman’s Sale
G1 AJ Moir Stakes-placed mare Arabian Summer (Too Darn Hot {GB}) will be offered at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale on Thursday May 7. The 4-year-old mare was last seen when third in the G3 Begonia Belle Stakes in November. “There’s more in the tank with her as a race mare, I have no doubt about that,” trainer Tony McEvoy told inglis.com.au.
“She’s a Too Darn Hot so she’s got that feistiness to her, that sass, but she’s truly a lovely mare with a lot of purpose that knows her job, wants to get on with it and is very talented. We paid $220,000 for her and she’s won us more than $1.5 million. She was a sharp 2-year-old that was up and going early and as you’ll see in her form, she progressed to Group 1 level and has been very competitive.”
Arabian Summer | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
Winner of five of her 15 starts and over $1.5 million, she won the G3 Peter Le Grand Stakes as well as three races at two including the $1 million Magic Millions National 2YO Classic.
Arabian Summer will be offered by Segenhoe Stud on behalf of her connections. “She’s very good looking and I know the family intimately, we have her mother (Maraam) on the farm,” Peter O’Brien said.
“Arabian Summer is extremely consistent, lightning quick and will be an incredible addition to anybody’s broodmare band.” Maraam (Street Cry {Ire}), a winner of three races, has produced three winners from as many to race. She is a half-sister to New Zealand based successful sire Derryn. Her Wootton Bassett (GB) yearling colt is Lot 416 at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
Racing Queensland announces $1 million in flood relief
On Thursday, Racing Queensland announced $1 million flood relief to be paid out via the Training Assistance Fund across the state. Trainers are eligible for up to $1000 depending on circumstances. “Queensland racing participants are renowned for their resilience but this has been a particularly tough time and we want you to know there is help available,” Minister for Racing Tim Mander said in the press release.
“I encourage all eligible stakeholders to apply for Training Assistance Fund relief. I also encourage impacted race clubs to apply for the Crisafulli Government’s Sport and Recreation Disaster Recovery Program (SRDRP), which offers grants of up to $5000 for eligible organisations to assist with clean-up efforts.”
Tim Mander | Image courteys of Tim Mander
To be eligible, trainers must be licenced in Queensland and demonstrate how floods after December 1, 2025 have impacted their business. “The resilience of the Queensland racing industry – particularly in the Central and North West – has been tested during recent flooding events,” Racing Queensland Acting CEO Lachlan Murray said.
“We’re mindful that the weeks and months may be difficult for many of our participants and that includes the prospect of financial and emotional hardship. The activation of the Training Assistance Fund will ensure there is immediate financial relief for those who need it, with the welfare of our animals and participants the number one priority.”
Observer set to change history in Guineas
In the last 40 years, no winner of the G1 Australian Guineas has won the G1 Rosehill Guineas. Trainer Ciaron Maher feels Observer (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) can change that on Saturday. “He’s a 3-year-old in very good form. You’d say when he got to 2000 metres last prep that was when he really came into his own,” Maher told racingnsw.com.au.
Observer | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“They’ve drawn alongside each other, Autumn Boy and Observer, and they’ll work out tactics. It looks like it’s going to be a very good race and hopefully he comes out on top. He sat in the driver’s seat last start, he can sit wherever he wants really depending on the pace of the race.”
Grafterburners prep like a tattoo of an ex
Trainer Kelly Schweida can’t do much about the interrupted preparation his 3-year-old gelding Grafterburners (Graff) has had for Saturday’s G1 Galaxy Handicap. “It hasn’t been the ideal last couple of weeks I must admit, it’s been a bit of a nightmare. He had a trial three weeks ago and he was supposed to trial last Tuesday and they called them off, then on Thursday they called them off again,” Schweida told racingnsw.com.au.
Grafterburners | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
“He’s a little bit fortunate that he doesn’t need three or four runs to hit his straps. I had to weigh all that up. Unfortunately you don’t know until you get there if you’ve done the right thing or not. I gave him a good gallop on Tuesday morning instead of trialling him, I thought if I trialled it might have been too much with a float trip down.
“Someone asked me what’s it like. I said it’s a bit like having a tattoo of an ex-partner, there’s not much you can do about it, you’ve just got to cop it and wear it for now.”
Hedged fit and ready for Galaxy
Trainer Gavin Bedggood isn’t bothered by the month between runs for Hedged (Capitalist) in Saturday’s G1 Galaxy Handicap. “I don't think he has gone backwards at all but I am also well aware of the fact that they don't go forever and sooner or later, it is probably going to come to an end,” Bedggood told racenet.com.au.
Hedged | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“He has given us no indication to think that would be this week. The month between runs holds no concern, he is deep into a campaign and if he is not fit now, he is never going to be. You just want to ride him where he is comfortable. He is a horse you don't want to push him early or dragging him around, he just needs to be (ridden) smooth and in a nice rhythm.”
Baraqiel ready for William Reid
Trainers Leon and Troy Corstens and Will Larkin believe their Group 1 winner Baraqiel (Snitzel) can beat the hot favourite Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto {NZ}) in Saturday’s G1 William Reid Stakes. “He tries very hard, our horse. We’ve drawn nicely, I think we won’t get stuck inside. We’ll try and get a bit of a cover, I think that’s how he races best. He loves to be produced late,” Troy Corstens told racing.com.
Baraqiel | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“(The blinkers are) just to keep him a little bit interested, this preparation, he’s a lot more relaxed than he has been. You do find that horses as they get a little bit more educated, and they get a bit older, they do get a little bit more relaxed sometimes and he’s one of those horses. So, we’re putting those on to see if we can’t get that extra little percentage out of him.”
Queensland Group 1 target for Sky Hook
Co-trainer Stirling Alexiou will set exciting 3-year-old colt Sky Hook (Written Tycoon) on a Queensland Group 1 pathway after Saturday’s Listed Darby Munro Stakes. “We’ve been happy with his trials, a bit of rain around won’t worry us. He’s going as well as he can be going first-up into a race like that,” Alexiou told racingnsw.com.au.
Sky Hook | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“The Arrowfield isn’t a Group 1 but it’s a well credentialed race worth a bit of money and would look good on his CV if we can get to the stage where we can knock over a big one with him. We feel he is that class of galloper and if we can get through these first two runs with him, and he’s in A1 form, we’ll push forward to one of those weight-for-age Group 1s in Queensland.”
Arapaho retired
Trainer Bjorn Baker announced the retirement of Group 1 winner Arapaho (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) on Thursday. Winner of the 2025 G1 Sydney Cup, 2023 G1 Tancred Stakes, and eight other races, Arapaho retires with earnings over $4.2 million.
“Arapaho has been an outstanding ambassador for our stable over a long period. Tough, genuine, and consistently performing at the highest level, he built a record of which to be proud,” said the stable in a press release.
He will join Rachel King and Luke Hilton in retirement. “We know he will be loved and cared for in the next chapter of his life.”
Scone’s final chance to the Final
Scone Racing Club will host the final chance to qualify for the Country Championships Final at Royal Randwick at their meeting on Friday. Jockey Kerrin McEvoy will ride Lunaite (Deep Field) for trainer Paul Snowden. “Paul rang me and said he had this mare going there, and she's a mare that I have ridden a couple of times, coming back from injury. I thought it would be a nice one to go and have a sit on her,” McEvoy told racenet.com.au.
“It's a beautiful track to ride and I always enjoy going up to Scone. She goes into the race second-up with a nice chance in what is an even race.”
Racing Queensland’s infrastructure grants open
Applications for the fourth annual Racing Queensland Country Club Asset Funding are now open, providing $3 million per year for infrastructure repairs, as well as maintenance and asset replenishment for the state’s country racing clubs. “The Queensland racing industry is responsible for generating more than $2.5 billion in economic contribution to Queensland, with more than half directly benefitting regional economies,” Minister for Racing Tim Mander told racingqueensland.com.au.
“Country Club Asset Funding delivers important upgrades and maintenance enhancements to our country clubs, which are the lifeblood of the industry across the Sunshine State.” The first three rounds of CCAF have seen a total of 147 projects across 68 clubs approved. Of those projects, 116 have been fully delivered, with the remaining 31 now in construction.
New winner for Dirty Work
Second season sire Dirty Work added winner number 17 when 3-year-old filly Flower Fairy won by Albury on Thursday for trainer Maddison Collins. Collins purchased her via Inglis Digital for $22,500 in December 2025.
She is the second winner for Meadow Sprite (Artie Schiller {USA}) who is a winning half-sister to Group 3 winner Taikun (Anabaa {USA}) and Listed winner Super Groove (Dehere {USA}).
Juvenile winner for Neorealism
Trainer Clinton Taylor celebrated the trifecta in the juvenile event at Mackay on Thursday, winning with the gelding On Location (Neorealism {Jpn}) from filly Patienceofasaint (Prince Fawaz) and filly Dazzling Geisha (Sensei).
Livistona Grazing Company purchased On Location for $15,000 at the Capricornia Yearling Sale from Infinity Thoroughbreds. He’s one of two winners for Perisha (Southern Image {USA}) who won five races.
Massive five-timer for Newnham at Happy Valley
Trainer Mark Newnham celebrated a career-best five winners at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, leaping to 40 wins for the season and back into second place, one behind leader Caspar Fownes. “I’ve never done it anywhere, so five winners on one card is pretty special,” Newnham told scmp.com.
“It’s been some night, that’s for sure. It’s nice to reward all our owners and the staff that have done a really good job throughout the season. We’ve had a little bit of a quiet time the last month, but we’ve been sticking to the process and preparing the horses well and everything’s fallen into place tonight.”
He won with Crimson Flash (Showtime), Armor Golden Eagle (NZ) (Ace High), Ace War (Ire) (Phoenix Of Spain {GB}), Soaring Bronco (NZ) (Tivaci), and Notthesillyone (Super One).
Capitalist sired a double at the meeting with Sky Cap and Aurio.
Nine remain for Dubai World Cup
Reigning Japanese Horse of the Year Forever Young (Real Steel) is one of nine horses remaining for the G1 Dubai World Cup at Meydan on March 28. Several horses originally pointing toward the meeting have opted to skip it for different targets as the conflict in Iran has escalated.
Yoshito Yahagi's star is joined by 2025 winner Hit Show (Candy Ride), Grade II winner Magnitude (Not This Time), and fellow top level winners Walk Of Stars (Dubawi) and Imperial Emperor (Dubawi).
Forever Young | Image courtesy of Saudi Cup
For the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic, Calandagan (Gleneagles) anchors the seven possible runners, having last won the G1 Japan Cup. Both nine-time Group/Grade 1 winner Rebel's Romance (Dubawi) and Ethical Diamond (Awtaad) are also signed on.
Top flight winners set for the G1 Dubai Turf include multiple Group 1 winner Ombudsman (Night Of Thunder), as well as OTI-owned Queen Anne Stakes hero Docklands (Massaat) and the 2024 winner Facteur Cheval (Ribchester).
The 2025 GI Breeders' Cup Sprint victor Bentornato (Valiant Minister) faces Tuz (Oxbow), in the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen, with the latter taking the 2024 edition. In the G1 Al Quoz Sprint, Lazzat (Territories) and Khaadem (Dark Angel) square off.
“We are delighted to see horses from so many different countries here for this landmark 30th Dubai World Cup meeting,” said Erwan Charpy, head of department, racing operations & international relations, for Dubai Racing Club.
“To have so many defending and former champions, including Hit Show, Rebel's Romance, Tuz, Forever Young and Dark Saffron back here is also very pleasing. We thank everyone for their support and wish them the best of luck on the big day.”
Breeders fund adds vital prizemoney in UK
The British EBF will once again contribute £2 million (AU$3.77 million) to prizemoney in 2026. In addition to its ongoing commitment to enhancing prizemoney, the British EBF is focusing its attention on support for contributing stallion owners during 2026.
Emma Berry, chair of the British EBF, said, “The wider racing industry has been made aware of the pressures breeders, and by extension stallion owners, face, which has led to a declining number of active broodmares in Britain. That said, Britain still has fantastic strength and depth to our stallion market and it has been encouraging to see a number of new operations taking the step to stand stallions for the first time in 2026.
“The trustees of the British EBF have chosen four projects to promote the endeavours of our generous contributing stallion owners at this crucial time, including enhancing the focus on stallions during the middle weekend of the Tattersalls December Sale, which draws breeders from all over the country and internationally. Many Newmarket-based studs open their doors to showcase their stallions, and last year we worked with all these studs, GBRI and the TBA to maximise the number of breeders viewing stallions around the area. For 2026, we hope to secure a satellite yard where regional stallion studs can bring their horses for a couple of days to benefit from this concentration of potential customers.”
Florida-breds to get prizemoney boost
In an effort to create greater opportunities for Florida-breds, the Florida HBPA will put up US$2 million (AU$2.8 million) that will go toward both raising purses for Florida-breds and creating new stakes races for horses bred in the Sunshine State.
Owners and trainers with Florida-breds will have their first opportunity to collect a portion of the $2 million on April 25 when six state-bred stakes races, each worth US$100,000 (AU$142,000), will be offered on the Gulfstream card.
The HBPA's decision to promote and fund Florida-bred stakes races comes after the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association announced what it called the “unfortunate failure” to reach an agreement with Gulfstream Park and the Florida HBPA (FHBPA), which led to the cancellation of the traditional Florida Sire Stakes (FSS) series. The FTBOA shifted its focus to what it called a new US$1 million (AU$1.42 million) Florida Sire Racing Incentive Program for 2026, which provides financial incentives to owners and breeders of FSS-eligible 2-year-olds at Gulfstream Park and Tampa Bay Downs.
“We're trying to do what we can to make the Florida-breds more prominent,” said Florida HBPA President Tom Cannell. “For the folks with Florida-breds, we want to give them a place to race and to make it worthwhile for them. We hope that will keep some of the folks here rather than having them travel for the summer. Maybe some of the folks from Tampa who generally trek north will have more opportunities to run with us in the summer.”
Stakes winning Saint Martin added to Arqana
Stakes winner Saint Martin (Time Test) (lot 4) has been added to Arqana Online's March Sale. The sale will take place between 3-5 p.m. French time on March 25.
The Christophe Escuder-trained colt has won three of his four starts, including last weekend's Listed Prix Francois Mathet. He is rated 101 and holds an entry in the G1 Grand Prix de Paris at ParisLongchamp on July 14.
The 3-year-old is out of Listed winner Abraxa (Verglas), who placed in the G3 Grosser Preis der Mehl-Mulhens-Stiftung in Germany. He is also a half-brother to four winners so far.
Safety and welfare forum to be held at Keeneland
The 12th Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit will be hosted by Keeneland on Monday, June 29, from 8:30 – 5:00, and Tuesday, June 30, from 8:30 – 12:00, according to a Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation release.
Both days of the event will be free and open to the public in the Keeneland Sales Pavilion and will be livestreamed. Jessica Paquette, track announcer at Parx Racing, will be the emcee.
Topics for the summit include a presentation by Dr. Tim Parkin on the latest statistics from the Equine Injury Database, jockey scale of weights, vet scratches, the racehorse and the balanced hoof, equine surgeries in the developing horses before the racetrack, track surfaces, necropsy and mortality review, aftercare programs, and other issues affecting horse safety.
“This year marks 20 years since the first Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit, a fact I am immensely proud of. These events showcase the progress our industry executes each year while also shedding light on areas of safety and welfare where our continued vigilance remains essential,” said Jamie Haydon, president of Grayson and deputy executive director of The Jockey Club. “Keeneland has been and continues to be a great partner for both The Jockey Club and Grayson. We can't thank them enough for hosting this event again in 2026.”
