Racing NSW boosts funding for strappers
Racing NSW is giving eligible strappers $100 per week through to 31 May 2026 beginning immediately in a $1.6 million bid to help ease the cost of living crisis. To be eligible for the payment, you must be either “stable staff who qualify for the 2% stablehands prizemoney bonus and work at least 8 hours per week” or “casual raceday officials, such as swab officials, clerks of scales, starters, judges and also barrier attendants covering race meetings each week.”
This is an additional funding on top of the fuel subsidy announced on Thursday. “We always want to ensure that the industry’s lowest paid workers are supported and this new payment, in addition to the 2% prizemoney bonus, provides extra support when it is needed most,” said Racing NSW CEO Peter V’Landys.
Bidding open for Magic Millions Digital
The latest Magic Millions Digital Sale is open for bidding with 83 lots including a dispersal sale from Proven Thoroughbreds who are offering 18 unreserved shares in various horses on behalf of the estate of one of their prolific owners, the late Anthony Halloran.
Mr Halloran raced horses such as The Everest winner Think About It (So You Think {NZ}). The unreserved dispersal features shares in juveniles through to city winners, one highlight being a 10% share in Wild Thoughts (So You Think {NZ}) (Lot 31), who is targeting the $1 million Provincial-Midway Championship on Day 2 of The Championships and is scheduled to run in a qualifying heat at Newcastle on Tuesday.
Among the broodmare section is Harbour Fun (Harbour Watch {Ire}) (Lot 71), the dam of G2 Angus Armansaco Stakes winner Sassy Boom (Spirit Of Boom), and she is offered in-foal to Spirit of Boom.
Quick back up for Philia in Australian Cup
Trainer David Vandyke will back up Philia (All Too Hard) into Saturday’s G1 Australian Cup after she ran fourth in the G2 Sunline Stakes at Caulfield last weekend. “It’s a big step up in class, distance and backing up seven days after her last race is bit of a concern,” Vandyke told racingqueensland.com.au..
“I think 2000 metres will suit her this week and it’s about her best distance. She’s never backed up so we’re not going into the race thinking she’s going to win.”
Mating Call on song for Oaks
Dan Clarken and Oopy MacGillivray-trained Mating Call (Brazen Beau) runs in Saturday’s Listed Clare Lindop Stakes at Morphettville ahead of a tilt at the G1 Australasian Oaks. “It didn't sort of absolutely pan out for her. Carrying the 60 kilos, she was just a little bit slow to pick up – but she's pulled up terrific,” MacGillivray told racenet.com.au of her last start fourth.
“It was probably the perfect set-up run. She didn't overdo it, so she's come through very well. It's definitely brought her on, ready for the mile, apart from the fact that she seems to have trouble drawing a gate. She's good at drawing second or third to the outside – it seems to be her go-to gate.
“It's absolutely crazy. Obviously it gives great merit to her run in the Thousand Guineas, because Caulfield, it's very hard to win from three-wide. The gate is the only hurdle, she will go back from the gate, slot in, and it's a nice big track – she'll get her chance in the straight there and we're looking forward to it. She's fit and ready to go, and I'd expect her to give everyone a run for their money.”
Jigsaw gains slot in The Quokka
Now a trans-Tasman Group 1 winner, Cindy Alderson-trained Jigsaw (Manhattan Rain) will head out west for The Quokka in April. “Perth is a long way from home, but this horse gives us a heap of reasons to make the trip,” Alderson told racenet.com.au.
“Jigsaw has a remarkable will to win and he's not giving me any indications that it's going to stop, so The Quokka gives us an incredible opportunity. We're thrilled to partner with Ladbrokes, they are great supporters of racing and we are proud that Jigsaw can fly the flag.”
Jigsaw | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Legacy Bound to take on star filly
Robbie Griffiths-trained 3-year-old gelding Legacy Bound (Ole Kirk) lines up in the Listed VRC Sprint Classic at Flemington on Saturday against My Gladiola (I Am Invincible). “She had the upperhand in the Coolmore, but she came from off the speed and we did more work up the front, and she might be better than us, who knows,” Griffiths told racingandsports.com.au.
“She was also fantastic in Lightning, and she gets the weight advantage on us here. Probably on facts and figures, she beats us, but it doesn't always work out like that, as we all know, and he's got a great win record. Whether that's because he's been in easier races than hers, who knows.”
Have your say in TBA’s workforce survey
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia is working with AgriFutures Australia and Brand Rebellion to develop a workforce strategy for the Australian thoroughbred breeding industry. A confidential survey has been launched to assist with the process.
“The survey is designed to capture insights on workforce experiences, attraction and retention challenges, career pathways, and how the industry is perceived both within the sector and more broadly,” said a Thoroughbred Breeders Association press release.
“The findings will help inform a workforce strategy aimed at supporting the long-term sustainability, capability and growth of the industry. They will also provide an important evidence base to support TBA’s advocacy to government and other decision-makers on the workforce issues affecting our sector.”
Double generation victory for Schweida
The victory of 2-year-old gelding Duke Of Albemarle (The Odyssey) on Thursday was a second generation achievement for trainer Kelly Schweida. “If you go right back through it, I bought Better Than Ready as a yearling. The Odyssey was the first winner for Better Than Ready and the first black-type winner for Better Than Ready. Then when you have the son of The Odyssey, that makes me pretty old, by the sounds of it,” Schweida told racingqueensland.com.au on Friday.
“To race the grandfather and you win the first race with one of his sons - it's pretty special, I got a kick out of it. It is special, it's quite good, actually.”
Duke Of Albermale | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Hellbent juvenile winner at Muswellbrook
On Friday, Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained 2-year-old filly Hellenic Belle (Hellbent) won the juvenile event at Muswellbrook by half-a-length. She was having her second start, having debuted in the G3 Magic Night Stakes.
Sold by Attunga Stud at the Magic Millions National Yearling Sale, Hellenic Belle was purchased by Triple Crown Syndications for $145,000. She is a full sister to G2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes-placed 3-year-old filly Marokopa Falls. Their dam, Beside You (Ready’s Image), has four winners from as many to race, and won her first three starts in succession.
New winner for Peltzer at Pakenham
Thursday night’s meeting at Pakenham saw the win of Gavin Bedggood-trained 3-year-old gelding On The Prowl (Peltzer) who became winner number 12 for his second season sire. On The Prowl went through the sale ring on three occasions, each time rising in value.
As a weanling, he was sold by HGT Bloodstock for NZ$30,000, then sold again as a yearling in New Zealand for NZ$90,000 before going through Woburn Farm’s Inglis Ready2Race Sale. On The Prowl was purchased there by Intel Bloodstock (FBAA) for $140,000. He is the third winner for Fastnet Rock mare Ocean Spray who won twice, including once in Sydney.
Peltzer also had a winner on Friday at Darwin with 3-year-old gelding Pleasing Smile. Blue Point (Ire) had a double at Pakenham with Blue Bandit and 3-year-old Tillya Tepe (NZ).
St Mark’s Basilica juvenile wins again
On Friday at Toowoomba, Pat Webster-trained 2-year-old gelding Apostle (NZ) (St Mark’s Basilica {Fr}) won again to make it two wins in succession from his three career starts. He is one of three Southern Hemisphere winners for his first season sire, who will be represented in Saturday’s G1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes by St Monica.
Apostle was a NZ$220,000 purchase by James Harron’s Colt Partnership from Hallmark Stud’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale draft, and was recently sold via Inglis Digital for $75,000.
Group 1 finale for Provence before Chairman’s
Stephen Marsh-trained multiple Group 1 winner Provence (NZ) (Savabeel) will retire after Saturday’s G1 NZ Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes at Trentham. “It would be brilliant to go out on a high, she has done a marvellous job – a three-time Group 1 winner and multiple other placings. She is a great type, so she is going to be very well sought after,” Marsh told Loveracing.nz.
Sunday’s New Zealand meeting abandoned due to flood
The six-race card at Tauranga on Sunday has been abandoned due to extensive flooding on both the race track itself and horse facilities.
Romantic Warrior trials nicely ahead of next run
Former Hong Kong Horse of the Year Romantic Warrior tuned up for a start in April's G1 FWD QEII Cup on Thursday. The Danny Shum trainee impressed in a 1200 metre barrier trial on the dirt at Sha Tin.
Already a winner of the QEII Cup in 2022, 2023, and 2024, he ran out a one-length victor over Red Lion (Belardo) in 1:10.70 with Hugh Bowman in the irons.
Shum said, “I'm very happy; he's sound and he's happy. You can see by his trial, he's very good, and James [McDonald] just asked me as he passed the winning post, 'Happy?', so I sent the video to him.”
A 22-time winner, the son of Acclamation is a Group 1 scorer in Hong Kong, Australia, Japan and the UAE. Bowman said, “He was a little bit on the fresh side but, obviously, he has another month before he races. He feels great and just as powerful as ever.”
“We might have one more trial on the grass or just gallop around one lap – we'll see how he responds, how he comes back, how he eats and how he feels. It'll be a strong field. This will be the strongest QEII Cup, I think, in the last 10 to 15 years,” Shum said.
Significant funding for Irish racing
The Irish European Breeders' Fund (Irish EBF) has announced a record-breaking sponsorship commitment of €3.2 million (AU$5.3 million) for 2026. Funded by Irish Stallion Farms, this investment represents a 100% increase in annual contributions compared to just a decade ago.
This significant funding will complement the strategic prizemoney increases recently pledged by Horse Racing Ireland (HRI), racehorse owners and racecourses as part of a three-year industry growth strategy.
“It is very encouraging to see HRI prioritizing prize-money for 2026 and the Irish EBF Governors are delighted to play their part by committing a record €3.2 million to the Irish prize-money fund this year. We welcome HRI's ambitious three-year plan to achieve increased prize-money levels and to ensure its success, we look to Minister Martin Heydon and his Department to provide the vital extra funding required to sustain Ireland's world-leading bloodstock and racing industry,” Joe Foley, Irish EBF chairman, said.
Jonathan Mullin, Horse Racing Ireland director of racing, added, “From the very outset of planning around a three-year prize-money strategy for Irish racing, the Irish EBF were enthusiastic supporters and contributors, which tallies with their generous support towards prize-money levels in Ireland for many decades. The 2026 contribution from the Irish EBF is a record €3.2m and will target strong minimum values in a wide category of 2yo races, including a new series of enhanced nursery races, as well as planned expansions in the Auction and Academy hurdle categories.
“The Irish EBF's contribution to prizemoney comes from voluntary contributions from stallion farms all over Ireland and Horse Racing Ireland is hugely appreciative of this long-standing investment.”
Gill appointed ED for Large Independent Racecourse Group
The Large Independent Racecourse Group (LIRG), representing Ascot, Chester, Goodwood, Newbury and York, has appointed Susannah Gill as its new executive director.
Gill joins the LIRG from the UK Tote Group where she has served as communications and corporate affairs director since 2018, having previously spent five years as director of external affairs for Arena Racing Company. Before that she was head of public affairs at Betfair, following two years as a researcher in parliament. She graduated from Exeter University in 2006 with a degree in History.
As executive director, Gill will represent the LIRG on industry and political issues, including sitting on the key boards across British racing, such as the BHA Commercial Committee, Great British Racing and Racecourse Association Board.
Shaun Hinds, chief executive of Newbury Racecourse, on behalf of the LIRG, said, “I am delighted to welcome Susannah into this important role. To have someone of Susannah's calibre and experience representing us at such a critical time will be of tremendous benefit to us and the industry as a whole.”
Cunningham joins Eclipse Thoroughbreds
Joel Cunningham has joined Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners as vice president of communications, bringing more than two decades of experience in marketing, brand strategy and communications within the Thoroughbred industry, the syndicate said in a press release on Thursday.
“Joel brings a unique combination of strategic vision, creative leadership, and deep industry understanding,” said President and Founder of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners Aron Wellman. “His experience building and leading high-level communications and brand strategy will be invaluable to the team and our partners. We're excited to welcome him.”
Cunningham spent the last seven and a half years as director of marketing & communications at Spendthrift Farm, where he helped transition the organization to an in-house marketing model. During his tenure, he led a brand refresh and repositioning and oversaw the development of one of the most comprehensive marketing and communications teams in the commercial breeding industry during a period of sustained market-share growth and brand expansion at Spendthrift.
Loughnane suspended for 21 days for ignoring veterinarian
Jockey Billy Loughnane has been banned for 21 days for improper riding. The stewards ruled he acted against the instructions of a vet at Southwell on Thursday evening.
There was an incident at the start of the day's final race, with trainer David Loughnane's Beelzebub (Dark Angel) receiving a kick and he was deemed lame by the veterinarian. Billy Loughnane's mount was withdrawn on veterinary advice.
Loughnane then rode Beelzebub back from the start, which resulted in an inquiry by the stewards. His 21-day ban will run from April 9-April 30. He will miss Newmarket's Craven Meeting, as well as the G3 Greenham Stakes at Newbury.
The stewards report read, “Billy Loughnane the rider of Beelzebub, had ridden his mount back from the start after the gelding had been withdrawn by the veterinary surgeon, as it was found to be lame due to being kicked at the start.
“The rider, the BHA veterinary officer and the racecourse veterinary surgeon were interviewed. Loughnane was suspended for 21 days for improper riding in that in riding his mount back, he had acted against the instructions of the Veterinary Surgeon.”
