Daily News Wrap

Briasa on song for TJ Smith double

Jockey Tyler Schiller believes last year’s G1 TJ Smith Stakes victor Briasa (Smart Missile) can do it again on Saturday. He comes off a fourth place in the G1 Galaxy Handicap. “Weight differential in the Galaxy this year to last year had a big bearing,” Schiller told racingandsports.com.au.

“If he'd had the same weight as last year, he probably sits three-wide with cover and wins, but having the extra kilos was the big difference. He's definitely going as well. Maybe better. There were no A graders there (in the Galaxy), so he will need to lift again second-up, which he usually does. His form shows his second-up run is usually his best, so fingers crossed.”

Purton’s big weekend

Hong Kong champion jockey Zac Purton will ride Giga Kick (Scissor Kick) in the G1 TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick on Saturday, before heading home to partner Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) in Monday’s G2 Sprint Cup at Sha Tin. Ka Ying Rising holds the record, at 18, for wins in succession by a Hong Kong trained horse. “I can’t see why he can’t continue to keep doing what he is doing,” Purton told scmp.com.

“I just take every race as it comes and for him it’s all the same, right? Hopefully, he handles himself on race day, gets out of the gates clean and gets himself into the right spot – if those things happen, then he does the rest.

“We all know what he can do and we all know what he’s about – he’s a very straightforward horse. Everything is ticking over with him and his trial was good. It seems like he’s in good form and good spirits as he always is.”

O'Shea denied stay of proceedings

Earlier this week, the Racing NSW Appeal Panel released their decision to hand John O'Shea a two month disqualification after he appealed the six month disqualification initially given by the stewards for a raceday incident in February. O'Shea filed an appeal for a stay of proceedings on the disqualification, which was denied on Friday.

In the determination shared by the Racing NSW stewards on Friday, the Racing Appeals Tribunal's Hon GJ Bellew said that he was "not satisfied that the Appellant has established that there is a serious question to be tried" and cited a lack of compelling new evidence to support the appeal.

O'Shea's training partner Tom Charlton has been granted an interim training licence to train the stable's horses under his own name. Linebacker (NZ) (Super Seth) will represent him in the G1 Doncaster Mile on Saturday, alongside acceptors in four other stakes races on the card.

Racing Victoria donate to Good Friday Appeal

Racing Victoria announced a $150,000 donation to the Good Friday Appeal, in partnership with Country Racing Victoria (CRV) and Southside Racing, the donation goes to the Royal Children’s Hospital. “RV is incredibly proud to make a substantial donation of $150,000 today along with Country Racing Victoria and Southside Racing to continue the Victorian thoroughbred racing industry’s long history of supporting the Good Friday Appeal,” said Racing Victoria CEO Aaron Morrison.

“This donation, combined with the Victorian Racing Club’s fundraising of over $120,000, sees the Victorian thoroughbred racing industry contribute in excess of $270,000 to this year’s Appeal and more than $1 million over the past eight years to the vital cause.

“The work of the Royal Children’s Hospital in supporting those in need is critical for our state and community and it’s important that we recognise and assist their efforts. It’s a privilege to be able to conduct two race meetings on Good Friday, both of which will offer an opportunity for the community to gather socially, whilst raising funds for the Appeal.”

Fiore’s fantastic week continues

Jockey Lucy Fiore is having a brilliant run, having won both stakes races on Wednesday and on Good Friday, she won the Listed Old Comrade Stakes on Grant and Alana Williams-trained gelding Essentric Nature (NZ) (Savabeel). He becomes stakes winner number 158 for Savabeel. Only 1.8 lengths covered the five horse field at the finish with Essentric Nature winning by 0.17 lengths from Sensessional (Sessions) with the favourite Bonjoy (Maschino) in third.

“It’s been awesome. I’ve had a lot of nice rides and I have to thank the trainers for them. You can ride a nice race, but you have to have the horse under you,” said Fiore.

Passed in as a yearling, Essentric Nature takes his record to seven wins from 18 starts with earnings over $300,000. He is a full brother to group winners Savvy Nature (NZ) and Addictive Nature. The trio of stakes winners are out of unraced Generous Nature (Carnegie {Ire}).

‘Fantastic’ Overpass set for G1 TJ Smith Stakes

Jockey Josh Parr is okay that Overpass (Vancouver) is underestimated in the market for Saturday’s G1 TJ Smith Stakes. “What a fantastic racehorse he’s been to me so far, and my family also,” Parr told racingnsw.com.au.

“If he was able to tick off the TJ Smith, a big Group 1 at Randwick like that, I think it would be very fitting for what a great racehorse he’s been. He comes back this preparation still feeling like he has juice in his legs.

“He almost won last year’s TJ Smith and put up a really good effort in doing so. He put up the fight of his life against Ka Ying Rising in the Everest and went toe to toe with him for a large portion of the home straight. It was only the closing section of the race he couldn’t keep going with them.

“I’m respectful and cautious of the ability of the likes of Tentyris, Joliestar, Jimmysstar and Briasa who beat him last year, I’m under no illusion that this is an easy task. What I am certain of is a really strong, brave, effort from Overpass because he does it every time.”

Vivy gives Air of approval to Jones

Jockey Reece Jones thinks he has a tactical way to beat the hot favourite Sheza Alibi (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) in Saturday’s G1 Doncaster Handicap with Vivy Air (Hellbent) who comes off a last start Group 1 third. “I thought (Vivy Air) was ultra impressive, she seems to be in career best form,” Jones told racingnsw.com.au.

“She’s just racing so well. I thought she was a little bit unlucky not to finish that little bit closer, she didn’t really get clear running until a bit later in the piece. But she had a nice economical run and wasn’t bustled around first-up and I feel like she can bounce off that and improve into the Doncaster.

“If I can tag the back of the favourite that would be ideal. That’s going to be Plan A I think, she’s drawn 13 and I’ve drawn 11. She’ll probably be a little in front of me but if I can tag her she will take me into the race everywhere I need to go.

“Vivy has that get back style, she’s going to need a bit of luck but if I can get on the back of that right horse to take me into the race she’s every hope of running it out strong and being in the finish.”

Milestone 150 years for Oakbank

Previously hosting over 100,000 visitors to their two-day Easter jumps carnival, Oakbank Racing Club’s crowd have diminished since sticking to the flat, but they will celebrate a milestone 150 years of racing on Saturday. “It's certainly been an Easter tradition for many families, as we are seeing now, while the crowd has changed a lot, people that came in their younger years are coming back with their families,” Oakbank Racing Club chief executive Bodelle Francis told racenet.com.au.

“It's so great to see so many younger racegoers coming back to the races and particularly over Easter to celebrate such a renowned carnival and definitely part of the fabric of South Australia. It's really transitioned to Easter Saturday being the bigger day. Public holiday racing is still incredibly big and important, but the carnival has really evolved around that Saturday.

“We only open up the middle (of the track) on the Easter Saturday. Monday we do a bit more of a condensed race day just as we would normally. We're doing Easter egg hunts for the kids. On Saturday we've got jumping castles, we've got Kelly Sports doing activities again. We've got Calm Play, which is amazing, they've been with us for a couple of years now and do a whole lot of sensory activities as well. We really try to cater for everyone and everything on that day.

“There's nothing better than seeing the kids running around, having an absolute blast, patting the clerk of the course horses with their face painted and really get involved in the day. We've got our fabulous museum, and our club historian Mike Hudson, who takes a lot of pride in it as does the club. There is something special about celebrating 150 years here.”

Jolly aiming for seventh Hills Railway Stakes

Trainer David Jolly has won six Listed Hills Railway Stakes and this year, with training partner and former jockey Justin Potter, he runs 4-year-old mare Nextonixs (Tassort). “She hasn't gone much beyond a 1000m, the extra 100m might sort of test her a little bit,” Jolly told racenet.com.au.

“But she's in very good form and drops a lot in weight from the other day (59.5kg to 54kg). She'll give a bold sight. I've won it with Justin (riding) three times, starting off with Cornelia Marie (2011) then Basil Da Man (2012), we had a bit of a gap there then had Volcanic Express (2025). It's a race that's dear to our hearts and if we could win it as co-trainers it would be magnificent.”

Juvenile double for Xtravagant

Newhaven Park Stud’s Xtravagant (NZ) celebrated a juvenile debut on Thursday. Adam Duggan-trained 2-year-old filly Shalash won on debut at Gosford, and on Thursday night at Pakenham, Grahame Begg-trained 2-year-old filly Profligate won on debut.

Profligate was sold by Kenmore Lodge at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale to Begg Racing and Rohan Hughes for $140,000. She shares a damsire with G1 Golden Slipper winner Guest House, being Stratum, and Profligate is out of Enquare (Stratum). Profligate is a half-sister to Group 2 winner Encap (Capitalist) who placed in last year’s G1 Doncaster Handicap.

Double for Too Darn Hot at Ballarat

Ballarat’s Good Friday meeting helped raise funds for the Good Friday Appeal. It was Group 2 winner Too Darn Discreet (Too Darn Hot {GB}) who won the Country Oaks, and led home a double on the card for her sire. His other winner was Bold Strike.

“It’s really good and I’m really pleased for this filly to bounce back into the winner’s circle, she hasn’t been going bad. She was on the wrong part of the track and things just didn’t work out, last start, but her previous two runs have been good,” Too Darn Discreet’s trainer Dan O’Sullivan said.

“It was a quality race and the favourites fought it out down the straight. I always felt she was going to get there. When the horse (Suntora) got outside her, she can have a habit of laying in, but she seemed to go nice and straight today and was really strong.” Too Darn Discreet took her record to six wins from 16 starts with earnings over $680,000.

Double for Toronado at Canberra

Good Friday’s Canberra meeting saw a double by Toronado (Ire) with Call Me Mojo and Honey Perfume. David Pfieffer-trained Call Me Mojo won fresh, in an impressive training effort, having not raced since December 2024.

Honey Perfume, trained by Matthew Smith, took her record to two wins and earnings over $100,000 with the win over 1400 metres. She has 11 placings from her 14 starts, and the only time she’s missed a trifecta position was on debut.

Gold Standard records juvenile winner

In Tasmania on Good Friday, Narelle Webberley-trained 2-year-old gelding Farmer’s Son (Gold Standard) won the juvenile race by a length from the favourite Bewicked (Headwater) and Fierce Spirit (Stratosphere). Farmer’s Son was on debut, and was an $8000 purchase by his trainer from Alva Stud’s Magic Millions Tasmania Yearling Sale draft.

He’s the second winner from as many to race for Che’s Explosive (Choisir), a full sister to stakes placed Love’s Great.

Alpine Eagle sired a double at the meeting with California Flyer and Georgaroni.

Masai Moon tops Tattersalls Emirates Sale

Two-time winner Masai Moon (Siyouni) (lot 154) topped the Tattersalls Online Emirates Racing Authority Sale when selling for AED1.1 million (AU$433,000) to Bhupat Seemar's Zabeel Stables. The 4-year-old gelding has won twice in the UK and has finished second in his last two starts at Meydan for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby. He is a grandson of Listed winner, G1 Irish Oaks second and G1 Oaks third Melikah (Lammtarra).

At the close of trade, 132 lots sold from 169 offered (78%) for a gross of AED9,566,900 (AU$3.6 million). The average was AED72,477 (AU$28,500) and the median was AED22,500 (AU$8,800).

Tattersalls Online sale manager Katherine Sheridan said, “We are proud to have hosted another highly successful sale on behalf of the Emirates Racing Authority, with record participation reflecting the continued growth and global reach of the Tattersalls Online platform. The strong clearance rate and competitive bidding across the sale underline the confidence buyers have in the quality of horses offered, and we look forward to building on this momentum with our future sales.”

Tribute to Aga Khan IV as Prix d’Ispahan renamed

The Prix d'Ispahan will be renamed the Prix Aga Khan IV as a tribute to the significant contribution made to racing and breeding by His Highness the Aga Khan IV, who died in February 2025, France Galop announced on Thursday.

This particular race has been chosen in homage to the historic link between the Aga Khan dynasty and ancient Persia. The Prix d'Ispahan, first run in 1873, was intended to honour an official visit by the Shah of Persia to Paris, with the race name being a reference to the ancient Persian capital.

Guillaume de Saint-Seine, President of France Galop, said, “France Galop, in conjunction with the Aga Khan family, wished for one of the Group 1 races on the French racing calendar, the Prix d'Ispahan, to now bear the name of the late His Highness the Aga Khan IV so that the racing world can remember the great figure he was. His impact on racing and breeding is immense, and this prestigious race will ensure that his memory lives on.”

In agreement with the European Pattern Committee, the race will include the title Prix d'Ispahan in parentheses for three years and thereafter will be solely named Prix Aga Khan IV. Since 1964, the Aga Khan silks have been carried to victory six times in the Group 1 contest, with Jour et Nuit III becoming the first winner followed by Silver Shark (1966), Zeddaan (1968), Sendawar (2000), Valixir (2005), and Sageburg (2008).

“My family and I are particularly honoured by France Galop's initiative,” said Princess Zahra Aga Khan. “Renaming the Prix d'Ispahan as the Prix Aga Khan IV will be a remarkable and lasting tribute to his memory, as well as to his passionate commitment to breeding and racing in France. It is all the more symbolic that this honour is associated with a race that my father won six times and which, as such, occupies a unique place in the history of Aga Khan breeding.”

Kentucky approves fixed odds bill

The Kentucky legislature has passed a sweeping bill that opens the door to fixed-odds wagering in the state and bars a cap being placed on the number of mares bred to a stallion there. In its final passage Wednesday, the 150-page bill passed out of the state House on a 64-19 vote, with 17 no-votes. It was delivered to Governor Andy Beshear's office on Thursday with a veto-proof majority.

HB 904 was introduced into the state legislature by Republican Representatives Matthew Koch and Michael Meredith. Unlike the fluctuating odds that make up pari-mutuel betting, fixed-odds wagering is a form of betting in which the payout odds are set and agreed upon at the time the wager is placed. Crucially, they do not change. Kentucky now follows New Jersey, Colorado and West Virginia as states that have legalized this form of betting.

Some other elements in the bill include a mandate establishing a minimum amount of at least US$1000 (AU$1400) that a bettor can win (not how much can be staked or collected) through fixed-odds wagering, along with language to essentially decouple wagering providers from the prediction market (which is the ability for bettors to make speculative bets on the outcomes of future events).

The bill ensures that any future Jockey Club effort to impose a stallion cap wouldn't have an effect in Kentucky. It reads that a registrar of Thoroughbreds “shall not restrict the number of mares that can be bred to a stallion or otherwise refuse to register any foal based upon the number of mares bred to the stallion of the foal submitted for registration,” unless the limitations have first been adopted and implemented by the International Stud Book Committee through unanimous consent.

If any registrar (i.e. The Jockey Club) fails to comply with the requirements of this chapter, “the corporation shall select and utilize an entity to serve as the registrar of Kentucky Thoroughbreds,” the new language states.

This language is similar in effect to a state bill introduced in 2022, written in response to The Jockey Club's then-new mandate that any stallion born from 2020 onward would only be allowed to cover up to 140 mares. After that bill was introduced, The Jockey Club rescinded the cap.

When it comes to the proceeds from fixed-odds wagering, the bill establishes a new “purse stabilization fund” (to supplement existing purses at live meets) that would be supported by a 9.75% tax on fixed-odds wagering revenue made on-track, and a 14.25% tax on fixed-odds wagers made online or via mobile apps.

It also requires tracks and tote companies to adopt new modern technologies to, in part, streamline and expedite betting cycles times. Right now, tote machines across the country update at varying times–typically anywhere between 10- and 30-second cycles.

“At the earliest opportunity consistent with existing contractual provisions, licensed totalizator companies, licensed race tracks, and associations shall accelerate the adoption of technologies to promote and aid in the development of the operation of the wagering systems on live horse racing; Update the totalizator and other mechanical equipment, which has been licensed by the corporation, to include commercially reasonable access to the betting odds for retail bettors by April 1, 2027; and at a minimum, update technologies related to the pari-mutuel system of wagering annually,” the bill reads.

USA Shadwell stallion farm for sale

The 530-acre Shadwell Stallion Complex has hit the market in Kentucky with a US$20 million (AU$29 million) price tag. “I am honoured to have been chosen by the Shadwell ownership group to help with this important task,” said Ken Donworth, Listing Agent with Bluegrass Sotheby's International Realty. “Opportunities like this–with this location, acreage, and quality–do not come along too often.”

Located at 3661 Military Pike in Lexington, the full estate includes the impressive maintenance complex along with 7 dedicated barns suitable for broodmares or yearlings, offering a total of 90 world-class stalls.

The sales listing states: “This exceptional Central Kentucky property provides a turn-key foundation for a complete thoroughbred operation on some of the finest land in the Bluegrass. Its scale, location, and quality make it one of the most significant offerings to come to market in years.”

Unbridled; a docuseries on the 2026 Kentucky Derby launched

America's Best Racing, horse racing's national fan-development platform and marketing initiative funded by The Jockey Club, and the Hennegan Brothers, three-time Eclipse Award-winning filmmakers, will partner to launch Unbridled, the industry's first made-for-social vertical docuseries. The series will focus on storytelling of racing's major events, starting with the lead-up to the 2026 Kentucky Derby.

Episodes of Unbridled have been filmed during key races on the Triple Crown trail and will roll out daily across ABR's digital and social platforms beginning this week.

In a press release Thursday, the partnership says, “Inspired by the global rise of short-form “microdramas,” a serialized format commanding hundreds of millions of daily viewers worldwide, Unbridled delivers 60 to 90 second unscripted episodes driven by real competition, real personalities, and real stakes.”