Daily News Wrap

Sword Of State filly tops Online Yearling Sale

The source of Group 1 winning 3-year-old filly Well Written (Written Tycoon), the New Zealand Bloodstock Online Yearling Sale survived a cyber attack and closed on Wednesday, one day later than planned. The top lot was Lot 18, a Sword Of State filly who made NZ$70,000. She is a half-sister to Group 3 winner Force Of Will (NZ) (Power {GB}).

Clearance for the New Zealand Bloodstock Online Yearling Sale fell to 55% (58%), and the aggregate increased to NZ$793,050, ahead of 2025 (NZ$313,600) and 2024 (NZ$583,151). 53 horses sold this year compared to 53 in 2025. The average lifted to NZ$14,963 (NZ$6030), while the median lifted in 2026 to NZ$10,000 (NZ$2600).

Two mares in foal to Extreme Choice join Chairman’s

Broodmares Hazlebrook (Hinchbrook) and Sizzlefly (Sizzling), both in foal to Extreme Choice are the latest additions to The Inglis Chairman’s Sale. Hazlebrook is the dam of Group 3 winner Wollombi (Extreme Choice), so she’s carrying a full sibling. “I remember when Matthew (Sandblom) bought Hazlebrook at the Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale, she was the mare that Matthew picked out and was probably the mare he was most keen to buy at the sale, additionally Adam Cook thought she was the best value mare,” Newgate Farm’s Henry Field told inglis.com.au.

“She has been a revelation, producing good looking stock that can run and clearly she has great chemistry with Extreme Choice. There is no such thing as a certainty in racing, but the likelihood of this mare producing a good foal that can run is about as close as you’ll get in a breeding sense!”

Stakes placed Sizzlefly’s first foal is winning 3-year-old filly Sizzleist (Capitalist) and she has a 2-year-old and weanling both by Home Affairs. “Sizzlefly is a Stakes performed mare with natural speed and the type of profile that continues to resonate strongly with the market.

“She is a very pretty mare that is getting good looking stock – her Home Affairs weanling would be one of the top-rated foals on the farm and physically I think she is a bullseye for Extreme Choice.”

McMahon drops the interim from CEO title

The Australian Turf Club announced on Wednesday that Interim CEO Steve McMahon would be appointed in the CEO role after seven months as the Interim CEO. “The Board is pleased to confirm the appointment following a strong period of leadership by Steve,” Chair Tim Hale said in a press release.

“There is clear momentum across the Club and we are confident in the focus on financial strength, industry alignment and enhancing the Member experience. Steve brings a unique depth of performance across the industry with a great passion for racing.

“He understands racing and the industry from every angle, including government, participants, administration and operations. Steve has earned strong respect within racing and the Club’s leadership team and staff, which positions him well to lead the ATC into the future.”

McMahon outlined three goals for the future, focusing on financial performance, member satisfaction, and relationship building. “It’s a privilege to be appointed CEO of the Australian Turf Club,” Mr McMahon said.

“These seven months have given me clarity and focus on financial performance while delivering long-term value for ATC Members, Owners and the broader racing industry. I’ve loved the races ever since Mum took me to the track as a kid, getting on the train, grabbing a racebook, the odd 50c each way bet and watching the races.

“The Club will take a disciplined approach to improving operating performance, strengthening the balance sheet and building financial resilience. Financial strength underpins everything we do. Building resilience and maintaining appropriate reserves will ensure we invest in the ATC and racing with confidence.

“Members, Owners and racegoers remain at the centre of the Club’s strategy, with a focus on lifting the quality and consistency of the racing and event experience. Our aim is to deliver world-class racing and event experiences that engage existing audiences with importantly attracting new raceday customers.”

“Strengthening relationships with Owners, racing participants, government and commercial partners are all a focus to support long-term growth of the ATC. Alignment across the industry is critical. Working collaboratively will support sustainable growth for racing.”

Fangirl to resume on Saturday

After a lengthy layoff with a few setbacks, Chris Waller-trained Fangirl (Sebring) will return to the races on Saturday in the G1 All Aged Stakes. “I don’t see her an unlucky horse, I see her as a good horse that’s been beaten by some good horses and that’s beaten some good horses,” Waller told racingnsw.com.au.

“I see her as a King Charles winner, an unlucky runner behind Anamoe a few times but she’s had a great career and has done us pretty proud. She’s a star. She’s close to my favourite, very close.”

Smooth Chino hopes to grab The Quokka for locals

Trainer Indianna Weinert has only been training for less than five years, and she has a strong local chance in The Quokka with 4-year-old gelding Smooth Chino (Maschino). “I started off trying to buy fast horses online but that didn't really work out, so I went to Magic Millions and bought a few there and the second horse I got was actually Smooth Chino,” Weinert told racenet.com.au.

“I walked out with a $40,000 invoice and I didn't even have the money, so I thought to myself ‘how am I going to pay this?' So, I couldn't imagine being here now after four years – it's really awesome.”

Smooth Chino won his first six starts in succession, finishing second last start in the G3 Roma Cup. “I wasn't going to run him in the Roma Cup, so we pushed him to get there and he definitely needed that race because fitness got the best of him. He's come on so well since and he hasn't missed a feed, he's been ticking all the boxes behind the scenes.”

Queensland cult hero The Inflictor heads to Sydney

Truck driver and trainer Craig Cousins will bring The Inflictor (Under The Louvre) south to Sydney for Saturday’s G3 Hall Mark Stakes. “He’s the sixth best rated horse in Sydney and 1200 metres there suits him a lot better than Brisbane,” Cousins told racingqueensland.com.au.

“The Ascot is a very strong race but with the Tony Gollan factor (five nominations) and a couple of others, he looks better placed in Sydney. He had a jump-out at Deagon then won a trial at Doomben, so I couldn’t be happier with the way he’s going.”

Overpass confirmed for Royal Ascot

Darby Racing confirmed on Wednesday that Overpass (Vancouver) would head to Royal Ascot. “Darby Racing is proud to announce that Australian sprint sensation Overpass will head to the United Kingdom to compete on the world stage at Royal Ascot, targeting the prestigious King Charles III Stakes (1000m),” Darby Racing posted on X.

Vale Barry Brook

South Australian trainer Barry Brook died over the weekend aged 79. “Yeah, he was one of the best,” fellow Oakbank trainer John Dunn told Racing.com.

“Whenever I had trouble with one or got stuck, we’d have a chat about things. He had a lot of knowledge. His favourite line was, ‘What’s your problem?’. Whenever a horse played up, he would say, ‘What’s your problem?’. One of my owners actually named a horse What’s Your Problem.

“He was always very good with the kids. All the apprentices I had, he always gave them a go and put them on. He was very loyal to whoever rode work for him. When the owners didn’t want the kids on, he stuck up for them and stuck by them. He was very good to Simon Price and Jason Holder.

“Even later in life when he wasn’t going that well, health-wise, he’d still reach out to Rochelle Milnes and send her a message when she’d ride winners or was riding in a big race. He was always on her side and he gave her a lot of confidence.”

Vorster joins Racing SA Apprentice Academy

Racing SA announced the appointment of Barend Vorster as Jockey Coach at the Racing SA Apprentice Academy. “I would love to pass on all my knowledge and experience that I’ve gained across the world to the apprentices,” Vorster told racingsa.com.au.

“Being a jockey, you need a lot of different skills to make you great. Yes, being able to ride horses at a high level and the actual physical skills are one thing, but communication is number one. At the end of the day, we are professional athletes, and you’ve got to conduct yourself in that manner.”

Aristopolos to put unbeaten record on line on Friday

Unbeaten 2-year-old colt Aristopolos (St Mark’s Basilica {Fr}) will put his record on the line on Friday in the Alpha Bowl. “He’s trained on beautifully, we can’t fault him, he will go into the race nearly 100%, he’s done everything right, his last gallop (Tuesday) was really good, he had a couple of really good gallops after the trial and that has brought him right up to where we think he should be,” trainer John Blacker told tasracing.com.au.

“There are two races later in the year a lead up race and then the Sires Produce in July so we could give him another 10 days or a fortnight in the paddock and then bring him back in, out of the cold and go from there.

“You wouldn’t know he’s been in work, he’s just a really quiet colt, nothing seems to faze him, he just does his work and every time you walk past him he’s laying down and resting, he gets up and has a feed and thats all he does and when you look at him in the mounting yard on Friday night you won’t think he is going for his sixth run as a 2-year-old, he will present well and I think he will just win.

“He doesn’t know how to gallop 100% yet and he’s winning by big margins, I’m not sure what the quality of horses are that he’s beating, I’ve got nothing (in the stable) that can work with him, we’ve tried a few and I think come the end of the season we could be saying he’s one of the best 2-year-olds we’ve seen in Tasmania for the past 30 years.”

Treble for Smith at Warwick Farm

Trainer Matthew Smith celebrated a treble at Warwick Farm with Autumn Winter (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Ready To Shine (NZ) (Better Than Ready), and Golden Straand (Snitzel).

A half-brother to Group 2-placed Fling (All Too Hard), Golden Straand has won four of his nine starts for owner-breeder Gerry Harvey. Smith purchased maiden winner Autumn Winter from the 2024 Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale for 120,000 gns (AU$239,000) and she’s had four starts in Australia, winning her last two in succession.

Doubles for trio of proven sires

At Warwick Farm, Golden Straand’s win gave sire Snitzel a double for the meeting after 2-year-old colt St Gotthard won the first on the card for trainer Chris Waller.

In Victoria, Written Tycoon had a double at Sandown with Persian Caviar and 3-year-old filly Bonus Season who was sold by Yulong Stud for $900,000 at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale to Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock for Pinecliff Racing.

Doomben’s meeting saw a double for I Am Invincible with Winx (Street Cry (Ire})’s half-sister Time Of My Life taking her record to three wins, while Letsfacethemusic made it two in succession and three overall with a victory.

Yes Yes Yes juvenile wins out west

At Pinjarra, Sean and Jake Casey-trained 2-year-old colt Clear Approval (Yes Yes Yes) won at his second start on Wednesday, having run second on debut. Sold by Willow Park Stud at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale for $85,000, he was bought by Hancock Quality Bloodstock (FBAA).

His dam, winning mare Secret Copy (Snitzel), has produced three winners and has a Castelvecchio weanling colt.

White Avarrio connections sue over Breeders’ Cup scratching

Owners Gary Barber and C2 Racing Stable have filed a suit in a California Superior Court alleging that defendants Breeders' Cup Limited, the California Horse Racing Board, and the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club engaged in intentional interference with prospective economic relations, negligent interference with prospective economic relations, violation of California business & professions code, gross negligence, negligence, breach of contract, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing.

The matter involves the scratching of White Abarrio (Race Day), which took place just minutes before the running of the 2025 GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Del Mar. The scratch was made on the advice of the on-track veterinarian, Brant Cassady, who relayed his concerns to the stewards. The regulatory veterinarian cited potential lameness in the horse's left front leg. On Cassady's recommendation, White Abarrio was ordered to be scratched by the stewards.

The plaintiffs are represented by W. Craig Robertson and Robert Schwartz. A joint-statement late Tuesday read: “In the week leading up to the race, White Abarrio was under intense scrutiny from the Veterinary team assembled by the Breeders' Cup, the CHRB, and Del Mar Racetrack. He underwent extensive advanced medical diagnostics–including18F NaF PET imaging and AI based Sleip gait analysis–as well as daily physical examinations.

“On each occasion, he was cleared and documented as racing sound. Throughout that week, the veterinary team repeatedly noted White Abarrio's well known “choppy” gait yet consistently documented him as racing sound. However, just before the race, the veterinary team decided to treat that same gait as disqualifying. We believe this decision was indefensible given that all medical protocols had been completed and passed without issue.

“C2 Racing Stable, LLC and Gary Barber are fully committed to equine safety, but when established rules and protocols are disregarded and veterinarians act as though they have the authority to scratch with impunity, we cannot remain silent. After many good faith efforts to resolve this privately, we were left with no real alternative. Based on what we have learned, we are deeply concerned and feel a duty to stand up for horsemen, trainers, and the betting public when hard data, established protocols, and governing rules are disregarded.

The plaintiffs contend that the veterinarian who suggested the horse be scratched should have been more familiar with White Abarrio's background, which included examinations that took place the week of the race.

Reached via email by the TDN, Del Mar President Josh Rubinstein issued the following reply: “Del Mar does not, as a matter of policy, comment on ongoing litigation. We look forward to presenting our defense to any allegations made against us in court at the appropriate time.”

Said a Breeders' Cup spokesperson: “Breeders' Cup Limited does not comment on threatened or pending litigation.”

Sharpe joins The National Stud

Rachel Sharpe has been appointed as the marketing and communications executive at The National Stud. The team is in the process of recording its busiest foaling season to date. “Client communications have always been a priority for us and I am delighted that Rachel has joined the team to focus on this area,” said CEO Anna Kerr.

“She brings a wide range of experience from her time with Chris Waller and Jamie Osborne, and will also be continuing the development of our social media channels and digital activation. We have foaled over 150 mares this season and have never been busier, therefore a dedicated resource is essential to ensure owners have the best possible experience.”

Evan Williams jailed for three years

The multiple Grade 1-winning National Hunt trainer Evan Williams has been jailed for three years for attacking a dog walker who was on his land.

Williams, 55, is reported to have repeatedly struck Martin Dandridge, 72, with a hockey stick during the assault. Mr Dandridge, from Swindon, Wiltshire, suffered injuries including a fractured arm in the incident which took place in Llancarfan, Vale of Glamorgan, South Wales, on the evening of December 4 in 2024.

The defendant denied a charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, but was convicted by a unanimous jury after 90 minutes of deliberations following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court in March.

On Tuesday, Recorder Angharad Price sentenced Williams to three years in prison. She told Williams, “This is an appalling offence where you attacked Mr Dandridge causing him serious injuries. I know that you fully understand that he is still living with the impact of your actions on that day 16 months ago.”