Benedetta aims to add Sangster before sale
Saturday’s G1 Robert Sangster Stakes gives Ciaron Maher-trained mare Benedetta (Hellbent) one more chance to enhance her resume ahead of the Inglis Chairman’s Sale on May 7. “Benedetta has been racing in very good company, she's only been beaten a few small margins,” assistant trainer Jack Turnbull told racenet.com.au.
Benedetta | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Getting her back to mare's grade (Saturday), at a track we know she's effective at – she's had a nice short period in-between. We've kept her fresh and it's been the main aim this whole preparation to focus on that race and try to get her back to the winner's stall.”
Just Kick goes into Oaks winless
Emma-Lee and David Browne-trained Listed placed Just Kick (NZ) (Staphanos {Jpn}) will run in Saturday’s G1 Australasian Oaks hoping to get her first career win ahead of going through the Inglis Chairman’s Sale on May 7. “She's been a very unlucky maiden,” Emma-Lee Browne told racingandsports.com.au.
Just Kick | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“I thought her run last time was super, but she just doesn't corner that well at Caulfield. She's always lost a couple of lengths on that turn, but we thought she hit the line really well and that gives us the confidence to go up in distance.
“We could come back for the filly's race here over 2500 metres or we could freshen for the Queensland Oaks and head north, but she's also entered in the Chairman's Sale as she's quite lovely bred.” Her dam, Rekindled Outlook (Flying Spur) is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Giga Kick (Scissor Kick).
First Group 1 ride for Johnstone
Apprentice jockey Taylor Johnstone gets her first Group 1 ride when she pairs with Freedom Flame (Ghaiyyath {Ire}) in Saturday’s G1 Australasian Oaks. “(I'm) super stoked, obviously it's a first-time experience, having a ride in a Group 1,” Johnstone told racenet.com.au.
“I'm very grateful for the opportunity that I've been given by my team and the owners. All her runs this time in have been super, she's been really building up in fitness, stepping up in distance is a big thing. Now she gets her chance to step over 2000m, which I'm really excited about.”
Morgan regains ride on Private Harry
Jockey Ash Morgan, who rode Private Harry (Harry Angel {Ire}) to his first five wins including the G1 George Ryder Stakes, will be reunited with the horse when he resumes at Eagle Farm in two weeks. “I picked him up on Monday night so it was a nice call to get,” Morgan told racenet.com.au.
Private Harry | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“He is a special horse for me and it was good to get a sit on him again. Hopefully he is back to his best.” He rode Private Harry in an exhibition gallop at Canterbury races on Wednesday.
Oaks target for Madame Cody
Trainer Cameron H Richardson will target the G1 Queensland Oaks with Madame Cody (Tassort) who runs at Ipswich on Thursday. “I find that horses thrive on routine,” Richardson told racingqueensland.com.au.
“So, that's probably the one thing I take from my days in the Defence Force. It is about just being very particular on what you do and don't try to take any shortcuts. Shortcuts will only bring you undone, so that's probably the main thing I've taken out of it.
“The last prep was kind of her initial prep due to a few setbacks along the way. The trial this month really showed that she's come back in good condition. Earlier, she was a typical filly, she was a bit temperamental and she had a few bad habits.
“She was not the greatest doer in the stables, but she's come back in this time much better in the feed tin and physically she's really matured and filled out.”
Free entry for ANZAC Day at Randwick
NRL ticketholders, current and returned servicemen and women, and those wearing medals of passed personnel will have free entry to Randwick for Saturday’s ANZAC Day meeting. “We can never forget the service, sacrifice and bravery of all Australian and New Zealand past and present personnel who over more than 100 years have given their lives and defended their countries, Australian Turf Club CEO Steve McMahon said.
“As part of the ATC’s thanks we are most pleased to offer free entry for Australian Defence Force ex and current members, or those who are wearing medals in honour of loved ones.
“Anzac Day is one to reflect and then later through the day enjoy the great freedoms our Army, Navy and Air Force have provided with an afternoon at the races and then the NRL, just one stop of travel on the light rail to the ground.”
Milligan given two month suspension
Taree trainer Glen Milligan has been suspended for two months over inappropriate texts and social media posts. The original eight month suspension was reduced to four months, with two of those suspended if Milligan “does not commit a further breach of a conduct related rule for a period of two years,” said Racing NSW Stewards.
Final three Frantic mares for sale
Haunui Farm and Frantic Bloodstock will offer three mares, Group 1-placed Rondinella (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}), Group 3 winner Sudbina (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) and unraced Tinnelly (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}), via Gavelhouse Plus on May 20 to finalise their partnership. “It’s the end of an era,” Haunui Farm’s managing director Mark Chitty told Loveracing.nz.
“We’re putting up three mares that we own in partnership with Cathy Franich from Frantic Bloodstock. We’ve had a really successful racing and breeding partnership that started all the way back in 2006 with Valpolicella. We’ve raced a number of fantastic horses together over the years, like Floria, Misstrum, Rondinella and Sudbina. We’ve bred many others, including a NZB Filly of the Year in Fix.
Mark Chitty | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
“Cathy has decided that she no longer wants to be involved with the breeding side of things and would rather concentrate on racing.
“Rondinella and Sudbina are both in foal to Super Seth, and with everything that’s happened with him this year (relocating to Coolmore in Australia and no longer being as directly accessible to New Zealand breeders), we thought the best way to handle things is to take these mares to the marketplace. The mares all have 2025 foals that will head through to the Karaka yearling sales in January of 2027.”
Anders juvenile wins on debut
At Murray Bridge on Wednesday, Shane and Cassie Oxlade-trained 2-year-old gelding Brave Hustler (Anders) won on debut by a length. Sold by Pepper Tree Farm at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, he sold for $5000 to Francesco Sghirripa.
He is the first foal of Night Hussler (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}), who is a half-sister to Group 3 winner Night’s Watch (NZ) (Redwood {GB}). Second season sire Anders has two stakes winners led by Group 2 winner Single Choice and a total of 33 winners.
Playing God juvenile lives up to stakes form
At Ascot on Wednesday, 2-year-old colt Consignment (Playing God) won for trainer Neville Parnham. Second on debut, he had run in the Listed Perth Stakes last start. Consignment was sold by Darling View Thoroughbreds to his trainer for $160,000 at the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale.
Consignment is the first foal of Silver War (War Chant {USA}) who is an unraced full sister to Group 3 winner Dainty Tess.
Awesome Rock had a double at the meeting with Quokka Rocka and Mr Bling.
Churchill buys Preakness' intellectual property for $85 million
Churchill Downs Incorporated has entered into an agreement to acquire the intellectual property, including all trademarks and associated rights, of the Preakness Stakes and Black-Eyed Susan from 1/ST Maryland LLC, the company announced Tuesday morning. The purchase price was US$85 million (AU$118.5 million) and the deal is subject to customary closing conditions.
Under the terms of the deal, CDI will license to the state of Maryland the intellectual property rights necessary to conduct the running of the Preakness Stakes and Black-Eyed Susan Stakes in exchange for an annual fee.
“This acquisition adds one of the most iconic brands in American sports to our portfolio and is consistent with our strategy of investing in premier Thoroughbred racing assets with long-term growth potential,” said Bill Carstanjen, Chief Executive Officer of CDI. “In keeping ownership of the Preakness intellectual property in the racing industry, CDI will support efforts to fully realise the potential of a redeveloped Pimlico and Preakness Stakes within the Triple Crown and the broader sports and entertainment landscape.”
The transaction is expected to close after the running of the 2026 Preakness Stakes.
In an additional statement sent to the TDN, Churchill Downs said, “CDI will acquire the intellectual property rights to the Preakness Stakes and the Black-Eyed Susan Stakes, but there is no change in the ownership or operations of Pimlico racetrack or Thoroughbred racing in Maryland as a result of this transaction. We remain enthusiastic supporters of the event.”
Voyage Bubble under cloud for Champions Mile
Ricky Yiu-trained pair of Voyage Bubble (Deep Field) and Sunlight Power (Capitalist) will need to pass a veterinary inspection ahead of Sunday’s G1 Champions Mile, after Hong Kong Jockey Club’s head of veterinary regulation, welfare and biosecurity policy, Dr Bronte Forbes, found both had sustained a capped elbow.
Voyage Bubble | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
“Dr Forbes advised that both horses are currently subject to veterinary management and will be monitored in the following days,” Jockey Club chief steward Marc van Gestel said in a statement.
“A further veterinary inspection will be undertaken of Voyage Bubble and Sunlight Power by a veterinary officer on the morning of Thursday, 23 April 2026 and Saturday, 25 April 2026 to determine their suitability to race.”
230k Citizen Judy tops Fasig-Tipton Digital
The 2026 Fasig-Tipton April Digital Sale closed Tuesday evening with gross sales of US$2,056,000 (AU$2.8 million) for 94 horses sold and a clearance rate of 83%. The auction topper was the half-sister to Grade 1 winner Percy's Bar (Upstart), Fasig-Tipton said in a press release on Tuesday evening.
Citizen Judy (hip 15), a half-sister to recent GI Central Bank Ashland Stakes winner and GI Kentucky Oaks hopeful Percy's Bar, sold for US$230,000 (AU$321,000) to Fred Allor to top the sale. She was offered as a broodmare by Eaton Sales, agent. A 4-year-old winning daughter of American Freedom, Citizen Judy was offered in foal for 2027 to Girvin.
Brazen Persuasion (hip 16), whose current 2-year-old by Jackie's Warrior sold for US$2,300,000 (AU$3.2 million) at public auction on April 15, sold for US$200,000 (AU$279,000) to Gainesway Farm. She was consigned by Housatonic Bloodstock, agent for C J T Stables. A graded stakes winning daughter of prominent broodmare sire Indian Charlie, Brazen Persuasion sold with her 2026 New York-foaled filly by Bucchero.
“We had no intention of selling the mare, but she got that huge update while the sale was happening and [Fasig-Tipton] made it very easy to take that shot.” said George Adams of Housatonic Bloodstock.
USA Jockeys’ Guild launches education program
The Jockeys' Guild Education Foundation (JGEF), an initiative dedicated entirely to the educational empowerment of professional jockeys, has been launched through a partnership between the Lavin Family Foundation, Glen Hill Farm, and the Jockeys' Guild. Through scholarships, personalized academic guidance, and practical skills training, JGEF will aim to give jockeys the tools to build financial security and employment opportunities during and after their riding careers.
Prior to its official start date of July 1, JGEF will be circulating a survey to jockeys and will be forming focus groups in coordination with the Guild's regional managers to better understand the riders' needs and educational goals.
Hall of Fame jockey Ramon Domínguez will serve as executive director of the program. “I know firsthand what it means to face an uncertain future when a riding career ends,” said Domínguez. “My injury changed everything for me overnight. JGEF exists so that jockeys can build the skills and credentials to write their own next chapter, whatever that looks like. I am honored to lead this foundation and deeply committed to its mission.”
Fifteen wild cards for Tattersalls Breeze Up Sale
A total of 15 wildcards have been added to the Tattersalls Ireland Breeze-Up Sale catalogue. The sale is set for Friday, May 22. During last year's sale, a son of Night Of Thunder topped proceedings at €580,000 (AU$950,000), and this year, a filly out of an Invincible Spirit sister to G1 Prix Saint-Alary heroine Queen's Jewel (Pivotal) has been added to the catalogue.
Other late additions include a Havana Grey filly, herself a half-sister to the stakes-placed Jaliyah (Mehmas) and out of a sister to G1 Prix Morny hero and sire Arcano.
Women In Racing host Weatherbys event
Women in Racing (WiR), in partnership with Weatherbys, has announced that it will be hosting an event next month titled 'Bringing Your A-Game to Work', featuring a panel discussion and a behind the scenes tour of the Weatherbys headquarters in Wellingborough.
Scheduled to take place on Friday, May 22, the event will see five industry panellists discuss their strategies and tips on how to bring your best game to work every day, as well as providing a career progression opportunity and networking event for attendees and Weatherbys staff. The panel discussion will be followed by the behind the scenes tour of Weatherbys.
Women in Racing chair Cheryl Caves said, “I'm delighted that WiR is partnering with Weatherbys for our first in-person event of 2026. The WiR committee has always recognised the value these networking events bring to our members, and we hope it offers a great opportunity for anyone considering a role in racing administration, or for those interested in learning more about the important role Weatherbys plays in the industry.
“We'll be announcing the panel line-up shortly, and we hope the theme, 'Bringing Your A-Game to Work', will be both engaging and insightful.”
