Daily News Wrap

Talkanco comes east for Goodwood

After running third in The Quokka, Dan and Ben Pearce-trained 3-year-old filly Talkanco (I’m All The Talk) heads to Adelaide for this Saturday’s G1 Goodwood Handicap. “Driving back from the races, after The Quokka, the owner said just a thought about The Goodwood, ‘What do ya reckon?'” Ben Pearce told racenet.com.au.

“I said, ‘Well it's probably not a silly idea'. At the weights she gets in so well, with the 53.5 – being a 3-year-old filly. You don't get a chance at a Group 1 with that sort of weight that often – we thought it was a good opportunity to take.

“We're really happy with how Talkanco has travelled across from WA. It's her first time on a plane, so there was a lot for her to take in but she's handled it all really well. She's drawn a good gate, we were really happy with that. It's tricky, because you travel over on Monday night and you don't know what you've drawn. But Tuesday morning we were thrilled.

“For her to win a Group 1, it would be outstanding for her as a mare, for the breeder, and for Dan and I as trainers as well looking for our first Group 1. We've run two seconds in Group 1's previously, in the Manikato and the Winterbottom, if we could win one, it would be a dream come true.”

Enriched looking for stud deal

A stud deal might beckon for 4-year-old entire Enriched (I Am Invincible) if he wins Saturday’s G1 Goodwood Handicap for trainer Michael Freedman. “He got no luck whatsoever in the Galaxy. Craig (Williams) sort of got tangled up behind them all and he never really got a crack at them,” Freedman told racing.com.

“The form guide says he finished last, but he was just two lengths off the winner and really had no luck at all. He ran Autumn Glow to a length and a half last year in the autumn so he’s quite a talented horse and obviously Group 1 status would be a big feather in his cap if he could achieve that.

“I am very happy with how he’s going. He’s drawn a nice gate (three) and so with even luck, he can run well. He’d quite like it soft but I doubt him in a genuine heavy – not many Vinnies (I Am Invincibles) do – but soft should be fine.”

New winner for Barbaric

First season sire Barbaric added a new winner when Kris Hansen-trained 2-year-old gelding Bowdene bolted home by 2.4 lengths at Townsville on Friday. He was having his third start having placed on debut at Rockhampton. Bowdene becomes the fourth winner from six runners for Barbaric.

Lyndhurst Stud Farm sold Bowdene for $65,000 at the Magic Millions March Yearling Sale to Ron and Bev White and Maureen Olive. He is the first foal of Three Cities (Ilovethiscity).

Jonker adds new winner

First season sire Jonker, who will move to Eureka Stud for 2026, sired winner number three when Clinton Taylor-trained 2-year-old gelding Block The Lead won on debut at Townsville on Friday. Bought by his trainer for $46,000 at the Magic Millions March Yearling Sale, Block The Lead was offered by DTT Thoroughbreds. He is the first foal of Better Be Better (Better Than Ready) who won four races.

Strong pace a concern for Miss Joelene

In Saturday’s G2 Hollindale Stakes, trainer Kelly Schweida is worried about the pace set by Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) when it concerns his runner Miss Joelene (Russian Revolution). “She’s going well, but Pride Of Jenni is my worry as the way she races out in front upsets our racing pattern,” Schweida told racingqueensland.com.au.

“They’ll all be under the pump at some stage if Pride Of Jenni gets out and leads like she does and that’s a worry. It puts Miss Joelene out of her comfort zone as she likes to get back.”

Bidding opens for two-day Inglis Digital Sale

The latest Inglis Digital sale is open for bidding and concludes in two phases with mixed stock on Wednesday May 13 with the second and final Australian Broodmare Sale Session exclusively for race fillies and broodmares concluding on Thursday May 14.

There are 210 lots closing on Wednesday and a further 262 on Thursday including 56 lots from Godolphin. Godolphin’s offerings including Group 1 winner Affaire A Suivre (NZ) (Astern) who is currently in Kentucky USA and carrying a cover to Not This Time.

On Wednesday, progressive 3-year-old gelding Bad Blood (Dirty Work), a winner of his only start, is one of the many racing prospects on offer. A 5% share in Royal Ascot-bound Overpass (Vancouver) should entice, while 3-year-old gelding Officiate (Justify {USA}) has plenty of upside.

Sarrismo ready for The Coast challenge

Tom Charlton-trained 4-year-old gelding Sarrismo (I Am Invincible) is ready to take on The Coast. “He’s progressing well, improving, he’s always been a big scopey style of horse and hopefully connections’ patience is starting to be rewarded,” Charlton told racingnsw.com.au.

“We’ll find a bit more out, he’s kept raising the bar a bit and we have to raise it a bit higher. It’s his biggest test so far but we’re looking forward to it. He’s massively up in grade but he’s got a good weight, looks to map well, is quite versatile in terms of the map and if he can run in the money it’d be fantastic.” He comes off a last start win in the Orange Cup.

Takeover Target jockey rides in his race

Saturday’s Listed Takeover Target Stakes at Gosford will feature the regular rider of multiple Group 1 winning sprinter Takeover Target (Celtic Swing {GB}). Jay Ford will be aboard Romeo’s Choice (Choistar) for trainer Richard Litt. “He's a champion horse in our eyes – I'd love 10 more of him in the stable,” Litt told racenet.com.au of the 6-year-old gelding who has seven wins and over $530,000 in earnings.

“Just so honest and versatile that puts everything in every time he races and his record shows that. The 1200m first-up might be a little bit of a question mark but I'm really happy with him and he always sprints well fresh. Barrier one is ideal so hopefully Jay can box seat and with 53kg on his back get home well. No one will be out there trying harder than Jay on Saturday. It's obviously a race that's pretty special to him and I'm sure the horse can give him a sight.”

Brisbourne adds Flemington stable

Wangaratta trainer Ben Brisbourne announced on Friday that he had been granted stables at Flemington. “Following recent success in the G2 Sires Produce Stakes earlier in the autumn, we felt the time was right to take the next step forward and we were fortunate enough to secure an 18-box stable at Flemington racecourse,” Brisbourne said.

“This move allows the stable to expand and secure a base in the Melbourne metropolitan area, offering the opportunity for our horses to utilise the world-class facilities available at Headquarters, and easier logistical access to surrounding metro and provincial tracks, synthetic tracks in the winter, and twilight and night meetings in the summer.

“We have put together an exceptional team of staff, headed by assistant trainer April Moran, with the first horses set to move in today. Operations will continue as normal at our main stable in Wangaratta and our private spelling and training facility in Eldorado with its uphill deep sand tracks. It continues to prove to be a vital asset in our horses training programs.”

Applications for AgriFutures Panel

Applications are open for two positions on AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Advisory Panel, chaired by Jonathan D’Arcy. These positions are open to Thoroughbred breeding industry professionals, including breeders, industry professionals, equine veterinarians and researchers. We encourage you to share this opportunity with your networks. Applications close on Monday, 25 May 2026.

Vale Sandro D’Amore

Racing NSW announced the death of metropolitan bookmaker Sandro D’Amore aged 61. Sandro’s pleasant manner and preparedness to provide contributing and constructive thoughts were testament to his welcoming nature," Les Mellowship, CEO of the NSW Bookmakers Co-operative, told racingnsw.com.au.

"He was a devoted family man and loved to travel during the racing off-season. Sandro's passing has been felt very deeply by his colleagues, and the Co-operative extends its prayers and comfort to all those affected. The Co-operative also extends its sincere condolences to the D’Amore families and has offered its support to the family."

Single Red travels well ahead of Bracelet

Trainer Andrew Forsman is pleased with 3-year-old Single Red (NZ) (Vanbrugh) ahead of Saturday’s Listed Gold Bracelet. “She travelled via Sydney to the Gold Coast last Sunday and has handled it all really well,” Forsman told Loveracing.nz.

“It is a big advantage to have Craig on. I think Craig has done a bit of riding in Brisbane anyway and he is certainly a well established and capable jockey, so we don’t lose anything with having him on. Having someone on who knows the horse I think is a big key.”

NZTR releases new welfare strategy

On Friday, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) released its new Thoroughbred Welfare Strategy, Together for the Thoroughbred. “The New Zealand racing industry as a whole already demonstrates a strong commitment to Thoroughbred welfare. There are many people across the industry who show genuine care and dedication to their Thoroughbreds every day, ensuring they are well cared for, fit and prepared to perform, and responsibly supported beyond racing through rehoming and life after racing,” NZTR General Manager Welfare and Industry Capability Sam Fursdon said.

“This strategy brings that work together into a clear and consistent framework, and reinforces that welfare is a shared responsibility across the industry. It also sets a clear expectation that every Thoroughbred is tracked, cared for, and supported throughout its life and that every decision, from breeding and training through to racing and retirement, is made with the horse’s wellbeing at the centre.

“This is about being clear on what is expected, supporting participants to deliver good outcomes, and being open about how we are tracking. It strengthens our ability to demonstrate the care and commitment that already exists across the industry.”

Hot Delight looks to extend unbeaten record

Jockey Harry Bentley hopes exciting 3-year-old Hot Delight (Too Darn Hot {GB}) can continue his unbeaten streak on Sunday. The gelding is currently three from three. “He’s certainly a horse coming through the ranks nicely and he’s been eye-catching in each of his runs to date,” Bentley told scmp.com.

“It’s easy to get excited with these types who have an unblemished record and I hope to keep that intact.”

Another Derby horse for Ballydoyle

Delayed by an hour due to a course inspection at Chester, the Listed Dee Stakes eventually went the same way of the previous day's Classic trials and fell to Ballydoyle and their exciting colt Constitution River (Wootton Bassett).

While the fall-out from the lengthy delay was the withdrawal of winner's key rival Morshdi (Dubawi) as Tom Marquand described the track's home bend as dangerous, there can be no debate about the outcome of the 10-furlong Derby trial with the winner so utterly dominant.

Content to wait in third early on last year's G2 Futurity Stakes winner, Ryan Moore sent the 2-9 favourite up the inner off the final turn and he exploded to win by seven lengths from Generic (Kameko). Third was Golden Story (Lope De Vega), another 2.75 lengths behind, with the final time of 2:06.54 a clear race record.

“He's a very good horse, I think,” Moore said. “It went very smoothly, like a piece of work. He's a Wootton Bassett, a big strong horse, a gorgeous horse. I love everything he did today, he has a good future. Both him and Benvenuto Cellini handled this track fine and are two very good horses.”

Jan Brueghel back in winner’s circle

Ballydoyle has once again passed its annual check-up with Dr Chester and Aidan O'Brien continued his domination of black-type contests at the Roodeye after Jan Brueghel (Galileo) increased the trainer's record haul to eight in the extended 13-furlong stamina test.

O'Brien and Ryan Moore, when partnering up, have registered 11 consecutive wins at the track and the G1 St Leger and G1 Coronation Cup hero will defend his title in the latter event, skipping the opportunity of utilising his free ticket to next month's GII Belmont Gold Cup.

“Obviously, he hadn't run for a long time and the plan was to go back to Epsom with him after this,” the winning trainer said. “He enjoyed Epsom last year in the Coronation [Cup] and he was very good there, so it makes sense to go back there. Coolmore sponsor it now as well so that's nice.”

Jan Brueghel was ruled out of the 2024 G1 Melbourne Cup after failing the scans and didn’t race for six months after that, running second in the Group 3 event at the Curragh in April 2025. He won the G1 Coronation Cup in June that year, and was fourth in the G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes in July 2025. This was his first run since then.

Gethin purchased by Wathnan Racing

The exciting Gethin (Ghaiyyath), who gained his third career success from just five starts when winning the Listed Magnolia Stakes at Kempton last month, has been bought by Wathnan Racing in a deal brokered by the operation's racing adviser, Richard Brown.

“We've admired Gethin from afar ever since he made an impressive debut at Nottingham at two,” said Brown in a statement. “He's got great form around some serious horses at three and showed his wellbeing when winning impressively at Kempton a few weeks ago.

“He's got any amount of potential and is a great credit to his breeders, Martin and Lee Taylor, who've been a pleasure to deal with. We're thrilled he'll be running in the old gold and peacock blue. He's a really exciting colt and we're sure the Wathnan team will love racing him.”

Trump tariffs illegal

President Trump's 10 percent tariffs–instituted to replace his initial slate of tariffs which were struck down by the Supreme Court in February–are also illegal, a federal trade court ruled on Thursday, according to the New York Times.

Owners of European-bred horses purchased abroad are now in the process of applying for refunds for tariffs paid under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), as reported by Dan Ross in Thursday's TDN. It's too early to say if purchasers of European-breds who have brought them to America at the recent 2-year-old sales in Europe will also be eligible for refunds, nor whether buyers at Arqana May will have to pay a tariff on Saturday, now that they have been ruled illegal, but the ruling is almost certain to stimulate American buying abroad. The administration could appeal the verdict, but a final ruling against the tariffs would likely lead to repayments, the Times says.

The ruling is in regard to President Trump's use of Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974, which allows the president to levy a tariff of up to 15 percent for 150 days to address `balance of payment' issues, according to the Times.

Big catalogue for next Fasig-Tipton Online

Fasig-Tipton has catalogued 94 entries for its May Digital Sale, which opened for bidding Thursday. Amongst the full catalogue is the five-strong consignment of Tessa Walden's Evergreen Equine, including an exciting 2-year-old maiden special weight winner from Keeneland in Blessed Flyer (Dialed In) (hip 1).

“It's hard to get them to races this early and he did it very effortlessly,” Walden said. “There were some bullet works in there and some other flashy moves but the best move he made was when he won. I think he's the full package. He's a good-sized horse, around 16 hands. He's super strong. Looks like he's still got some growing to do even on top of that.”