Devil Night retired
G1 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Devil Night has been formally retired by Yulong Stud. He will stand his first season at their new Hunter Valley property in 2026. He was scratched late on Thursday from Saturday’s G1 Doomben 10,000 after sustaining a heel injury.
The son of Extreme Choice was placed in the G1 William Reid Stakes this campaign at three and most recently was second to Group 1 winning boom 3-year-old filly Tempted (Street Boss {USA}) in the G2 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint.
Geisel Park announce new farms for stallions
Earlier this year, Geisel Park announced they were selling up and on Friday they announced that their three stallions Aysar, Manhattan Rain and Winning Rupert have found new homes for the 2026 season. Home Affair’s Group 2-winning half-brother Aysar moves to Ridgeport Farm, where he will stand alongside Rommel. Aysar will stand for $6600 including GST.
Proven sire Manhattan Rain will stand at Rangeview Stud for $6600 including GST, and Winning Rupert will relocate to Westbury Park at a fee of $4400 including GST.
“Geisel Park would like to thank the breeders and supporters who supported these stallions during their time at the farm and wishes them every success in their new homes,” said the farm in a press release.
| Aysar | Deep Field | 6600 | 8800 | Ridgeport Farm |
| Manhattan Rain | Encosta De Lago | 6600 | 5500 | Rangeview Stud |
| Winning Rupert | Written Tycoon | 4400 | 6600 | Westbury Park |
Table: Geisel Park 2026 stallion fees
Archibald’s win Listed Scone Cup
Trainers Annabel and Rob Archibald had four runners in the Listed Scone Cup on Friday and it was their imported galloper Hellsing (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}) who took the main prize. Coming off a last start win, he won by a third of a length from Churchill’s Choice (Churchill {Ire}) with Formal Display (GB) (Too Darn Hot {GB}) in third. “It's a massive thrill,” Annabel Archibald said.
“He's such a tough and honest horse with a great racing pattern. We thought this track would suit him. He loves a big galloping track and he didn't let us down.”
Ka Ying Rising tops latest World Thoroughbred Ranking
Hong Kong's Horse of the Year Ka Ying Rising has raised his mark to 130, as the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings were released on Thursday.
The son of Shamexpress won the G2 Sprint Cup and the G1 Chairman's Sprint Prize recently and has won 20 consecutive races. He broke his own course record in the Chairman's Sprint Prize, prompting the increase of his mark from 128 to 130.
Second on rankings is G1 Betfred 2000 Guineas hero Bow Echo (Night Of Thunder) at 126, the equal of Daryz (Sea The Stars) and Hong Kong stalwart Romantic Warrior (Acclamation). Daryz, who won the Arc in 2025, claimed the G1 Prix Ganay. Romantic Warrior rose from 124 to 126 after taking the G1 FWD QEII Cup over Masquerade Ball (Duramente) (122), Sosie (Sea The Stars) (121) and Royal Champion (Shamardal) (122).
Bidding open in latest Magic Millions Digital Sale
The latest Magic Millions Digital Sale is open for bidding and closes on Wednesday May 20. Leading the offerings is exciting 3-year-old colt Botanist (Wootton Bassett {GB}) who will be offered by Coolmore and partners.
Among the race fillies section is Lot 14 (Rich Enuff), an unnamed 4-year-old mare who is a half-sister to Listed winner Kiki Express (Sepoy), who sold for $1.2 million at the Inglis Chairman's Sale in Sydney last week. The sale also features weanlings and yearlings by Bivouac, Spirit of Boom and Written By.
Double Cool set for Munce double
The father-and-son training partnership of Chris and Corey Munce won the G2 Spirit Of Boom Classic last year with recently retired Cool Archie, and this year are back with another juvenile by Cool Aza Beel (NZ) with their 2-year-old filly Double Cool. “It will be great if we can go back-to-back in the Spirit Of Boom,” co-trainer Corey Munce told racingqueensland.com.au.
“She had one barrier trial before she ran second at her first start on Boxing Day behind Liam Birchley’s Vanzadee who went over the New Zealand and ran in the Karaka Millions. Then she had a good gate and ran a great race to finish fourth in the Magic Millions Classic and her run didn’t surprise us at all.
“In her last run, we thought she would be hard to beat at the Sunshine Coast, but she got back and was first-up on a wet track.”
Double Cool as a yearling | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Surfin’ Bird fit enough for Saturday
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Surfin’ Bird (The Autumn Sun) heads into Saturday’s G3 Dark Jewel Classic with a much needed run under her belt. “In fairness she was good, she was coming again late,” Bott told racingnsw.com.au of her first up run for second in the G3 Hawkesbury Crown.
“She should be better for the run and 1400m should be ideal. Hopefully she can take the next step. She’s still physically maturing but at this point she looks a lot stronger. Previously she probably wasn’t able to sustain doing it at both ends, she’s always been sharp but now she has that added strength she can absorb more pressure.”
Racing Victoria restructure Jockey program
Alf Matthews has been made redundant as Racing Victoria restructure their Apprentice Jockey Program. Matthews and Darren Gauci jointly roles as coaches, but the restructure meant only one could remain. “This model will see the Victorian Jockeys' Association (VJA) more actively involved in the Apprentice Jockey Training Program (AJTP), supporting the work of the Apprentice Jockey Coach and Workforce Development Team,” an RV spokesman told racenet.com.au.
“It will also involve VJA services, such as welfare and representative support, being more closely aligned to the AJTP … as a result of this new partnership, the AJTP will now be supported by one Apprentice Jockey Coach and, after a selection process, Darren Gauci has been chosen to continue in that position.
“We wish Alf Matthews the very best and thank him for nearly 14 years of service with RV. Alf was employed initially as an Integrity Services Officer and then moved into an Apprentice Jockey Coach role in 2020. Throughout his time with RV, Alf demonstrated commitment and passion for the thoroughbred racing industry and for developing young riders.”
Vantorix could be emotional win in Boom
Trainer Jenny Graham will run exciting unbeaten 2-year-old gelding Vantorix (Captivant) in Saturday’s G2 Spirit Of Boom Classic and he runs in memory of her father Barry "Jack" Avery who passed away in March at age 86. “I took some time out (from training) to help look after Dad,” Graham told racenet.com.au.
“I had roughly two-and-a-half years away from training. When Dad went into care I decided to get a couple more horses (Vantorix and Royal Exile) to play around with. He's still learning a lot, but he's a pretty relaxed sort of horse.
Vantorix as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
“It is a big jump in grade though so I guess we're yet to find out really (if he's got what it takes at that level). I am happy with him, so we're just taking the next couple of steps and we're going to give it a go. I think as a 3-year-old he'll be better again.”
No rush with Moscatel
Trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott are in no rush with $1.6 million filly Moscatel (Snitzel) and the debut winner will head to Scone on Saturday for the Listed Woodlands Stakes. “We were tempted to take her up to Brisbane but it felt a bit rushed doing that,” Bott told racingnsw.com.au.
“Scone is a nice big track for her and we thought it'd be beneficial to keep her closer to home at present. We still feel she is the class filly there, she’s open to some nice improvement off the first-up run and she was impressive on that occasion. I’m looking forward to seeing her continue to progress. She’s been a high profile filly and some valuable black type would be great.”
Cormier debuts in style
At Scone on Friday, Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich-trained 2-year-old colt Cormier (Maurice {Jpn}) debuted in style against the older horses, winning a maiden by 1.7 lengths from fellow juvenile colt Dr Hook (Too Darn Hot {GB}). In third was 3-year-old filly Beneath The Rock (Unite And Conquer).
Raced by Arrowfield Stud and Pinecliff Racing, Cormier is the third winner for Group 1 winner Abbey Marie (Redoute’s Choice) who is a full sister to Group 1 winner Absolutely and a half-sister to Group 3 winner Runaway (Manhattan Rain).
Cormier’s stablemate 3-year-old filly Chains Of Love (I Am Invincible) made it two wins in succession and is out of Group 1 winner Stay With Me (Street Cry {Ire}), herself a daughter of Group 1 winner Miss Finland (Redoute’s Choice).
Juvenile winner for Prince Fawaz
Second season sire Prince Fawaz celebrated a winner from his second crop when 2-year-old gelding Rocky Prince won at Cairns on Friday for trainers Trevor and Peter Rowe. Owner Suzanne Hammer purchased him from Oaklands Stud for $22,000 at the Capricornia Yearling Sale. He is the fourth winner for Gypsy Pearl (Danzero) who won three races.
Visitor’s draw for Solid Gold
Waikato Stud-owned Solid Gold (NZ) (Savabeel) has been given the visitor’s draw for Saturday’s G3 Rough Habit Plate at Doomben, but trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood have her ready for the challenge. “She left here on Monday night and it nearly took nine hours from stable to stable to get to Sydney. On Wednesday night it was nearly 13 hours stable to stable to get to Eagle Farm,” James told Loveracing.nz.
“Robert is over there with her and he said she has coped with everything very well and is bouncing and he is very happy with her. Having said that, she has drawn 17 and the track is going to be heavy, and it is the last race of the day, so she hasn’t got a lot of boxes ticked in that respect. It is going to make it hard, it is now more like a lead-up race to the Oaks than a race that we thought we could win.”
Stablemate Excite (Wootton Bassett {GB}) could join her if he performs in Saturday’s Listed Champagne Stakes at Ellerslie with the G1 JJ Atkins Plate as a target. “I have taken a 2-year-old to Brisbane once before but not for the JJ Atkins,” James said. “He is doing everything right, he is a good-looking colt and he has come to hand at the right time to consider that race if he is impressive tomorrow.”
Item storms home in Dante
One of the least-exposed in the line-up for Thursday's G2 Dante Stakes at York, Juddmonte's unbeaten Item (Frankel) flagged up his Epsom prospects when powering to success in the time-honoured Derby trial.
Held up early by Colin Keane, the keen-going son of the Natalma Stakes winner Capla Temptress (Lope De Vega) moved smoothly to the long-time leader Action (Frankel) a furlong out and forged on for an authoritative 2.75 length success. There was another 1.75 lengths back to the other Ballydoyle runner Christmas Day (Camelot) in third.
Juddmonte's Racing Manager Barry Mahon added, “He does his work nicely but is not flash at home, so we came in here a little bit unsure. The Epsom Derby is one of the best races in the world, we want to be there and let's hope we are. Juddmonte is there to compete at the top table and we breed these horses to compete in the best races.”
See The Fire makes history
Making history on York's Knavesmire on Thursday, Jeff Smith's See The Fire (Sea The Stars) became the first to win the G2 Middleton Fillies' Stakes for a second time.
Always travelling with menace stalking the multiple Group 1 winner Fallen Angel (Too Darn Hot), the Andrew Balding-trained homebred was let loose by Oisin Murphy approaching two out and held Red Letter (Frankel) at bay to score by three quarters of a length. Diamond Rain (Shamardal) was a further 1.25 lengths away in third.
See The Fire, who won this by 12 lengths last term, has been placed six times at the highest level and Anna Lisa Balding is hoping the breakthrough will come in 2026. “Oisin got off her and just said she's an absolute machine, so we're delighted. She's not a straightforward filly, so it's big credit to the team,” she said. “She's got an entry [in the Coronation Cup] at Epsom but who knows, hopefully it will be a good, long season ahead. Fingers crossed there's another big one in her.”
Groupie Doll retired
Fan-favourite Groupie Doll (Bowman's Band–Deputy Doll, by Silver Deputy), winner of the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint back-to-back in 2012 and 2013 and named champion female sprinter in each of those seasons, has been pensioned from breeding, according to a tweet from Mandy Pope's Whisper Hill Farm.
“Big News for the Groupie Doll fans!” read a post from Whisper Hill on X. “Groupie Doll has been officially retired from breeding. She will live at the farm in Florida and be pampered like the absolute queen she is for the rest of her days.”
Ortiz brothers cockfighting scandal deepens
A story in the Thursday edition of USA Today alleges that the ties to cockfighting for Jose and Irad Ortiz go beyond the social media video which surfaced in January showing them taking bets at an undated cockfight, documenting photos and social media posts which suggest a deeper participation in the sport.
In January, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) sent a letter to the NTRA asking that the brothers be banned from further Eclipse consideration due to the social media video.
The USA Today article cites that incident, but also includes a January, 2025 Facebook post which appears to show the brothers holding roosters in a cockfighting arena. “The Facebook page belongs to Oscar Calderon, who based on information found on social media is a cockfighter and breeder of fighting roosters known as gamecocks,” the article reports.
The story also links to a Facebook advertisement for Club Gallistico de Puerto Rico, a cockfighting club, from December 17, 2025, which reads, “Brothers Irad and José Luis Ortiz accepted the challenge of participating in the “Gran Campeón Caribeño”—a tournament of challenges—with a single goal: to attempt to be crowned the undisputed champions. Although they stand out in the world of international horse racing—ranking as the most successful pair of brothers in the field—they also harbor a passion for fighting cocks. For us, as an institution, it is an honor to have them competing in our coliseum.”
Cockfighting is illegal in the USA and all of its territories, including Puerto Rico. It was officially criminalized with the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill, and remains illegal despite local efforts by some in Puerto Rico to preserve it as a cultural tradition, prompting legal battles between the island and the U.S. federal government. The Club Gallistico was one of the entities to file a lawsuit against the U.S. government challenging the ban, according to USA Today. The Supreme Court has since upheld the ban.
The Ortiz brothers finished first and second in this year's Kentucky Derby, marking the first win for Jose Ortiz in the race. Neither Jose Ortiz nor the brothers' agent, Steve Rushing, responded to a request by TDN for comment by the time of publication of this article.
