Derby pair likely to go to Hong Kong
Newgate Farm’s Henry Field bought G1 Queensland Derby runners Providence (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and Monopolistic (NZ) (Savabeel) as Guineas prospects. “We have had a bit of good luck with the right horses with Chris Waller and it is important for us as a breeder to have that relationship with the best trainers,” Field told betsy.com.au.
Henry Field | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“He has converted our horses into Group 1 races and another win would be great. But I have to say that we bought Providence and Monopolistic as Guineas horses to be great milers, and I got it wrong. I have to own that mistake. But they get their chance to win a Group 1 on Saturday and a Derby, and our ownership group is very excited about that.
“We have had plenty of interest from Hong Kong in the past month in both of them, and decided to keep them for the Queensland Derby, but come next week they will both be on the market.”
Vibrant Sun headlines Magic Millions Digital
G1 Australasian Oaks winner Vibrant Sun (The Autumn Sun) headlines the latest Magic Millions Digital Sale which closes next Wednesday. She is being offered unreserved. Several other stakes winning mares are also in the sale.
The Geisel Park Stud Unreserved Dispersal will see 60 lots including racehorses and fillies (9), shares (4), weanlings (15), yearlings (9) and broodmares (23). On farm inspections can be organised by contacting Stud Manager Conor Dunlop.
Sizzling moves to Tasmania’s Magnum Park
Group 1 winning stallion Sizzling will stand at Tasmania’s Magnum Park in 2026 with a fee yet to be announced. “Sizzling is a horse we have admired for a long time,” Magnum Park’s Alexis Beadman said. The proven son of Snitzel has two stakes winners including 2024 R.Listed Magic Millions Perth 2YO Classic victor Big Shots, and a total of 215 winners from 325 runners.
Sizzling | Standing at Magnum Park
“He was an outstanding racehorse with genuine speed, toughness and presence, and we feel he offers something very exciting for Tasmanian breeders. What really stood out to us was not only his race record and sire power, but also the type of horse he is physically. He has great strength, quality and athleticism, along with a beautiful temperament, and he has settled in wonderfully here at Magnum Park.”
Joliestar and Overpass trial ahead of Ascot
Royal Ascot contenders Joliestar (Zoustar) and Overpass (Vancouver) went head-to-head in a jumpout at Flemington on Friday with Joliestar coming out on top. “She looked to do everything comfortably,” Joliestar’s trainer Chris Waller told racenet.com.au.
“Exactly what I wanted to see … big trip ahead on Wednesday evening. She's going over there in terrific form and it's all about recovery after the big journey. This morning's work was to stimulate her at a 90 per cent race speed type scenario.”
Watchme Win looking for Bel Esprit redemption
Fourth in the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes last year, Watchme Win (Harry Angel {Ire}) is looking for redemption this year on Saturday. “Last year we just got a little further back than perhaps we were hoping for and he hit the line well,” trainer Andrew Gluyas told racenet.com.au.
“Had he have been positioned a little bit closer he would've been right around the mark. That was at the back of a longer prep, but he still raced well, Saturday we go into it fourth-up, and hopefully he can maintain his form and get a little bit of luck in running.”
Watchme Win | Image courtesy of Racing SA
Moonee Valley refurbishment on track
On Friday MVRC chief executive Michael Browell updated racing participants on the refurbishment of Moonee Valley. “Fantastic to see it all come together, you start to appreciate the layout of the new track,” Browell told racenet.com.au.
“It's been living in our heads for 15 years, but to be able to see it coming out of the ground, it's a great milestone for the club to get to this point in the project. From where we sit, everything (redevelopment) is on program, on budget. We're still earmarking a return to racing here at The Valley early in the 2027-28 season ahead of the 2027 Cox Plate.”
Williamses plead guilty to presentation offence
Grant and Alana Williams have plead guilty to a charge under AR 240 (2) for raceday presentation of a prohibited substance, arising from the post-mortem detection of Ritalinic Acid in Starry Heights (Star Turn) at Kalgoorlie last October.
The partnership will be able to continue to train for the moment, with a penalty hearing to be held at a future date.
Debutant Monumentum to redeem herself on Saturday
At Caulfield on Saturday, Ben Brisbourne-trained 2-year-old filly Monumentum (Blue Point {Ire}) has plenty of redemption required. “She’s been really hard work. She’s one of the few horses that have put me in a hospital bed,” Brisbourne told racing.com.
“Only the last five weeks she’s shown any ability. She’s gone boom, boom, boom. She’s always been a tough ride. I thought I’d get on her and get her to behave. I walked out of the stable and gave her a pat on the neck and she bent her neck between her legs and thew me. She continued off without me. Bucking and squealing and carrying on. I went off to the hospital, and she went back to the breakers.
“It (the injuries) wasn’t enough to keep me out for too long. I just couldn’t catch my breath. Hopefully she can take our breath away on Saturday.”
Half Yours fit for Q22
G1 Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours (St Jean {Ire}) has a couple of runs under his belt ahead of the Q22 in a fortnight. “The miles are in his legs now to peak in the Q22, which has always been the race we had the circle around (this campaign),” co-trainer Calvin McEvoy told racenet.com.au.
Half Yours | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“It's on the more suitable track … hoping he gets a bit of rain because he's a horse that loves soft ground and he's been on the wrong leg with the weather up there. We're very confident he'll bounce back and Q22 will be his grand final at this point and then he'll be freshened and everything targeted towards the Melbourne Cup.”
Judd announces retirement
Newcastle Jockey Club Chairman and Director Brian Judd will retire from the role at the end of June. “It is gratifying to conclude my involvement with the Club as Chairman at a time when the Club has such a bright future,” Judd told racingnsw.com.au.
“I extend my sincere thanks to a committed Board, capable management team and loyal staff for their support and contribution and for their role in helping guide the Club to where it is today.” Judd has served as a Director for 10 years, including six years as Vice-Chairman and two years as Chairman. He also served as CEO of the Club from 1980 to 1988.
Maurice juvenile wins on Sunshine Coast
Stuart Kendrick-trained 2-year-old filly Momoka (NZ) (Maurice {Jpn}) won against the 3-year-olds on the Sunshine Coast polytrack on Friday by 0.86 lengths. She was having her third start.
Momoka is the third foal and second winner for Simogramor (NZ) (Fastnet Rock) who is a maiden winning daughter of Group 1 winner Katie Lee (Pins). Katie Lee is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Banchee (NZ) (Oratorio {Ire}).
Wieland juvenile double at Cairns
Trainer Fred Wieland won both the juvenile races at Cairns on Friday.
Second last start, 2-year-old gelding Worthy Gem (Worthy Cause) bolted home by over six lengths in the first. Tom Hedley purchased him for $40,000 from Clear Mountain Fairview’s Magic Millions March Yearling Sale draft. Worthy Gem is the third winner, from three to race, for Beeby Gem (Falvelon) who won six races including one in Brisbane.
Stablemate 2-year-old gelding Golden Glaze (Dubious) won the second on the card by 0.64 lengths. His trainer purchased him for $15,000 from the Magic Millions March Yearling Sale via Bookin Park’s draft. He is the second winner for Sweeter Than Most (Show A Heart) who is an unraced full sister to stakes placed Heart Of A Warrior.
Weiland made it a treble for the day with 4-year-old gelding Sawtow (Dundeel {NZ}).
Oasis Dream retired from stud duties
Juddmonte has retired Oasis Dream from stud duties after 23 seasons at Banstead Manor Stud.
A homebred by Green Desert out of Dancing Brave mare Hope, Oasis Dream was a champion sprinter and a producer of the highest calibre at stud, with the likes of six-time Group 1 winner Midday, champion sprinter Muhaarar, and champion juvenile Native Trail amongst his 18 top-level performers. Of those stallions still active in Britain, only Frankel and Dubawi have sired more Group 1 and Group winners.
“Today marks a sad day for the stallion team with the news of Oasis Dream's retirement from the breeding shed,” said Juddmonte's General Manager, Simon Mockridge.
“Managing this wonderful stallion over the past 23 years has been both a great pleasure and a privilege. His partnership with Dansili played a monumental part in establishing Juddmonte's reputation as one of Europe's leading stallion farms. He finished his breeding career as it began–full of enthusiasm and vigour, genuine to the end. A huge thank you to all breeders that have supported him over this period.”
Oasis Dream's legacy will endure for years to come, through his stallion sons–Showcasing, Muhaarar and Native Trail–as well as through his contribution as a broodmare sire, of more than 240 black-type performers, including 126 stakes winners, 76 Group winners and 17 Group 1 winners.
Catwalk Queen wins for charity
Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained 3-year-old filly Catwalk Queen (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) won on debut on Friday with 75% of her earnings going to the CatWalk Trust. “Our family donated her because we have a soft spot for the CatWalk Trust and everything they are trying to do,” Nicky White told Loveracing.nz.
“It is a great cause and we are keen to get more exposure because I think a lot of people aren’t quite aware of it and all the great things and inspirational people involved. We have got a bit of money to raise for the research team, the cure programmes, so hopefully she will go a long way towards helping us out.”
The CatWalk Trust partnered with Entain, who operated the now defunct TAB Racing Club at the time, to form The CatWalk Collective syndicate. The 25 members have 1% each and the remainer goes to the Catwalk Trust. “Entain have kindly come on board and are sorting out all of her training fees and expenses to race her,” White said.
“We have donated the horse to the CatWalk Trust, but we have stayed in as owners on paper. We have got 25 new owners that have entered the racing game and they have each got a one percent share. We wanted to get a bit more awareness for the Trust and they came in on a pretty good wicket being able to buy into a racehorse and gain some experience, support a good cause and be a part of the fun.”
Ombudsman wins Brigadier Gerard Stakes
Coming back from a break under a penalty, Ombudsman (Night Of Thunder) would have been forgiven an honourable defeat in Thursday's G3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes but duly showed his class to land the spoils ahead of his big test at Royal Ascot.
Runner-up in this to Almaqam 12 months ago, the John and Thady Gosden-trained triple Group 1 winner was 2-5 to deliver and after a tussle with the progressive Gethin (Ghaiyyath) had a neck to spare at the line. There was another three-length margin back to Almeric (Study Of Man) in third.
“He's a bigger, stronger horse this year and I am delighted with how he has matured,” co-trainer John Gosden said. “Royal Ascot looks exciting with Daryz coming over. He looks a phenomenal horse and we are looking forward to a proper Prince of Wales's–it could be the race of the meeting and that's what the game's about.”
Talk Of New York joins St James’s Palace discussion
If it weren't for messrs Bow Echo and Gstaad, Talk Of New York may have been the talk of Royal Ascot if the way the son of Wootton Bassett went through Sandown's Listed Heron Stakes is a guide.
So impressive was Godolphin's much-vaunted son of the high-class Usherette (Shamardal) on Thursday evening, he may even be able to upset the big two or at least get in the argument in the St James's Palace Stakes for which this race is always a key guide. Produced to storm clear of his Horris Hill-winning stablemate Time To Turn (Dark Angel), the even-money favourite romped to a 5.5 length success, with a head back to useful yardstick Andab (Saxon Warrior) in third.
“He's been given time and physically he's done so well for the break, mentally and physically. They went a good gallop and Will was always confident he was going to get there. The plan was always to miss the Guineas and go to the St James's Palace and I feel he deserves a chance to take on the Gstaads and Bow Echos of the world now,” trainer Charlie Appleby said.
France Galop approve saving plan
A savings plan created by France Galop's Task Force and approved by the board of directors, is expected to save the organisation approximately €29.8 million (AU$48.5 million), according to Jour de Galop. France Galop's president Guillaume de Saint-Seine gave members of the committee the first look at the plan on Thursday morning after its approval on Tuesday.
The savings is largely borne by France Galop itself, and, unlike the 2025 plan, it does not rely on reductions in prize-money or incentives. It does include 40 redundancies.
Guillaume de Saint-Seine | Image courtesy of France Galop
“There will be no closure of any racecourse or training centre,” the France Galop president said during a Thursday evening press briefly. “On the other hand, we still hold non-strategic real estate (at Saint-Cloud, Chantilly and Deauville) assets regarding which we are entitled to consider our options. Is it our vocation to own apartments here or there? My answer is no: I do not believe our vocation is to act as a landowner for assets that are not directly tied to France Galop's operational activities.”
Catalogue live for Tattersalls Online
The catalogue for the Tattersalls Online June Sale on June 3-4 is now online. Featuring 90 lots divided between 20 breeze-up horses, 59 horses in- and out-of-training, six broodmares, three stores, and one yearling, the sale begins on Wednesday, June 3.
UK races added to World Pool
World Pool betting will be in action for the first time at Newmarket's July Course and on Shergar Cup Day.
The inclusion of July Cup Day (11 July) adds another International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) Top 100 Group 1 race to the list of fixtures being commingled with 27 global betting jurisdictions, while Shergar Cup Day (8 August) at Ascot is set to welcome a HKJC team for the first time.
The latest approval of World Pool races also includes a fourth day, up from three, at both Glorious Goodwood (28 – 31 July) and York's Ebor Festival (19 – 22 July), and a new fixture added from Argentina, Carreras de las Estrellas Day (28 June), which is formed of three Group 1s.
In Ireland, a full card of races on Irish Oaks Day (18 July) from the Curragh will be commingled for the first time, adding another historic Classic contest to the World Pool programme.
