Joliestar and Overpass gallop at Ascot
Following in a rich tradition of leading Australian sprinters at the royal meeting, Joliestar (Zoustar) and Overpass (Vancouver) undertook a dress rehearsal on the Ascot turf on Friday morning for their respective targets next week. The Bjorn Baker-trained Overpass heads to Tuesday's G1 King Charles III Stakes and Joliestar runs in the G1 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes on Saturday for Chris Waller.
The latter's assistant Charlie Duckworth said, “Joliestar had a gallop this morning over 800 metres, 15 seconds per furlong for the first two furlongs before quickening up under a nice hold for the last two furlongs. We are racing a week tomorrow, which gives us time for another gallop next week. Today was more about having a look at the track, pre-parade ring and parade ring, just to familiarise her with the surroundings. It was a confidence-boosting piece of work rather than a gut-buster as she has only been in the country eight days.”
Overpass, who has won back-to-back renewals of the G1 Winterbottom Stakes and was fourth to Joliestar in the TJ Smith Stakes, will be the first runner at Royal Ascot for Bjorn Baker.
He said, “We wanted Overpass to get two things out of today. Firstly, a little bit of fitness with a good hit-out ahead of the race on Tuesday. Then we wanted to give him the raceday experience, coming around the mounting yard and paddock. Hopefully, that will help him relax better come raceday, which is an important part of what we do.
“Overpass has been a remarkable horse. He is very much best fresh, which means we space out his runs. He ran very well in the TJ Smith Stakes, albeit on a track that was probably too wet for him. The options were Brisbane or here, so given that we want to sell the dream worldwide, we decided to come here. Royal Ascot is one of the great carnivals, while the King Charles III Stakes is a very prestigious race. Added to the fact Australian sprinters have run very well here in the past, that gives us a bit of confidence.”
G3 Strickland Stakes won by Western Empire
Grant and Alana Williams-trained Western Empire (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}) made it three Group 3 wins in succession when taking out the G3 Strickland Stakes at Belmont by 1.4 lengths for jockey William Pike. The $1.40 favourite took his record to 14 wins and 10 placings from 38 starts with earnings over $3.7 million.
He ran fourth in this race last year, and second in 2024 where the winner was Let’s Galavhant (Galah) who ran second this year. Winner of the 2021 G1 WA Railway Stakes, he was sold via Inglis Digital for $150,000 in October 2023 and has won seven races since then, all at Group 3 level.
War Eternal makes it three in a row
In Saturday’s Listed Wayne Wilson Plate at Eagle Farm, Bjorn Baker-trained War Eternal (NZ) (Pierro) made it three Listed wins in succession. “He's been one of the finds of the carnival. Three stakes wins in-a-row at a ripe old age and he's amazing that for a horse of his age he that much in him to the line,” stable representative Jim Clarke said.
“Very genuine type. In fairness the other day, he got headed and fought back. He's tough, tenacious and he's got a lot of heart.” One of 41 stakes winners for Pierro, War Eternal took his record to eight wins and over $1.1 million. Cambridge Stud sold him at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale to Baker and Clarke Bloodstock (FBAA) for NZ$160,000. He is the first foal of Aleria (Fastnet Rock) who has subsequently produced two more winners.
Baker’s omen in Listed Queen Elizabeth II Cup
Trainer Bjorn Baker will be hoping the victory of Thebudgiesmugla (NZ) (Redwood {GB}) in Saturday’s Listed Queen Elizabeth II Cup will be an omen ahead of Royal Ascot where Overpass (Vancouver) will run in from of Queen Elizabeth II’s son, King Charles III.
“We needed to see him win it, and we needed to see him do it on top of the ground if he's going to be competitive in better races,” Baker's racing manager, Luke Hilton said.
“We'd like to go to the Caloundra Cup with him. It's in three weeks, 2400, good prizemoney race. It's also a good form race for a few other races later in the year. Half Yours won that race, so we'll head the same way.”
Sky Racing's Greg Radley suggested to Hilton that his boss wear a pair of budgie smugglers in front of Buckingham Palace to celebrate. “Don't joke about it. You know he'll do it,” Hilton said. Thebudgiesmugla took his record to six wins from 12 starts and he becomes the 17th stakes winner for his sire. His dam, Hot Pants (NZ) (Keeper)’s first four foals are all winners, and her 2-year-old filly Bella Bonita (NZ) (Noverre {NZ}) is stakes placed.
First stakes win for Pollard
Todd Pollard-trained mare Midnight In Tokyo (Kobayashi) made it three career Listed wins when taking out the Listed Hinkler Handicap at Eagle Farm. Formerly trained by Pollard’s old bosses Annabel and Rob Archibald, Pollard was thrilled to collect his first black type victory. He has had Midnight In Tokyo for three starts.
“I've only been training for three months. It's bloody awesome. Thanks to the owners, the McKenzie's up in Rockhampton for sending her up to me. Last start, you know, we got her right today. Didn't overanalyse anything about what went wrong. Good to see her back,” Pollard said.
“She hasn't got long left to race. She'll be retired soon. One more race and that's it. I'm bloody happy. It's cool. It's a Listed race and I've always wanted to train.” Midnight In Tokyo took her record to eight wins from 35 starts with earnings over $850,000. A half-sister to Group 2 winner Generosity (Divine Prophet), the pair are out of winning mare Orabelle (Casino Prince), a half-sister to Group 3 winner Bel Merci (Extreme Choice) and Listed winner All Too Royal (All Too Hard). Orabelle is a daughter of Group 1 winner Bel Mer (Bel Esprit).
Casino Prince had a double as a damsire at Eagle Farm with G1 JJ Atkins Plate winner Tron Bolt (Toronado {Ire}). Redoute’s Choice also had a double at the meeting as a damsire via G1 Stradbroke Handicap winner Spicy Martini (Justify {USA}) and G3 Gunsynd Classic winner Skyhook (Written Tycoon).
Coolmore target for Kennewell debutant
Trainer Lloyd Kennewell will spell debutant 2-year-old colt Mbube (Rubick) after he won at Sandown, setting him for the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes in the spring. “He'll be in the paddock at Fulmen Park on Monday, hopefully getting ready for a Coolmore prep,” Kennewell said.
Initially sold by Supreme Thoroughbreds at the Inglis Great Southern Sale for $1500, he was bought by Kennewell for $22,500 at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale from Willow Grove Consignment. Kennewell bought him again at the Inglis Ready2Race Sale for $300,000 when offered by Merricks Station.
TTR wrote about the double purchase in our sale coverage. At the time, Kennewell said, “He’s probably the best 2-year-old I’ve got in the stable and if I’ve got that sort of intel, why would I let him go elsewhere. Of the 25 we have this year, he’s head and shoulders above, from what I've seen so far, but that's got to replicate into a race now.”
Doubtland adds juvenile winner
At Murray Bridge on Saturday, Phillip Stokes-trained 2-year-old filly Brevitas (Doubtland) won her maiden at her third career start. She was fourth in the G3 David Coles AM Stakes last start. Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) spent $100,000 to acquire her from Widden Stud at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Brevitas is the fourth winner from six runners for winning mare Brevity (Bernardini {USA}) who is a daughter of stakes placed Rose Darmore (More Than Ready {USA}).
Juvenile winner for Harry Angel
At Bendigo on Saturday, Ciaron Maher-trained 2-year-old filly Angels Fury (Harry Angel {Ire}) won at her second start. She debuted in the G3 Blue Diamond Preview (f). She snuck into the field thanks to several scratchings and won by 1.5 lengths. Astute Bloodstock (FBAA) purchased her for $270,000 from Bell River Thoroughbreds’ Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft.
She is the first runner for Ashre Jahre (Headwater) who is a winning half-sister to stakes placed Blazing Miss (Sizzling).
Swift Ruler makes it two
Adam Durrant-trained 2-year-old gelding Swift Ruler (Universal Ruler) made it two wins in succession when victorious at Belmont on Saturday. He now has two wins from four starts with earnings over $140,000 for owners Oakland Park Stud and partners.
One of three winners for Fast As The Wind (Blackfriars) who won four times and is a full sister to G1 Metropolitan Handicap winner Come Play With Me.
Saturday sire doubles
All Too Hard sired a double at Walgett in NSW on Saturday with Advisor who took his record to ten wins, while 3-year-old gelding Stuck In The Gorge won his maiden.
Star Turn had a double at Atherton with Silverturn and Charm Teller. At Gladstone, Power (GB) sired a double with Energia and All Business (NZ).
Lane rides Flightline’s first winner
Naohiro Sakakuchi's 2-year-old colt Demian (USA) (Flightline {USA}) was produced by the visiting Damian Lane with a bit less than a furlong to race and quickened up nicely to become the first winner from the much-anticipated crop of his freshman sire (by Tapit) in Saturday's sixth race for unraced 2-year-olds going 1400 metres on the turf at Tokyo Racecourse.
The US$1.7 million (AU$2.4 million) Keeneland September acquisition won by 1.25 lengths. Unbeaten four-time Grade 1 winner Flightline is the sire of 124 registered 2-year-olds from his first crop and stood for US$125,000 (AU$177,000) in his fourth year at stud at Lane's End in 2026.
Moore and Rausing named in King’s Birthday Honours
Jockey Ryan Moore and noted owner/breeder Kirsten Rausing have both been named in the King's Birthday Honours List.
Coolmore/Ballydoyle's retained rider, Moore has been awarded an MBE for his services to racing and British sport. He was aboard Queen Elizabeth II's Estimate (Monsun) when the filly landed the G1 Gold Cup in 2013. Currently he has ridden 92 Royal Ascot winners and also has 18 British Classic victories. Moore has also ridden four Derby winners: Workforce (2010), Ruler Of The World (2013), Auguste Rodin (2023) and City Of Troy (2024).
Rausing, who owns Lanwades Stud in Newmarket, has raced many homebreds over the years and was given a CBE for services to charity and animal welfare, as well as horse racing and bloodstock. Among the best runners to carry her white and green silks were dual Champion Stakes winner Alborada (Alzao) and her relative Alpinista (Frankel), who won the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Richard Lyttle, former manager of Downpatrick Racecourse in Northern Ireland, has also been awarded an MBE.
Alparslan added to Goffs London Sale
Two wild-card entries have been added to Monday's Goffs London Sale, including G3 Greenham Stakes winner Alparslan (Dandy Man).
Trained by Karl Burke, Alparslan beat subsequent German 2,000 Guineas winner Title Role, as well as Albert Einstein and Group 1 winner Zavateri when making his seasonal debut in the Greenham at Newbury. He was subsequently fifth, beaten just 1.75 lengths by the runner-up, in the Irish 2,000 Guineas.
Twice a winner at two, Alparslan holds entries in both the G1 Commonwealth Cup and G3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot next week. Joining Alparslan as a late entry is the David Marnane-trained Redemption Road (Without Parole). Rated 100, the progressive 3-year-old finished runner-up to Power Blue and Secret Adversary in the G3 Red Rocks Stakes at Leopardstown and was third again in Thursday's G3 Ballycorus Stakes at Leopardstown behind Audience and Native Warrior.
Gibson joins Arqana
Richard Gibson has been appointed the international client relations director for Arqana. The former trainer will begin his new role on June 15.
This appointment is part of a strategy to attract new clients worldwide while retaining the loyalty of buyers who regularly attend the sales in Deauville. Gibson will strengthen sales promotion efforts in various foreign markets. He will also be tasked with continuing to improve the welcome extended to buyers when they attend the sales.
Gibson has over 25 years as a trainer (1997-2023) and spent 14 years in France before spending 12 years in Hong Kong. He won over 800 races, including 17 at Group 1 level.
Olivier Delloye, president of Arqana, said, “Richard's arrival reflects Arqana's growth ambitions and our commitment to expanding our reach and strengthening our relationship with our clients. We are convinced that he possesses all the qualities required for this role: his enthusiasm, the breadth of his network, his in-depth knowledge of the French sales market, and his interpersonal skills will be key assets. I am also delighted to see our teams strengthened under the leadership of Freddy Powell, managing director, and Ludovic Cornuel, bloodstock director, who contribute daily to Arqana's reputation and momentum.”
River In Paradise tops Tattersalls Pop-Up
Carrying a Royal Ascot entry, River In Paradise sold for 100,000gns (AU$199,500) to Narvick and bloodstock agent Shawn Dugan during the Tattersalls Online June Pop-Up Sale on Friday.
Consigned by Robert Edwards's Uplands Stables, the daughter of Lope Y Fernandez holds an entry in the Listed Windsor Castle Stakes. She won a six-furlong fillies' maiden at Lingfield on June 4.
Dugan said, “We are really excited. Marsha Naify is in England attending Royal Ascot and was alerted to this filly being in the Tattersalls Online sale. We all know how quickly these maiden winners go and they are very highly sought after in the States, both in California and on the East coast.”
Osbourne suspended for three months
Trainer Jamie Osborne has received a three-month suspension of his licence, suspended for six months, after taking a photograph of a woman's 'clothed bottom' at a racecourse last year.
The 58-year-old was caught taking the photograph in the paddock before a race at an evening meeting last summer, and was reported to stewards on the day. The Group 1-winning trainer initially denied taking the photograph, but then admitted to doing so when confronted, subsequently deleting the image.
Osborne apologised to the woman, referred to in a disciplinary panel ruling published on Friday as 'Person A', who was attending the meeting alongside her partner, 'Person B'. When interviewed by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) three weeks after the incident, Osborne revealed that the image was taken with the intention of sharing it on a WhatsApp chat group of which he was a member which had a name of 'Great Bums' or similar.
Besides his suspended ban, Osborne was asked to make a £3,000 (AU$5710) donation to racing charities, provide a written apology to Person A and Person B and undertake a number of courses, including one on sexual harassment in the workplace.
