Satono Reve says no to The Everest
Henry Field has announced that the connections of dual Group 1 winner Satono Reve (Jpn) (Lord Kanaloa {Jpn}) have rejected his offer to run in the Newgate Farm slot for this spring’s G1 The Everest, and will focus on Europe instead. “We made an offer for Satono Reve,” Field told racingandsports.com.au.
“But they (connections) said they want to keep the horse racing in Europe this year and won't be targeting The Everest in Sydney. It is interesting as I thought he might be an international sprinter that could be competitive against Ka Ying Rising in The Everest.”
Henry Field | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Another option Field is chasing is the rising 3-year-old Group 1 winner Campione D’Italia (Snitzel) who is raced by a Newgate Farm-led partnership. “His Golden Slipper run was outstanding and he might be more effective at six furlongs. We live and die by (form expert) Daniel O'Sullivan's ratings and he had Campione D'Italia rating higher in the Golden Slipper than he did in the Sires and Champagne Stakes.”
Rodd happy with tough Anemacore
Jockey Michael Rodd is thrilled to be on the tough galloper Anemacore (NZ) (Unusual Suspect {USA}) in Saturday’s Listed Glasshouse Handicap. “You know that wherever you are, he's going to give you his best and that's enough to win a Glasshouse for sure,” Rodd told racenet.com.au.
“As long as you can get him out and get him comfortable, because he can lose his action a little bit through the run. He normally does that around the 600m mark, just when he goes to change legs. He's not an easy horse to ride but if you can get him comfortable and get him going through his gears then you'll definitely see the best of him.”
Locals not afraid of raiders for Caloundra Cup
Trainer James Healy isn’t afraid of the interstate raiders who will take on The Irish (Ire) (Harzand {Ire}) in the Listed Caloundra Cup on Saturday. “Our horses perform well here. It's a lovely track, every horse gets their chance, and it's probably the best track in Queensland,” Healy told racenet.com.au.
“(Last start) he changed strides a couple of times in the straight, which we found an issue with, and we've rectified that. He's going to get conditions to suit here on his home deck.”
James Healy | Image courtesy of James Healy Racing
Golden Rose target for Warwoven
Bjorn Baker-trained Warwoven (Sword Of State) had an interrupted juvenile preparation but the G3 Pago Pago Stakes winner is back in work and heading to the G1 Golden Rose. “He's been back in the stable for around a month and he's making smooth progress,” Baker told racenet.com.au.
“He's definitely developed since the autumn, he's an athlete and his attitude is great for a colt, he's quite laid back. He'll be aimed at the Golden Rose first and foremost and then we'll work it out from there. Expect him to trial mid-to-late July then again late July to early August.”
Warwoven | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Stablemate Paradoxium (Extreme Choice) might stick to sprinting. “He's developed a bit more physically than the other colt and you'll see him at the trials around the same time. The Golden Rose is a possibility but so could be a trip to Melbourne for races like the Moir or the 3-year-old races like the Danehill Stakes.”
Irwin announced as Newcastle Chair
Newcastle Jockey Club has announced the appointment of David Irwin as its new Chair of the Board, replacing the retiring Brian Judd. “I wish to thank Brian for his leadership, wisdom and direction, which have enabled the Club to perform strongly in recent times and progress the work needed to ensure Newcastle Jockey Club remains sustainable, successful and an important part of the Newcastle community,” Irwin told racingnsw.com.au.
“I am excited about what the future holds for Newcastle Jockey Club. The Club is in a strong position with an enviable racing program, a loyal membership base and deep connections across the Newcastle community.
"As we look ahead, our focus is on building on these strengths, enhancing the on-course experience for members and patrons, and ensuring the Club’s continued success and sustainability for generations to come.” Alex Wheeler has been appointed Vice Chair to replaced Irwin in that role.
Kohler Kid ready for Winx Guineas
Michael Lakey-trained last start winner Kohler Kid (Spieth {NZ}) runs in Saturday’s G3 Winx Guineas at the Sunshine Coast and is part-owned by retired Townsville Cup-winning rider Elyce Beak (nee Smith) and family. “It doesn't matter what kind of stable you are, big stables, little stables, I think everyone, gets up every morning for trying to get the better horses,” Lakey told racingqueensland.com.au.
Kohler Kid | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
“It's probably a bigger thrill just for our owners. They're from Rockhampton and they put the faith in us to send the horse down here and it's starting to pay off. We went up there and won the Rocky Sales race. The whole aim this time in was going to be the Winx Guineas. So far, it's all gone to plan. He's won an extra race on the way through at Ipswich.”
Gear change for Hereward on Wednesday
Trainer Denim Wynen will add a tongue tie to 3-year-old gelding Hereward (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) for Wednesday’s run at Kensington. “It was the right race for him to win at Randwick. I did say to the owners when he raced at Randwick I thought he’d be very hard to beat,” Wynen told racingnsw.com.au.
“I’m definitely looking for an improvement from the horse and hopefully the gear change will help him. He works like a really good horse, I’ve got to work him out and once I do he will go through his grades.”
Jordan wins own race at Devonport
Jockey Codi Jordan ended her current riding term before a sabbatical with victory in the race named in her honour at Devonport on Sunday, winning on Wild Dancer (Exceedance) in the Safe Travels Codi Handicap. “It’s a super way to finish. I keep reminding everyone that I’m coming back, I love the game, and I love the horses, but I couldn’t have written it any better,” Jordan told tasracing.com.au.
“Just to get the win with the family horse and to have all our mates in it, I want to say a big thanks to all the team. I wouldn’t be doing it if it wasn’t for them.”
Juvenile winner for Cosmic Force
At Taree on Tuesday, Allan Kehoe-trained 2-year-old filly Leuca (Cosmic Force) won her maiden by a length. She is the first foal of Dreaming Of Gold (Magic Albert) who won three races.
At the same meeting, Choisir had a double as a damsire with The Piccolino (Wandjina) and I’m Super (Super One).
Juvenile winner for Shalaa
Patrick Payne-trained 2-year-old filly Shalassa (Shalaa {Ire}) won at Ballarat on Tuesday at her second start. Payne purchased her for $120,000 from Noorilim Park’s Inglis Premier Yearling Sale draft for owner DW Stutt.
She is the second foal of unraced Ocean Gate (Sebring) who is a full sister to G2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes-placed Revolving Door and a half-sister to Group 3-placed Golden Spin (Medaglia D’Oro {USA}).
Double for Zousain
At Kilcoy on Tuesday, Zousain sired a double with Pat Webster-trained 3-year-old gelding Howdoyouzou winning by 1.5 lengths to take his record to two wins and two seconds from four starts. Donna Stanbridge-trained Express Star won his maiden by five lengths.
Track challenge for Tycoon Resources
Unbeaten Tony Cruz-trained 3-year-old gelding Tycoon Resources (Written Tycoon) will have his first run at Sha Tin on Wednesday. “The change of track, I think it would be a challenge for him. He’s never raced at Sha Tin and it’s a longer straight, and the ground will be a little bit harder for him. Hopefully he’s not too keen in the race and behind the barriers,” jockey Angus Chung told scmp.com.
“He’s feeling very good in work – not much different, not much has changed.” He has won three from three, all at Happy Valley.
O’Brien dominates Coral-Eclipse nominations
If you were concerned about the O'Brien domination of the Irish Derby, led by Aidan and backed up by sons Joseph and Donnacha, then prepare yourself for more consternation in this Saturday's Coral-Eclipse Stakes. At Monday's confirmation stage only eight remained and one was added, leaving four from Ballydoyle – two of those, Hawk Mountain and Causeway, having also been supplemented for Sunday's Deutsches Derby – and one each from the younger O'Briens.
Aidan O'Brien | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
Only three potential Eclipse runners are trained in Britain: the 4-year-olds Saddadd and Gethin, and 5-year-old Kings Gambit. Aidan O'Brien, who has already bagged 11 Group 1 wins this year, including all three 1,000 Guineas and Derbys of Britain, Ireland and France as well as the Prix de Diane, has the favourite in Constitution River (Wootton Bassett).
Arc gelding debate rages
France Galop announced last week that the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe would be open to geldings from 2027, subject to EPC approval. This has caused a predictable division in opinion. In the nay camp are some pretty big hitters, including John Magnier, Andre Fabre, Kirsten Rausing and Aidan O'Brien. The ayes may well have it, however, as the vote of France Galop board members was said to be overwhelmingly in support of the idea.
Francis Graffard is among those to have welcomed the proposed change, and before anyone can say Calandagan and Goliath, it is of course important to reflect that Graffard won last year's race with the colt Daryz.
What is perhaps unsettling is that, according to the comments made by vice president Arnaud de Seyssel to this publication last week, France Galop seems to have given up on the idea of the Arc being an important race when it comes to breeding. The 2,100m Prix du Jockey Club, which was reduced from 2,400m in 2005, is now held up by many to be the 'stallion-making race' – that is if one believes in such a concept. That may be item two on the agenda for the Newmarket pub debate next week.
Is it not simply more the case that good stallions come from a variety of sources, and sometimes from left field? Again, this is a mere snapshot, but the current top ten stallions in Britain and Ireland include three 2,000 Guineas winners, two Derby winners (one of each of those being Sea The Stars, who also won the Arc), two Prix du Jockey Club winners, a July Cup winner, a treble Group 1-winning sprinter, a Prix Morny winner and a Middle Park winner.
What we are lacking in there of course is a St Leger winner, because they really never get a chance any more, do they? Our friends in Japan appear to be the only breeding nation which still reveres a Leger winner, and the Japanese version, the Kikuka Sho, is even longer than ours at 3,000m.
Winners of the Kikuka Sho are the successful stallions Deep Impact, Orfevre, Epiphaneia, and Kitasan Black. The latter, the sire of erstwhile Horse of the Year Equinox, currently shares the top spot as the most expensive stallion in Japan with his celebrated son.
EFTBA disappointed with Arc decision
The European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders' Associations' 2026 AGM took place in Istanbul, Turkey where representatives of Europe's breeding nations gathered to discuss key challenges and threats facing the European bloodstock industry, including France Galop's recent decision to open the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe to geldings.
The June 26 summit hosted discussions on a wide variety of topics in addition to the aforementioned decision regarding the Arc de Triomphe, but it was a key issue that the group brought forward.
“The EFTBA expresses its great disappointment that it appears this decision [opening the race to geldings] was taken in complete isolation and without any industry consultation. EFTBA is committed to vigorously contesting this decision in the best interest of the European thoroughbred breeding industry and beyond.”
Vale Robert “Colonel” Estill Courtney, Jr
Stonebridge Farm’s Robert “Colonel” Estill Courtney, Jr., passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on Friday, June 26. He was 74 years old.
Upon completion of his military service, Mr. Courtney studied agriculture at the University of Kentucky and began working for his family's Crestfield Farm in 1977.
In 1987, he purchased Stonebridge Farm where he foaled and raised many notable horses including his own multiple graded stakes winning and three-time Arlington Handicap winner Rahystrada, champion 2-year-old filly of 1990 Meadow Star, and 2003 Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Action This Day. He never met a stranger and was known for his larger-than-life personality and colourful storytelling.
He served as President of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers' Club, trustee of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, director of the Thoroughbred Club of America, and trustee of Sayre School.
Yelick appointed to The Secretariat Centre
Caitlin Yelick, a Lexington-based equestrian professional with extensive experience in Thoroughbred aftercare, sport horse development, client relations and equine business management, has been appointed as the new executive director of The Secretariat Centre. The not-for-profit transitions racehorses into off the track homes.
“Caitlin brings the ideal combination of hands-on horsemanship, Thoroughbred industry knowledge, business experience, and genuine passion for aftercare,” said Whitney Allen, Board President of the Secretariat Centre. “Her proven ability to evaluate, develop, market, and place Thoroughbreds, along with her strong relationships across the racing and sport horse communities, make her exceptionally well suited to lead the Secretariat Centre into its next chapter.”
