Epsom target for General Salute
Co-trainer Gerald Ryan will aim last start Listed winner General Salute (Russian Revolution) at the G1 Epsom Handicap if he runs well in Saturday’s Listed Winter Challenge at Rosehill. “We’ll find out carrying this weight at the end of 1500m if he’s worth having a throw at an Epsom with him,” Ryan told racingnsw.com.au.
General Salute | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“We thought we’d give him a freshen up and give him two runs leading into it, that’s the plan. We won’t go deep into the spring because his form on wet tracks is so much better. This is a bit harder, a more awkward barrier with 60.5kg but he has that because he’s earned it.”
Flemington track work to begin later
An agreement between the Victoria Racing Club and trainers will see trackwork at Flemington begin at 4.30am, not 4am. And after the spring carnival this start time will shift to 5am. “We were talking to see if we could get it back to 6am, which was probably a little bit optimistic, but 4:30am at the moment, and then probably a five o’clock trial after the spring,” Australian Trainers Association president Troy Corstens told betsy.com.au.
Troy Corstens | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“What I am hoping it will do is just inspire a whole new group of people that think, okay, well, that’s a little bit better. Maybe I can start a little bit later, and people might want to try and try their hand at horse racing and see what they think.
“It just might allow you an extra half an hour with your family or to go and do something a little bit different out of racing. And if that helps, fantastic.
“(VRC CEO) Kylie (Rogers) is outstanding to work with. She understands and she’s coming in from obviously something that’s very different, not horse racing. She’s had a massive baptism of fire, but she’s very, very understanding and she’s very good to work with.”
Mander cleared, returns as Queensland Racing Minister
Queensland Racing Minister Tim Mander has been reinstated in the role after being cleared of voting irregularities in a two-month long investigation. “I am back at work from today,” he said at a press conference on Thursday morning.
Tim Mander | Image courtesy of Tim Mander
“My innocence has been proven by the Australian Federal Police, so there’s no further discussion to be made. My integrity has been attacked. My reputation’s been smeared. My family’s been hurt … I’ve paid an enormous price. I’m not angry, I’m disappointed. It was a distressing situation for two months.
“I’m not getting into details that I’ve had with any investigative body because I’ve done what I’ve been asked to do, and that process has now taken place, and I’d ask that you respect that.”
Derby ballot exemption on offer
Saturday’s Byerley Handicap over 1800 metres for juveniles at Flemington offers a ballot exemption into the spring’s G1 Victoria Derby. Shane Nichols and Hayden Black-trained filly Delahra (Doubtland) is one of five horses lining up. “It will be a sit-sprint and you never know whether they'll run the trip,” Nichols told racenet.com.au.
“She's by Doubtland, which you would think wouldn't get over any distance, but she's out of a Cape Blanco mare, who is by Galileo. She looks like she'll get a trip. They'll just trot and canter and sprint home.
“I had her in the (Group 3) Sires' in Adelaide but this is much weaker for just as much money. The only difference is there's no black type on it.”
Double century for Tasmanian Turf Club
The Tasmanian Turf Club will celebrate 200 years at a function on September 5, and the milestone makes it Australia's oldest principal racing club. “The reason we survived 200 years is that the club has evolved. Every generation has left its mark and every generation has found something to enjoy here. We just need to keep evolving and welcome new generations to our club, so this year is going to be an absolute highlight,” CEO Natalie Waters said.
Guests will enjoy a five-course degustation prepared by Tasmania's own MasterChef runner-up Josh Perry, complemented by a selection of premium Tasmanian wines. The evening will include a commemorative film celebrating 200 years of racing history, live entertainment from Gypsy Rose and a silent auction featuring unique memorabilia and collectables.
“We asked our members and wrote to others about memorabilia for the museum and have been overwhelmed with the response. We even have the official sealed lease of the land where the racecourse now sits.”
Group placed Starphistocated to resume
John Thompson-trained G3 Aspiration Handicap-placed 4-year-old mare Starphistocated (Churchill {Ire}) resumes at Rosehill on Saturday. “She ran very well at Randwick and I thought the indication was that she wanted a bit further so we ran in the Epona,” Thompson told racingnsw.com.au.
“She presented to win and didn’t go on with it. Either it was one run too many or she’s a miler and we’ll find that out this prep.”
Starphistocated | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Ruddy’s Aviatress to resume
Scone trainer Liam Ruddy was part of a partnership who purchased G1 JJ Atkins Plate winner Tron Bolt (Toronado {Ire}) as a yearling for $250,000, pinhooking him at the Inglis Ready2Race Sale for $900,000. He’s used his portion to purchase proven racemares Aviatress (Smart Missile) and Melody Again (Your Song) to help fill his 65 box stables. Aviatress makes her debut for him on Saturday.
“Like Melody Again I bought her as a horse that I can race for the next 12 months before she heads off to become a mum. She's obviously a classy mare and I'm very excited to see what she can produce on Saturday and hopefully throughout the spring carnival,” Ruddy told racenet.com.au.
Liam Ruddy | Image courtesy of Ruddy Racing
“The Missile Stakes in a few weeks' time looks a perfect race for her because it's set weights and penalties, so she'll get 54.5kg and also have a run under her belt. I'll probably look to dodge a few of those Everest lead up races and set her down a path of races against her own sex. There's no shortage of them.”
Taylor suspended over cruelty allegations
Leading Rockhampton trainer Clinton Taylor has been suspended immediately with Queensland’s chief steward Josh Adams flying to the town to view CCTV footage and open an investigation. “Once stewards became aware of an alleged incident at Rockhampton, we commenced an immediate investigation,” Adams told racenet.com.au.
“After we obtained CCTV footage on Tuesday, I made the decision to fly to Rockhampton on Wednesday to convene an inquiry. Given the evidence which has come out, the licensing manager made a decision under the licensing standards to immediately suspend Taylor. As the matter is ongoing, I can't make any further comment.”
New winner for Sword Of State
Kelly Schweida-trained 2-year-old gelding New Mexico (NZ) (Sword Of State) became the fifth winner for his first season sire when victorious at Ipswich on Thursday. He was having his third start and is raced by Ron and Judi Wanless.
Purchased from Cambridge Stud’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale draft for NZ$200,000 by KPW Bloodstock, New Mexico is the fifth foal and fourth winner for High Vogue (Ire) (High Chaparral {Ire}).
Juvenile winner for King’s Legacy
At Grafton’s Cup meeting, Jenny Graham-trained 2-year-old gelding Royal Exile (King’s Legacy) made it two wins from four starts when resuming after a last start eighth in the R.Listed Inglis Millennium.
Graham purchased him for $70,000 from Ridgmont’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale draft and he is the second foal of winning mare Zanzidance (Deep Field) whose first foal 3-year-old gelding Dynamite Dancer (Pierata) is a recent winner. Zanzidance is a half-sister to Group 3-placed Rome (Pierro).
A Boy Named Susie not sold
Despite several media outlets reporting that Ciaron Maher Racing had purchased A Boy Name Susie (Starspangledbanner) this week, the deal has fallen through with trainer Donnacha O'Brien refuting the story. “He hasn't been sold,” O’Brien told English media.
“There's been plenty of interest in him since the Eclipse and there have been discussions with various parties, but no deal has been done. We've decided to hold on to him for now and we have some big plans for him at the end of the year such as the Breeders' Cup, the Cox Plate and the Irish Champion Stakes.”
Sparan Nua supplemented for Oaks
Jim Bolger is more than happy to roll the dice with Sparan Nua (Dawn Approach) in his quest for a third success in the Juddmonte Irish Oaks at the Curragh on Saturday. The unbeaten G3 Munster Oaks heroine having been supplemented at a cost of €50,000 (AU$82,000) on Tuesday.
Jim Bolger | Image courtesy of Timeform Racing
“She's unbeaten in three runs, she's a filly who is improving, and she's already won a Group 3,” Bolger told Racing TV on Wednesday. “We didn't want to leave her hanging around, so we thought we'd give the [Irish] Oaks a go.
“She seems to stay well and she's in very good form, so I'm hopeful that she'll give her true running. I do think she's improving and I think she'll continue to improve for some time – they're the indications she's been giving us.”
St Leger and Arc proposed for Maltese Cross
Trainer William Haggas is in no hurry to commit to another Classic bid with his St Leger favourite Maltese Cross (Sea The Stars), with a return to ParisLongchamp for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe also under consideration after the colt's last-gasp victory in the Grand Prix de Paris on Tuesday.
“It was terrific to see him win,” Haggas said of that battling performance. “It was an interesting race and not a comfortable watch, but it was okay in the end and he got there just in time, so I'm delighted. He's an interesting horse as he just keeps winning. He's really good and is going the right way.
“The two races for him clearly are the St Leger and the Arc. That's the long and short of it and, at the moment, I don't know which one it will be. We'll give them both some thought.”
Breeders’ Cup fees change to service fee structure
Beginning in 2027, the Breeders' Cup will offer a new structure for foal nomination fees to be based on the stallion's advertised fee, the group announced Wednesday. The change was approved by the Breeders' Cup Board of Directors “recognizing the economic challenges facing today's Thoroughbred breeding industry.”
Beginning with next year's foal crop, all 2027 foals sired by North American-nominated stallions with an advertised fee of US$5000 (AU$7150) or less will be assigned a US$200 (AU$286) nomination fee, which is a 50% decrease of the current US$400 (AU$572) nomination fee for 2026. This reduction will benefit approximately 3500 foals each year.
Foals born in 2027 sired by North American nominated stallions advertised as standing for US$100,000 (AU$143,000) or more will be increased to a US$600 (AU$858) nomination fee. The nomination fee for foals by stallions advertised as standing for US$5001 to US$99,999 will remain at US$400.
Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale catalogue released
Fasig-Tipton has catalogued 230 selected yearlings for the 105th Saratoga Sale, to be held on Monday and Tuesday, August 10 and 11, in Saratoga Springs, New York.
“We've set a high standard in recent years with a series of exceptional Saratoga sales, and this year's catalogue is every bit as strong–if not stronger–than those acclaimed renewals,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “Elite individuals, leading sire power, and depth of pedigree will once again be on full display at our historic Saratoga sales grounds.”
The auction has produced six individual Grade 1 winners over the past year. “To produce such a high number of graded stakes winners each year at Saratoga, from just one book of 200 to 240 yearlings, is truly remarkable.”
UK opens travel from South Africa
SA Equine Health & Protocols NPC (SAEHP) has announced that the British Government has confirmed a decision permitting the direct import of live horses from South Africa to Great Britain.
Following a positive assessment of South Africa's disease control measures, imports will be permitted from the approved vector-protected quarantine station in Cape Town, for registered equines complying with UK import conditions.
This milestone is a result of sustained collaboration between SAEHP, the South African Department of Agriculture and the Western Cape Department of Agriculture in maintaining South Africa's equine disease control measures to the highest international standard and translating that credibility into real market access.
It follows South Africa's opening of imports from Dubai, New Zealand and Australia earlier this year, making two-way trade a reality for the South African equine industry.
IFHA holds climate summit
The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) held its inaugural Climate Change and Sustainability Summit on Monday, July 13 and Tuesday, July 14 in Porto, Portugal. The event brought together approximately 50 international delegates comprising global racing leaders and sustainability experts.
The summit focused on sharing good practices, exchanging insights and fostering collaboration aimed at advancing the climate change and sustainability agenda across horse racing and beyond.
Closing remarks were provided by Brant Dunshea, CEO of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), who said, “The conversations over the past two days have shown that, while racing jurisdictions face different environmental challenges, we share a common ambition: to safeguard the long-term future of our sport.
“Climate change does not recognise borders, and neither should the solutions. By continuing to collaborate internationally, we can strengthen the resilience of racing worldwide and ensure our sport continues to thrive for generations to come. This summit should not be remembered as the end of a conversation, but as the beginning of a lasting international collaboration.”
