Leilani Lodge leased to Waterhouse and Bott
On Thursday, the Australian Turf Club announced that they had leased the 65-box Leilani Lodge facility to the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott partnership. Famed as the residence of Bart Cumming, Leilani Lodge had been leased to Ciaron Maher but he has moved to Crown Lodge in Warwick Farm. “Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott are iconic names in Australian racing and are a part of the fabric of Royal Randwick,” ATC CEO Steve McMahon said.
“In time, this move to Leilani Lodge will mean for the first time in the history of Royal Randwick, there will be no horses crossing any road for morning trackwork or afternoon exercise. Horse and participant safety was a key factor in the ATC’s decision, further strengthening Royal Randwick as one of the world’s best racing and training centres.”
Michael Freedman has been granted a further 20 boxes elsewhere on course.
Racing NSW to trial Sleip app
Racing NSW informed trainers that they will roll out a trial of the Sleip app. “Racing NSW has subsequently been working with Sleip to formulate a roll-out plan and ongoing policy for use of this technology,” Racing NSW said in a communication to trainers.
“Feedback from the education seminars has been taken onboard as part of this process.
“In consultation with the NSW Trainers' Association, Racing NSW has now formed a working group of trainers to consult on the roll-out plan and policies such that these can be finalised by the end of July. This working group of trainers, with representation from Country, Provincial and Metropolitan sectors will also undertake the initial trial roll-out of the technology commencing this week.”
‘Nobody is irreplaceable’: Mander on Kelly
Queensland Racing Minister Tim Mander faced a series of questions in the Queensland parliament on Thursday over the resignation of integrity official Kim Kelly. “We are still working on that governance model to make sure that we get efficiencies, but also that we maintain the highest levels of integrity,” Mander told the hearing.
Tim Mander | Image courtesy of Tim Mander
“We will have a model that will address any concerns that people have about a conflict of interest between the governing body (Racing Queensland) and the body that is responsible for the integrity of racing (QRIC).
“I have had a number of personal conversations, individual meetings, with Mr Kelly. He has expressed his views and he has had the opportunity to make input into the process that we are going through. Mr Kelly has now made the decision that he has made. I am sorry that he is leaving.
“But what I have found … is nobody is irreplaceable in any position anywhere in sport. I am more than confident we will have someone capable who will replace his role.”
So You Pence on Kosciuszko pathway
Trainer Matthew Dale is aiming So You Pence (So You Think {NZ}) at a second crack at The Kosciuszko, following her fifth placing last year. She runs at Randwick on Saturday. “We were going to give her a run or two over the winter then back off her and get her ready for the Kosciuszko,” Dale told racingnsw.com.au.
“She’s been in full work for a while so we’re happy to run her. This week looks perfect, she drew well and the track conditions look to suit. We wouldn’t plan anything too far ahead until she runs on Saturday around how I get her to The Kosciuszko.”
Juvenile heads north for opportunities
Queanbeyan trainer Joe Cleary will head north to Eagle Farm with 2-year-old gelding Jimmy’s Ready (Better Than Ready). “The simple fact is that there are no two-year-old races in the nation's capital or around here at the moment. If you have a look at his form, all this horse has done for all of his career is race the older horses other than when he raced in the Black Opal when he was ready for a spell,” Cleary told racenet.com.au.
“I spotted this race in Brisbane and I thought to myself I'm going to send him up there. He gets some QTIS money if he runs top three, he gets the seven furlongs which he is looking for and he gets a grouse jockey (Daniel Moor) and he will stay up there for a spell. So we are ticking a few boxes there.”
Entries open for fourth annual Equimillions
The fourth annual Equimillions for retired racehorses is entries. “We're delighted to officially open nominations for Australia's richest equestrian event dedicated to retired Thoroughbred racehorses, Equimillion 2026,” Racing NSW said.
“From October 2026 at the Sydney International Equestrian Centre, riders from across the country will compete for over $1 million in prizemoney. As a member of the Team Thoroughbred NSW community, this year’s event holds bigger opportunities, bigger rewards and bigger celebrations just for you and your graduate horse.”
King Of Pop to resume after surgery
On Saturday at Randwick, G3 Black Opal Stakes winner King Of Pop (Farnan) resumes for the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou stable after tie-back throat surgery. “We have had quite a bit of success with horses who have had the surgery, but they're things you don't really find out until you put them under proper race pressure. How they've adapted and whether it has worked for that individual or not,” Alexiou told racingandsports.com.au.
King Of Pop | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
“He's pretty forward. He will improve a touch off the run because it's been a while since he's raced, but he is pretty close to the mark.
“It does look a well above average race on Saturday. Better than your normal off-season, benchmark 88 over 1100 metres. But he has drawn a good barrier in a high pressure race, so he should find a nice position and get a good run.”
Emotional win for Pershouse
Bundaberg trainer Steve Pershouse, whose first runner was in May, celebrated his first winner when 3-year-old filly Embezzles (Encryption) won at Gympie on Saturday. Formerly a stablehand for Grant Parker, Pershouse branched out as a trainer after his sister Sarah was killed in a car accident in November. “After I lost my sister last year, I moved to Bundaberg to follow my career and try and start out on my own,” Pershouse told racingqueensland.com.au.
“It wasn't good after she passed away, I went off the horses there for a while. Once I got over the grieving and got back into the racing, it helped to get my mind occupied. It has now brought me back to myself and I am enjoying being around the horses.
“I have been around horses most of my life since I was a young kid, camp drafting, working up on cattle stations and stuff like that. I did a stint at Eureka Stud many moons ago and was heavily involved in the Torbanlea picnic races, which is a popular event.”
Increased travel rebates for Birdsville Cup
Organisers of the iconic Birdsville Cup meeting in September have announced that all horses will be eligible for a $250 travel rebate in 2026, up from $165. The Cup itself increases to $70,000 in prizemoney. “Increasing prize money and rebates allows us to support participants and incentivise them to travel, which in turn helps us deliver an unforgettable experience for racegoers,” Birdsville Race Club vice-president Gary Brook told racenet.com.au.
“We're grateful to be in a position to continue to strengthen our race program and know the increased rebates will be welcomed by all racing participants, that remain the lifeblood of the sport and our event.
“We were already the richest race meet in outback Queensland and this elevates us even more.”
Juvenile winner for Written By
At Wyong on Thursday, John Thompson-trained 2-year-old gelding I’m Relevant (Written By) won his maiden at his third attempt. Owned by Neville Begg and partners, I’m Relevant was bought by Crambo Farm for $600 on Inglis Digital.
I’m Relevant is the third winner for Rock And Rose (Fastnet Rock) who is a winning full sister to Group 3-placed Main Dane.
Juvenile winners for Exosphere and Dubious
Trevor and Peter Rowe-trained 2-year-old filly Smart ‘n’ Loud (Exosphere) won her maiden at Cairns on Thursday, having run third on debut the start prior. She is the first foal of She’s Explosive (Spirit Of Boom).
At the same meeting, Tasha Chambers-trained 2-year-old gelding Monday Close (Dubious) bolted home by over three lengths to break his maiden at start number six. He is the first foal of Sunday Yum Cha (Territories {Ire}), a winning half-sister to stakes placed Destination (Exceed And Excel).
Brazen Beau sired a double at the meeting with Indefinite (NZ) and Admitted.
Double for Earthlight
Former shuttle sire Earthlight (Ire) sired a double at Warrnambool on Thursday with a pair of 3-year-olds. Tom Dabernig-trained filly Terralight made it two wins in succession and she is the second foal of Street Boss (USA) mare Runaway Enid.
It was Symon Wilde-trained filly Queen Christine who put on a performance with a six length victory to record her second win from six starts. Wilde Racing spent $140,000 to acquire her from Armidale Stud’s Inglis Premier Yearling Sale draft. She is one of four winners out of Myhro (Lonhro) who is a winning half-sister to Listed winner Snitz (Snitzel).
Cox appointed Chair of BHA
Simon Cox has been appointed as the new independent non-executive Chair of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and will assume the position on 1 October 2026.
A passionate owner-breeder and accomplished business leader, Cox has been a member of the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TBA) board of trustees since November 2021 and chairs the BHA's Jump Pattern Committee, which makes recommendations to the BHA Board on how to continually strengthen the Jump Pattern and Listed programme.
An owner of racehorses for more than 15 years with four horses currently in training, Cox has established himself as a thoroughbred breeder, with 10 broodmares stationed at Shade Oak Stud – also home to St Leger winner-turned-stallion Logician, in whom he owns shares.
A master brewer by profession, Cox spent over three decades in the international beer and beverage industry in increasingly senior leadership roles, overseeing global supply chain management, business transformation, turnaround and growth.
In 2014 he was appointed European president and chief executive officer of Molson Coors, a role which expanded to include Africa, the Middle East and Asia Pacific. The company generated circa £2 billion turnover and employed 6,500 people. Cox led multi-billion-pound acquisitions and delivered consistent growth through a focus on the customer and the consumer.
Commenting on his appointment, Simon Cox said, “It is an honour to be appointed Chair of the British Horseracing Authority at such an important moment for racing and breeding.
“I enjoyed a long and fulfilling career in the brewing and beverage sector, but horseracing has always been my passion. I have been extremely fortunate to be involved in this wonderful sport for many years, during which I have learned a great deal – and contributed a fair amount too, I hope.
“British racing and breeding is a worldwide success story. We are an industry that is globally renowned for our equine welfare standards, the fairness and integrity of our competition and the quality of our participants, our horses and our racing.
“It's no secret that we face significant challenges and my focus will be on ensuring racing works together to address these, with a particular emphasis on growing participation in the sport, our customer base and critically our income streams.
“There is really good work already underway in so many areas, but there is also much to do to set our industry up to thrive for generations to come.”
T O Elvis takes Korean pathway
Tomoya Ozasa's T O Elvis (Volatile), a breathtaking winner of the GI Churchill Downs Stakes on May 2, has been given an entry for the G3 Korea Sprint (1200m) at Seoul Racecourse on September 6, one of three potential avenues towards an expected appearance in the GI Breeders' Cup Sprint at Keeneland on October 31.
Winner at home of the G3 Capella Stakes, for which he earned an automatic berth in the G2 Riyadh Dirt Sprint, T O Elvis gave that contest a miss in favour of the G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen this past March, but connections opted out of that race as well, owing to the ongoing hostilities in the region at the time.
Tattersalls Somerville catalogue released
The catalogue for the Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale, of which recent G2 Railway Stakes winner Celeron (Mohaather) is a high-profile graduate of, is now online.
The catalogue features 286 yearlings who will be offered for sale on Wednesday, 2 September, all of which will be eligible for the £200,000 (AU$382,000) Tattersalls Somerville Auction Stakes as well as the £200,000 (AU$382,000) Tattersalls October Auction Stakes.
Commenting on the catalogue for the Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale, Tattersalls managing director Matthew Prior said, “The Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale has quickly established itself as an outstanding source of quality racehorses at every level of the market, and no horse exemplifies this better than the recent G2 Railway Stakes winner Celeron who was purchased at last year's sale for just 20,000 guineas.
“We have assembled a quality group of precocious-looking yearlings, the type for which the Somerville Yearling Sale has become synonymous, and which will undoubtedly appeal to the usual cross-section of domestic and international buyers. We look forward to welcoming them to Park Paddocks for our first yearling sale of the year.”
Tattersalls Ireland sponsor race in Hungary
Tattersalls Ireland is delighted to announce its first sponsorship in Hungary, with the Tattersalls Ireland-Overdose Race set to take place at Kincsem Park, Budapest, on 6 September as part of one of Hungary's most important international race days.
This marks an exciting new partnership between Tattersalls Ireland and Hungarian racing, as the company continues to strengthen its international presence. With its Flat sales graduates achieving success across Europe and beyond, Tattersalls Ireland is delighted to extend its connections into Hungary.
Bodorics István, President of the Hungarian Thoroughbred Owners' Association, said, “We have been delighted with the support and sponsorship from Tattersalls over the years, and to have Tattersalls Ireland also on board this year is a welcome addition for Hungarian racing. We look forward to welcoming the Tattersalls Ireland team to Kincsem Park in early September.”
Afzelius appointed CEO of Svensk Galopp
Susanne Afzelius has been appointed the new CEO of Svensk Galopp the organisation announced on Wednesday. A municipal director of Karlskoga in western Sweden since 2022, Afzelius will begin her new role on Monday, October 5. Pierre Sjodell will continue as acting CEO in the interim.
Susanne Afzelius | Image courtesy of Svensk Galopp
“Racing is built on people with great commitment and a shared love of horses,” Afzelius said. “I look forward to continuing to develop Svensk Galopp together with employees and the sport's stakeholders, so that we create the best possible conditions for the future of racing.”
