Daily News Wrap

Grima’s six rides to glory

Apprentice jockey Siena Grima holds a lead of four over last year’s winner Braith Nock in the Sydney Apprentice Jockey Premiership for the season. She has six rides at Randwick on Saturday.

“It has been a pretty amazing year,” Grima told racingnsw.com.au.

“For me it means everything I’ve worked for, every morning at work and race meeting I’ve been to, every afternoon I’ve had to work, everything I’ve put into my career has put me at the highest level of racing in Sydney. It’s a show of what hard work can do and what happens when you really give it a crack.”

She rates John Sargent-trained Perfect Justice (Justify {USA}) as one of her best chances. “I think stepping up in trip is what he’s looking for. He’s a horse who switches off basically from the jump, just travels nice and relaxed and over the 1800 metres he will be able to continuously build up into the straight and not have to jump and run.”

Vale Winning Rupert

Westbury Park Stud announced that 12-year-old stallion Winning Rupert has died following a severe bout of colic on Thursday. The son of Written Tycoon had joined the West Australian stud in May following the closure of Geisel Park Stud, where he had covered two books since arriving from Grandview Stud in Queensland. Westbury Park owner Phil Ibbotson, who stood Winning Rupert of behalf of owner Luke Fernie, said that surgery had failed to save the stallion.

The winner of five of his six starts for Bjorn Baker, including the G2 Champagne Classic and G3 Vo Rogue Plate, Winning Rupert entered stud at Newgate Farm in 2017 and has since produced 157 winners at a strike rate of 62%, and 11 stakes performers.

Winning Rupert's seven stakes winners are headed up by the millionaires Iowna Merc, a dual Group winner, and Semana, winner of the G3 Triscay Stakes and the R. Listed Magic Millions Cup. His seventh stakes winner arrived in June when juvenile Cool Gent got up in the Listed Oxlade Stakes.

Juvenile winner for Wild Ruler

First season sire Wild Ruler added winner number 11 when John McArdle-trained 2-year-old gelding Myhro’s Ruler won at Echuca on Friday by an impressive six lengths. Sixth in the Listed Valley Pearl Stakes on debut, this was his second start.

It was the second winner in two days for broodmare Myhro (Lonhro), whose 3-year-old Queen Christine (Earthlight {Ire}) won on Thursday. Myhro is a winning half-sister to Listed winner Snitz (Snitzel).

Toronado (Ire) had a double at Echuca with maiden winner Iberian Lynx and Don Dwyer-trained Tomanado who made it three wins in succession.

Arctic Glamour headlines Inglis Digital

Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained Arctic Glamour (Frosted {USA}) is the headline act for the current Inglis Digital sale which is open for bidding. Her three wins include the G2 Hot Danish Stakes and she placed in the G1 Coolmore Classic during the autumn.

With mares in foal to Extreme Choice, Anamoe and leading young European sire Starman (GB), there are 313 lots in the sale including 126 racehorses (64 race fillies), 88 broodmares, 68 racehorse shares as well as young stock.

Six more trainers charged over Formestane

Another six trainers in Victoria have been charged over the presence of banned breast cancer drug Formestane and its metabolites in samples taken between April 14 and November 22, 2025. Trainers Matthew Brown, Adam Chambers, Lloyd Kennewell and Paul Preusker will appear before Racing Victoria stewards. Nathan Dunn and Lee and Shannon Hope have been referred to the Victorian Racing Tribunal because the positive swabs predated a presentation rule change last year.

Racing Victoria stressed that none of the trainers have been charged with administering a prohibited substance, either deliberately or inadvertently.

Forbes awarded Patricia Ellis Award

Dr Grace Forbes is the 2026 Patricia Ellis Award for Outstanding Contribution to Equine Welfare and Advocacy recipient. Currently completing a PhD at University of Melbourne, Dr Forbes was formerly the General Manager of Veterinary Service at Racing Victoria from 2017 to 2025.

“Whether in clinical practice, regulation or research, this recipient has remained driven by one simple goal; to make life better for horses. Through the development of world-leading equine safety protocols and welfare initiatives, this recipient has influenced, not only the future of racing in Victoria, but also the direction of welfare policy in racing jurisdictions around the world,” said the press release.

Never Ordinary to bounce into spring

Trainer Byron Cozamanis is hoping Listed winner Never Ordinary (Dirty Work) can use the Listed Lightning Stakes at Morphettville to bounce into a spring 3-year-old campaign.

“She's come along nicely. She had a nice, quiet jumpout on Tuesday,” Cozamanis told racenet.com.au.

“She's done everything right and is ready to go. I'm very happy with her, she hasn't put a foot wrong. She's grown a bit and is a lot stronger in herself.”

Byrne Burke aiming to end on a high

In her first season as a senior rider, Erica Byrne Burke has thumped her rivals on the Tasmanian Jockey Premiership with 83 winners, 33 clear of her nearest rival, apprentice Jabez Johnstone, with Codi Jordan on 43 wins. The final meeting of the season is on Sunday at Devonport.

“Obviously it couldn’t have gone any better; it’s been a great season, a really good season to win the premiership, but to also throw the Hobart Cup in there was very special,” Byrne Burke told racingtas.com.au.

“I hoped it was going to be a good season, obviously my first as a senior rider, and when I finished my apprenticeship I was stood down for three months (visa issues), so there was quite a bit of pressure coming back and making sure I hit the ground running,”

Maurice gelding aimed at Guineas

Trainer Graham Hughes knows Saturday’s Magic Millions Whitsunday Guineas at Mackay is a big ask for three-win 3-year-old gelding Toranaga (Maurice {Jpn}).

“You’ve got to have some bait to catch a fish. I got him cheap off Todd Howlett after his previous owners gave up on him,” Hughes told racingqueensland.com.au.

“He only had four runs down south and didn’t do much for them as he was very immature and still is. He’s a bit like a delinquent juvenile, but he’s not a harmful horse to train and Ivo and his daughter Sasha ride him in his trackwork.”

Hunter Club dinner a success

Newcastle Racecourse welcomed 25 businesses and other major partners to its annual Hunter Club Gala Dinner last week.

“The Hunter Club Gala Dinner is about much more than sponsorship. It's about bringing together businesses that are passionate about supporting one another and contributing to the ongoing growth of our region,” Newcastle Racecourse CEO Duane Dowell said.

“It was fantastic to see so many local businesses connecting, sharing ideas and building relationships that will extend well beyond the event itself. The Hunter Club continues to grow because businesses recognise the value of genuine networking, premium experiences and aligning with one of the Hunter's most recognised sporting and entertainment venues.”

Too Darn Hot’s big day out

Too Darn Hot (GB) sired a juvenile winner at Ipswich on Friday with Kevin Kemp-trained 2-year-old filly Too Darn Quick. Placed on debut, Too Darn Quick was bought by Harvey Black for $200,000 from Fernrigg Farm’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft. She is the third winner for Group 3-placed Any Day Will Do (Any Given Saturday {USA}).

Too Darn Hot also had a double at Grafton with Matthew Dunn-trained 3-year-old gelding Torque So Hot winning his maiden by 2.3 lengths. His trainer along with Neil Jenkinson (FBAA) bought him for $120,000 from Vinery Stud’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft.

Two races later, Kris Lees-trained 3-year-old filly Too Darn Finesse took her record to two wins from six starts with a close victory. Australian Bloodstock and Lees Racing paid $80,000 for her from Yulong’s Magic Millions National Yearling Sale draft.

Aurora Belle sold to Australia

Unbeaten 3-year-old filly Aurora Belle (NZ) (Belardo {Ire}) will join the Hayes brothers after being sold to Australian interests.

“There was a good bit of interest in her after both wins. It's one of those things where we were offered money we couldn't refuse. She's on her way to Australia and will be joining the Lindsay Park team,” trainers Conor and Sarah Fahy told Loveracing.nz.

“I think the world is her oyster. We were only scratching the surface with her and I know there's a hell of a lot left under the bonnet. It's sad to see her leave because I think she'll come back next preparation a completely different horse. Michael McNab had a similar opinion. The rate she was improving each run was frightening.

"She'll handle better ground as well. She's not just a wet-track horse. She's got a high cruising speed and can quicken off it. I wouldn't rush her beyond 1400 metres just yet, but I think that's an ideal trip for her.”

Stakes double for Ghaiyyath

Shuttle sire Ghaiyyath (Ire) added a Listed double in Europe on Thursday with Richard Hannon-trained 2-year-old filly Aperoll (GB) winning the Listed Star Stakes at Sandown. She is out of Exceed And Excel mare Rue Cambon (Ire).

Over in France, Dalibor Torok-trained 3-year-old filly Madame Fayette (Ire) won the Listed Prix Madame Jean Couturie in a blanket finish. She also has a damsire who stood in Australia, being out of Sir Prancealot (Ire) mare Lexington Grace (Ire).

Baby Vino half-sister added to Fasig-Tipton digital

Late For A Date (Mitole), a half-sister to last weekend's G1 Haskell winner Baby Vino (Vino Rosso), is among the 146 entries catalogued for the Fasig-Tipton July Digital Sale.

“We've assembled another exciting catalogue with something to appeal to every buyer,” said Leif Aaron, Director of Digital Sales.

“The racehorse section is particularly strong, featuring exciting 2-year-olds, several last-out maiden special weight winners, and a selection of in-form, stakes-calibre older horses.”

Florida Bay wins Tyros Stakes

Leopardstown's track was very much playing to front-runners on Thursday evening and Wayne Lordan took full advantage of that bias to steer 2-year-old colt Florida Bay (Mehmas) to success in the G3 Japan Racing Association Tyros Stakes.

“Wayne gave the winner a lovely ride and this looks like it could be his trip,” trainer Aidan O’Brien said. It was his 17th win in the race.

“He handled this fast ground and the way he gallops, he'll probably handle a little ease as well. He could be a Breeders' Cup horse, as he showed a bit of pace there. Aix La Chapelle went to Ascot and it was a pity he didn't get to run, as that would have been a straight-up seven and this track is riding very quick and sharp today so it was more like a six-and-a-half furlong race and he got back a little bit and was green. He would have had the Futurity on his list and I'd say there you could see a different result.”

Hewitson back in South Africa

During the Hong Kong break, three-time South Africa champion jockey Lyle Hewitson is riding at South Africa’s Champions Cup Day card at Greyville on Sunday.

“It’s a big meeting and I’ve got some decent opportunities, so I’m keen to ride at it. It’s one of the good ones on the calendar,” Hewitson told scmp.com.

Among his rides is 2024 G1 Champions Cup winner Dave The King (Saf) (Global View {USA}) who returns to have another crack at the race after running fifth last year. “His class is not in doubt. He’s obviously good enough to do it, and he has done it before. He’s probably just not in the vein of form that he was in at the height of his powers. If anyone can get them to bounce back at the right time, the De Kocks are your men, but on his recent form he’s got a bit to find.

“It’s a good field and I think (trainer Justin) Snaith probably holds the aces. See It Again has had a good season. Dave The King and Legal Counsel both have speed, so we should get along at a good tempo, which could set the race up for a horse like See It Again or Eight On Eighteen. They would be the horses to beat in my opinion.”