Listed HG Bolton Stakes won by Fluro Neuro
Grant and Alana Williams-trained 6-year-old gelding Fluro Neuro (Gingerbread Man) hadn’t won since March 2025, although he had placed on six occasions since then. It wasn’t much surprise that punters sent him out at $61 for Saturday’s Listed HG Bolton Stakes at Belmont.
But he overcame his bridesmaid’s reputation to record his first black type win when just holding out second-placed Snowdome (Rommel), trained by Neville Parnham. In third, three-quarters of a length back was Rebecca Bayliss-trained Final Siren (I’m All The Talk).
Fluro Neuro becomes the 10th stakes winner for Gingerbread Man. He was bought by Belhus Racing for $75,000 from Yarradale Stud’s Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale draft. With eight wins and 12 seconds from 34 starts, Fluro Neuro has earnings over $590,000. He is a full brother to Listed winner Neurological.
Francis and Christine Cook win ATC owners award
The Australian Turf Club celebrated their season at a ceremony at Randwick on Saturday with Francis and Christine Cook taking out the coveted Owner’s Award for being the leading individual owner (by wins) at ATC courses in 2025/2026. Darby Racing won the syndicator’s award, while MyRacehorse received the Ownership Recognition Award for their contributions to growing racehorse ownership.
“Australian Turf Club thanks the award sponsors Yulong Investments, Coolmore Stud, Inglis, Kia Ora Stud, Arrowfield Stud, Ranvet, Darley and Vinery Stud for their ongoing support of racehorse ownership and the broader racing industry,” said the press release.
Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) was the horse who won the most races on ATC tracks this season, while Tenderize (Snitzel) had the most starts. Estadio Mestalla (Ire) (Galileo Gold {GB}) won the weight carrying award after winning with 63kg. Breakthrough Performer Award went to Tazima (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}) and the Special Achievement Award was presented to Idle Flyer (Dundeel {NZ}).
Two in two days for Wild Ruler
First season sire Wild Ruler celebrated two winners in two days when Chris Anderson-trained 2-year-old filly Queen Olympus was successful at the Gold Coast on Saturday. She become Wild Ruler’s 12th winner and was coming off a debut second placing.
Passed in by Glenlogan Park and raced by a syndicate that they manage, Queen Olympus is the first foal of Plutocrat (Rich Enuff) who won the Listed Tattersall’s Club Stakes as a late-2-year-old.
Brisbane renovation update
Brisbane Racing Club CEO Karl deKroo provided an update on the demolition of the Eagle Farm's John Power grandstand and planned new stand.
“We are entering the first phase of the redevelopment of Eagle Farm and that really starts today,” deKroo told racenet.com.au.
“We are preparing for the demolition of the John Power stand. What we have done is a full reshaping of the Eagle Farm facilities to cater for all race goers through this period which we expect will go through until March.
“Our commitment is that all black-type racing and Group racing will be retained in the existing pattern at Eagle Farm. We will move a couple of meetings during spring, just while we have some temporary facilities coming in, so our races on Victoria Derby day and Melbourne Cup day will be run at Doomben to allow us to work with greater capacities.
“The aim will be, all going to plan, is that a new facility (The Terraces) will be open by Christmas 2028.”
Sir Les set to step up after Randwick romp
Trainer Craig Carmody was thrilled with the 3.2 length victory of 3-year-old gelding Sir Les (All Too Hard) at Randwick on Saturday. He has now won three of his four starts.
“He's on his way now, this horse,” Carmody said.
“With what I've seen him doing the past four weeks at home I came here confident I was going to see something like that. You always worry but the way he did it didn't surprise me, it just delighted me.
“Watching him burst away – it felt like Intergaze. Not that he's Intergaze. Rachel rode him terribly well. He's been up for a while now so we'll give him a break and bring him back late summer or even early autumn.” Carmody rode Intergaze to eight Group 1 wins for trainer Rod Craig, including the 1997 G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes where he ruined the farewell appearance for Champion racehorse Octagonal (NZ) who finished second in his final run.
Thrilling finish for Racketeer
At Eagle Farm on Saturday, jockey Cejay Graham had to get Barry Lockwood and Emma-Jane Vincent-trained 3-year-old gelding Racketeer (Capitalist) out of trouble and storm home late to record a thrilling nose victory. He took his record to three wins from five starts.
“I was cantering back and I was just praying that my horse's number was in the frame. I was lucky to just get there in the nick of time. It was good to see his name in the frame because if he didn't win, he would have been a tragedy beaten,” Graham said.
“I had a lot of family cheering me on for that ride today, hopefully that's what's helped me get over the line. This horse has a great will to win and I was so glad he did it today.”
Cool Aza Beel juvenile set for Sunday
Barbara Joseph, Paul and Matt Jones-trained 2-year-old filly Carricaz (Cool Aza Beel {NZ}) heads to the Sapphire Coast on Sunday hoping to make it two from two.
“In my eyes the race looks winnable, I’m quite excited to see how she runs,” apprentice jockey Jordan Quince told racingnsw.com.au.
“Even in her work when she was doing her barrier practice and jump outs you could see all the signs. She doesn’t have the best gate but I don’t think that will matter to her, she’s got the speed to get across and get her spot. It’ll be a case of riding her how I rode her last start (when winning).”
Juvenile winner for Ole Kirk
Peter Snowden-trained 2-year-old colt Short Sea (Ole Kirk) came off a city placing on debut and a last start fourth to record his first win at Kembla Grange on Saturday. Snowden Racing purchased him for $170,000 from North Bloodstock’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft.
He is the first winner for Steamboat Sally (Snitzel) whose first two foals are placed. Steamboat Sally is a winning half-sister to Group 2 winner Gunnison (Not A Single Doubt).
Shooting To Win adds juvenile winner
Dan Morton-trained 2-year-old gelding Rifleman (Shooting To Win) bounced off a debut third to win at Belmont on Saturday. Raced by Oakland Park Stud, he is a half-brother to G2 Karrakatta Plate-placed Blue Rocket (Blue Point {Ire}).
Journalism retired
Journalism (Curlin) has been retired from racing after suffering an injury in the starting gate prior to an electric victory in the July 18 G2 San Diego Handicap, officials from Coolmore America and the rest of the ownership announced on July 24.
Bred by Don Alberto Corporation, Journalism was purchased by Aron Wellman's Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners from the consignment of Denali Stud, agent, for US$825,000 (AU$1.2 million) at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale and was turned over to trainer Michael McCarthy.
Perfect in two tries going a route of ground at two, including the G2 Los Alamitos Futurity, the long-striding colt cemented his reputation as one of the top 3-year-olds of 2025 with a half-length defeat of future Grade 1 winner Baeza (McKinzie) in the G1 Santa Anita Derby.
Sent off the betting favourite in the G1 Kentucky Derby, Journalism made what appeared to be a winning move only to be run down by Sovereignty (Into Mischief), who was later crowned Horse of the Year for 2025. Given the green light to contest the G1 Preakness Stakes, Journalism displayed his trademark toughness to take a narrow gap in upper stretch after being roughed up and still managed to get his head down on the wire first.
Following a runner-up effort in the G1 Belmont Stakes, the athletic bay colt looked to have it all to do with time ticking away in the G1 Haskell Stakes, but he once again knuckled down when it mattered and flashed home to record his third elite-level success of the season.
Fourth and beaten under four lengths in the G1 Breeders' Cup Classic, Journalism was third in the Oaklawn Handicap and in the G1 Metropolitan Handicap before returning to winning ways at the seaside oval. After anticipating the break, Journalism spotted his rivals the better part of five lengths, but slowly worked his way into the race, gained the lead at midstretch and proved a brave winner.
“What Journalism did at Del Mar was the mark of a true champion,” McCarthy said. “To suffer an injury in the gate, give away that much ground, and still win purely on heart and class tells you everything you need to know about him. He owes us absolutely nothing. While it's tough to see his racing career end this way, protecting him is our top priority, and he goes to stud at the top of his game.”
“What Journalism did at Del Mar was the mark of a true champion.” - Michael McCarthy
Journalism, who retires with a record of 7-3-3 and earnings of US$4,770,755 (AU$6.8 million), is a son of Mopotism (Uncle Mo), Grade 1-placed at ages two and three and four and winner of the G2 La Canada Stakes in 2018.
Added Coolmore's Charlie O'Connor, “Journalism was everything you could hope for in a racehorse. He had exceptional talent, tremendous consistency, and an attitude that set him apart. To do what he did at Del Mar last weekend– overcoming adversity and an injury to win–proved once again what a warrior he is.
“He is an outstanding physical specimen with a world-class pedigree, and we are thrilled to welcome him to Ashford. We firmly believe he has all the qualities to become a top-tier sire.”
Listed Ryder Stakes postponed
Saturday’s Otaki meeting featuring the Listed Ryder Stakes for juveniles has been postponed until Thursday.
“The Ryder Stakes meeting scheduled for Saturday 25 July has been postponed until Thursday 30 July. Sunday 26 July was not an option,” the stewards report said.
“An early decision was important given the number of horses travelling.” A forecast of 60mm of rain was due for Friday afternoon and Saturday morning.
New EU regulations on horse transport
Progress has been made on EU animal transport regulations, the European Federation of Thoroughbred Breeders' Associations (EFTBA) announced on Friday.
The initial drafts of the proposed Welfare in Transport Regulation had the potential to create significant challenges for the thoroughbred breeding sector, however the EFTBA was informed this week that revised wording has been incorporated into the draft legislation.
The new wording is as follows: “Point 4a (Article 2, Chapter I, Annex I) provides an exemption for purebred breeding horses and donkeys (Equus caballus and Equus asinus) that are registered in the main section of a breeding book established by a breed society recognised under Regulation (EU) 2016/1012, provided they are not being transported for slaughter.
“These breeding animals represent significant genetic and economic value. The high standard of transport arrangements typically applied to them, combined with close oversight from those responsible for their care, means welfare risks during transport are already minimised. For this reason, the transport of such animals, for purposes other than slaughter, is exempt from specific administrative and procedural requirements, namely mandatory stay periods at places of departure, journey logs, and journey time limits.”
Goffs UK to host pinhooking panel
Hannah Wall, Roger O'Callaghan and Finn Kent are some of the leading figures confirmed to be taking part in the TBA Pinhooking Forum on the eve of the Goffs Premier Yearling Sale on Monday, August 24.
The forum will be aimed at a younger audience and it will be chaired by Oli Bell. Wall is the bloodstock manager at Tweenhills Stud while O'Callaghan operates from his family-run Tally-Ho Stud and Kent is a successful breeder and stud manager. The forum will cover key aspects of pinhooking starting from foal selection through to sales preparation and market timing.
Naomi Mellor | Image courtesy of TBA
Naomi Mellor, Chief Executive of the TBA said, “We are really pleased to get this new pinhooking forum off the ground and our thanks to Goffs UK for their support. This is a fascinating subject and one for which we know there is plenty of appetite from both our TBA Essentials subscribers and from the recent work we have been doing with Young Farmers around the country, many of whom have also shown great interest in this topic.
“The eve of Goffs UK Premier Yearling sales is a perfect evening to host such an event and we hope there will be plenty of interest and attendance.”
Harper retires from Del Mar
Joe Harper, Chief Executive Officer of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club (DMTC), will transition from his day-to-day role and will assume the title of CEO Emeritus at the end of this year, Del Mar officials announced today. Harper, 83, who originally joined Del Mar in 1977, also will remain as a director on the DMTC board.
“Joe Harper's name and presence have been synonymous with Del Mar for nearly 50 years and his stewardship of this association and this facility has been invaluable to Thoroughbred racing in California and the U.S.,” said David Batchelder, Chairman of the DMTC Board. “Over the years, we witnessed Joe's amazing ability to tackle the challenges associated with this business while fostering the respect and goodwill of the horsemen and women from around the globe, our state and local officials, and his colleagues in the racing industry. The DMTC Board is grateful for his countless contributions.”
Chelmsford racetrack potentially saved
Racing is to return to Chelmsford “as soon as possible” after an agreement was struck between Arena Racing Company and freeholders Moulsham Hall Estates Ltd and the racecourse.
No action has taken place at the Essex track since March when the British Horseracing Authority refused to grant a licence to Golden Mile Racing Limited. The new company was formed after the previous licence holder, Great Leighs Estates Limited, was placed in administration.
ARC chief executive Martin Cruddace said, “Racing at Chelmsford City Racecourse is hugely important to the fixture list and we are therefore delighted to work with the freeholders to reach agreement that will allow racing to return to the venue. We are in discussion with BHA with regards to the relevant licences required to resume racing as soon as possible.”
A BHA spokesperson said, “We are aware of the agreement that has been reached regarding Chelmsford City racecourse. We will consider any licence application once it has been submitted.”
