Vandeek to miss 2026 season
Arrowfield Stud’s shuttle sire Vandeek (GB), a son of Havana Grey (GB), will miss the 2026 breeding season after sustaining a tendon injury to his hind leg while in quarantine. “Following consultation with the veterinary team responsible for his care, it has been determined that the injury and the rehabilitation period required will prevent Vandeek from undertaking stallion duties during the 2026 Southern Hemisphere Breeding Season,” Arrowfield Stud said in a press release.
“Vandeek continues to make encouraging progress and is expected to make a full recovery.” The dual Group 1 winning juvenile who was third in the G1 July Cup at three stood his first season in Australia in 2025, covering 151 mares and has foals due this spring. He was advertised for 2026 at $22,000 inc GST. He is a half-brother to dual Group 1 winner Gstaad (GB) (Starspangledbanner).
Wagering law passed through senate
The Interactive Gambling Act 2026 passed through the senate on Wednesday and changes the way gambling is advertised including restrictions during live sports coverage and at grounds. It prohibits the use of athletes, celebrities and social media influencers in wagering promotions, and television advertising will be restricted to three per hour from 5am to 8.30pm. Online wagering ads are only permitted if the user is logged on and verified to be over 18.
Racing Victoria CEO Aaron Morrison thinks the new wagering laws will have a significant impact on racing’s income. “I think compared to where it could have gone, and in particular, the debate over the last couple of weeks, which, you know, threatened to extend it very, very broadly, I think it's probably an okay outcome,” Morrison told racing.com.
“It's a workable outcome, but the devil's going to be in the detail. Racing and wagering are actually inseparable. They're part of the same product. And also, as I said before, you know, wagering funds the racing industry, and that supports real people's jobs and livelihoods and careers and communities.
“I think even what we've heard has the potential to impact us maybe at a Racing Victoria level, you know, in the order of, say, $10 million a year, up to that much, which is a very significant hit for us. We're maybe looking at 5 to 10% of our wagering income that could be impacted and then the flow-on effects of that.”
Ceolwulf loves the spring
Ignore Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ})’s autumn form. Trainer Joe Pride says this is his favourite time of year and he’s ready for Saturday’s G1 Winx Stakes. “He needed a good rest, and he's now had that rest,” Pride told racingandsports.com.au.
“We'll see a better version of him this spring, and it has always been a good time of year for him. He's won his four Group 1s all in the spring, and I don't think it's coincidental.
Ceolwulf (NZ) | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“If it ends up being a bit wet and a few of the key chances come out, he could end up being a top three chance. But I've certainly learned not to expect too much of him early in his preparations. He's never won first-up. He's run some nice races, but that's all I need to see from him, a nice return, and he'll build into the preparation as he always does.”
Aeliana likely for Memsie detour
Chris Waller-trained Aeliana (NZ) (Castelvecchio) is likely to miss Saturday’s hot G1 Winx Stakes and head to Melbourne for next week’s equally hot G1 Memsie Stakes. “Quite likely. I don’t think we put a jockey down for Saturday and I don’t want to get a fine, so it tells you that we are not going to run but she’s there if we change our mind,” Waller told racing.com.
“You just never know. She is in the field so you might as well wait, but at this stage I would say she is unlikely and will go to the Memsie.”
Aeliana (NZ) | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Waller has half the field in the Winx Stakes. “It’s actually a really important starting point for my horses because if you miss it, it is sort of hard to catch up – you can – but it’s hard. You’ve got a horse like Autumn Glow or Via Sistina or Winx or Verry Elleegant, they are expected to run well so you sort of have them pretty forward. But at the same time, you’ve got to be ready for that tough challenge and for them to bounce through the race.
“I am always the most apprehensive going into this day than any other. You’ve been in the grand final and you’ve had your break and you’ve come back through the prep-season and we’re into the first round.
“You are a bit apprehensive going in first-up until you see them run, It doesn’t matter how well you are training them or what the figures or the stats are. It comes down to the last 100 metres of the race.”
Tulloch Lodge trio for Silver Shadow
Trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott will have three runners in Saturday’s G2 Silver Shadow Stakes, being Agrarian Girl (Tassort), By Choice (Written By) and Reachin’ Out (Stay Inside). “We originally had Reachin’ Out pencilled in for some tougher tasks first-up, then we settled on some easier tasks after her trials. Then we saw the nominations and after her work on Saturday, we thought she deserved to kick off there,” Bott told racingandsports.com.au.
“Agrarian Girl, she's a natural speed filly. She has trialled up well on two occasions. She had limited opportunities in her 2-year-old campaign, but she was really good the times we saw her.
“By Choice, she's the most seasoned of them all. She will be better suited getting out to 1400 and 1600 metres this prep. She will stay in the Princess Series, but she may just find them a little sharp first time out.”
Midnight In Tokyo set for Sydney campaign
Todd Pollard-trained Midnight In Tokyo (Kobayashi) will run in Sydney on Saturday, most likely in the G3 Show County Quality. “She likes the sting out of the track, but it's an ever-changing forecast in Sydney this week and every time I look at it, it is different,” Pollard told racenet.com.au.
“I am hoping we get a bit of rain again towards the end of the week, that would be fantastic. If she runs well on Saturday, there is another race in Sydney in three weeks for her.” That race is the G2 Sheraco Stakes at Rosehill.
Midnight In Tokyo | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Knight’s Choice needs to requalify
After missing most of last season with strangles, G1 Melbourne Cup winner Knight’s Choice (Extreme Choice) has to requalify for this year’s Cup. “I don't expect too much from his first couple of runs but after that, we expect him to show what he can do,” co-trainer John Symons told racenet.com.au
“We'll look for a mile race somewhere, wherever that may be. It's either got to be a quality handicap or a weight-for-age race. We have got to qualify him this year, he's not qualified. He had a free ticket last year but we don't get that this year.”
Harry Angel adds 3-year-old winner
At Hawkesbury on Thursday, Kris Lees-trained 3-year-old gelding Harrybegood (Harry Angel {Ire}) won first up for this season. He had three starts at two, placing twice. He is the last foal and fifth winner for Flying Hope (Flying Spur) who is a half-sister to Listed-placed Amici Forever (Fasliyev {USA}).
Second season sires salute in Queensland
At Mackay on Thursday, second season sires Tiger Of Malay and The Odyssey both added new winners. Kevin Miller-trained The House (Tiger Of Malay) became his sire’s eighth winner when successful on debut. Andrew Symons paid $12,000 for him from Waylon J Stud’s Magic Millions March Yearling Sale draft. He is out of Miss Swan Lake (Show A Heart) who has produced two other winners.
Stablemate Sailing Solo (The Odyssey) won his maiden to become the fourth winner for his sire. He is the sixth winner for See The Music (Flying Spur) who is a full sister to Group 1 winner Mentality.
WA winners for proven sires
Exceedance and Maurice (Jpn) both celebrated spring 3-year-old winners at Pinjarra Park on Thursday. Grant and Alana Williams-trained filly Cassandra (Exceedance) won on debut for Lynward Park Stud and partners. She is a full sister to Listed winner and G1 Randwick Guineas-placed Swiftfalcon.
Adam Durrant-trained Trickster (Maurice {Jpn}) won his maiden for owners Oakland Park Stud and partners. He is the second winner for Araaja (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}).
Waikato Thoroughbred Racing new CEO
On Thursday, Waikato Thoroughbred Racing (WTR) announced the appointment of Nick Johnson as their new CEO. Johnson was formerly CEO of New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (NZTBA). WTR is the conglomeration of Waikato Racing Club, Cambridge Jockey Club and Waipa Racing Club. Nick brings a great mix of industry knowledge, commercial experience and enthusiasm for thoroughbred racing, and we believe he is very well placed to lead WTR through its next chapter,” WTR Chair Bruce Harvey told Loveracing.nz.
“WTR has undergone plenty of change over the past few years and we are a club with an important role to play, not only within the Waikato but in the future of New Zealand racing. We have ambitious plans ahead of us, particularly as we continue to progress the Greenfield project, while at the same time ensuring we continue to deliver quality racing, events and facilities across our existing venues.”
Johnson takes over from Andrew ‘Butch’ Castles who retired as WTR CEO due to illness on 30 June 2026. Castles was CEO for six years. “Butch helped position WTR for the future and Nick now has the opportunity to build on those foundations and bring his own ideas and leadership to the role. The Board is excited about what lies ahead and we look forward to welcoming him to the team.”
Arqana’s big show continues with €265,000 V2 top lot
A remarkable launch to the European yearling sale season continued into the V2 session at Arqana on Wednesday when bloodstock agent Paul Nataf paid a record €265,000 (AU$434,000) for a colt by the emerging young French-based sire Chachnak from Arcadia Elevage.
Continuing the trend for records tumbling at Arqana this week, the Chachnak smashed the previous V2 high of €200,000 (AU$328,000) in 2023 – just a couple of days after Coolmore set a new bar for the sale company's flagship August Yearling Sale when paying a massive €4.6 million (AU$7.5 million) on a close relation to star stayer Scandinavia.
A son of Kingman, Chachnak stood for as low as €3,000 (AU$4900) in 2025 and it was his promising results with small crops of runners that convinced Nataf to take Antoine Bellanger's charge so seriously.
“Chachnak started off the hard way. I like horses like this – you have Fairy King, Danehill Dancer and so many others who started off the hard way and proved themselves by upgrading mares. Those sort of stallions climb step by step and I think Chachnak is one of them,” Nataf said.
As well as a new top lot, the V2 session posted a massive 19% jump in turnover to €4,522,500 (AU$7.4 million) while the €34,523 (AU$56,500) average climbed by 22%. The median stayed the same at €25,000 (AU$41,000) while the clearance rate was up marginally to 86%.
Crocetti half-sister heads to Guineas
Danny Walker and Arron Tata-trained 3-year-old filly Shalabiya (NZ) (Brazen Beau) ran second in the G3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes last start and the half-sister to Group 1 winner Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto {Fr}) is being aimed at the G1 NZ 1000 Guineas. “We are really proud of her. It was a nice run, she just got beaten by a better horse on the day. She will have her day in the sun,” Walker told Loveracing.nz.
“We have just got to get there (Riccarton) in the right state and make sure everything is 100 percent. She won’t go to the Gold Trail, she will probably go to the Soliloquy.”
Ziva Mullins joins Goffs UK
Ziva Mullins has joined the Goffs UK bloodstock team full-time in advance of the Goffs Premier Yearling Sale at Doncaster on August 25-26.
The Irish native spent 12 years in Australia working for Arrowfield, Aquis Farm and Spendthrift in various roles before joining William Inglis & Son as a bloodstock consultant. She returned to Ireland in 2024 and most recently worked as an independent bloodstock advisor, managing racing and breeding interests in Ireland and Australia and advising clients on purchasing, breeding and sales decisions.
“I am delighted to be joining Goffs UK and excited to work alongside such an experienced, dedicated and respected team. After 12 years in Australia, I look forward to bringing the knowledge and international perspective I gained there to the role, while continuing to build relationships with vendors and buyers in the UK, Ireland and further afield,” Mullins said.
“Goffs has a strong reputation for integrity, innovation and client service, and I am particularly keen to contribute to the Flat and online sales. The Premier Yearling Sale is a great place to begin, and I look forward to meeting and getting to know clients and colleagues in Doncaster next week.”
Vale Warner C. Lusardi
Del Mar board member Warner C. Lusardi, the San Diego construction magnate, major philanthropist and longtime civic benefactor, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family. He was 94.
Mr. Lusardi was a devoted horse racing enthusiast and a valued member of the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club Board of Directors, serving with distinction since 1988. Throughout his nearly four decades of service, he provided steadfast leadership, thoughtful counsel and an unwavering commitment to the success of Del Mar and the Thoroughbred racing industry.
