Oaks target for Proxima Dea
A strong win against the older horses on Saturday at Randwick has catapulted David Payne-trained 3-year-old filly Proxima Dea (Tarzino {NZ}) into G1 VRC Oaks contention. “This filly has a lot of upside and will stay all day,” Payne said.
“She's very promising and I want to get her to the Oaks in the spring, that's her main mission. I'll give her 10 days in the paddock now to freshen her up as she's very fit. I might look at a race like the Gloaming Stakes for her and then decide whether we stay in Sydney or send her straight to Melbourne for the Oaks.”
She is now unbeaten in three starts. Ciaron Maher Bloodstock paid $300,000 for her from North Bloodstock’s Inglis Easter Yearling Sale draft and she is a full sister to G1 Queensland Oaks victrix Gypsy Goddess (NZ).
Aethelwulf on a Metropolitan pathway
The recently downgraded G2 Metropolitan Handicap could be the target for exciting stayer Aethelwulf (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) after he won over 2000 metres at Randwick on Saturday to take his record to four wins from six starts. “Aethelwulf may get there (The Metropolitan), we might go to the Newcastle Cup first. If he gets through that then why not?” trainer Matthew Smith said.
“We were hoping he would do that today but you never know. He's a pretty unassuming horse at home, he's a lazy trackworker but he's switched on come raceday. It was good to see him step up in grade today and once he learns his craft he could be very good. I feel 2000m and beyond will be his trip as he has a massive stride, he has the biggest stride in my stable, but it's a big, easy, loping stride, very economical.”
Mr Miller puts hand up for Epsom
Ozzie Kheir and partners-owned Mr Miller (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) could be aimed at the G1 Epsom Handicap after making it two wins in succession at Randwick on Saturday. “Mr Miller should be five (wins) from five (starts),” Chris Waller’s stable representative Darren Beadman said.
“He's a very push-button type of horse and puts himself into the right spots in his races. He has the turn of foot to put them away quickly. I think his rating might be too low to get into an Epsom at the moment but he could get there through one of those qualifying races.
“Chris has given him plenty of time and everything this horse has done so far has been very impressive. He is certainly a horse that is getting everyone to take notice of him.”
Double for ill-fated Roaring Lion
Roaring Lion (USA), who covered 133 mares in Europe in his first season before dying of colic on the shuttle run to New Zealand aged only five, had a double at Caulfield on Saturday. Kingswood (GB) won the Listed Heatherlie Stakes while Saint George (GB) (Roaring Lion {USA}) has firmed into $15 for the G1 Melbourne Cup after winning at Caulfield on Saturday for trainer Ciaron Maher. “I want to look after where he’s at and if he’s going to get a run in the race (Caulfield Cup),” Maher said.
“So, it would be about protecting that and maybe going the weight-for-age path. That was the plan to have him up and fit early and we’ve used that path plenty of times. He’s a horse that’s just in very good form. He’s always had that x-factor about him and now he’s a stronger horse. He’s certainly in much better shape now.”
Fabulous Mr Brightside heads to Makybe Diva
Co-trainer Ben Hayes was emotional after ten-time Group 1 winner Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) returned from injury to run second to Beiwacht (Bivouac) when resuming in the G1 Memsie Stakes. “It’s hard to explain just how I feel. So proud and so emotional after the race. It really got to me. He’s an amazing horse. He just kept fighting back and his strongest work was through the line,” Hayes said.
“We’ll either take on Sheza Alibi or go to Sydney and take on Autumn Glow. But I think we’ll stay here and go for a fourth Makybe Diva.
“He’s always been lazy at trackwork so I’ve never been confident going into a race, but we had him the most forward we’ve ever had him going in first-up and to tell you the truth, it’s the best he’s looked first-up so he’s going to thrive through the spring. He’s going to look better and better every start. He’s sound and happy and he’s showed everyone he’s still go it.”
Pride to take Godolphin duo to Wyong
Sunday’s Wyong meeting will kick off the spring campaigns for two Godolphin runners from the Joe Pride stable, led by unbeaten Maluku (Extreme Choice). “She’s a really nice mare that trialled well before kicking off her career in winning form in March. Sam (Clipperton) was in the saddle in that Wyong win and again when she backed up to score at Gosford at her only other start,” Pride told racingnsw.com.au.
“She’s had the two trials with Sam aboard to get ready for her return to racing and she’s ticking over nicely. It will be good to have her back in action.” Eterlou (Microphone) will make his debut.
Magic Millions sale topper wins at Gold Coast
At Friday night’s Gold Coast meeting, Richard Laming-trained Vincley (I Am Invincible) won his maiden by almost five lengths. The 3-year-old colt had run fourth at his only start at two and was resuming here.
He topped the 2025 Magic Millions Horses-In-Training Sale at $550,000 to Laming Racing, and was sold by Baramul Stud, and is now raced by a syndicate of 18 owners. He is the first foal of Ballet De Joie (Snitzel), an unraced full sister to Group 1 winner and sire Russian Revolution. This is also the family of Home Affairs.
Spring 3-year-olds out at Kembla Grange
Spring 3-year-olds won five of the eight race card at Kembla Grange on Saturday. Second season sire Stay Inside’s colt Harry Lime stayed unbeaten in taking his record to two from two for trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. Last year’s Champion Second Season Sire Bivouac’s filly Emirate Star won her maiden for trainers Annabel and Rob Archibald.
The others were Switch On (Hellbent), Sky Deck (Written Tycoon) and Rhythm Of The Rein (Cosmic Force).
Debutant winner for Wootton Bassett
Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained 3-year-old colt Honour The Bassett (Wootton Bassett {GB}) won on debut at Warracknabeal on Saturday over 1000 metres by 1.25 lengths. Dalziel Bloodstock and Moody Racing paid $325,000 for him from Newgate Farm’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft.
Gollan wins half the card at Eagle Farm
Brisbane trainer Tony Gollan won five of the ten races at Eagle Farm on Saturday. He won with Pure Alpha (NZ) (Ardrossan), Strada Varenna (Street Boss {USA}), Gram (Exceed And Excel), Livalittle (NZ) (The Autumn Sun) and Surprise Honey (Extreme Choice). Surprise Honey has won two in succession, and six in total, and was an $800,000 purchase by Peachester Lodge from Bell River Thoroughbreds. She’s a daughter of Group 1 winner Bel Mer (Bel Esprit).
Betoota Cup won by Deciduous
The Autumn Sun might be getting headlines for siring recently crowned Horse Of The Year Autumn Glow and Champion 3-Year-Old Colt/Gelding Autumn Boy, but he’s also siring tough country horses. Trainer Leslie Baker had the two top weights in the Betoota Cup, the first leg of the Simpson Desert Cup trio, and came home with the quinella with Deciduous (The Autumn Sun) and Turnstar (Star Turn).
Deciduous, a 6-year-old gelding, placed in Sydney on debut at two, and now has clocked up eight wins from 41 starts. Originally a $475,000 yearling, he was sold via Inglis Digital in 2024 for $18,000 and has total career earnings over $150,000, with about half of that earned after his second sale.
Williams wins her own race
Jockey Kylie Williams celebrated her retirement with one last winner when victorious on Shankar Muniandy-prepared What She Wants (NZ) (Almanzor {Fr}) to the race named in her honour, the Celebrating Kylie Williams. She had her first ride on New Zealand Cup Day in 1996 and retires with 1020 wins. “It’s turned out a bloody good day,” Williams told Loveracing.nz.
“I think everyone was riding for me during the race, although I had to politely tell Sima (Mxothwa) to f..off halfway down, which made him yell even louder at his horse, but I think it encouraged mine as well.
“Nine times out of 10 bad things can happen in this game, so when it does go right, you take the positives and run with them. It’s been a pretty special day and to get a winner is awesome. To do it for Shank (Muniandy), as we rode together, is pretty fitting.”
Stakes company next for Outback Girl
Stephanie Faulkner-trained 3-year-old filly Outback Girl (Bivouac) will head to the Listed Canterbury Girl Stakes next after winning at Riccarton on Saturday. At two, she ran fourth at Listed level twice. “I knew she had a big heart and a lot of early speed, she is a tough wee thing,” Faulkner told Loveracing.nz.
“I thought I would put her in today to see if she would shape up to go to the Canterbury Belle Stakes, so Canterbury Belle Stakes here we come.” Grant Boyes Bloodstock paid $40,000 for her from Twin Hills Stud’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale draft.
Group 1 winner Tiffany joins Sceptre Sessions
Group 1 winner Tiffany (Farhh) is the latest big name that Tattersalls has confirmed for the Sceptre Sessions of the December Mares Sale.
A winner of the Grosser Preis von Berlin on her latest start, she will be consigned by her trainer Sir Mark Prescott's Heath House Stables and will be one of the highlights of the fifth edition of the Sceptre Sessions, which showcases some of the finest fillies and mares in Europe.
Commenting on Tiffany's inclusion in the Sceptre Sessions, Elite Racing Club's Dan Downie said, “The Elite Racing Club enjoyed a remarkable night at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale back in 2017 when our Group 1 winning sprinter Marsha sold for a record-breaking 6,000,000 guineas and so it is only appropriate to bring her close relative Tiffany back to the same sale ring to be offered in the Tattersalls Sceptre Sessions.
“Tiffany has been a wonderful flag-bearer for the Elite Racing Club and we have enjoyed many great days out on the racecourse, winning eight of her 18 starts, five of them at Group & Listed level both in Britain and abroad.
“The Sceptre Sessions at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale has quickly become the most important stage within Europe at which to showcase top-class fillies and mares and we are confident that she will appeal to both owners and breeders who are looking to acquire a Group 1 winning mare with a deep and active pedigree.
“She will be a wonderful addition to any breeding operation and we are excited to offer her at Tattersalls.”
Group 1 winner Estrange retired
Cheveley Park Stud has announced the immediate retirement of its top-class racemare Estrange (Night Of Thunder). The 5-year-old won six of her nine starts for trainer David O'Meara and was last seen claiming Group 1 glory in the Pretty Polly Stakes at the Curragh at the end of June.
Estrange was last month scratched from the Yorkshire Oaks, with connections planning for an autumn campaign that was set to include a tilt at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, but time has now been called on her career on the track.
A statement from Cheveley Park Stud read, “Whilst Estrange has not had ideal conditions with the very dry summer, it has been decided to retire her to the paddocks.
“Estrange suffered some bone bruising during her last race, which meant she has had to have an easy time since and, although an autumn campaign was being envisaged, time is running out to have her fully fit. Therefore Mrs Thompson feels, as she has won her Group 1, it is time for her to retire to the paddocks.
“Estrange has given Patricia Thompson, her son Richard, their family and all of us at Cheveley Park Stud some wonderful moments on the racecourse and we cannot thank David O'Meara and his staff enough for training her so wonderfully.”
Influential sire Trippi dies aged 29
Trippi (End Sweep–Jealous Appeal, by Valid Appeal), a Grade I-winning sprinter in America who became one of the most influential stallions in South Africa for Gaynor Rupert's Drakenstein Stud, has passed away aged 29.
Winner of his first four career starts, including the Grade III Swale Stakes over seven furlongs and the Grade III Flamingo Stakes over a distance of ground, Trippi fought out the early fractions in the 2000 Grade I Kentucky Derby, but tired to finish in midfield. Restricted to one-turn races thereafter, Trippi was back to his best in the Grade II Riva Ridge Stakes against his peers and in the Grade II True North Stakes facing older sprinters and two starts later defeated stablemate More Than Ready for his elite-level success in the Vosburgh Stakes.
Trippi entered stud in 2002 at the O'Farrell family's Ocala Stud in Central Florida, where he was among the leading regional stallions. His 32 stakes winners from those seven Florida-sired crops included the Grade I-winning juvenile filly R Heat Lightning as well as Miss Macy Sue, victorious at Grade III level at the races whose legacy as a broodmare is secured as the dam of the current leading American stallions Liam's Map (Unbridled's Song) and Not This Time (Giant's Causeway).
After founding Drakenstein Stud in 2003, Gaynor Rupert visited the USA to have a look at 28 potential stallions and described Trippi as “the most beautiful horse she had ever seen.” The first stallion acquired by the fledgling operation, the bay came to South Africa following the 2008 Northern Hemisphere breeding season and has since gone on to become the foundation sire for one of the country's most important nurseries.
Trippi imparted speed, precocity and, often times, the ability to carry that speed over extended distances, becoming South Africa's champion sire in 2015/2016. He is the sire of 94 worldwide stakes winners, 47 at the graded/group level, and is responsible for a towering 13 elite-level scorers in South Africa.
Two of his champion sons are currently part of the Drakenstein roster. Charles Dickens (SAf) counted the prestigious GI King's Plate and GI Cape Guineas among his 10 career victories, while Jet Dark (SAf) collected no fewer than five Group I successes, topped by a pair of wins in the Queen's Plate, the Met and a pair of scores in the GI Champions Cup. All totaled, Trippi has been represented by 857 winners worldwide.
Trippi's influence as a broodmare sire is also not to be understated, as his daughters have produced 66 black-type winners, 32 of those at the graded and group level and eight in Grade/Group I company in addition to Liam's Map.
Golden Horn nomination for charity
A nomination to multiple Group 1 winner and proven Group 1 sire Golden Horn is among the headline lots at this year's Racing to Cricket Tournament at Wormsley Cricket Ground on Sunday 6 September, with the event raising funds exclusively for Racing Welfare.
Generously donated by Jayne McGivern of Dash Grange Stud, the Golden Horn nomination offers breeders a rare opportunity to secure access to one of the leading sires standing at Overbury Stud. Golden Horn won the Derby, Eclipse, Irish Champion Stakes and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe before embarking on a successful career at stud.
French stallion tour set for January
The hugely popular Route Des Etalons, which showcases some of the best stallions that France has to offer, has been set for the weekend of January 22 and 23.
The Route Des Etalons has become a key fixture for breeders and racing enthusiasts in recent years. Roughly 20 stud farms around Normandy will open their doors and stallions like Siyouni and Goliath Du Berlais will be on show.
