Fresh is best for Mistruth
Mark Walker-trained Geegees Mistruth (Wordsmith) will resume in Saturday’s G1 AJ Moir Stakes. “The plan was always to have the one jump-out, keep her fresh and then hopefully we can go to the Manikato (Stakes),” Walker's assistant trainer Ben Gleeson told racingandsports.com.au.
“We were rapt with her trial at Caulfield Heath a few weeks ago and she's had a few gallops at home. I think she's improved. In saying that she needs to with her rating being where it is now. She has to find a couple of lengths. I think she has and we've had her for a year now and have continued to learn about her, work with her quirks, and I think we've done that.
“The Sandown 1000 metres is going to suit her fresh. She's that 1200 to 1400-metre type of horse, but she is electric first-up. If there is any horse suited in it at Sandown, it is certainly her and we're glad it's not at Moonee Valley.”
Options open for Pembrey
Trainer Tony Gollan is keeping his options open with recently crowned Queensland 2-Year-Old of the Year Pembrey (Prague) who runs in Saturday’s G2 Furious Stakes. “The plan was always to run in the Silver Shadow and then the Furious Stakes, then look at all the other options after that,” Gollan told racingqueensland.com.au.
Pembrey | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“If she doesn’t go for the Princess Series, she could go to other races like the Golden Rose or the Coolmore Stakes. I’m really happy with her after she won the Silver Shadow and I’d like to think she’s got more improvement.
Chilly Girl to make a match of Furious
Co-trainer Gerald Ryan believes his last start Listed Rosebud winner Chilly Girl (Trapeze Artist) can have the measure of Pembrey in the G2 Furious Stakes on Saturday. “She’s a lot like those other fillies, she has a great attitude, good action, nothing worries them, they put themselves on speed and travel and quicken,” Ryan told racingnsw.com.au.
She’s done well and the form has been franked by the runner-up finishing second behind the Slipper winner last week. The last 100m was the best part. She has tactical speed, she begins well and puts herself there. She comes back, she relaxes, she quickens off a fast pace.”
Waterhouse defends the Derby
Trainer Gai Waterhouse has written a spirited defence of the G1 VRC Derby, citing recent winners Observer, who won the G1 Australian Guineas the following autumn, and ill-fated Riff Rocket (American Pharoah {USA}) who added the G1 Australian Derby after his win. “If Australia offered more valuable staying races, breeders and owners would have greater reason to produce and purchase staying horses,” Waterhouse said.
Gai Waterhouse | Image courtesy of Victoria Racing Club
“The breeding industry responds to the racing programme. The racing programme should not surrender to the breeding industry's existing commercial preferences. If we continually shorten races because studs favour speed, we create a self-perpetuating cycle: fewer staying races produce fewer commercial stayers, which is then cited as justification for having still fewer staying races.”
Screen Icon drawn well for Furious
Trainer John Thompson is pleased with the draw for 3-year-old filly Screen Icon (Nicconi) in Saturday’s G2 Furious Stakes. “I want her ridden a bit quieter,” Thompson told racingandsports.com.au. She will be ridden Nash Rawiller from barrier four.
“She's got a good draw for once on Saturday so she's going to get a lot better run. It should set up well for her, and we'll know where we're at.”
Lindermann attempting back to back Chelmsfords
Only two horses this century have gone back to back in the Chelmsford. In 2013 and 2014, Hawkspur (Purrealist) did it and before that, last year’s winner Lindermann’s own sire Lonhro achieved it in 2002 and 2003. Lindermann is back this year but is coming off a minor injury. “Sometimes it can take them a couple of runs to get their confidence back I reckon,” jockey Nash Rawiller told racingnsw.com.au.
Lindermann | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“He’s one of those horses that when his confidence is up he’s near unbeatable. Hopefully he can bounce back and really set himself up for his next few runs. By the time we get to the 600m if I’m wondering whether now’s the right time to quicken I’ll know I’ve got the first half of the race right. My confidence will be a lot higher then.”
Messara’s words of wisdom
In the latest instalment of TDN's Words to Live By series, we hear from one of the most influential figures in Australian racing and breeding, John Messara.
TDN: Who has been the most important mentor in your career, and what did you learn from them?
John Messara: The most important mentor in my career was my friend, the late renowned veterinarian Percy Sykes. His knowledge of the horse was prodigious, and he was generous in imparting it.
John Messara | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
TDN: What is the best piece of advice you have ever received, and who gave it to you?
Messara: The best piece of advice I received is that “time” is often the best healer. It was given to me by Percy.
TDN: What advice would you give to a young person hoping to build a successful career in the Thoroughbred industry?
Messara: I generally tell young people three things: “Operate with integrity, take a long-term view, and, finally, give attention to detail.” In my mind, these are all critical for long-term success.
Queen’s Gamble aimed at Princess Series
After winning at Warwick Farm on Wednesday, Matthew Smith-trained 3-year-old filly Queen’s Gamble (Anders) could head to the Princess Series next. “She was in a bit of an awkward spot I thought, but she just got out of it and quickened up and she lengthened away really well, like a nice filly,” Smith said.
“I think we'll have to get onto that 3-year-old fillies series now. We'll join in at the 1400m (G2 Tea Rose Stakes) in a couple of weeks' time. It looks like a mile will be right up her alley, so she'll be good. She's got that turn of foot and she's also got the cardio to run a mile, so I'm very happy.” She has won two in succession and placed in all her other three starts.
Magnum Park stallion open day
Sizzling is standing his first season at Magnum Park Stud at Old Beach, just 25 kilometres from Hobart, and they are holding a stallion parade on September 13. “Because Sizzling is so laid-back and friendly, we will be allowing people to come and pat him and have their photo taken with our boy,” stud principal Alexis Beadman said in a press release.
“We want to keep the day very informal and encourage people to come along, meet us, have a chat and get to know our team, as well as take the opportunity to inspect our 350-acre property here at Magnum Park.”
Sizzling | Standing at Magnum Park
New winner for Splintex
Second season sire Splintex added his fifth winner when Neville Parnham-trained 3-year-old filly Supersmash won at Northam on Thursday. She is the first foal of Smashing (Playing God) who won three times in Perth and is a full sister to Group 3 winner Lordhelpmerun.
Splintex, a Group 2-winning son of Snitzel, has sired two stakes placed juveniles with his first crop being They’reallsisters and Yamanex.
Zousain 3-year-old wins on debut
At Northam on Thursday, Dan and Ben Pearce-trained 3-year-old gelding Dip It In A Dream (Zousain) won on debut. Pearce Racing paid $20,000 for him from Mogumber Park’s Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale draft. He is the first foal of Lirismo (NZ) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) who is a half-sister to Group 3 winner The Candy Man (Casino Prince) and Listed winner Phrases (Casino Prince).
Trio by Proisir to run in Proisir Plate
Rich Hill Stud are thrilled that their Champion Sire Proisir will have three runners in the Group 1 race named in his honour. “To have three horses by three different stallions in a Group 1 race named in honour of Proisir, now a two-time New Zealand Champion Sire, is a really proud moment for everyone at Rich Hill and each gives us something to cheer for,” Managing Director John Thompson said in a press release.
“Waitak has fronted up at the highest-level season after season, She’s A Dealer is especially close to us because we bred her and race her with a great group of friends, and Lupo Solitario is a horse we bred and sold who has forged a remarkable road back home.”
Proisir | Standing at Rich Hill Stud
NZTR scholarship open
Applications are open for the 2026 NZTR McKenzie Future Leaders Scholarship, offering up to NZ$10,000 to support young people connected to Thoroughbred racing as they begin their university studies.
Jointly funded by New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing and Dean McKenzie, the scholarship is open to school leavers who have been accepted into, or are enrolled in, their first year of a Commerce, Business or Law degree at a New Zealand university, and who have a connection to the New Zealand Thoroughbred industry.
“The future strength of Thoroughbred racing will depend on attracting talented young people who bring fresh thinking, strong skills and a genuine passion for the industry,” NZTR Head of People & Performance Ashleigh Curran said in a press release.
“This scholarship provides support at an important stage in a young person’s education. We encourage eligible school leavers from across the racing community to apply and take the first step towards becoming part of the industry’s next generation of leaders.”
Top price up, average down at Somerville Yearlings
Having brought his Blue Point filly to the Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale in an attempt to make her stand out, it's fair to say that Paul McCartan's methodology paid off and then some at Park Paddocks on Wednesday when the daughter of Darley's red-hot stallion smashed the record price for the Somerville at 190,000gns (AU$375,000). Kerri Radcliffe struck the winning bid, with the filly reportedly heading into training with Richard Hannon.
The number of six-figure lots dropped to five when we saw 10 such yearlings elevate proceedings last year, while the aggregate fell by 14% at 6,781,750gns (AU$13.4 million), despite 12 more yearlings going through the ring than in 2025.
Of the 269 yearlings offered, 215 sold at a clearance rate of 80%, down from 91% last year. The average was 31,543gns (AU$62,200) and the median was 23,000gns (AU$45,400), with both of those figures representing an 8% decrease.
Tattersalls managing director Matthew Prior said, “The Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale took place for the first time in 2021 and, in its short history, has made significant progress, quickly establishing itself as a prolific source of top-class racehorses. These include the Group 1 winners Bradsell and Anisette, as well as this year's Group 2 Railway Stakes winner, Celeron.
Matthew Prior | Image courtesy of Tattersalls
“The record price at the Somerville Yearling Sale was broken twice today, headlined by Ballyphilip Stud's outstanding Blue Point filly, who realised 190,000 guineas, whilst the average and median prices were broadly in line with last year's results. However, it must be acknowledged that trading conditions, particularly in the lower echelons of the bloodstock market, remain challenging for some, while cost pressures continue to rise.
“This must also be viewed against the backdrop of the current Government's approach to gambling, including increased taxation across the wider gambling sector and the impact of affordability checks, alongside a growing tax burden on businesses, agriculture and high-net-worth individuals. The prospect of further tax increases only adds to these pressures, undermining business confidence and sentiment and doing little to encourage continued investment in British horse racing and the bloodstock industry.”
Conghua postponed
The Hong Kong Jockey Club have postponed the planned October launch of racing at their Conghua facility on mainland China. “The Club has all along been working closely with the relevant Mainland departments, and has followed and completed all necessary statutory and procedural requirements to prepare for the launch of world-class horse racing at Conghua Racecourse in October this year,” the HKJC said in a statement.
“The Club has very recently received a latest risk assessment from the relevant Mainland departments. Following discussions between both parties, it was agreed that we will continue to work closely together to devise appropriate mitigation measures. As such, the originally scheduled October event will be postponed to a later date.”
They had planned to run the G2 Jockey Club Sprint at Conghua on November 21 to showcase Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress {NZ}) to locals.
Ka Ying Rising cleared to run on Sunday
A minor incident had fans worried for Ka Ying Rising’s return to the track in Sunday’s G3 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup. “It’s absolutely fine. After his trial [last Sunday], he went into his box and he must have kicked the wall and bruised his hoof,” trainer David Hayes told scmp.com.
Ka Ying Rising | Image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club
“He had a day in the pool the next day and he was fine. The club, with my consent, scanned him and checked him every way known to mankind and he came up all clear, so it’s good. Just in case it lingered for a few days, we wanted to know exactly what it was and it came out as a bit of bruising. Luckily he missed no track work and he’s fine.”
Rouget, Romanet and Papot inducted into French Hall Of Fame
Former French champion trainer Jean-Claude Rouget, who is set to cease operations at the end of this month, features among the latest inductees to the French Racing Hall of Fame. He is joined by former France Galop director general Louis Romanet and the Papot family, best known as successful owner-breeders in French National Hunt racing.
Rouget, who has been training from his base in Pau since 1978, is responsible for nearly 7,500 winners, including 46 Group 1 winners. He has been crowned champion in France on five occasions and sent out two winners of the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in Sottsass and Ace Impact, both of whom also feature among his six winners of the Prix du Jockey Club.
Romanet was director general of France Galop from 1998 to 2007, before serving as chairman of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) for 27 years, from its foundation in 1994 until 2021.
The Papot family has been a dominant force in French National Hunt racing in recent years, winning 15 Chevaux d'Or (leading owner) titles since 2009. Their green and blue diamond silks are among the most recognisable in French racing, with Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris winner Sel Jem and Grande Course de Haies d'Auteuil scorer Losange Bleu featuring among their high-profile runners.
Data partnership with Malaysian racing
The Selangor Turf Club (STC) and Perak Turf Club (PTC) have partnered with Total Performance Data (TPD) to bring world-leading live GPS tracking and in-race graphics technology to Malaysia. “Soon after celebrating our 10-year race tracking anniversary, we are thrilled to announce this major new partnership with Selangor Turf Club and Perak Turf Club,” Adam Moore, Director of Racing Partnerships at TPD, said in a press release.
“A decade on, Malaysia becomes the 17th international racing jurisdiction to be serviced by TPD and, significantly, is the first within the broader Southeast Asia region. The Selangor and Perak teams are a pleasure to work with, and we look forward to supporting the exciting future ambitions of both clubs and the future of Malaysian racing.”
