Sepals set to defend Sir Rupert Clarke title
Last year’s G1 Sir Rupert Clarke victor Sepals (Calyx [GB}) will attempt to win back to back editions of the race on Saturday. “It’s a good kick-off point – we hope to see him run well,” trainer Cliff Brown told racing.com.
Sepals | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“If he were to win, no one would be happier than us, but it’s not his grand final. His main target will be the Champions Mile, at the end of Cup week – that’s the race that really suits him, he likes Flemington. I think the mile will be fine. You never know, but I’m fairly certain it’ll be OK, and that’s the race he’ll be ready for.”
Paradoxium hunting for Yulong’s Everest slot
Last start group winning 3-year-old colt Paradoxium (Extreme Choice) could put his hand up for the G1 The Everest. “We'll probably go to the Roman Consul Stakes at Rosehill on October 10,” trained Bjorn Baker told racingandsports.com.au.
Paradoxium | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“I am mindful he is a Yulong horse and they do have a (Everest) slot but I think the main aim is to get him to the Coolmore (October 31) in good order. He's been down the straight so he can have a run at Rosehill and I think that will give him a lovely three weeks between runs to the Coolmore.”
Racing Queensland CEO hunt is on
With interim CEO Lachlan Murray keen to step up into the role, the official job advertisement has gone out for the Racing Queensland CEO job. Several media outlets have speculated that former Godolphin and Magic Millions boss Vin Cox, wagering identity Paul Bittar and former Melbourne Racing Club chief executive Josh Blanksby are all in the mix.
“Effective today, we are pleased to officially launch the recruitment process for the CEO of Racing Queensland,” Craig Sneesby, the chief executive of U&U Recruitment Partners told racenet.com.au.
“We will conduct a full search both nationally and internationally. We have no preconceived shortlist and applications are well and truly open to all interested parties. This is such an exciting opportunity to lead and deliver a generational reform agenda in Queensland Racing and shape one of the largest infrastructure spends in Queensland sport.
“We will run a thorough search onshore and offshore for the very best talent. The role will be remunerated very competitively to attract the very best talent in industry.”
Murray believes he has the credentials to make his interim role permanent. “Having spent the last 18 months in the acting CEO role, it's been a terrific experience meeting participants across the entire state,” Murray, who is contracted as acting CEO until December 31, said.
“Since taking the reins in February last year, the industry has dealt with a lot in that time with challenges such as cyclones and flooding through to rewarding stories such as the successes of the respective carnivals in the three codes.
“Equally satisfying are hearing the racing stories from around the state that play out each week. I've learned a great deal during the time and am excited about the prospect of continuing to advance racing in Queensland.”
Eurocanto tops Magic Millions Digital
Lindsay Park trained Listed winner Eurocanto (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) has topped the lastest Magic Millions Digital sale, selling to Collide Syndicate for $50,000. The racemare Hi Val (Frosted {USA}) was the next top lot, making $45,000.
"It was an amazing result," part-owner Robert Roulston said. "We thought she could make around $20,000, so to end up selling her for $45,000 was fantastic."
Bought by Australian Bloodstock/Nathan Doyle Racing, Hi Val has won twice and is from the family of Lonhro and Cylinder.
"It was a very satisfying sale. We had a strong domestic buying bench as well as multiple buyers from New Zealand and Asia who also got involved," Bryce Bevan, Head of Digital said.
"What is very pleasing is that this week we had a high number of new online bidding registrations. The platform is gaining momentum with every sale."
Chilly Girl to step up in distance for Tea Rose
Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained 3-year-old filly Chilly Girl (Trapeze Artist) will step up to 1400 metres for the first time in Saturday’s G2 Tea Rose Stakes. “I think she'll run 1400 metres. I think she'll run a mile,” Ryan told racingandsports.com.au.
“She has come out of her last race really well. I don't think on the fence, behind the leader was the place to be. She was brave. She was strong, and it was only her third start in a race. She has come on from it. Certainly, looking at the feed bin and the way she is going at home, she hasn't gone backwards.”
Tolaga Bay on Guineas pathway
Mark Walker-trained unbeaten 3-year-old filly Tolaga Bay (Alabama Express) will run in G2 Thousand Guineas Prelude at Caulfield. “Ben (Gleeson, assistant trainer) and I are happy with her and she galloped nicely on Tuesday, so I am looking forward to seeing what she does on Saturday,” Walker told Loveracing.nz.
Mark Walker | Image courtesy of Race Images
“All going well she will probably go to the Edward Manifold because that is a nice lead-up race (to the Thousand Guineas).”
Newcastle Gold Cup for Aethelwulf
Matthew Smith-trained Aethelwulf (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) will try to show in class in Friday’s G3 Newcastle Gold Cup. He’s won four of his six starts. “I nominated him for the Kingston Town (Saturday) as a back-up, the plan is to head to Newcastle,” Smith told racenet.com.au.
“I've never had a horse win like this. Race-to-race, grade-to-grade, and he wins on the bridle. It's hard to really know what's still left under the hood. He surprises me a bit because he's gone from grade to grade and doesn't seem to turn a hair.
“He looks good, his work has been good. There are no cracks appearing; he's still in good shape. He has to go beyond 2000m for the first time and that's always a challenge. His performance will decide what we do from there.”
Ible is excited about Barrengarry’s future
Kembla Grange trainer Joe Ible has a good problem. Where to place exciting 4-year-old gelding Barrengarry (Ghaiyyath {Ire}), who will run at Randwick on Saturday. The last start winner has won three of his six starts. “We’ll use the preparation to go through his grades and try and find out exactly what we have,’’ Ible told racingnsw.com.au.
“I think the step up to the mile is ideal now and it looked like a nice progression for him. If he can progress through this then up to 2000m and maybe we test him in a race like (the Rosehill Gold Cup). It’s not often for me in spring you’re looking at bigger race days and target races on those days. His upside his quite big, we don’t know where the ceiling is yet so it’s very exciting.
“Every race he really puts the ears back and wants to chase. You can’t train that into them, they’ve either got it or they don’t. He’s a real line chaser. It’s a good advertisement for what we can achieve as a stable given the opportunities and we’re hoping to capitalise on it.”
Coniston lives up to hype
Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-trained 3-year-old colt Coniston (NZ) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) lived up to the hype around him with a strong win at Matamata on Wednesday. “He franked his work and his trials,” Scott said.
Coniston (NZ) | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
“The team will be pleased with today to see his progress. He still has a lot to learn, he was still a bit raw in the race and is a bit keen, but once he calms down and gets it all together, we are hoping he can keep stepping up.
“We couldn’t be more pleased with today’s performance, and the beautiful ground out there won’t hurt him. Hopefully we can keep cracking on and get him to a nice 3-year-old race. He is in the Guineas and all roads lead there at this stage, it is just which path we take.”
Pair of 3-year-old winners for Ole Kirk
At Wednesday’s Caulfield Heath meeting, Ciaron Maher-trained 3-year-old colt Scarole (Ole Kirk) won his maiden by an impressive 3.25 lengths. “He’s very light in the mouth and sensitive. We went from a ring bit to a D bit and he’s improved from his last outing,” assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said.
“If he has the ability to stay on, we’re going to have some fun this spring. He’s going to be a fun horse, he’s always been an expressive playful horse, and patience has helped.” Flying Start Syndications and Ciaron Maher Racing paid $160,000 for him from North Bloodstock’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft.
Over in Perth, Michael Grantham-trained 3-year-old filly Treasured Legacy (Ole Kirk) won her maiden at her second start. The Peters Investment-owned filly is the first foal of Prized Miss (Dundeel {NZ}), a full sister to Group 3 winner Irukandji.
Debutant winner for Profiteer
Second season sire Profiteer added his 10th winner when debutant 3-year-old gelding Watchman won for trainers Barry Lockwood and Emma-Jane Vincent at Doomben. Part-owner D Hudson paid just $800 for him at the Inglis Digital October 2024 sale as a yearling. He is the second foal and first winner for Swatch (Bated Breath {GB}) who is a winning half-sister to Listed winner Zoumon (Zoustar).
St Mark’s Basilica gelding wins maiden
Second season sire St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) added a new Southern Hemisphere winner when Andrew Gluyas-trained 3-year-old gelding Tikkamos won his maiden at Balaklava on Wednesday. He is the second foal and second winner for Unbounded (Sebring) who is a winning half-sister to a trio of stakes placed winners being Weinholt (Stratum), Hardly Surprising (All Too Hard) and See Marie (Sebring).
Toronado (Ire) had a double at the same meeting with Strong Minded and Zuetoro.
Debutant winner for All Too Hard
Daniel Morton-trained 3-year-old gelding Roger (All Too Hard) launched his career in style with a 1.8 length victory on debut at Belmont on Wednesday. He is the only foal of seven-time winner Worth A Risk (Written Tycoon).
Sunday’s Sha Tin meeting cancelled
Sunday’s 10-race card at Sha Tin has been cancelled by the Hong Kong Jockey Club. “In view of the state funeral arrangements for the honourable Tung Chee-hwa, former vice-chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and the first chief executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and as a mark of respect for the occasion, the race meeting originally scheduled for Sunday at Sha Tin Racecourse will be cancelled,” the HKJC statement said.
“All off-course betting branches will be closed on September 20.”
Bowman has decision to make on hip injury
Jockey Hugh Bowman has a labral tear in his right hip and will require four months off if he elects to have surgery. His other option is to manage the injury through to December’s Hong Kong international meeting. “It appears I do have to have surgical treatment. It’s just a case of whether I have that now, but I’m weighing up my options,” Bowman told scmp.com.
Hugh Bowman | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“I can have the cortisone injection and be back sooner, but it will wear off eventually. I’m booked in for the cortisone injection on Monday, so I have until then to make the call. I want to get on with it, too. If we go down the surgical route, that’s got to be organised as well, so while I’ve got a bit of time on my hands, I thought I’d explore that option and see the logistics of that.
“I’d be looking at a four or five month recovery period for that, which means I’m back for the bulk of the second half of the season.”
Venetian Sun heads to Sceptre Sessions
The G1 Prix Morny and G1 Commonwealth Cup heroine Venetian Sun (Starman) is set to be one of the star attractions at the Tattersalls December Mares Sale, which takes place from Monday, November 30 to Thursday, December 3. The six-time winner will be offered as part of the fifth edition of the Sceptre Sessions.
Trained by Karl Burke for owners Tony Bloom and Ian McAleavy, Venetian Sun was beaten just once in five starts as a juvenile. “Venetian Sun is a genuine superstar,” said Burke. “I've never had another horse who worked like her. Even at two, she worked with my very best older sprinters and pulverised them one by one. She is a beautiful specimen and as good a racehorse as I have ever trained.”
Bred by Tally-Ho Stud, Venetian Sun is one of three winners from as many runners out of the four-time winner and dual Listed runner-up Johara (Iffraaj), with the others including the Listed Roses Stakes third Sir Yoshi (Mehmas). Johara, in turn, is out of an unraced half-sister to the Group 1 winners Mandaean (Manduro) and Wavering (Refuse To Bend), plus the G1 Fillies' Mile third Winters Moon (New Approach), the dam of the multiple Group 1-winning juveniles Earthlight and Shadow Of Light.
Arc opening ceremony joins Festival Of Nations
The first edition of the Festival of Nations will take place at ParisLongchamp during Arc Weekend on October 3-4.
Each nation will have its own paddock and visitors can show their support with flags, face painting, photo opportunities and giveaways. Each paddock will offer a different journey, with food tastings, workshops and activities offering an insight into the cultures represented. On the International Stage of the Festival, French Cancan, Amagasa, Irish and Bavarian dancing will take place throughout the two-day stand.
During the Festival of Nations, the Parade of Nations will bring the many countries represented together. Flag bearers, horses, teams, performers and fans will parade to the music of each country.
The inaugural Arc Opening Ceremony presented by Cygames will take place on the evening of Thursday, October 1. Both the G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and the G1 Qatar Arabian World Cup draws will be announced at Salle Wagram in Paris. By invitation only, the evening will bring together the connections of horses entered in the two major races, key figures from the racing industry, event partners, VIPs, and French and international media.
As announced last May, the draws for the starting gate positions for the Arabian World Cup and the Arc will take place on the morning of Thursday, October 1, conducted electronically and under the supervision of a judicial officer. The results will not be made public until the ceremony in the evening, again under the supervision of the judicial officer.
America’s top sprinter out for four months
Reigning Eclipse champion sprinter Book'em Danno (Bucchero), already expected to miss the Breeders' Cup, sustained more of an injury to his left front leg than originally thought when cast in his stall at Saratoga the night prior to the Aug. 29 GI Forego Stakes and will now be rested for approximately four months before returning for a 2027 campaign, according to a post on X by Paul Halloran.
“Book'em Danno sustained a hyper-extended left leg injury in a stall mishap resulting in a scratch the morning of the Forego Stakes at Saratoga, where he was the even-money favorite,” said Atlantic Six's managing partner Jay Briscione. “Diagnostic tests confirmed the injury to his left foreleg that will require about four months rest. 'Danno' has provided us with incredible excitement, and his efforts were rewarded with the Eclipse Award last year. Our priority is his long-term health, and we look forward to seeing him back on the track in 2027.”
IRT join global transport group
IRT, Mersant International, BBA Shipping & Transport and Manestream have joined forces to form a global group, they announced on Tuesday.
The group said in a statement, “Through this combination, our customers will benefit from our collective experience and expertise, as well as access to an expanded international network.
“Importantly, there will be no change to our customers' day-to-day experience. Each business will continue to operate under its own brand, led by the same active owners and teams you know and work with today. We are excited about the opportunities ahead and look forward to continuing to support our valued customers with the service they know and trust, now strengthened by a broader global network.
“Thank you for the trust you place in us to care for your horse and ensure its safe transportation.”
Weatherbys and the British Racing School team up
The British Racing School (BRS) has teamed up with Weatherbys Racing Bank to give the next generation of stable staff the skills and qualifications they need to build successful careers in the sport.
Under the new partnership, Weatherbys Racing Bank will help fund roving maths and English tutors who will provide support to BRS apprenticeship students at racing yards around the country.
“At a time when our industry continues to face shortages of stable staff, supporting young people to enter, qualify and progress within the sport has never been more important,” said British Racing School chief executive Andrew Braithwaite.
“Horse racing gives our students a career they're passionate about, a sense of purpose and a feeling of belonging. But they still need maths and English skills to thrive, alongside their vocational skills.
“Importantly, it isn't just a case of ticking boxes by gaining these necessary qualifications. It's about real skills, building confidence and helping young people fulfil their potential within the sport.”
Geroux remains in intensive care
Jockey Florent Geroux is still in the ICU at the University of Louisville Hospital after he was involved in a riding accident at Churchill Downs last Thursday afternoon. His agent Matt Nakatani said though in a Monday post on X that the rider is “in good spirits and under great care.”
Nakatani also confirmed that Geroux has broken ribs from the fall and is still being monitored for internal injuries. The tweet said, “We are hoping he can return home in the coming days.”
Geroux's mount in the fourth race, Flip Flop Freak (Life Is Good), unfortunately had to be euthanized. The 2-year-old colt was a Flying Dutchmen homebred trained by Brian Lynch.
Ivanovich awarded 2026 USA Farm Manager crown
Gainesway Farm's Sherri Ivanovich has been named the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers' Club (KTFMC) 2026 Ted Bates Farm Manager of the Year and will be honoured at the annual KTFMC Dinner Dance on Friday, December 4.
“As the president of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Farm Managers' Club,” said KTFMC President John Rasmussen, “I am delighted to see that Sherri is selected as the 2026 Ted Bates Farm Manager of the Year. I have watched and worked with her over the years as she worked her way up the ranks at Gainesway Farm. She is a tremendous asset to the Thoroughbred community.”
A part of the Thoroughbred industry since 1984, beginning at Kentucky farms before moving to the racetrack, primarily for trainer Kenny McPeek, Ivanovich eventually joined Graves Stables (later 505 Farms), where she worked closely with mentor Bill Graves. In 2002, she became Gainesway's assistant yearling manager, then yearling manager, and finally farm manager in 2021.
