A crack at The Everest for Joliestar
Cambridge Stud-owned multiple Group 1 winner Joliestar (Zoustar) could have a crack at the G1 The Everest if she runs well in Saturday’s G2 The Shorts. “We are slightly swinging in the dark with her at the moment because I don’t think any of us knows how much the trip has affected her,” Cambridge Stud chief executive Henry Plumptre told Loveracing.nz.
Joliestar | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“The trip this year was hampered by the fact that freight planes were not going through the Middle East to refuel, so she was 41 hours in the plane going up to Ascot and she was 32 hours coming home. Normally, that trip takes between 26 and 28 hours, so it had quite an impact on her.
“On the surface, she looks well, she has worked well, and Chris (Waller, trainer) is happy to go to the races with her. I think it is a good option to run her in a Group 2 first-up and see how she goes. If she runs really well on Saturday, and she would nearly have to win, and win well, we will push on and she will probably run in The Everest.
“If she doesn’t go to The Everest, it will mean she hasn’t run that well on Saturday, and she will be going to the paddock. They are in the breeding barn for a long time and touch wood she is sound at the moment, and she is very clean-winded. While she is well and is in Group 1 form, we thought we might as well give her another year. She will definitely retire next year.”
Ceolwulf not there to make up numbers
Jockey Chad Schofield believes Group 1 winner Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) can threaten Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) in Saturday’s 7 Stakes. “She’s going to be hard to beat but Ceolwulf is a very good horse and I think he’s going very well,” Schofield told racingnsw.com.au.
Chad Schofield | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“When you ride a horse of his quality you never expect anything less than winning. I left the races the other day first of all disappointed that he was beaten because he ran so well but moreso I was happy how he’s tracking for the big races later on. It was a slow speed, firm track, no blinkers and he still did what he did.
“We did the right thing by the horse but I just loved the way he ripped home the last 400m. He pulled many lengths off Lindermann and it was frustrating to get beaten.”
Grafterburners disadvantaged in The Shorts
Kelly Schweida-trained Grafterburners (Graff) is disadvantaged by the weights in Saturday’s G2 The Shorts, but he should still run well. “It’s a hot race and Joliestar has won $9 million in prizemoney and has only one kilogram more than us,” Schweida told racingqueensland.com.au.
Grafterburners | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
“They took her to England where she ran third in the Queen Elizabeth so she’s the logical danger. There are a few others in the race which go well including our Horse Of The Year Spicy Martini but I don’t know how we line up against her. Grafterburners has run against Ninja before when we beat him in the Pierata Plate at the Gold Coast and he’s another obvious danger.”
Unbelievable announced for 2026 season
Larneuk Stud have announced that Unbelievable (USA) will join the farm for the 2026 season, standing at a private fee. “His Hong Kong based owner was keen to give him an opportunity at stud given his pedigree and they contacted me about the possibility of standing him,” Larneuk Stud’s Neville Murdoch said.
“Their HK based bloodstock agent Lok Lor brokered the deal and his owner retains full ownership of the horse and will have 20 mares here on the farm to go to him. He is the only son of Justify standing in Victoria and is from a Group I winning mare by Galileo, so the bloodlines are all there for an owner breeder looking to dream big.”
The full brother to multiple Group 1 winner City Of Troy (USA) is well-travelled. He won twice in Europe before being sold to Hong Kong where he placed in the G3 Queen Mother Memorial Cup as a 4-year-old after running in Hong Kong’s prestigious 4-Year-Old Series. Unbelievable sustained a tendon injury and was sent to Anthony and Sam Freedman for rehabilitation where he had two starts before a recurrence of the injury led to his retirement.
A US$750,000 (AU$1.05 million) Keeneland September Yearling Sale graduate, he is one of five stakes horses produced by G1 Newmarket Fillies' Mile winner Together Forever (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
Four-time Group 1 winner City Of Troy, who stands at Coolmore for $49,500 inc GST, is his full brother, both being by Justify (USA). The other three stakes siblings are all by War Front (USA), being G3 Leopardstown Tyros Stakes winner Military Style (USA), G2 Leopardstown Champions Juvenile Stakes-placed Absolute Ruler (USA) and Listed Leopardstown Two Thousand Guineas Trial-placed King Of Athens (USA).
Equimillion entries up on 2025
Racing NSW announced that Equimillion has received 640 entries for 2026, an increase of 124 entries, or 24 per cent on 2025. “We said early on that we hoped Equimillion would become The Everest of the equestrian world and that is very quickly proving to be right,” Racing NSW Interim CEO Graeme Hinton said.
“The demand for retired Thoroughbred horses continues to grow and that is a testament to the athleticism and versatility of these wonderful animals. Through our partnerships with Pony Club NSW and Equestrian Australia, we will continue to grow this demand, whilst also establishing critical employment pathways for our industry.”
The event runs at Sydney International Equestrian Centre from Friday October 2 until Monday October 5.
Matcha Latte on unlikely Epsom pathway
Trainer Nacim Dilmi hopes Matcha Latte (Maurice {Jpn}) can show enough in Saturday’s G3 Bill Ritchie Handicap at Randwick to make a G1 Epsom Handicap dream a reality. “He'll be really hard to beat and that he's heading in the right direction,” Dilmi told racenet.com.au.
“I know he hasn't run a mile in quite some time but depending on how he goes on Saturday and how he pulls up, the Epsom will certainly be on the agenda. There's a few options in Melbourne as well and you've also got the Alan Brown Stakes in Sydney a week after that's worth quite a bit of money. But we will do what is best for the horse because it's potentially his last preparation before being retired.”
Half Yours given top weight for Melbourne Cup
Last year’s G1 Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours (St Jean {Ire}) has been allocated the top weight of 59kg for this year’s edition. “It's going to be a difficult weight to win with, no doubt. But Aeliana has to carry 58kg, which is what Makybe Diva carried,” co-trainer Calvin McEvoy told racenet.com.au.
Half Yours | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“It's difficult, it's not ideal, no doubt, obviously we'd prefer less, but I do understand why he's got it (59kg topweight).”
The situation was explained by Racing Victoria. “Sir Delius, a three-time Group 1 winner, stands out as the best performed horse and natural topweight for this year's Caulfield Cup, however his absence from the Melbourne Cup has necessitated two different sets of weights,” Racing Victoria's Head of Handicapping David Hegan said.
“Last year saw the introduction of a 1kg overall increase to the weight structure of both races where topweights must be assigned 59kg at the release of weights and the minimum weight for older horses is 51kg.
“Half Yours was the dominant Caulfield and Melbourne Cup champion in 2025 and has been weighted accordingly. He effectively rises 4.5kg from his Melbourne Cup performance before the additional 1.5kg was applied to ensure a 59kg topweight.”
Consistent Amplify ready for Cup challenge
Friday’s G3 Newcastle Gold Cup will be a special one for Newcastle local jockey Dylan Gibbons if he can win on Amplify (Microphone). “The favourite does look very hard to beat, so we probably have to hope he's having a bit of an off-day but Amplify has been racing ultra-consistent,” Gibbons told racenet.com.au.
“She ran third over 2400m last start so the 2300m is obviously no problem for her.”
Two from two for Miller
Trainer Imogen Miller took two runners to Launceston’s Wednesday night meeting and came home with two winners when both Lin Thizzy (Wordsmith) and Alfarino (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) saluted. “She (Lin Thizzy) was really good, and she got held up a little bit in the run to the line, and I think the horse that beat her (Alfarino) is pretty smart,” part-owner Brett Williams told tasracing.com.au.
“She’s got a bit of upside, and this breed needs time, but she’s really blossomed since her last run, so we’ll likely see her back here in two or three weeks’ time.”
New club president excited for Cup
The new President of the Mount Magnet Race Club Connor Jones is looking forward to Saturday’s Austin Metals Mount Magnet Cup. “We’re essentially the last sporting club in the whole town, so our race day means a lot us,” Jones said.
“It’s a huge day on the social calendar for Mount Magnet and it’s one of the only things we’ve got left as a social thing. The biggest thing for me is the social side of it, bringing the community together and putting something on for the town.
“When people come, they can expect a day of proper, traditional red-dirt racing. We stay true to our roots and it’s a chance for them to make some unforgettable memories.”
Tentyris half-sister wins on debut
Godolphin’s 3-year-old filly Parcae (Blue Point {Ire}) won on debut at Mornington on Thursday for trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman. She is a half-sister to dual Group 1 winner Tentyris who retired to stud in 2026.
Their dam, Deity (Exceed And Excel) is a city winning half-sister to Listed winner Maternal (Street Cry {Ire}).
Debut winner for Splintex
Second season sire Splintex celebrated winner number eight when Jason Miller-trained 3-year-old filly Angel Express won on debut at Bunbury on Thursday. She is a half-sister to Group 3 winner and Group 1-placed Admiration Express (My Admiration) and stakes placed pair of Fred Dag (Patronize) and Janaura (Safeguard).
At the same meeting, Grant and Alana Williams-trained 3-year-old gelding God Be Quick (Playing God) won on debut.
New winner for Portland Sky
At Illawarra Grange on Thursday, second season sire Portland Sky added winner number eight when Nathan Doyle-trained 3-year-old colt Slander resumed with a victory. He placed at his only start at two. Doyle Racing and Mitchell Bloodstock (FBAA) paid $180,000 for him from Widden Stud’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft.
He is the second winner for Gossip Queen (Not A Single Doubt) who is an unraced half-sister to WA sire I’m All The Talk and Listed winner Straturbo (Stratum).
At the same meeting, 3-year-old colt Punxsutawney Phil (Ole Kirk) took his record to two from two with victory for trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton.
New winner for Wild Ruler
Second season sire Wild Ruler celebrated winner number 19 when Chris and Corey Munce-trained 3-year-old gelding Langan won his maiden at the Gold Coast on Thursday. Placed at two, he was having his fourth start. Langan was sold by Kingstar Farm at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale to Munce Racing for $30,000.
He becomes the second winner for Supreme Mind (Akeed Mofeed {GB}) who is an unraced half-sister to stakes winners Sneaky Five (Fastnet Rock) and Beautiful Mind (So You Think {NZ}).
Fayette Park purchased by South African interests
Craig Ramsay, acting on behalf of the principal of South Africa’s leading wagering operator Hollywoodbets, has brokered a deal for Hollywoodbets to buy Fayette Park in New Zealand. “Owen (Heffer) firmly believes that a good South African horse is as good as any in the world, but he also appreciates what a country like New Zealand has to offer,” Ramsay told Loveracing.nz.
“The purchase of Fayette Park represents an investment that will allow us to breed horses here with a view to racing them internationally.
“We’ve already raced a handful from the first batch we bought in 2025. A filly by The Autumn Sun, purchased at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, won her first start as the short-priced favourite, and an Almanzor colt from Karaka named One Eye On Dubai has finished fourth and second in his first two starts.”
Whyte and Purton combine for double at Happy Valley
On Wednesday night, trainer Douglas Whyte and jockey Zac Purton scored a brace with Young Arrow (Showtime) and Live Wire (Tassort). “I think he’s enjoyed the break. He’s certainly strengthened up physically,” Whyte told scmp.com of Live Wire.
“Mentally he’s not quite there yet but as Zac said, he had a good time of it tonight out in front and when Zac asked him the question, he really quickened up well. He’s putting things together, but he’s still very immature.
“Physically he’s improved and you can now train him, whereas before he was very fragile. Mentally, I hope the penny drops and when it does, he’ll certainly improve.”
Young Arrow was the first leg of a double for Showtime, who also sired Pope Cody who took his record to five wins.
Group 1-placed Bright Light added to Arqana Arc Sale
Bright Light (City Light), who was beaten just a neck when filling the runner-up spot behind Tiffany in last month's G1 Grosser Preis von Berlin at Hoppegarten, has been added to the catalogue for the Arqana Arc Sale, which takes place on Saturday, October 3.
Trained by Andreas Suborics for Stall Melfi, Bright Light was last seen finishing third in the G1 Grosser Preis von Baden won by Saddadd. The 3-year-old has a current rating of 114 and will be offered as lot 43 with an entry in the G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe the following afternoon.
Bright Light is one of 10 wildcards for the Arc Sale, with the others including the Listed winner Chestnut Rocket (Intello) (lot 50), who will also be sold with an entry in the Arc after finishing second in the G2 Grand Prix de Deauville on his most recent start. Consigned by Alicja Karkosa, the 4-year-old colt has a rating of 113.
Vale Annette O’Callaghan
A light has gone out at Yeomanstown Stud with the news that Annette O'Callaghan has passed away following an illness. She was 72.
Alongside her husband Gay, Annette purchased Yeomanstown Stud in 1981. Top-class graduates of the farm include the great stayer Vinnie Roe as well as dual Nunthorpe heroine Mecca's Angel. No horse flew the flag for the O'Callaghan family quite like Dark Angel who, having been bred on the farm, returned home to Yeomanstown upon the completion of his racing career to become a champion stallion.
However, Annette's greatest legacy, according to close family friend and Manister House Stud boss Luke Barry, will be her four sons – David and Robert, who are the driving forces behind Yeomanstown, as well as Guy, who operates under Grangemore Stud and Peter, the owner of Woods Edge Farm in Kentucky.
“We all appreciate the success of Yeomanstown and the empire that Gay and Annette have built from the bottom up, but for me, her real legacy will be her four boys,” Barry said on Wednesday morning.
“I am lucky enough to have known Annette for most of my life because I went to school in Kildare and spent a lot of time in Yeomanstown when I was younger. There are a lot of amazing things you can say about Annette and Gay but, irrespective of the success they have enjoyed, her real legacy will be her family. They are a very unique group – they are very close, extremely hard-working, you'd want to be drawn beside them at dinner and if your daughter was marrying one of them, you'd be thrilled. That's her real legacy – those four boys are a credit to Gay and Annette. She was their rock.”
Gambling loss recouping bill passes next phase
The Full House Act, a bill to reinstate the rules for wagering losses which were changed with the passage of the Big Beautiful Bill in July, 2025, passed out of the House Ways and Means committee on Wednesday and now heads for a vote on the floor of the House of Representatives.
Traditionally, gamblers could deduct their losses up to 100 percent of their winnings. The massive tax and spending bill known as the Big Beautiful Bill capped those gambling loss deductions to 90%. Racing industry leaders have been working towards restoring the traditional rule ever since.
The new bill would reverse the current 90 percent limitation on wagering-loss deductions and restore the longstanding rule allowing taxpayers to deduct wagering losses up to the amount of their winnings. Under the existing statute, someone with US$10,000 in winnings and US$10,000 in losses could still owe taxes on US$1,000 in income despite having no net winnings.
Tom Rooney, the President of the NTRA, was at the vote on Wednesday, and posted a video on Instagram as he was leaving the meeting.
“I'm just leaving the committee vote for Ways and Means,” he said. “That's the committee that handles all of the tax legislation. They just voted pretty convincingly on House Resolution 10357 to restore the gambling tax back to 100 percent. As you know, from the Big Beautiful Bill, they changed it to 90%.”
AMO Racing backs Mullins
Kia Joorabchian has voiced his support for Emmet Mullins after confirming that a pair of Amo Racing runners, Dallas Star (Cloth Of Stars) and Square Necker (Zarak), have joined the Grand National-winning trainer ahead of his upcoming move to Glebe House in Coolcullen.
Kia Joorabchian | Image courtesy of Tattersalls
It was reported last week that Mullins and chief supporter Paul Byrne had teamed up to purchase Jim Bolger's long-time base at Glebe House, with the 36-year-old outlining his plans to focus more on the Flat in the years to come.
Describing Mullins as a “very bright young trainer”, Joorabchian has already sent him three horses as part of the new venture, with Dallas Star, formerly trained by Robson Aguiar, and Square Necker, last seen finishing down the field in the Ebor for Kevin Philippart de Foy, being joined by a yearling recently purchased at the Tattersalls Somerville Yearling Sale.
“He's obviously a very bright young trainer and, you know how we are, we like to support these guys,” said Joorabchian. “Paul [Byrne] has also put in a significant investment. He's doing a great job there with Paul, who is supporting as well.
“So, we decided to give him a little bit of support and, hopefully, succeed and prevail. They're two [Dallas Star and Square Necker joining Mullins] and we've given him a yearling as well, a Flat horse that we've got in partnership. So, he'll have three and then probably a couple more. We'll probably have four or five with him at the end of it.”
Palace Pier breeding right tops Tattersalls Digital
A breeding right in Darley's Palace Pier (lot 194) topped the Tattersalls Online September sale which ended on Wednesday.
J & A Young Racing snapped up the breeding right for 48,000gns (AU$94,700). The 9-year-old son of Kingman is responsible for six stakes winners led by G2 Lowther Stakes heroine Royal Fixation, while Southend, Dr Omran, and A Bit Of Spirit have found success in Group 3s.
Second on the buyers' sheet was the Raven's Pass mare Sirya Star (lot 177). Offered by Rathbran House Stud, the winning half-sister to G2 Superlative Stakes and G3 Greenham Stakes hero and G1 French Guineas second Isaac Shelby is in foal to group sire Bayside Boy. She was purchased by The Dell Bloodstock for 31,000gns (AU$61,000).
American Belle, a Starspangledbanner half-sister to star runner Ombudsman (Night Of Thunder) in foal to Lead Artist, did not meet her reserve and was a buy-back for 580,000gns (AU$1.1 million).
The Horsemans Way launches in the UK
The Horseman Way, a leadership development experience that utilises Thoroughbred horses, is coming to The National Stud in Newmarket.
Founded by Gaurav Rampal in 2023 in India, this programme has proved to be highly successful with corporate leaders in all sectors and professional sports organisations and uses the unique insight of thoroughbred horses to help senior business leaders strengthen authentic leadership, build trust, and achieve strategic alignment.
Rampal said, “I am delighted to bring the Horseman Way to the UK and to work with the team at The National Stud who are able to provide superb facilities and top-quality thoroughbreds.
“Eileen Harte, who has huge experience working in the bloodstock industry, is also a qualified psychotherapist and transformational coach and we will work together to deliver The Horseman Way in the UK.”
