Asian Racing Federation ratifies black type changes
The Asian Racing Federation announced, on Thursday, a range of changes to Australia’s black type racing. The G1 Sydney Cup and G1 Queensland Derby were considered from downgrade but will remain at Group 1 level for 2026/27.
The Apollo Stakes will be upgraded from Group 2 to Group 1, while both the Blue Diamond Prelude (c&g) and Fred Best Classic will become Group 2. A further seven races were upgrade to Group 3 being the Desirable Stakes, Talindert Stakes, Darby Munro Stakes, Moomba Plate, Fernhill Handicap, Gold Coast Bracelet, and Juanmo Stakes.
Six races were considered for upgrades but will remain at the same status for 2026/27. These are the G3 Eskimo Prince Stakes, G3 Sky High Stakes, Listed Fireball Quality, Listed Randwick City Stakes, Listed Dalrello Stakes and Listed Lord Mayor's Cup.
Six non-black type races have been granted black type, led by the G2 The Quokka. The others are the G3 Magic Millions The Buffering, Listed Magic Millions Pierata Plate, Listed TAB Magic Millions Sunlight 3yo Plate, Listed Marjorie Charleson Classic and Listed The Joey. The Listed Rock Magic Stakes and R.Listed Magic Millions National Classic were also granted black type but at a lower level than requested by Racing Australia.
Five races were downgraded being the G3 Adelaide Cup (down from Group 2), G3 ATC Chairman’s Handicap (down from Group 2), G3 WATC Derby (down from Group 2), G3 Brisbane Cup (down from Group 2) and Listed Launceston Cup (down from Group 3).
Freedman hoping to knock over hot favourite
Trainer Michael Freedman has two runners in the G1 Golden Rose and hopes to knock over hot favourite Guest House (Home Affairs). Castillo King (Farnan) is rated a $51 chance and Berzelius (Extreme Choice) even longer at $81. “Castillo King just can't seem to draw a barrier,” Freedman told racingandsports.com.au.
“In The Rosebud, Run To The Rose and now the Golden Rose he has drawn double figures every start. But I'm very happy with him, I think he is in good order.
Michael Freedman | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“I've been very happy with both Berzelius’ lead-up runs. The visors go on for the Golden Rose and he wore them when he won the Sires in Queensland. He has been a bit disadvantaged in the shorter-course races but sectionally he has run extremely well and the 1400m suits him.
“I think Castillo King and Berzelius can both make their presence felt on Saturday.”
Tricky draw for Verona Rose
Gary Portelli-trained Verona Rose (Castelvecchio) has drawn nine for the G2 Golden Pendant on Saturday. “I was really pleased with her first-up run and she normally takes a lot of improvement into her second-up run,” Portelli told racenet.com.au.
“She loves the 1400m and she definitely has the class to be winning a race of this quality but I would have loved it if she just drew a better gate. It does make it tricky drawing nine of nine so she probably won't get the economical run that I would have hoped but she gets there in good order. It's very important at Rosehill not to get trapped wide so we might have to just take our medicine and go back.”
Vale Daisy Jean King
Daisy Jean King has died aged 98. A familiar face in Victorian jockey’s rooms, Jean King was married to trainer Frank King. “On behalf of the Victorian Jockeys Association and the wider riding cohort, we are deeply saddened by the passing of Mrs King,” Victorian Jockeys Association CEO Matt Hyland told racing.com.
“Anyone who spent time in a Victorian jockeys’ room would have a story about Mrs King. She had a remarkable ability to connect with people and was adored by generations of Victorian jockeys.
“She dedicated decades of service to Victorian racing, but she was far more than a familiar face around the jockeys’ room. She was a constant source of kindness, care and support, and someone who genuinely looked after every rider who walked through the doors, whether they were established stars or apprentices just starting their careers.
“She will be remembered with enormous fondness, and on behalf of all Victorian riders we extend our sincere condolences to her family and loved ones. Her loss will be felt by so many.”
Jockey Darren Gauci had plenty of good memories of Mrs King. “Mrs King was an absolute ripper. She looked after all the jockeys unbelievably well and she genuinely cared - there was no length she wouldn’t go to in order to help one of us,” Gauci said.
“She was like a mother figure to all the apprentices who stayed there with her and Frank. I was apprenticed to Frank and whenever I stayed there the bed was always made, everything was always clean and there’d be a meal cooked for you every night. And whenever you were in trouble with the boss, she was the mediator – she’d fix it!
“One of my favourite Mrs King stories was when someone tried to rob her purse at Sandown train station, but she chased him down and whacked him over the head with an umbrella. She was only little, but she was a tough bugger! Everybody loved Mrs K and the world is a poorer place without her in it.”
Saunders appointed RWWA Interim CEO
On Thursday, Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) Board announced that Mike Saunders has been appointed the Interim Chief Executive Officer. “The Board has confidence in Mike’s leadership and his ability to guide RWWA through the opportunities and challenges ahead,” RWWA Board Chair Karen Farley SC told racingwa.com.au.
“Mike has been a key member of RWWA's Executive Team and brings more than 25 years' experience across both racing and wagering. His experience, leadership and deep understanding of our organisation make him the right person to lead RWWA through its next chapter.”
Surfin’ Bird looks the part for Golden Pendant
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Surfin’ Bird (The Autumn Sun) is only lightly raced but will take on the G2 Golden Pendant on Saturday. “It will be a tough race for her first-up, and she will be better suited when she gets out to the mile, but I thought she'd been trialling up well,” Bott told racingandsports.com.au.
“She had a great campaign in the winter. We will probably head down to Melbourne with her after this.” She has won five of her nine starts.
Surfin' Bird | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
Heys excited about Freshman
Bryce Heys-trained 3-year-old colt Freshman (NZ) (Wild Ruler) will debut in Saturday’s G3 Heritage Stakes at Randwick. “The reason we've always liked him is the way he works,” Heys told racingandsports.com.au.
“When you teach him something, he's always wanted to come to the party. It's obviously a big ask on Saturday, but he's in great order and he's a lovely horse. He has always been a touch immature, but he's always had a sharp level of ability and just physically gotten stronger each time he's been in work.”
Brave Monarch set for Weetwood
Co-trainer Chris Munce would love to win the Listed Weetwood Handicap and his first runner is Brave Monarch (Brave Smash {Jpn}) on Saturday. “I was only a kid in my teens when I won on Count Henri as an apprentice and I also won it on Poor Judge for Norm Hilton,” Munce told racingqueensland.com.au.
“Brave Monarch will be my first starter in the race as a trainer and it’s a nice race for him to kick off his spring campaign. He’s been in work long enough and has had a barrier trial and a jump-out. But, he’s never won first-up and he has a few things against him, including his big weight.”
Brave Monarch | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
Tuxedo favourite for G1 Howden Insurance Mile
Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray-trained Tuxedo (NZ) (Tivaci) is the favourite for Saturday’s G1 Howden Insurance Mile in New Zealand. “He is going fantastic. We took him to Ellerslie for an exhibition gallop on Saturday, and you only do that with your horses when they are eating well enough, happy enough and having a play around the paddock enough to get rid of that bit of excess energy they are showing around the place,” Ritchie said.
“To have the luxury of being able to do that was ideal. He had a cruisy gallop up there with Opie (Bosson, jockey) on board and I would say both Tuxedo and his jockey will be much improved from the Proisir.”
Milestone knocking for Dodson
Coffs Harbour trainer Brett Dodson sits on 397 career wins and will take a team of four to Lismore on Friday, led by Lismore Cup runner House Of Cards (Exceed And Excel). “We drew wide at Tuncurry and went back and they absolutely crawled,” Dodson said of his last start.
“The run had more merit than what it looks on paper, he worked home well, but he was never a chance with how slow they went up front. Hopefully they will run along a bit more on Friday and he gets a bit of cover somewhere and that gives him a chance to peel out and run-on down the straight.
“I think he's a rough chance, he has done everything right and he was in really good form before his last run which, as I said, is better than it looks on paper.”
The Local stays unbeaten
Matthew Dale-trained 3-year-old gelding The Local (Acrobat) took his record to two from two at Goulburn on Thursday. Originally sold by Morning Rise Stud for $10,000 at the Inglis Great Southern Sale, he was pinhooked by Willow Park Stud into the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale where Kurrinda Bloodstock and MJD Racing paid $130,000 for him.
He is the third foal and third winner for Musicmaker (All Too Hard) who is a winning half-sister to Listed winner Just As Sharp (NZ) (Swiss Ace).
New winner for Palace Pier
Victorious at Hawkesbury on Thursday, Brad Widdup-trained 3-year-old Lion Hunt became a new winner for second season sire Palace Pier (GB) who shuttled here for one season. Lion Hunt ran third at his only start at two and was resuming here.
New winner for Victor Ludorum
Former shuttle horse and second season sire Victor Ludorum (GB) added a new winner when 3-year-old colt Hillbilly Elegy won at Hawkesbury for Team Hawkes on Thursday. He was having his second start having placed on debut.
His year older half-brother is Listed winner Options (Impending) and is out of unraced Alternatively (New Approach {Ire}).
Noverre adds new winner
At Moe on Thursday, second season sire Noverre (NZ) added winner number five when Chris Waller-trained Jean Georges (NZ) won. He becomes the second winner for Group 1 winner Bonneval (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) who is a half-sister to five other stakes winners.
Bonneval’s half-siblings are Group 2 winner Lord Arthur (Camelot {Ire}), Group 3 winners Full Of Spirit (Flying Spur), Lady Cumquat (Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}), Imposing Lass (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) and Listed winner The Frontman (NZ) (Makfi {GB}).
At the same meeting, Gavin Bedggood-trained 3-year-old gelding Fervently (Rebel Dane) won on debut.
New winner for Jonker
Second season sire Jonker added winner number eight when Tony Gollan-trained 3-year-old filly Night Market won at Warwick on Thursday. She was having her fourth start. One Syndications, Gollan Racing and John Foote Bloodstock paid $75,000 for her from Lyndhurst Stud Farm’s Magic Millions March Yearling Sale draft.
She is the first foal of Island Daze (Written Tycoon) who won four times.
All the doubles at Happy Valley
Capitalist and Starspangledbanner both sired a double at Happy Valley among a quartet of human doubles for the night. Trainers David Eustace and David Hall as well as jockeys Jerry Chau and Vincent Ho all celebrated doubles at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.
Eustace and Chau won with Red Brick Warrior (Gold Standard) and Akermanis Gold (Capitalist). “Red Brick Warrior’s been slow away in most of his races, but we’ve done a lot of work at home to get him to jump, so I’m grateful for the stalls’ team to persevere and when he jumped well, we were keen to be positive,” Eustace told scmp.com.
“I think he’s capable of being competitive in Class Four – we’ve always felt that and he’s shown that previously too.”
Hall won with Bits Superstar (Capitalist) and Brownneedsfurther (Needs Further), while Ho won aboard Jumbo Blessing (Starspangledbanner) and Fortune Son (U S Navy Flag {USA}). Starspangledbanner’s other winner was Prestige Always (Ire).
Keeneland passes record gross with three days to go
With US$18,485,000 (AU$26.2 million) in through-the-ring sales on Wednesday, the ninth of 12 sessions of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, the cumulative gross reached US$511,680,500 (AU$727 million) to exceed the total of US$510,539,900 (AU$725.6 million) in through-the-ring sales for the entire 12-day auction last year.
A pair of yearlings led the Book 5 opener, bringing US$250,000 (AU$355,000) apiece. Midway through Wednesday's session, a colt by Dialed In (Hip 3093) was secured by Kimmel/Sallusto, signing on behalf of Nick Sallusto's Thorostock. Later in the day, a filly by Army Mule (Hip 3178) matched that price when selling to agent Gracie Bloodstock.
Since the September Sale began Sept. 14, Keeneland has sold 2,027 horses through the ring for an average of US$252,432 (AU$358,700) and a median of US$150,000 (AU$213,000). The gross is 4.93% above the same period last year, when 2,074 yearlings brought US$487,624,500 (AU$693 million). The average is 7.37% higher than US$235,113 (AU$334,000) in 2025, while the median equals last year's figure. RNAs increased slightly from 677 to 680 this year.
“To already surpass last year's entire through-the-ring gross with three sessions still to go speaks volumes about the strength of this market and the quality of the horses here,” Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy said. “None of this happens without the breeders and consignors who bring these horses to Keeneland and the buyers who support the sale from start to finish. We're grateful for everyone who continues to believe in this marketplace and make it what it is. We've still got three days to go, so we're looking forward to seeing where we finish.”
On Wednesday, the session produced double-digit increases across the board. A total of 295 yearlings sold for an average of US$62,661 (AU$89,100) and a median of US$50,000 (AU$71,100). The average jumped 23.28% from last year's US$50,827 (AU$72,200), while the median was 25% higher than 2025’s median of US$40,000 (AU$56,900). The RNA increased by 1.64% to 62 for the session.
Study Of Man colt makes €330,000 at Tattersalls Ireland
Less than a week after high-profile graduate Nabati (Night Of Thunder) flew the flag for Forenaghts Stud with victory in the G2 Mill Reef Stakes, a Study Of Man colt bred by Tony Smurfit's famous nursery set pulses racing at the Tattersalls Ireland September Yearling Sale when selling to Paddy Twomey on behalf of Bond Thoroughbreds for €330,000 (AU$534,000).
To say the Study Of Man colt stood out in the sale would be an understatement. Fairyhouse had been abuzz since Tuesday with just about everyone throwing in their tuppence worth about what the colt might make in the ring. In the end, it was quite a pretty penny – roughly €40,000 (AU$64,700) less than the previous £325,000 (AU$642,000) record price paid for a Teofilo colt when this sale took place at Newmarket in 2020 due to Covid.
The Part 1 session concluded with a clearance rate of 87% while last year's record turnover and average only dropped by 2%. A whopping 33 horses sold for six figures, which was up by eight on last year.
Tattersalls Ireland CEO Simon Kerins commented, “We have experienced exceptionally strong trade throughout the two days, further reinforcing the September Yearling Sale's position as the most progressive yearling sale in the calendar. While last year's record-breaking turnover of €18.7 million represented an outstanding benchmark and was always going to be hard to match, nonetheless we went so close to reaching those heady heights and this year we have seen significant progress across a number of key indicators, underlining the continued growth and stature of this sale.
“33 yearlings realised €100,000 or more, surpassing last year's record figure of 25. We also achieved a new high for the number of lots selling for €200,000 and above, while a record price for a filly was established when the sale-topping filly realised €245,000 to Rabbah Bloodstock. These figures are a clear reflection of the depth, quality and continued demand for the stock presented at this sale. The clearance rate despite the extra numbers catalogued was impressive, at 87%.
“I was confident that we had assembled our strongest September Yearling Sale catalogue to date and the results over the past two days have more than justified that confidence. The consistent demand for quality yearlings, together with the depth of competition at all levels of the market, demonstrates the strength of both the catalogue and the sale itself.”
Sippican Harbor heads to Keeneland Breeding Sale
Keeneland will sell GI Spinaway Stakes winner and producer Sippican Harbor (Orb), dam of millionaire and GI Florida Derby winner Commandment, in Book 1 of the November Breeding Stock Sale on Tuesday, November 3. In foal to Into Mischief, she is carrying a full sibling to Commandment.
Her weanling colt by McKinzie also will be offered in Book 1. Both horses will be consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency.
“Sippican Harbor has been incredibly special to us, first as a Grade I winner and now through what she has accomplished as a broodmare,” owner Lee Pokoik said. “Watching Commandment develop into a Grade I winner has been tremendously rewarding, and with another full sibling on the way, we felt this was the right time to offer her at Keeneland. We're excited to see what the next chapter holds for her.”
IFHA conference to be held in Paris in October
The 60th International Conference of Horseracing Authorities (ICHA) will be held at Le Meridien Paris Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France on October 5, the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) announced on Wednesday.
This year's milestone Conference will reflect on the major achievements of the IFHA across six decades before focusing on the future of racing across the globe. The keynote address will be delivered by Princess Zahra Aga Khan, and sports television presenter Rishi Persad will serve as the moderator for the Conference.
“For 60 years, delegates with a passion for racing have gathered to share ideas and promote international cooperation with a view to advancing the sport,” said IFHA Chair Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges. “It is important that we look back on the key successes of the IFHA while also examining the state of racing as it is today. By combining a look at the past and the future, we hope to engage and inspire our members as we strive to improve international racing for many more decades to come.”
Vale Dr Thomas Riddle
Dr. W. Thomas “Tom” Riddle, who as co-founder of Rood & Riddle quietly threaded his name into the daily fabric of horse country, died September 20 after a long illness. He was 74.
This was not a case of nominative determinism: seldom has a Riddle been so straightforward. However understated his character, there was nothing elusive about one whose veterinary expertise was harnessed to equally exceptional integrity and courtesy.
“The first word that comes to mind is 'gentleman,'” said his old friend, John Williams. “Tom was a quiet giant. Very reserved in his demeanor, very professional, wore a necktie—but just a pleasure to be around, a wonderful, hard-working guy and so highly respected. My God, he was a talent. To think how he and Bill Rood started out, operating out of Bill's garage in Chevy Chase, Lexington. Today Rood and Riddle is arguably the most highly respected equine surgery in this country, if not the world.”
He served as president of the Kentucky Association of Equine Practitioners, the Society for Theriogenology, and the Theriogenology Foundation. He received the Steiner Award for Excellence in the Practice of Theriogenology, and honorary membership of the American College of Theriogenologists. He was recognized as a Friend of the University of Kentucky Ag Equine Programs, UGA College of Veterinary Medicine Dean's Distinguished Service Award, and the Distinguished Educator-Mentor Award from the American Association of Equine Practitioners. In 2023, he was appointed to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission.
To many, his greatest distinctions were less formal: as a family man, above all, and a professional mentor. In his own career, however, perhaps his single greatest service came in 2001, during the terrifying outbreak of what became known as Mare Reproductive Loss Syndrome.
