Grant and Alana Williams disqualified for 12 months
WA stewards have disqualified trainers Grant and Alana Williams for 12 months in relation to Starry Heights (Star Turn) testing positive to banned substance ritalinic acid in a post-mortem swab after the horse was fatally injured in the Listed Kalgoorlie Cup.
“In consideration of the time their licences were suspended prior to granting a stay of proceedings in relation to that suspension (19 January 2026 to 16 February 2026), the period of disqualification will be adjusted by 29 days and will expire on 29 August 2027,” Racing WA stewards said.
Grant and Alana Williams | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“When determining penalty, the Stewards considered, among other things the plea of guilty to the charge and the personal considerations of Mr and Mrs Williams. Also the intent and purpose of the rule which is fundamental to maintaining the integrity of the racing industry and the nature of the substance detected, which is a metabolite of methylphenidate which is classified within the rules as a Prohibited List A substance.
The Williams intend to appeal the findings. We believe the penalty imposed is grossly excessive and disproportionate and does not properly reflect the circumstances surrounding this matter,” Grant and Alana Williams told owners in an email.
“We have instructed our legal counsel to immediately take the necessary steps to appeal this decision. We will also be seeking a stay of this disqualification pending the determination of that appeal.”
Seven runners as Waller attempts record seventh Epsom
Chris Waller has seven starters in Saturday’s G1 Epsom Handicap as he attempts a record-equalling seventh success in the race. The late Tommy Smith and his daughter, Gai Waterhouse, share the Epsom trainer's record with seven wins each.
“Autumn Boy’s run was very good the other day and he's come on nicely. His first-up run was good in the Memsie and then the Makybe Diva was good. He's ready to peak third-up,” Waller told racingandsports.com.au.
“He's proven himself at weight-for-age level and he's a multiple Group 1 winner so it would be a good string to his bow if we could pull it off. He's got a bit of weight. He's got the right form, hasn't he?”
Well Written draws perfectly for Epsom
Trainer Stephen Marsh was thrilled with barrier three in Saturday’s G1 Epsom Handicap for unbeaten mare Well Written (Written Tycoon). “I had just got off the plane and heard we'd drawn barrier three which is ideal,” Marsh told racenet.com.au.
“I'd been asked by a few people where I'd like to draw and I said around four so no complaints with three. She travels over Tuesday afternoon and I couldn't be happier with her. She had a nice little gallop on Monday and a canter this morning (Tuesday) and has ticked every box I asked.
Well Written | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
“Had we drawn out in 18 or 19 it would have taken the wind out of the sails because it just reduces your options. I'll have a chat to Zac (Lloyd) and see if he wants to come in and have a sit on her Thursday but I'm not really to fussed about it at the same time. She's a professional and so is Zac.”
Natural Fling set for Danehill showdown
The field for Saturday’s G2 Danehill Stakes is hotting up and Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained filly Natural Fling (Home Affairs) will take her place. “She's a sharp filly … and the job is always trying to slow her down, not make her go faster,” Calvin McEvoy told racenet.com.au.
“I thought her trial down the straight (last week) was exceptional, she's come through that well … her fitness is spot on.”
Sir Delius ready for G1 Turnbull challenge
Co-trainer Gai Waterhouse is thrilled with the condition of G1 Turnbull Stakes contender Sir Delius (GB) (Frankel {GB}). “I think I’ve got him spot on and Adrian’s done a fantastic job getting him ready to send down to me here,” Waterhouse told racing.com.
“I changed his work and made it short and sharp, just kept his mind on the job. He worked over five (furlongs), home two (furlongs), which is 1000m, home the last 400m, and he seemed to really enjoy it. His muscle tone has improved so much from his first-up run.”
Sir Delius (GB) | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
The Next Episode on song for Danehill
Ciaron Maher-trained $2.8 million yearling, now 3-year-old colt The Next Episode (Snitzel) will run in Saturday’s G2 Danehill Stakes. “He had a look down the straight on Thursday and chased Natural Fling who was out in front. For what we were there to do, which was essentially just have a look at the straight, we were extremely pleased. He ran pretty quick splits,” assistant trainer Jack Turnbull told racing.com.
“Physically, he’s come on and I’ve got a good feeling about him – he’s a talented animal and we’re looking forward to getting him back to the track on Saturday.”
Melbourne Cup first acceptances number 71
The first acceptances for this year’s G1 Melbourne Cup closed on Tuesday with 71 horses remaining. Ciaron Maher has 14 horses remaining while both Chris Waller and Joseph O’Brien have nine. Tony and Calvin McEvoy accepted with their defending champion Half Yours (St Jean {Ire}).
Ninja to be ridden more positively in Premiere Stakes
The Everest contender Ninja (Farnan) will be ridden more positively in Saturday’s G2 Premiere Stakes, the traditional lead-up race for the G1 The Everest. “I think in the Premiere we will see him back on top of the speed like he has been at his best,” jockey Tommy Berry told racingandsports.com.au.
“He loves to absorb that pressure and can sprint off it. We saw that first-up in the Missile. We tried something last start because he drew poorly and we're not disappointed in what we did because we had to take our medicine a little bit. It didn't work out. So, I think going forward you'll see us riding him a lot more positive like we have in the past.”
Ninja | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Currie given six month suspension
Retired trainer Mark Currie has been given a six-month suspension by stewards after Bavarian Lady (Ajaya {GB}) was disqualified after winning at Warwick on December 26, 2025 when a post-race urine sample detected the presence of phenylbutazone and oxyphenbutazone. “Stewards determined that a nine-month suspension of Mr Currie's licence to train be an appropriate starting point for this offence,” QRIC stewards said.
“With consideration given to Mr Currie's submission relative to the delay in hearing the matter and his co-operation throughout the inquiry, the suspension period was reduced to 6-months. Further, the 6-month suspension imposed on Mr Currie on 22 May 2025 and suspended for a 24-month period should he not reoffend under AR240(2) or any similar rule, was enlivened.
“When considering the principle of totality, Stewards ordered that both suspension periods be served concurrently (with a) 6-month suspension of his licence in full commencing midnight 3 September 2026 and expiring midnight 3 March 2027.” In March 2026 he announced his retirement and sold his operation to Billy Healey.
Debutant winner for Profiteer
Second season sire Profiteer added winner 11 when Andrew Dale-trained 3-year-old gelding The Shyster won on debut at Tatura on Tuesday. His trainer along with Mitchell Bloodstock (FBAA) paid $17,500 for him from Newgate Farm’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale draft. He is the first foal of Perlant (Exosphere) who is a winning half-sister to Listed winner Champ Elect (Choisir).
At the same meeting, Matt Laurie-trained 3-year-old filly I Am Algadon (I Am Immortal) won on debut. Chris Jackson paid $60,000 for her via Inglis Digital as a yearling. She is the second foal and second winner for Algadon Miss (Equiano {Fr}) who won four city races in Melbourne and five races in total. Algadon Miss is a half-sister to stakes placed Lucky Express (Toronado {Ire}).
Hong Kong Jockey Club investigate reduced turnover
Pari-mutuel wagering in Hong Kong has dropped for fifth time in six meetings causing the Hong Kong Jockey Club to begin an investigation into the reasons. “Our team is looking at the moment what the reasons are,” CEO Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges told scmp.com.
“We had some field size issues with the (Celebration Cup) – last time it was 14, this time nine. But the customers are much more selective and the last race was for the quality, disappointing – normally such a race would always be HK$190 [million], but it was HK$153 [million].
“The customer base from all the data we have is similar to last year, even a bit better, but it’s more product. Maybe overall, we are still OK, but I don’t like it if we don’t have sufficient liquidity in the local races.
“Even the commingling, you’ll see we need a better product. If we have races with five horses or six horses, it doesn’t work. So we have to do a little bit more work.
“There’s a certain level now with more product and that is always my concern – what’s the optimal number of product can we have? Or, you have to expand your customer base and we have not – it’s similar to last year.”
Gagliano announces retirement from The Jockey Club
James 'Jim' Gagliano will retire as president and chief operating officer of The Jockey Club effective January 1, 2027, it was announced today by Everett R. Dobson, chair of The Jockey Club. Charlotte Clement de Bona, currently the chief strategy and transformation officer, will become the chief operating officer effective January 1, 2027.
Gagliano joined The Jockey Club in 2005 as executive vice president and chief administrative officer and has served as president and chief operating officer since January 1, 2010. “On behalf of The Jockey Club and its board of stewards, I want to thank Jim for his extraordinary leadership and service over the past 21 years, especially his 16 years as president,” said Dobson.
“During his tenure, The Jockey Club advanced many of the most significant initiatives in modern Thoroughbred racing, and Jim helped position The Jockey Club as a driving force for positive change throughout the industry. His dedication, professionalism, and commitment to the long-term health and welfare of the Thoroughbred will leave a lasting positive impact on our sport.”
Daryz faces 18 rivals in Arc defence
At the latest forfeit stage, there are a total of 19 horses remaining in the G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at ParisLongchamp set for October 4.
Leading the group is defending champion Daryz (Sea The Stars) for Francis-Henri Graffard and the Aga Khan Studs. They also have G2 Prix Niel victor Varandir (Zarak), second to William Haggas's G1 Derby second Maltese Cross (Sea The Stars) in the G1 Grand Prix de Paris.
Kalpana (Study Of Man) has stood her ground for Andrew Balding after a season highlighted by victory in the G1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Stablemate Sunly (Night Of Thunder) is also among the entries, but she is contesting the G1 Prix Royallieu instead the day prior. G1 Oaks heroine Thundering On (Frankel) remains in contention for Joseph O'Brien.
Diamond Necklace (St Mark's Basilica) is one of three for Aidan O'Brien, along with Benvenuto Cellini (Frankel) and Minnie Hauk (Frankel), who found only Daryz too good 12 months ago.
Catalogue online for Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Yearling Sale
A total of 1615 yearlings have been catalogued for the 2026 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Sale, to be held across four sessions from Monday, Oct. 19 through Thursday, Oct. 22.
“Coming off record results in 2025, interest from sellers in Kentucky October has been overwhelmingly strong for this year's sale,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “Buyers will find an outstanding catalogue to work through, with quality yearlings at all levels of the marketplace.”
“Kentucky October is one of the hottest sales in the country in terms of graduate success,” continued Browning. “The front cover of this year's catalogue features five Grade I winners from the past year: Nysos (Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile and Metropolitan H.), Iron Orchard (Frizette S.), Listenupshance (Bing Crosby S.), So Happy (Santa Anita Derby), and Thought Process (Gamely S.).”
Vale Larry Roth
Laurence “Larry” Roth, who, along with his daughter Jaime and his wife Nanci, founded the racing and breeding operation LNJ Foxwoods, passed away Sunday at the age of 75. Roth had been battling cancer.
The name LNJ was derived from the first names of the three owners. Foxwoods is the name of the street where the Roth family resided in Great Neck, Long Island.
Roth co-founded Marchon Eyewear in 1983 with Al Berg and his brother-in-law, Jeff White. From its base in Melville, New York, Marchon grew into a global leader in licensed eyewear, with brands including Nike, Calvin Klein, Fendi, Coach, and Michael Kors. Roth, who most recently served as Co-President, oversaw the company's sales across the Western Hemisphere. In 2008, he and Berg sold Marchon to Vision Service Plan for a reported US$735 million (AU$1 billion). The cost to start the company was US$2 million (AU$2.86 million).
The plan was to buy well-bred fillies, race them, and retire them to a broodmare band, and it worked quickly. LNJ Foxwoods won its first graded stakes races in 2015, including the GI Frizette with Nickname (Scat Daddy). In 2016 LNJ Foxwoods won the GI La Brea with Constellation (Bellamy Road).
The stable's greatest success came with Covfefe (Into Mischief). In 2019, she capped off her season with a victory in the GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, which led to her being named champion filly sprinter and 3-year-old champion filly. Trained by Brad Cox, Covfefe became the first 3-year-old filly to earn Eclipse Awards as both champion 3-year-old filly and champion female sprinter in the same year.
On the same day that Roth passed away, Covfefe was back in the headlines. She is the dam of the impressive maiden winner Foxiest (Gun Runner), a filly who won a maiden race Sunday at Churchill Downs by 3.75 lengths and was named a 'TDN Rising Star’.
“My dad was always so appreciative of the relationships he made along the way,” said Jaime Roth. “There were people he never would have crossed paths with if he wasn't in the horse business.”
Klug returns to training in Germany
Four-time German champion trainer Markus Klug will resume his training career, according to Galopp Online. He will make a fresh start at Mulheim. Klug retired in February of 2025.
The trainer told Sport-Welt on Monday, “It's definitely clear that I'll start again and it's also definitely certain that it will be in Mülheim. When exactly it starts and in what framework will be decided within the next two weeks.”
Formerly the trainer at Gestut Rottgen from 2010 to 2023, Klug earned his four trainer championships in 2014, 2016, 2017 and 2018. He also saddled G1 Deutsches Derby heros-turned-sires Sea The Moon (2014), and the half-brothers Windstoss (2017) and Weltstar (2018). Sea The Moon stands at Lanwades Stud, Windstoss at Rottgen, and Weltstar at El Sur Racing Stud in Germany.
Marnane appointed Chair of BUCA
Amy Marnane has been elected chair of the Breeze-Up Consignors Association (BUCA), replacing Brendan Holland in that role with immediate effect. Her new vice chair is Thomond O'Mara of Knockanglass Stables, who succeeds John Cullinan.
Marnane, who runs the successful Bansha House Stables operation with her father Con, said, “I'm absolutely delighted and very proud to take on the role of chairperson of BUCA.
“The breeze-up sector has gone from strength to strength, producing more and more winners and, most importantly, top-level performers on the international stage. The quality of horses coming through the breeze-up sales continues to rise, and I think that's a real testament to the talented horsemen and women involved in our industry.
“I'd also like to take the opportunity to thank Brendan Holland and John Cullinan, who between them initially established the Breeze-Up Committee. Their incredible leadership, professionalism, foresight and dedication, much of it behind the scenes, is something that all breeze-up consignors and purchasers can be hugely proud of and thankful for.
“Alongside their committee members, Con Marnane, Malcolm Bastard and Jim McCartan, they put an enormous amount of work into establishing and developing the Association, and I think we all owe them a huge debt of gratitude for the foundations they have put in place for us to build on.”
Debutant winner added to Arc Sale
Debut winner Muataz (Showcasing) (lot 15) has been added to the Arqana Arc Sale as a wildcard on October 3.
The 2-year-old colt is out of Kodiac mare Falaj, herself a half-sister to stakes winner and the group-placed Fashion Queen (Aqlaam), as well as the dam of G1 July Cup hero and sire Mill Stream. Trained by Christophe Ferland, the colt won with authority on his debut, beating his rivals by 2.5 lengths in the Prix du Four A Chaux over 1600 metres at Bordeaux.
Canadian racetrack bought by investment firm
Highfield Investment Group Inc. has entered into an agreement to acquire Century Casinos' Racing Entertainment Centre operations in Edmonton and Calgary, expanding the company's footprint in gaming, hospitality and racing entertainment. The transaction does not include Century Casinos' other Alberta casino properties.
The acquisition adds established racing entertainment assets in a sector that continues to carry meaningful provincial economic impact. A 2019 study found Alberta's horse racing industry contributed C$311.7 million (AU$311.7 million) in total economic impact, including C$157.1 million (AU$157.1 million) in direct expenditures, while supporting 1506 full-time equivalent jobs across the province.
“We see strong long-term potential in these operations and believe they are an excellent strategic fit with our experience in hospitality, operations and horse racing,” said Adrian Munro, President of Highfield Investment Group. “We are making a significant investment in Alberta because we believe in the continued growth of this business and in the long-term value it can create.”
