Guineas dream for South Australian breeder
Breeder and owner John McKinnon will achieve a dream when Pretty Baby (Barbados) runs in Saturday’s G1 Thousand Guineas. “She’s there, she’s fit and well, and I think she’ll acquit herself very well. Every run this preparation has had something special about it,” McKinnon told racingsa.com.au.
Pretty Baby | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“I always breed to get a city winner. You get one this good, it’s all come along as a bit of a surprise. The family’s having great fun with her, so we just thought we’d kick (the offer) along. This horse was foaled 100 yards from my kitchen window. Having them from a foal, it’s a bit like being a parent rather than the school teacher. You get very fond of them.”
All Everest runners pass fit
Racing NSW announced that all runners in the G1 The Everest passed their pre-race veterinary inspection. “All runners engaged in The TAB Everest to be run at Royal Randwick tomorrow, Saturday 17 October 2026, have undergone official veterinary inspections on Monday and again today,” said the press release.
“No veterinary concerns were identified during either inspection, with all runners deemed suitable to race.”
All bar one pass Caulfield Cup vet test
All 22 final acceptors for Saturday’s G1 Caulfield Cup have been inspected by Racing Victoria veterinarians, with Ciaron Maher-trained Saint George (GB) (Roaring Lion {USA}) the only runner requiring a further examination on race day.
Randwick track upgraded after Friday sunshine
With no rain on Friday, Australian Turf Club's General Manager of Racecourses Michael Wood and the Randwick course manager David Anderson have upgraded the surface at Randwick to a soft 7. “There are scattered showers coming in off the coast and it's a bit of a guessing game if they are going to hit or miss us,” Wood told racenet.com.au.
“There's not much in them, but hopefully they keep missing us. So far, so good, we haven't got any since early this morning. If we don't get any more, I'd say we'll be kicking off on a (soft) seven.”
Ole Kirk share leads Inglis Digital catalogue
The latest Inglis Digital catalogue opened on Friday and is led by a share in hot young sire Ole Kirk as well as a share in Better Than Ready. Chris Waller-trained 3-year-old colt Confederation (Wootton Bassett {GB}) who is a stakes placed maiden heads the racehorse entries, and he’s joined by stakes placed Queen Of Clubs (Maurice {Jpn}).
The October (Late) catalogue consists of 266 lots – 139 racehorses (60 race fillies), 72 racehorse shares, 28 broodmares, 13 2-year-olds, seven yearlings, five unraced stock and two stallion shares.
Soft track to suit Blue Door
Bjorn Baker-trained 3-year-old filly Blue Door (Stay Inside) runs in The Everest and her trainer isn’t bothered by the wet. “Blue Door won her first start on a soft (7) track at Randwick in the Kindergarten Stakes,” Baker told racingandsports.com.au.
“She has the residual fitness and has no weight so from that point of view we feel she can skip over the track. I think she is going really well but it is hard to be confident in a race like this.”
Owner John Singleton explained her name. “(Daughter) Jess was living at Notting Hill in London at the time and I went to visit her last year,” Singleton said.
“I noticed all the doors in her street were painted blue and when Jess went out, I thought why not paint her door red. But when Jess came home, she wasn't happy and suspected it was me. So, I had to have the door painted blue again.”
Beadman set for Sydney Stakes
Peter Snowden-trained 4-year-old entire Beadman (Snitzel) could be targeted at next year’s The Everest, but this year runs in the G2 Sydney Stakes. “He needs a good race under his belt, there’s no doubt about that,” Snowden told racingnsw.com.au.
“He’s put in some good performances but he needs a good win and this race would go a long way to getting him where we want to be. The last really heavy track he raced on was that day at the Gold Coast and he put a margin on them that day, he handled it well. It’s in the back of my mind he’s never been on that sort of track again but that may be the case again Saturday.”
Beadman | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Cosmic Crusader to kick a goal for Pike
Jockey William Pike would love to win the G1 Caulfield Cup and Andrea Leek-trained Cosmic Crusader (Maurice {Jpn}) could be the horse to do it for him. “I've got a Group 1 in the bag (this spring) and now I want to tick off a major,” Pike told racenet.com.au.
“I'm not fussy, any one will do, I know they're not easy to get. We got to go out there and do it … we have a job to do and that's what I'm here for. Cosmic is going really well, obviously a slight query at 2400m and Flemington seems to be a bit more of a track to his liking, but he's won at Caulfield before. Maybe it's just me, trying to factor everything in, but he's a fantastic chance.”
Derby winner set for Cup run
Bjorn Baker-trained G1 Australian Derby winner Green Spaces (Street Boss {USA}) is set for Saturday’s G1 Caulfield Cup. “I think he’s been building nicely. Last time it didn't suit him much, they didn’t go overly quick in the Metropolitan,” Baker told racing.com.
“Gate 18 obviously makes it really tough – we’re probably going to need a heap of luck, and I think if we rolled forward, we’re not going to be able to finish off. It is a race that they tend to go quick enough in, if you can get back and relax. If he gets the breaks, maybe he’s in there with a show.”
Green Spaces | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Fall at Bathurst involves three jockeys
Racing NSW put out an update after a fall at Bathurst involved three horses. “Following an incident rounding the home turn in Race 8 at Bathurst, jockeys Deon Le Roux, Clayton Gallagher, and Dale Cole were dislodged from their mounts,” said RNSW.
“Clayton Gallagher walked back to the jockeys' room and, despite experiencing discomfort in his left elbow and right shoulder, is otherwise reported to be okay. Meanwhile, Dale Cole remains under the immediate care of on-site ambulance officers and is currently undergoing a precautionary medical examination. Deon Le Roux has sustained a leg injury and is being transported to hospital for further assessment.”
All three horses, Missile Defence (Smart Missile), Beauty Edge (Hellbent), and Violet And Blue (Your Song), were reported to return to the yard with only superficial injuries.
Pair of debutant 3-year-old winners
At Gatton on Friday, Chris and Corey Munce-trained 3-year-old gelding Pinot Pirate (Pierata) won on debut by nearly five lengths. Eureka Stud sold him for $95,000 to Tricolours Syndications and Rick Connolly Bloodstock at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. He is the first foal of Nicci’s Spirit (Nicconi) who won four races including one in Brisbane.
In South Australia at Penola, Paul Preusker-trained 3-year-old filly Lucifer’s Girl (NZ) (Ribchester {Ire}) won on debut. Her trainer paid NZ$20,000 for her from Haunui Farm’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale draft. She is the third winner from three to race for Mazikeen (Sebring).
Not This Time to stand for US$300,000 in 2027
Taylor Made Stallions has set its 2027 roster and fees for the upcoming breeding season headed by the farm's flagship stallion Not This Time (by Giant's Causeway) who will stand for US$300,000 (AU$431,000) S&N, which currently is the highest figure for sires standing in North America.
The sire of 15 Grade I winners from seven crops to race, 42 graded stakes winners, and 79 black-type winners, Not This Time is having another sensational year in 2026. He is the No. 1-ranked General Sire with progeny earnings this season of more than US$28 million (AU$40.3 million), No. 1 in black-type winners (23) and in graded stakes winners (14), and No. 2 in Grade I winners (5).
Stormy Grove test on Monday
Trainer Frankie Lor will test Stormy Grove (Toronado {Ire}) in Monday’s G2 Sha Tin Trophy ahead of a tilt at the G1 Hong Kong Mile in December. “After he bled, I gave him more time and only had one trial for him, which he ran really good in. For me, he was maybe only 70 per cent fit before his return run, so he ran a good race,” Lor said.
“I needed to change jockeys, because Jerry (Chau) is riding Voyage Bubble, so Derek (Leung) will be riding him on Monday. Derek will sit on him on Friday to check on the horse and make sure he’s healthy. I think he’s improved since the Celebration Cup, so I hope he will run well.”
Share in Englishman for Keeneland Championship Sale
A 2.5% interest in multiple Grade I-winning 'TDN Rising Star' Englishman (Maxfield) is among the 10 overall offerings for the Keeneland Championship Sale, set to be held at historic Castleton on Wednesday, October 28.
The interactive catalogue, which is now available online, also includes a variety of fractional interests in horses with Breeders' Cup engagements just days later, and the event will conclude with the offering of Castleton itself, one of Kentucky's most storied horse farms.
“The Championship Sale was created to bring exceptional opportunities to market in a way that goes beyond the traditional auction experience,” Keeneland President and CEO Shannon Arvin said.
“By bringing together a curated collection of offerings, an unforgettable setting and the energy of Breeders' Cup Week, the evening is truly special. This year, with the sale coming to historic Castleton and culminating with the offering of the farm itself, we're excited to take that experience to another level.”
Gross up for Tattersalls October Book 3
Whitsbury Manor Stud boss Ed Harper admitted to being bowled over by the strength of the market at Tattersalls over the past fortnight after his Havana Grey filly topped the opening Book 3 session at 150,000gns (AU$299,000) to Anthony Stroud.
Thursday saw a record-breaking 7,704,500gns (AU$15.3 million) turnover for Book 3 as well as a record number [nine] of six-figure lots sold on the day. Meanwhile, the 30,214gns (AU$60,200) average was down by 3% and the median dropped by 17% to 22,000gns (AU$43,900). The 89% clearance rate was up by 4%.
Defending champ heads Japan Cup nominations
A total of 22 foreign-based horses, including defending champion Calandagan (Gleneagles), have been nominated for the G1 Japan Cup on Sunday, November 29, the Japan Racing Association (JRA) announced on Thursday.
The Australian quartet consists of Chris Waller's Group 1-winning pair of Aeliana (Castelvecchio) and Birdman (Free Eagle), while Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott field multiple Group 1 scorer Sir Delius (Frankel). The field is rounded out by Matt Laurie's Treasurethe Moment (Alabama Express).
Pink Panthera added to Arqana
Pink Panthera (Chachnak), a Listed winner and placed three times at Group 1 level this season, including when runner-up in the Prix de Diane, will be consigned by Haras de la Beauvoisinière during the first evening of the Arqana Vente d'Élevage, which takes place from Saturday, December 5 to Tuesday, December 8.
Pink Panthera is one of nine winners out of the Listed Prix Ceres heroine Peinture Rose (Storm Cat), a half-sister to the G1 Prix du Jockey Club and G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe-winning sire Peintre Celebre.
UK’s Gary Moore to retire
Gary Moore will cease training next week and will hand his training operation over to sons, Josh and Jamie.
Moore has trained for over three decades, enjoying big race success both over jumps and on the Flat. Karinga Bay (Ardross) was a multiple Group-race winner on the level in Germany in 1993, while his best horse over obstacles was the hugely popular Sire De Grugy (My Risk), who won the 2014 Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival as well as two Tingle Creeks, two Celebration Chases, the Desert Orchid Chase and the Clarence House.
Moore has held a joint-licence with his youngest son Josh since 2024. Josh and older brother Jamie, who like his sibling retired from race-riding due to injury, will begin their new partnership with runners at Fontwell and Newmarket next Wednesday.
“I just feel I'm getting old, I feel Jamie works so hard with Josh and I think a younger person will hopefully put the job a bit better than what we've been doing just recently,” Moore told Sky Sports Racing after enjoying a double at Brighton on Thursday.
