NSW Racing Minister David Harris steps down
On Friday, NSW Minister for Racing David Harris announced he would not be contesting the next State Election in March 2027. “On behalf of the Australian Turf Club, I thank David Harris for his support of our Club’s racing and his commitment to ensuring racing remains a thriving contributor to the economic and social fabric of New South Wales,” Australian Turf Club CEO Steve McMahon said in a press release.
“David has been a regular presence at our racecourses and major events. His enthusiasm for racing and his understanding of the important role it plays has been greatly appreciated. We thank David for his service, his passion for racing and his support and wish him every success for the future.”
Racing NSW also released a statement. “We were very fortunate to have a Racing Minister in David that cared deeply about the industry, our race clubs and participants,” Racing NSW Chairman Dr Saranne Cooke said.
“I saw first-hand how David spent time attending meetings across NSW and he had a particular focus on getting around to speak with as many people on course as possible at many Metropolitan, Country and Provincial meetings.
“We wish David and his family all the very best for the future and hope to still see him regularly at his beloved Wyong Race Club.”
Apocalyptic barrier a concern for Golden Eagle
Jockey Tommy Berry will need all his skill to guide Apocalyptic (Extreme Choice) from the outside gate in Saturday’s G1 Golden Eagle. “No matter what way I look at it, it’s going to be tricky,” Berry told racingnsw.com.au.
“I’d be a lot more disappointed if the race was at Rosehill, when you draw wide there at the 1500m you’re pretty much no chance. At Randwick we know outside barriers have a good record over a mile, so 1500m isn’t too much difference.
Apocalyptic | Image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
“I always said when you draw wide you’ve got to be better than the opposition. I wouldn’t say she’s better than them, she’s up to the opposition, and when the favourites have drawn perfectly it makes it tougher.”
Early showers predicted for Flemington
The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting early showers for Derby Day with up to 10 mm of rain forecast. “We had 12mm of irrigation in the last couple of days to keep it in the Good 4 range ahead of the showers that are forecast on Saturday,” Flemington track manager Liam O'Keeffe told racingandsports.com.au.
“We won't water tonight, we'll let it dry out naturally and then if we get a millimetre or two, it will stay in that good range, if we get more than that, the track will soften from there. There may be two to 10 millimetres, the Bureau have said and then tending to scattered showers through the afternoon.
“Our best result would be we get two or three millimetres prior to the races and then a clear afternoon and then we should be able to hold that good track rating for the day.”
Concord Connie steps into Empire Rose
Charlotte Littlefield-trained Concord Connie (Contributer {Ire}) steps in the Group 1 company in Saturday’s Empire Rose at Flemington. “Obviously, I think it’s a massive step up in grade. We did think of pivoting and there was another race option later in the week at Listed level, but we just thought this was good opportunity without Pride Of Jenni electrifying the turf up in front,” Littlefield told racing.com.
“It’s probably a race shape that will suit her nicely and give her a good opportunity of running a place or winning. We’ve all wanted to see her at the mile, third-up. It’s her third racing prep now and so she’s only lightly raced but certainly reaching the distance we think she’s going to be absolutely at her best at.
“She’s coming off two very good runs where she’s been perfectly positioned and hopefully she gets everything to fall into place with the race shape tomorrow.”
Shares in Ole Kirk and Wild Ruler for Inglis Digital
The latest Inglis Digital Sale includes shares in leading stallions Ole Kirk and Wild Ruler and a draft of eight from Godolphin. A 5% share in Feroce (NZ) (Super Seth) is being offered, as are four 2.5% shares in Welcometotheshow (Showtime), who will next race in the $2 million G3 Five Diamonds.
In total the November (Early) catalogue consists of 262 lots – 135 racehorses (61 race fillies), 74 racehorse shares, 32 broodmares, 15 yearlings, three 2YOs, two stallion shares and one unraced stock.
Stinger Glass is out of the Melbourne Cup
Japanese trainer Yasuo Tomomichi expressed disappointment at the vet scratching of Stinger Glass (Jpn) (Kizuna {Jpn}) from the G1 Melbourne Cup. “It can't be helped, but it's disappointing,” Tomomichi told racenet.com.au.
“Having reviewed the PET scan results alongside the CT scan results, the panel members have advised RV Veterinary Services that they remain of the view that Stinger Glass is currently at heightened risk of injury,” Racing Victoria said in a statement.
Racing Victoria vets on Friday reinspected and cleared Vauban (Fr) (Galway {GB}) and Litzdeel (Dundeel {NZ}).
Skyhook to overcome draw and rivals
Skyhook (Written Tycoon) has to overcome a wide draw and a strong field in Saturday’s G1 Golden Eagle. “When he won the Hawkesbury Guineas, he drew nine of 10, when he came second in the Fred Best he drew 18 of 18 and when he won the Gunsynd he drew 12 of 13 and first-up this preparation in the Theo Marks he drew the outside in a field of 13 so we are used to drawing wide barriers with him,” co-trainer Gerald Ryan told racenet.com.au.
“You can't do much about it. I would sooner draw out wider than barrier one with him – although I don't know about being out that wide but he will start from 14 now. He will begin and be in the first four somewhere.”
Skyhook | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Zahra fit for Derby day return
Jockey Mark Zahra will return to the saddle for Derby Day, two weeks after a fall in the G1 Caulfield Cup. “I’ve come good every day. I had that week where I pretty much had to do nothing, just sit back and relax and this week I’ve been on a horse’s back pretty much every morning and done two sets of trials. Every day I’ve gotten better and I think I’ll be cherry ripe tomorrow,” Zahra told racing.com.
’It was ribs and a badly bruised lung they (doctors) were worried about, so I just had to take it easy with that and just had to sit and do nothing which is pretty hard for a jockey at this time of year. But I managed to do it and I am back feeling good now.” He won the G1 VRC Derby last year on Observer, as well as the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes on Tentyris.
Needs Further dies aged 19
Armidale Stud’s David Whishaw has announced the death of their stallion Needs Further from colic this week. The son of Encosta De Lago was 19. Winner of three of his five starts including the G3 Carbine Club Stakes, Needs Further is the sire of ten stakes winners. His best is G1 Australian Guineas and All-Star Mile winner Mystic Journey, who now has a race in Tasmania named after her.
Stay granted for Grant and Alana Williams
Suspended WA trainers Grant and Alana Williams have been granted a stay of proceedings as they appeal their 12-month suspension. The Racing Penalties Appeal Tribunal made the decision on Friday allowing them to continue training. “There are some arguable appeal points contained in the sixteen Amended Grounds of Appeal albeit I express no view as to their merit beyond that,” the tribunal’s chairperson said in a statement.
“There is a ‘risk’ that the Appellants will suffer irreparable damage by the continuation of the disqualification if the appeal should prove to be ultimately successful; and although acutely mindful of the need to maintain public confidence in Racing, I consider the balance of convenience favours the grant of a stay until the conclusion of the hearing of the appeal on 23 November 2026.”
Capitalist gelding wins on debut
At Wagga’s Friday meeting, Craig Weeding-trained 3-year-old gelding Richy Ric (Capitalist) won on debut. Passed in as a yearling, Richy Ric is the third foal and third winner for Group 3-placed Clarice Cliffs (Canford Cliffs {Ire}).
At the same meeting, Matthew Dale-trained 3-year-old filly Hay Deer (Dubious) stayed unbeaten in winning for the second time. A $600 weanling purchase via Inglis Digital, Hay Deer is the first foal of maiden winner Incas (Kuroshio).
Perfect start for Reposte at Kilmore
On Friday, Lindsay Park-trained 3-year-old gelding Perfect Riposte (NZ) (Savabeel) won on debut at Kilmore. Bought for NZ$250,000 by Lindsay Park and Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock, Perfect Riposte was sold by Haunui Farm at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.
He is a half-brother to Group 2 winner Spanish Whisper (Lope De Vega {Ire}) out of unraced Cutting Remark (Encosta De Lago).
New winner for Stay Inside
Second season sire Stay Inside added winner number 17 when 3-year-old filly Gold Bijoux won her maiden at start three at Kilmore for trainers Tony and Calvin McEvoy. Her trainers paid $50,000 for her from Sledmere Stud’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale draft.
She is the first winner for Rare Gem (NZ) (Smart Missile) who is a winning half-sister to Group 3 winner Mosse (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}).
Kris Lees purchase tops final day of Tattersall HIT
The softening to the tried horses market that was referenced by BBA Ireland's Michael Donohoe and so many other buyers and vendors at Tattersalls this week did not translate massively to the figures of the Autumn Horses-In-Training Sale with only minor dips recorded in most of the key areas.
No horse sold for seven figures all week while no six-figure sale was recorded on Thursday, with the concluding session headed by the unexposed French Artist (Farhh) at 95,000gns (AU$191,000) to Sam Haggas on behalf of Australian connections Bahen Bloodstock and Kris Lees.
Despite a slightly larger [1%] offering of 1169 horses, turnover at Park Paddocks fell by 2% to 33,199,500gns (AU$66.5 million) this week. The average fell by 3% to 32,612gns (AU$65,700) and the median stayed the same at 15,000gns (AU$30,200). The 87% clearance rate was also the same as last year.
While Australian buyers accounted for 20 lots in total, in many ways the story of the sale was Najd Stud back bidding stronger then ever through bloodstock agent Nico Archdale. The Saudi Arabian buyers were responsible for the 750,000gns (AU$1.5 million) top lot, The Lost King (Kingman).
Commenting on this week's trade, Tattersalls managing director Matthew Prior said, “The Tattersalls Autumn Horses-in-Training Sale has once again lived up to its reputation as the largest and most international sale of its kind in the world. Turnover has exceeded 30 million guineas for the sixth consecutive year, and with buyers from more than 30 countries competing throughout the week, the depth and diversity of international demand has been the defining feature of another strong renewal of this sale.
“One of the great strengths of this sale is the extraordinary variety of horses on offer, catering for buyers at every level of the market. Australian buyers have once again been particularly active, purchasing more than 20 lots and continuing to enjoy remarkable success with graduates of this sale. Since 2022, Autumn Horses-in-Training Sale graduates have won 212 Group and Listed races worldwide, underlining the quality of horses offered and the sale's international reputation.”
Magnitude retired to Coolmore
Coolmore America has announced that multiple Grade I and Dubai World Cup hero Magnitude (Not This Time), alongside the undefeated dual graded winner Paladin (Gun Runner), have been retired from racing and will take up stud duties for the 2027 breeding season at Ashford Stud, the farm said in a press release on Thursday.
Magnitude, who had been aimed at this Saturday's GI Longines Breeders' Cup Classic, was unfortunately scratched on veterinary advice, bringing the curtain down on a productive racing career.
“We are absolutely devastated that Magnitude has been scratched, as he was training just like he was before the Dubai World Cup,” said Charlie O'Connor, Director of Sales at Ashford Stud.
“However, we are incredibly excited to showcase two colts of this calibre at the stallion barn. Magnitude has proven himself to be an absolute powerhouse on the world's biggest stages; and Paladin is a strikingly handsome, undefeated son of Gun Runner who showed immense brilliance before his unfortunate injury. They are both exceptional physicals with the race records and pedigrees to match, and we cannot wait to showcase them to breeders.”
Sajir retired to Beech House Stud
Group 1-winning sprinter Sajir (Make Believe) has been retired and will stand at Shadwell's Beech House Stud on behalf of his owner/breeder Prince A A Faisal's Nawara Stud. “Prince Faisal is delighted to be standing his Group 1-winning sprinter Sajir at Beech House Stud,” Prince A A Faisal's racing manager Ted Voute said.
“It was important to him to make this branch of the Dubawi sireline available to British breeders and, given Sajir's profile, offer them an attractive opportunity, particularly when considering initiatives such as the GBB scheme.
“A very good-looking horse, Sajir had the ability to match. He showed he was a sprinter more than worthy of being a Group 1 winner in the Prix Maurice de Gheest. We are thrilled to be standing him at Shadwell and to be part of their exceptional young roster. Should Sajir pass on his many qualities, he has every chance of a successful career at stud.”
Tattersalls December Yearling catalogue released
The Tattersalls December Yearling Sale catalogue, highlighting a Lope De Vega three-parts sister to GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies heroine Aunt Pearl, has been revealed. The sale will take place beginning at 10 a.m. on Monday, November 23 and totals 200 lots.
From a sale that has previously brought you multiple Group 1 winners Via Sistina (Fastnet Rock) and Vandeek among others, the catalogue features own- or half-siblings to 38 group and listed winners.
Tattersalls managing director Matthew Prior said, “The Tattersalls December Yearling Sale is a consistent source of top-class performers, with Group 1 winners Big Mojo, Vandeek and Via Sistina among the leading graduates from a sale with a proven record of producing future stars.
"This year's catalogue features a large number of yearlings by many of Europe's leading sires, with many also eligible for the ever-popular £25,000 Tattersalls October Book 1 Bonus Scheme, the lucrative Great British Bonuses, and the Tattersalls Somerville Auction Stakes and the Tattersalls October Auction Stakes, both of which were run for prize money in excess of £300,000 in 2026.”
