Neale Bruce disqualified for 6.5 years
Racing NSW stewards have disqualified stud master and owner Neale Bruce for 6.5 years after an investigation into horse deaths on his Berkeley Stud property. “In August 2026, Racing NSW Officials commenced an investigation into the euthanasia, destruction and disposal of a number of Thoroughbred horses in the care of registered breeder and owner Neale Bruce at Berkeley Park Stud, Blandford,” Racing NSW said in a statement.
“On 20 August 2026, Racing NSW Officials attended Berkeley Park Stud and established that 13 Thoroughbred horses had been destroyed, with eight horses destroyed by firearm at Berkeley Park Stud and five horses transported to Kankool Pet Food for destruction and disposal.
“Racing NSW Officials conducted an interview with Mr Bruce and obtained and reviewed relevant records and other evidence concerning the horses and the circumstances of their destruction and disposal.”
The dead broodmares are Acadiens (Vancouver), Starskin (Star Witness), Riverina Bella (All American), Kitty Purring (Bobby’s Kitten {USA}), Tennessee Mischief (Desert Prince {Ire}), Winta Chiller (Artie Schiller {USA}), Mia’s Got Class (Rothesay), and Cindarockinrella (Fastnet Rock).
Unnamed stock who were destroyed were the 2025 Ellsberg filly from Lustrous (Flying Spur), and the 3-year-olds: Pride of Dubai colt from Mia’s Got Class, Churchill (Ire) colt from Kimi (Jetspur), Supido from Demilune (Domesday) and the Acrobat from Chloe Elien (Choisir). Neither the Supido or Acrobat had been returned to the Stud Book.
“These offences involved decisions to destroy horses principally influenced by financial or commercial considerations, without an established veterinary necessity. The indicative penalties reflect the seriousness of those decisions and the absence of sufficient welfare justification.”
Nine reports lift in Melbourne Cup ratings
The television audience of 2.216 million for the G1 Melbourne Cup on Nine and 9Now on Tuesday is up 6.6 per cent on 2025. Of that total, 578,000 were streaming through 9Now, a 24.6 per cent year-on-year for that platform.
Flemington’s crowd figure of 97,112 for Cup Day is the largest attendance since 2016. There have been no fatalities in the Cup since the new vet regulations were introduced.
Court costs dominate ATC loss
The Australian Turf Club have posted a $4.6 million loss for the 2025/26 financial year, with $4.1 million of that coming from their failed court case where they argued against Racing NSW putting them into administration.
Without the court case, their annual loss of $735,000 would have been a vast improvement on the $2.6 million loss in 2024/25. Revenue rose 1.5 per cent to $379 million and expenditure rose 2.1% to $382 million. Membership rose 4.5 per cent to 12,070, with under-35 membership up 28 per cent. The AGM will be held on November 26 at Randwick.
“While the club’s underlying assets and operations remain strong, the continued loss-making performance highlights the need to strengthen financial and commercial discipline across the organisation,” administrator Morgan Kelly wrote in his report.
Zuleika set for Matriarch challenge
Queensland trainer Todd Pollard will head to Melbourne with Zuleika (North Pacific) for Saturday’s G2 Matriarch Stakes. Third last start at Randwick, the 4-year-old mare was a Listed winner over winter. “You still need to keep progressing with each race, but the Matriarch has always been in the back of our mind as she's a horse that excels when she gets 2000m and beyond,” Pollard told racenet.com.au.
“To see her run as well as she did over the mile, despite running third I was over the moon with it, it was very pleasing. That definitely booked our ticket down to Melbourne. She seems to be going terrific and obviously has drawn a good marble as well, so we're pretty happy going into Saturday.”
Kanga nominated for VRC Board
Former Melbourne Racing Club chair John Kanga has thrown his hat in the ring to join the VRC board. The VRC AGM will be on December 15 where three incumbent board members seek reelection and there is one vacancy with the retiring chairman Neil Wilson. “It's been humbling … my phone melted. I knew something was up because at six o'clock on (Thursday) morning, my phone wouldn't stop pinging,” Kanga told racenet.com.au.
John Kanga | Image courtesy of Melbourne Racing Club
“Fly (Craig McRae) said to me: ‘It's about bloody time'. He raised it about four months ago. He encouraged me to do it. He said: ‘You love it too much not to'. I might not be everyone's cup of team. I am confident I can perform (the role), but we will leave it to members to decide if they want me to.”
Braddock to join Waller
Stablemates James J Braddock (GB) (Zarak {Fr}) and Omni Man (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) will join Chris Waller’s stable after running in the G1 Melbourne Cup for trainer Joseph O’Brien. “He's a horse with exceptional talent but he just didn't get it quite right from the barrier,” jockey Craig Williams said of James J Braddock post-race.
Knight’s Choice facing retirement
Trainers John Symons and Sheila Laxon revealed that 2024 G1 Melbourne Cup winner Knight’s Choice (Extreme Choice) might be retired after his 12th placing in the race this week. “We’ll consider whether we retire him or not,” Symons told racing.com.
Knight’s Choice | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“We’ll have a meeting in a couple of weeks’ time and decide that. We’ll give him a break now, then make our mind up what we do. He gave his all. The rise to 56.5kg was a fair bit, five kilos on what he carried last year, and he’s only a little horse, quality field, he’s done his best.
“He’s pulled up very well actually. He was a little bit wonky in his legs after the race after he got hosed down, but he came good very quickly. He went home (Tuesday night) and surprisingly ate right up, so we’ve been very happy with him.”
Purton treble headlines Happy Valley
Champion jockey Zac Purton returned from suspension to ride a treble at Happy Valley on Wednesday night aboard David Hall-trained Brownneedsfurther (Needs Further), Jamie Richards-trained Storming Dragon (Star Turn) and the Cody Mo-trained California Blitz (Capitalist). “He’s won on him before, we were happy to wait for him and it has worked out well,” Hall said of Purton on Brownneedsfurther.
“I think it’s a pretty brave effort by the horse, actually, to carry the weight (135lb) and the extra ground and at the track and distance, he’s been obviously very good here and that’s why we’ve kept it that way.”
Hong Kong International meeting nominations out
The nominations have been released for the 2026 Longines Hong Kong International Races set for Dec. 13, and among 142 nominations are 36 individual Grade/Group 1 winners from Royal Ascot, the Breeders' Cup, and other feature meetings, including the likes of Ka Ying Rising (Shamexpress) and Benvenuto Cellini (Frankel).
Carrying HK$130 million (AU$23.7 million) in prize money, the flagship meeting at Sha Tin has drawn entries from all corners of the globe for four Group 1 races–the HK$40 million Hong Kong Cup (2000m), HK$36 million Hong Kong Mile (1600m), HK$28 million Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) and HK$26 million Hong Kong Vase (2400m).
Rated 135 to top the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings, two-time Hong Kong Horse of the Year Ka Ying Rising looms large in his quest to become the first three-time winner of the Hong Kong Sprint following back-to-back successes in 2024 and 2025. Those wins were part of his sensational 21-race winstreak during which he lowered six course records at Sha Tin and won nine Group 1 contests.
The field for the Sprint comprises of 21 nominations–11 international entries and 10 Hong Kong locals with four Group 1 winners, namely the aforementioned Ka Ying Rising; Puro Magic (Asia Express); Star Anise (Drefong); and Jigsaw (Manhattan Rain).
Jockeys escape head injuries in fall at Ipswich
Three jockeys were involved in a fall at Ipswich on Thursday in race four. All jockeys remained conscious after the fall. Mark du Plessis was taken to hospital with a suspected leg injury. Part-owner Cat Wynne of his mount Maurita (Maurice {Jpn}) confirmed on social media that the 6-year-old mare had been euthanised.
Both Jace McMurray and Boris Thornton were stood down for the remainder of the day. Their mounts Flop Shot (Spieth {NZ}) and Interro (Pierro) were understood to have returned to scale uninjured.
Written Tycoon double at Ipswich
With the interestingly named No No No No No (Yes Yes Yes) winning the first at Ipswich on Thursday, it was Yulong’s elder stateman Written Tycoon who celebrated a double on the card.
Steady On, trained by Jimmy Downes, enjoyed his second career win while Beau Gorman-trained I Am A Winner won the last. He now has four wins from 25 starts and as his name suggests, he’s out of I Am Invincible mare Ajeeta.
New winner for Splintex
Second season sire Splintex celebrated his second winner this week after Heza Hellraiser won at Ascot on Cup Day and on Oaks Day, Daniel O’Connor-trained 3-year-old gelding Capall Gasta won at Belmont. Splintex now has 13 winners.
Capall Gasta ran fifth last start in the Listed Belgravia Stakes, and cost his trainer $27,500 at the Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale from Darling View Thoroughbreds. He’s the second foal and second winner for Beffunjar (Blackfriars) who won three in succession as a 3-year-old.
Havana Grey's fee remains private for 2027
Havana Grey, sire of this season's G1 Middle Park and G2 Norfolk Stakes winner Orthodox, will continue to have his fee listed as private for the 2027 covering season. The existing height restriction, limiting mares to 16 hands or under, will also remain in place.
Havana Grey | Standing at Whitsbury Manor Stud
In announcing the fees for the four Whitsbury Manor Stud stallions, Joe Callan, head of bloodstock sales, said of Havana Grey, “This reflects the success we've had in managing his book to mares of 16.0hh or under, resulting in his best ever breeding season for mare numbers in foal.
“He has enjoyed another outstanding season on the track, siring 16 individual stakes winners, five of these being 2-year-olds, which include Group 1 winner Orthodox. A truly remarkable achievement, especially considering his 3-year-old crop and older were conceived from £6,000 fees.”
Sumbe reduce fees for 2027
Sumbe has announced reduced fees across its roster of five stallions, with champion miler Charyn to stand at €27,000 (AU$43,000) as he heads into his third season at stud in France. The son of Dark Angel, who has six first-crop weanlings catalogued for Goffs November as the foal sales get underway in less than a fortnight, covered his first two seasons at a fee of €35,000 (AU$56,000).
Acknowledging more challenging times for the industry, Sumbe owner Nurlan Bizakov said, “At a time when breeders face rising costs, we want our existing clients and those considering our stallions for the first time to feel confident that Sumbe offers good value for money. That is why we have reduced the fees across our entire roster for 2027.”
Volatile’s fee set at US$17,500
Three Chimneys Farm set the stud fee for Volatile at US$17,500 (AU$25,000) LFSN for the 2027 breeding season, the farm said in a press release late on Wednesday night.
“Volatile is coming off an outstanding Breeders' Cup weekend, where T O Elvis won the Grade I Breeders' Cup Sprint, earning a 112 Beyer Speed Figure–the highest of any runner at the Breeders' Cup. The win helped solidify his position as a leading contender for Eclipse Champion Sprinter. His daughter Foie Gras also delivered an impressive runner-up performance in the Filly & Mare Sprint,” said Three Chimneys' Director of Stallion Nominations, Rebecca Nicholson.
Billy Loughnane joins Godolphin
Newly crowned champion jockey Billy Loughnane has taken another major step forward in his burgeoning career with the announcement that he is to be the new retained jockey for Godolphin.
The 20-year-old, who on Friday rode his first winner at the Breeders' Cup aboard Libertango, says that he is “absolutely ecstatic” to be given the opportunity to join William Buick on the Godolphin team.
“It is a huge honour to become a retained jockey for one of the best racing operations in the world,” he said. “I want to thank His Highness Sheikh Mohammed for giving me the opportunity to ride his outstanding horses at the highest possible competitive level. I rode my first Group 1 winner in the royal blue silks on Rebel's Romance last year and I look forward to carrying them to victory in many more top-class races over the coming years.”
Officially named champion jockey for the first time on British Champions Day last month, Loughnane has to date ridden 239 winners in Britain in 2026, beating last year's tally of 223 and reaching a three-figure mark for the fourth consecutive year. He was champion apprentice in 2023, having only ridden for the first time under rules in November 2022.
Hugh Anderson of Godolphin said, “Godolphin is delighted to have signed the most exciting young jockey riding in Europe. Billy Loughnane is an outstanding rider with a great future in our sport. We are thrilled that he has chosen our silks at this early stage in his career and he will formally start with us at the Dubai Carnival in December 2026. William Buick has ridden for us with distinction for over 10 years and we are very happy that he will continue as one of our two retained jockeys.”
Public votes open for 2026 UK HOTY
Horseracing fans will have the opportunity to choose their champions of 2026 during the public voting period for the 36th Cartier Racing Awards opening at noon GMT, it was announced Wednesday.
The public vote accounts for 35% of the final total for each horse, while points earned in Pattern races (30%) and the opinions of a panel of racing journalists/handicappers (35%) also contribute weight to the results. Votes may be cast at the Cartier Racing Awards website until noon on Tuesday, Nov. 10. All participants will be entered into a draw to win a gift from Cartier.
Kameko leads Tweenhills sires for 2027
Tweenhills' Classic-winning sire Kameko, who has been responsible for six individual stakes winners in 2026 including Group 2 winners Wimbledon Hawkeye and Defiantly, will stand at a reduced fee of £10,000 (AU$19,200) in 2027. Recently purchased from Qatar Racing by a collection of leading British breeders, he was advertised at £15,000 (AU$28,900) this year.
Tweenhills owner David Redvers said, “We enter the new season with three proven stallions offering exceptional value and their strongest crops still to race.
“King Of Change may be the best young stallion in Europe still flying under the radar. His early record echoes that of his sire Farhh, without the fertility limitations. His versatility is highlighted by his stakes winners scoring from five furlongs to a mile and a half, while more than 20% of his runners are rated above RPR 100. That combination of quality and versatility offers breeders an unrivalled opportunity at his highly commercial fee.
“Kameko has attracted investment from some of Britain's shrewdest breeders, and it is easy to see why. He gets tough, consistent horses with real class and has enjoyed a breakthrough season. With yearlings selling for up to 375,000gns this autumn and averaging more than £50,000, his new £10,000 fee gives breeders a compelling opportunity to upgrade their mares.
“Lightning Spear deserves every opportunity. From limited numbers, he continues to produce horses whose ability and toughness speak for themselves, with Group winner Royal Velvet again advertising those qualities this season. At £3,000, he offers tremendous value.”
Stronghold retires to Walmac Farm
Multiple graded stakes winner Stronghold (Ghostzapper), winner of the GI Santa Anita Derby and GIII Sunland Park Derby at 3 and the GIII Triple Bend Stakes this year, has been retired and will stand the 2027 breeding season at Gary Broad's Walmac Farm, the breeding operation said in a Wednesday press release.
Stronghold's stud fee will be announced at a later date.
“We are very excited to partner with Eric and Sharon Waller and bring in Grade I winner Stronghold,” said Gary Broad. “Stronghold was precocious, placing in multiple graded stakes at two, and he demonstrated his class throughout his racing career. When you combine his top-level performances on the racetrack with his conformation and deep sire line, he offers breeders a great value.”
Lapotheose added to Arqana
G1 Preis der Diana-German Oaks runner-up Lapotheose (Wootton Bassett) has been added to Part 1 of the Arqana Vente d'Elevage catalogue and will be consigned by Haras d'Etreham during the first evening of the sale on Saturday, Dec. 5 in Deauville.
The French-bred daughter of Wootton Bassett was unbeaten in her first four jumps, including victories in the Listed Prix Caravelle – Haras des Granges and the G2 Prix Saint-Alary at ParisLongchamp this season. She claimed her first elite-level black type in August when she ran second in the aforementioned German Oaks and, as a 3-year-old, claims a current Timeform rating of 110.
Goffs Autumn Sale ends on a high
The Goffs Autumn Sale closed on a high on Wednesday, with an 85% clearance rate and double-digit increases in turnover and average as well as an 8% rise in the median.
Charles Shanahan has been one of the busier buyers this week and was responsible for the €90,000 (AU$153,000) Too Darn Hot top lot from Derrinstown Stud. Unlike his previous buys this week, the Too Darn Hot filly was bought on behalf of a client to go racing.
He said, “I bought her on behalf of a client in England. She is a sharp 2-year-old and the mare could run – had a lot of ability. She's by the right stallion and it's always good to buy a nice horse out of Derrinstown Stud, who do a great job. She's going to stay in training in Ireland and she's not for breezing. Hopefully we'll see her next year.”
Turnover climbed by 16% to €5,415,500 (AU$8.7 million) while the €11,697 (AU$18,700) average represented a 14% jump. The median was €6500 (AU$10,400). But the real story of the week has been the strength of the international buyers, who have made this sale a hugely respected outpost for so many traders.
Goffs chief Henry Beeby commented, “Following a second consecutive year of record-breaking results at Orby Book 1 and Orby Book 2, the positivity has continued with another fantastic edition of the Goffs Autumn Yearling Sale that has built on the big gains recorded 12 months ago.
“A clearance rate of 85% is noteworthy at any sale and the last three days has seen nearly four times as many yearlings making €50,000 or over compared to last year which has contributed to double-digit gains for turnover and average as well as an 8% rise in median.”
Tattersalls Online Yearling catalogue goes live
With 48 lots catalogued for the Tattersalls Online Yearling Session, the list has been published and can now be view online, the group announced Wednesday.
As a part of the Tattersalls Online November Sale taking place on Nov. 17-18, the yearling session is scheduled to go on the second day and features offspring from 28 individual sires, including by proven Group 1 stallions like Cracksman, Mehmas, Pinatubo, and Too Darn Hot. The catalogue will also contain a host of young sires with improving stock.
Gavin O’Connor leaves Resolute Racing
Gavin O'Connor has stepped down from his role as general manager of Resolute Racing to pursue new opportunities in the bloodstock industry, according to a press release from O'Connor on Wednesday.
O'Connor, who was involved with Resolute Racing from its inception, announced his departure in a statement on Wednesday.
“As I depart my role as General Manager of Resolute Racing to explore new opportunities within the bloodstock industry, I look back with immense pride and gratitude on what we accomplished together,” O'Connor said.
“Having been involved from the outset, it has been a privilege to play a part in the growth and development of Resolute Racing, both in Kentucky and internationally. It has been an incredibly rewarding journey.
“I am sincerely grateful to the Stewart family for their trust and the opportunity, and to the entire Resolute team for their dedication, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to the horses. I wish everyone associated with Resolute Racing continued success and look forward with enthusiasm to the next chapter of my career in the Thoroughbred industry.”
Brothers awarded Clay Puett Award
Donna Barton Brothers, one of Thoroughbred racing's most recognizable and respected personalities, has been named the recipient of the 2026 Clay Puett Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Racing Industry, the program said in a press release on Wednesday.
Presented annually by the University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program, the Clay Puett Award recognizes an individual or individuals whose contributions have made a significant impact on the racing industry.
