Shadhavar steps up into Group 1 company
Trainer Tom Dabernig knows the G1 CF Orr Stakes will be a big test for last start Group 2 winner Shadhavar (Pride Of Dubai). “It's throwing her in the deep end, but she's been excellent at the 1400 at her last couple of starts, so we'll give it a go while she's fit and in form,” Dabernig told racingandsports.com.au.
Shadhavar | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“She was impressive at Caulfield, but they were all talking about the on-pace bias, so I wasn't sure if she could come to Flemington and lead and do it. She's always been a very good mare that we've kept a lot of the time at 1200. She's won three now at 1400 and I think her cruising speed is what her asset is.
“She seems to be able to maintain it and get the horses under pressure behind her, but I don't know at weight-for-age against those horses whether it'll be quite the same.”
Waller’s team gallop at Sandown
Chris Waller took his team of runners for Saturday to Sandown on Tuesday to give them a look at the track. “This is an awesome track. There's a little bit of a dip there. We got a few horses here to help them go down the hill,” Waller told racenet.com.au.
Chris Waller | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Up the hill, I think is fine because they do plenty of that but you have to teach a horse to run downhill. It's a great long straight, it's a real English type of track in a beautiful setting and it's good to see Group 1 racing here.”
Singleton pays tribute to Neale
Trainer Scott Singleton has paid tribute to his apprentice jockey Izzy Neale who died on Tuesday. “It's shattering, life will never be the same,” Singleton told racenet.com.au on Wednesday.
He trains Neale’s final winner Ole Steele (Ole Kirk). “There's a special story behind that filly Ole Steele. She was bought for a family that lost their daughter Olivia Steele. Her father (Brendan) died not long after, pretty much of a broken heart. The horse was named in memory after Olivia, and it races in her favourite colours.”
Olivia Steele received a liver transplant as a toddler that allowed her to live until age 20. “Looking back now that Ole Steele was Izzy's last winner, I get goosebumps just talking about it. Izzy's family have now donated her organs to save other people's lives. In a little way, at an extremely dark and difficult time, it puts a smile on your face. She was a special horse before but even more so now.
“Izzy was truly one of a kind. I remember saying to her once, ‘I hope my daughter grows up to become a person just like you'. A special, special person. We feel like we've lost a daughter and I can't imagine anything feeling worse. There's no words. Nothing makes you feel any better.”
A eulogy for Neale was held before the running on Race 1 at Scone on Wednesday. Singleton won the third race on the card at Scone with Ocean Tsunami (NZ) (Ocean Park {NZ}) ridden by apprentice jockey Jasmine Urquhart-Warren.
Racing Victoria returns to surplus
After reporting a $8.9 million net deficit in the 2025 financial year, Racing Victoria announced a surplus of $773,000 for the 2026 financial year. “Looking back, FY26 marked the point at which the work of the past few years translated into a positive financial result,” RV CEO Aaron Morrison said.
Aaron Morrison | Image courtesy of Racing Victoria
“We returned the business to surplus, exceeded our operational savings target and continued to invest strongly in the areas that matter most to our industry including prizemoney, club funding, integrity, and the welfare of our participants, both human and equine.”
Revenue increased 1% to $531.9 million, but wagering income was down 2.8% due to a reduction in meetings (18 fewer than the year prior). However, average turnover per race increased and race fields income grew 2.2 per cent to $228.8 million.
“Importantly, we achieved those outcomes while maintaining Victoria's position as the nation's leading racing product. We again staged the most attended race meetings in Australia, reached the largest audiences, generated the strongest wagering returns and delivered significant economic and community benefits across the state.
“While broader economic conditions and regulatory challenges remain, the industry has entered FY27 in a materially stronger position. Our priorities remain clear: growing racing's audience through content-led promotion; maintaining fair, safe and trusted racing; promoting the stories of our people and participants; and ensuring we continue to maximise returns to the industry.”
Putcee tops Magic Millions Digital
Unraced 3-year-old gelding Putcee (Dundeel {NZ}) topped Wednesday’s Magic Millions Digital Sale making $30,000. He was offered by Torryburn Stud along with 3-year-old filly Redushka (Castelvecchio) who made $12,000. “We couldn't be happier with the results achieved today,” Mel Copelin, Stud Manager of Torryburn Stud said.
“They are hard horses to value as they are not exposed but both exceeded our expectations.”
Two 2.5% shares in Let's Galahvant (Galah) made $4000 each, valuing the G1 Railway Stakes-targeted gelding at $160,000. “We had a number of good stories to come out of the sale, particularly with horses in categories that are typically hard to move on this time of year,” Bryce Bevan, Head of Digital, said.
“With only two sales left this year, we are committed to finishing the year strong and getting the best results possible for clients who give us an opportunity to offer their stock.”
Champion Fillies for Profit Motive
Trainer Mitch Pateman would love to see 3-year-old filly Profit Motive (Capitalist) run in the G1 Northerly Stakes but she has to thrive in the G3 Champion Fillies Stakes first. “I think probably the better option’s the Champion Fillies if possible. She’s come through the run super. Her work this morning was super,” Pateman told racingwa.com.au.
“She’s probably improved a bit off the other day, as she should. She’s only had three starts. She’s on the upward trajectory and that’s going to hold her in pretty good stead. She doesn’t need to improve much.
“Obviously the news filtered through this morning that Pride Of Jenni’s not coming (for the Northerly). That puts it back on the table. She wouldn’t have gone there if Pride Of Jenni was going to be there, but get through her next run and see how she pulls up. She’s only really in her first prep, so don’t want to do anything that could hold her back down the road because I think she’s a really good horse.”
Coal Crusher looking for third The Hunter
There have been only seven editions of The Hunter and Joe Pride-trained Coal Crusher (Turffontein) has won two of them, 2023 and 2025. He has a crack at a third on Saturday and will retire afterwards. “He’s a ripper. He came without any expectations,” Pride told racingnsw.com.au.
Coal Crusher | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
“He ran second in his first four starts, I took him to Orange as a 4-year-old to break his maiden and he’s done nothing but improve since. You retire a horse like this and there’s nothing sad about it, it’s a little bit sad but you know it’s time. There’s plenty to celebrate, plenty to be grateful for, when you train a horse for this many years.”
Winner of 10 of his 53 starts and over $2.8 million in earnings, the 9-year-old gelding comes off a second-last in the G2 Russell Balding Stakes. “It doesn’t look like he is in very good form but he is in good shape. So I wouldn’t be surprised with the blinkers on he turns it around.
“He’s been in some horrible positions of late, he’s got caught in positions where he’s never fired. He’s got the capacity to do it. I don’t mind the draw, it doesn’t bother me, he will come across. Everyone knows he’s going to lead, come across and set a good tempo, and it’s up to the others to chase him.”
Next NSW Racing Mates announced
The Racing Mates program will hold its next trackside gathering for industry participants at the Tamworth Jockey Club race meeting on Monday, November 30. “Our BBQ gatherings are all about bringing the racing community together for a chat, which has proven to be very effective,” Racing Mates Ambassador Pat Webster told racingnsw.com.au.
“There is nothing better than talking to someone who understands where you're coming from. We try and get out to the salt-of-the-earth places to make sure everyone is okay.”
Reina De Fuego stays unbeaten
Juvenile filly Reina De Fuego (NZ) (Staphanos {Jpn}) remains unbeaten when victorious at start number two on Wednesday at Riccarton. Trained by John and Karen Parsons, she is a half-sister to Listed winner Miss Starlight (NZ) (Sweynesse).
Just like her first start, Coronado (NZ) (Staphanos {Jpn}) ran second, while the third place this time went to Denny’s Delight (NZ) (Echoes Of Heaven).
Night Of Thunder is Europe’s most expensive sire in 2027
Darley's champion sire Night Of Thunder will set a new benchmark as the most expensive publicly advertised stallion in European history at €450,000 (AU$730,000) – and he will be joined at Kildangan Stud next year by two high-profile newcomers, Ombudsman and Notable Speech, who have been set at €45,000 (AU$73,000) and €40,000 (AU$65,000) respectively.
The unbeaten triple Group 1 scorer Bow Echo has been introduced at Dalham Hall Stud at £65,000 (AU$126,000). He will stand alongside Dubawi, whose fee is once again £350,000 (AU$680,000) and Too Darn Hot, who has been trimmed by £25,000 (AU$48,500) to £75,000 (AU$146,000).
Ghaiyyath is going the other way. After a memorable season for his progeny on the racetrack and in the ring, the son of Dubawi has had his fee doubled to €40,000 (AU$65,000). Meanwhile, Blue Point, another highflyer on the Kildangan Stud roster, has been bumped by €30,0000 (AU$48,700) to €130,000 (AU$211,000).
Night Of Thunder is responsible for Europe's highest-rated horse in Ombudsman and the undefeated Classic hero Bow Echo along with four other Group 1 winners in 2026. He is the sire of more Group winners than any other stallion in the world this year and reached a milestone of 100 individual stakes winners.
The big numbers were also recorded in the sales ring this year when a yearling colt by Night of Thunder sold for 4,600,000 gns (AU$9.37 million), setting a record as the highest-priced yearling colt ever sold in Europe and the highest-priced yearling sold worldwide in 2026.
Tax implications for European fees
While Night Of Thunder's €450,000 (AU$730,000) fee is technically a European record, it includes Irish VAT at 13.5%, while Frankel and Dubawi both stand at £350,000 (AU$680,000), excluding UK VAT at 20%. Once VAT is removed and the fees are converted into the same currency, Frankel and Dubawi remain more expensive on a like-for-like basis. Only the Darley stallions standing in Ireland at Kildangan Stud have been advertised with their fees inclusive of VAT.
Eamon Moloney, who is nominations manager at Darley's Kildangan Stud, explained, “For several years now, we have been listening to feedback from breeders about our prices being listed excluding VAT, which meant we needed to add VAT on top of the stud fee. We felt the time was right to advertise inclusive of VAT to provide breeders with a better sense of what they would be paying.”
Chung sidelined for six weeks
Hong Kong jockey Angus Chung will miss six weeks with concussion, fractured ribs and a broken nose after a fall at the Sha Tin trials on Tuesday. His mount Tony Cruz-trained United Hua Steed (Ire) (Supremacy {Ire}) was euthanised.
Jockey Lyle Hewitson requested to withdraw his riding licence for ‘personal reasons’ and will finish up on December 24 before heading back to his home in South Africa. South African Champion Jockey in 2017/18, 2018/19 and 2020/21, he has just one winner so far this season in Hong Kong and a career tally of 177 in the region.
Half-million for Zarak share at Arqana Online
A share in leading French sire Zarak (lot 1) brought €500,000 (AU$812,000) from Badgers Bloodstock during the Arqana November Online Sale on Tuesday.
The son of Dubawi, based at the Aga Khan Studs' Haras de Bonneval, is the sire of French 2000 Guineas winner Metropolitan, as well as fellow Group 1 winners Haya Zark and Zagrey.
Ted Noffey retired to Spendthrift for 2027
Reigning Champion 2-Year-Old Male Ted Noffey (Into Mischief) will retire to stud for the 2027 breeding season, standing for a fee of US$60,000 (AU$87,300) S&N, according to Spendthrift Farm on Tuesday.
“We're incredibly proud of what Ted Noffey accomplished on the racetrack,” said Ned Toffey, General Manager and COO of Spendthrift Farm. “To win three Grade I races at three different tracks across the country speaks to his exceptional talent, class, and precocity. As a son of Into Mischief, he brings an outstanding combination of pedigree and performance to our stallion roster, and we're excited to begin the next chapter of his career at Spendthrift.”
Ombudsman to bow out in Japan Cup
Five-time Group 1 winner Ombudsman is an intended runner in the G1 Japan Cup at Tokyo later this month, according to Godolphin managing director Hugh Anderson, who described the son of Night Of Thunder as being “one of the best” to have sported the famous royal blue silks on the day that his retirement to Kildangan Stud for 2027 was confirmed.
The Japan Cup has emerged as the destination for Ombudsman's swansong, with John and Thady Gosden currently preparing the 5-year-old to begin his journey to the Far East on November 18. The Japan Cup, which takes place on Sunday, November 29, was won last year by Ombudsman's old sparring partner, Calandagan, who is set to be in opposition at Tokyo once again.
“John is a master trainer and has obviously got his eye very firmly on this prize. It's very exciting,” Anderson said of the Japan Cup, in which Ombudsman will step up to a mile and a half for the first time.
Keeneland passes 2025 gross with a day to go
With one session remaining, the 2026 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale surpassed its 2025 total gross during the eighth day of the nine-day auction, with cumulative through-the-ring sales of US$238,926,000 (AU$347 million). The previous record was US$237,456,400 (AU$345 million) in through-the-ring sales for the entire auction last year.
Cumulatively over eight sessions, 1,742 horses have averaged US$137,156 (AU$199,000), while the median was US$60,000 (AU$87,300). The average increased 5.24% from US$130,327 (AU$189,000). The median was 7.69% below 2025’s median of $65,000 (AU$94,500).
Topping Tuesday's session at US$100,000 (AU$145,000) was a weanling colt (hip 3100) from the first crop of Grade I winner Gun Pilot sold to Lee Rodgers. Legacy Bloodstock consigned the son of stakes-placed winner Stella Rose. The colt was purchased in utero by Kenneth Williams on behalf of a client for US$14,000 (AU$20,400) at this year's Fasig-Tipton March Digital Sale.
Further Ado to stay in training at four
Spendthrift Farm confirmed that 'TDN Rising Star' Further Ado (Gun Runner) will remain in training following his impressive win in the GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. He prevailed in a thrilling stretch battle, earning a 106 Beyer and adding another Grade I victory to his growing résumé.
“Further Ado seems to be getting better with every start, and his performance in the Breeders' Cup was a testament to just how talented he is,” said Ned Toffey. “He's continued to develop and improve throughout the season, and we believe there's still more to come. We're excited to see what he can accomplish as a 4-year-old and look forward to watching him compete at the highest level in 2027.”
European transport of horses still being debated
In the build-up to the EU-UK Summit in Brussels on November 20, the European and Mediterranean Horseracing Federation (EMHF) is pushing for the restoration of free movement for “high-health thoroughbreds” between Britain and nations within the European Union.
The former Tripartite Agreement, held initially between Britain, Ireland and France, and which let racehorses, thoroughbred breeding stock and sports horses of high-health status move without routine border checks, was terminated on January 1, 2021 in the wake of the United Kingdom's departure from the EU.
“For half a century, the Tripartite Agreement proved that high-health racehorses can cross borders safely without routine checks, because our industry's own controls ensure higher health standards,” Dr Paull Khan, CEO of the EMHF said.
“Since 2021, that trust has been replaced by paperwork and long waits at border posts, and thoroughbred movements between Britain and the EU have fallen by more than a quarter, even as Britain's movements with the rest of the world have grown. The tools to fix this already exist in EU law. We urge negotiators to make sure the agreement concluded on 20 November allows for agreements between the UK and EU member states on free movement of horses, for the welfare of our horses and for breeders, owners and trainers across Europe.”
