New Zealand Gr1 Sistema Stakes winner Return To Conquer headlined Blue Gum Farm's inaugural Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale draft, and the now-3YO colt was unbeaten in four starts at two. Gr2 placed pair of Top Reward and Queen Of Clubs also came through the same draft. This year's Gr1 Australasian Oaks winner Benagil is a recent homebred for the Campbell family to come from the Blue Gum pastures, while the farm's ability to produce high class horses is demonstrated through the likes of recent stakes horses and sale graduates Bold Bastille, Good Banter, Enxuto, Moonlight Circus, Tuned, Oxford Blue, Think 'n' Fly, and Semillion. Blue Gum Farm's strong stallion line-up was impacted in 2025 with the sad and sudden death of Sejardan whose oldest foals are yearlings in 2026. The Gr2 Todman Stakes winner will be missed by the team. Flying Artie, sire of Artorius and international sprint sensation Asfoora, has been at Blue Gum Farm for several seasons now, and the proven stallion is now fashioning a name for himself in Hong Kong with the exciting My Wish. Joining Flying Artie on the 2025 line up is Oxley Road, a son of Exceed And Excel, who was a tough racehorse winning group races at three and four, and was placed in the Gr1 Oakleigh Plate. His first foals were born in 2025. The property at Euroa, named Blue Gum Farm, was established by the Campbell family in 1981. After several years as successful breeders from a smaller farm, it was time to expand, and this property with its climatic advantages was crafted into a boutique Thoroughbred property. In 2022, the farm was sold to Trilogy Rural consisting of Central Coast entrepreneurs Jason and Melanie Stenning and Victoria-based Caithness Breeding owners Sean and Cathy Dingwall. The transition from the Campbell family to Trilogy Racing at Blue Gum Farm has been seamless with the farm's great qualities continuing to churn out stakes horses. The first crop born at Blue Gum under the new ownership are currently 2YOs, while their first sales crop are 3YOs. "Situated in a fertile valley at the foot of the Strathbogie Ranges, this undeveloped tract of land was specifically targeted for a variety of reasons back in 1980," Blue Gum explains on their website. "Soil composition, favourable climate including rainfall, proximity to the best in equine veterinary attention and other services were, and still are, very important considerations. We have set our farm up from scratch, based on the best we've seen both here and overseas, with only the thoroughbred in mind." Blue Gum Farm will present 15 yearlings at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, and six at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. Blue Gum Farm has been the leading vendor at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale for most of the past five years, and in 2026, they will present a draft of 34 yearlings including several by their sadly deceased boom juvenile Sejardan.
Gr1-winning Blue Gum Farm graduate Return To Conquer (pic: Kenton Wright Race Images)
2026 Mill Park Stud Vendor Profile
Thursday, 8th January 2026
Arguably one of the leading thoroughbred nurseries in the southern hemisphere, Mill Park Stud's expansive 10,000 acres of undulating, limestone-based countryside, offers abundant space and naturally rich pastures ideal for raising young horses. Owned and operated by the Watson family – Peter and Serena along with their son Chris and his wife Sian, the property was originally purchased by Serena's father and his brothers in the 1950s and initially run as a cattle and sheep property. The Watson family's interest in thoroughbreds began as a hobby with a small band of broodmares and this early passion grew into a fully commercial breeding operation in the early 1990s, particularly after a significant broodmare influx from Toorak Park, setting Mill Park on a trajectory toward producing high-quality racehorses. Today, Mill Park Stud houses around 200 horses, including approximately 80 resident broodmares, and is widely recognised within the industry for consistently producing a plethora of stakes performers year in and year out. "Our location and climate give us a real advantage. It's an exceptional part of the world to raise livestock, and horses in particular, thrive in these conditions," said Chris Watson. "Being close to the coast is a little unconventional for a thoroughbred operation, but it's something that's worked extremely well for us over time." The farm combines its deep knowledge of pedigrees with careful mating decisions and personalised care, ensuring each horse is nurtured according to its individual potential. Large paddocks and low stocking rates allow each horse ample space to grow and develop naturally, while specialist staff and facilities, including on-site veterinary care and dedicated yearling preparation areas support optimal health and conditioning before sales or returning into work ahead of a training campaign. With winners of the Caulfield Cup, Robert Sangaster Stakes, Blue Diamond Stakes, Makybe Diva Stakes, Oakleigh Plate, Champagne Stakes, Toorak Handicap, as well as the Victoria and South Australia Derbies to name a few, Mill Park Stud has produced no fewer than 22 individual Gr1 winners highlighted by the likes of Rebel Raider, Warning, Benedetta, Happy Trails, Fawkner, Gold Guru, Instant Celebrity, Mummify and many more. And it's not just the stakes winners off the farm, but also what those families go on to produce in future generations. This season's G1 AJ Moir Stakes winner Baraqiel and Gr1 Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Tentyris, as well as Cosmo Kuranda, a narrow second in Japan's G1 Arima Kinen, although not directly bred by Mill Park, are out of daughters, and grand daughters of mares nurtured at the famed South Australian property. "A major factor in what we do is the level of detail we apply across every stage from pedigree analysis to stallion selection and all the decisions in between," said Watson. "We aim to pair the right mare with the right stallion and try not to use unproven sires unless we think the mating works very well. "Above everything else, the people behind Mill Park play a huge role in what we achieve as we're fortunate to have a dedicated team who genuinely care about the farm and the horses. Their passion and commitment are fundamental to our success." In 2026, Mill Park Stud will take a draft of 14 to the Magic Millions yearling sale, and a further 8 to the Inglis Premier before sending a large group to their hometown sale of the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale.
Benedetta is one off 22 Gr1 winners from Mill Park Stud (pic: Mark Gatt)
2026 Segenhoe Stud Vendor Profile
Thursday, 8th January 2026
Exceptional vendor Segenhoe Stud is the current leader of the 2025/26 Black Type Vendor Premiership, thanks to yearling graduates like Horse Of The Year Pride Of Jenni, triple Gr1 winner Joliestar, and Transatlantic. Zarastro, Wodeton, Ancient Zero, Boston Rocks, In Good Order, Jenni The Fox, Ripley, Fermoy, Ornithology, San Giovanni, Hillier, and Navy Pilot all contributed Black Type points to this season's tally. Other recent Gr1 winners off the farm include Reserve Bank, In Secret, Ellsberg and King's Legacy. Segenhoe Stud carries one of the oldest names in the Hunter Valley. The original Segenhoe name came via British Member of Parliament Thomas Potter Macqueen who was born at Segenhoe Manor in Bedfordshire. He was granted 8100 hectares in the upper Hunter Valley in 1824. The farm was subdivided and the original homestead and buildings formed part of an 1100-hectare property which retained the name. Segenhoe became a working Thoroughbred farm in 1913 and has been operational since then under various ownership structures. One of the investors in the 1980s, Michael Sissian, sold out of his holdings, but retained the name, moving to the current property. In 2010, the current Segenhoe was purchased by Kevin Maloney who also bought the neighbouring farm to extend the operations into the current scope. General Manager Peter O'Brien worked for Coolmore for 25 years before taking on the reins at Segenhoe in 2014. Under his watch the farm has flourished, and the list of its high-profile sales and elite racetrack graduates continues to grow. "Segenhoe Stud's facilities and quality staff enable us to manage and care for our thoroughbred assets from birth through to their racing careers and then on to the breeding phase of their lives. Under the ownership of the Maloney family, we are continually developing a high-quality band of young stakes-winning Australian and international broodmares." Current 3YOs who have come through Segenhoe's sales drafts including group placed Hostility, Ornithology, San Giovanni, Fermoy, Hillier, Agent Zero, and Gr1 Golden Slipper-placed Wodeton. Segenhoe Stud will present 34 yearlings at the 2026 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. The farm has a further 14 heading to the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale and typically have a strong presence at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
Godolphin's sprinting sensation In Secret is an alumni of Segenhoe (pic: Steve Hart)
2026 Silverdale Farm Vendor Profile
Thursday, 8th January 2026
Silverdale Farm has been in the headlines this spring as the pinhookers of Gr1 Epsom Handicap winner Autumn Glow (see below) who ended the spring as an unbeaten winner of eight races. The farm, owned by Steve Grant and managed by Rob Petith, is about more than having a good eye for a weanling. The Southern Highlands farm, with cool climate and rich basalt soil, was a dairy farm for generations, utilising the fertile soil and consistent rainfall to be successful there. "Our philosophy at Silverdale Farm is in getting the details right. We set horses up for their life, we educate our horses, so they deal with pressure. We want the basics ingrained, so we can then focus on the one-percenters, the improvements above and beyond the standard," noted Petith. Grant, a macadamia farmer by origin and eventual property developer, owned a share in Group 1 winner Rebel Dane and that inspired him to grow his racing interests. He purchased Silverdale Farm in 2009, and became fully invested in the racing game, serving as a board member of the ATC from 2014 to 2016. Around this time, Grant employed Petith, and along with advice from John Muir of Milburn Creek, they developed Silverdale Farm into a working bloodstock property. The first stakes winner off the farm was Rebel Dane's son Subterranean. The work culminated in Silverdale Farm's first yearling draft in 2021. All five of the yearlings offered in their inaugural draft at the Gold Coast are winners including Gr3-placed Pantonario. Gr3 winner Kaizad came from their second Inglis Classic Yearling Sale draft, and since then, Silverdale Farm have sold Gr1 winner Autumn Glow and Gr2 winner Eneeza, while their current 3YOs include Gr2-placed Prestige Snitzel and Gr3-placed Pure Passion. Autumn Glow was bred by Newhaven Park Stud and purchased as a weanling by Silverdale Farm for $600,000. Silverdale's education and raising methods turned that into a $1.8 million Easter Sale topping price, and Autumn Glow has lived up to that lofty expectation with eight wins and over $7 million in earnings. Eneeza, another seven figure yearling sale for Silverdale Farm, has earned more on track than she cost, and her three wins are all in stakes company led by the Gr2 Percy Sykes Stakes. Silverdale's pre-Christmas juvenile graduates from the 2025 yearling sales are led by Listed winner Paradoxium and Gr3-placed Masvingo. Silverdale Farm will present 16 yearlings at the 2026 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, six at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, and they typically have a boutique draft for the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
2026 Torryburn Stud Vendor Profile
Thursday, 8th January 2026
I love a sunburnt country,
A land of sweeping plains,
Of ragged mountain ranges,
Of droughts and flooding rains.
The famous Australian poem 'My Country' by Dorothea Mackellar was written at Torryburn Stud when her family owned the property from 1898. Owned by the Cornish family since 2002, Torryburn Stud's famous love heart brand has been seen on many great racehorses. Hong Kong's triple crown winner and six-time Group 1 winner Voyage Bubble was sold by Torryburn at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. He recently won the Gr1 Hong Kong Mile for a second successive year. During 2025, Torryburn graduates include Gr3 Epona Stakes winner Mare Of Mt Buller, Listed Angst Stakes winner Idle Flyer, and Listed National Sprint winner Zouatica. Exciting young stallion and Gr1 winner Home Affairs is a Torryburn Stud Inglis Easter Yearling Sale graduate, while they also sold Gr1 winner Espiona at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Gr2 winner Straight Arron, Listed winner Anavinci, homebred stakes winner Stardom, stakes winner Aysar, and Gr1-placed Payline also have come from Torryburn's paddocks in recent years. Torryburn was named after Torry Bay in Scotland by the white settler John McIntyre, who gained the land in 1821. An unlikeable bloke, McIntyre mistreated his nine convicts and was murdered by them in September 1830. The case filled the newspapers, all convicts were found guilty and sentenced to death, and the property went through several owners until the Mackeller family purchased it in 1898 during a severe drought. Primarily a cattle property with some cropping for most of its history, Torryburn was purchased by Rob and Jenny Ferguson in 1989 and redeveloped as a Thoroughbred farm. The current owners, the Cornish family, have been there for over twenty years and are responsible for the large numbers of group winning graduates from the property, all from a select broodmare band that has been carefully curated and developed. In 2026, Torryburn Stud will present eight yearlings at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, another eight at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. They also usually bring a draft to the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
World rated miler Voyage Bubble is a Torryburn graduate (pic: hkjc.com)
Twilight Tale Tops Progressive MM Digital Sale
Thursday, 8th January 2026
A standout mare with proven racetrack credentials proved the highlight of the Magic Millions Digital Sale held from January 2 to 7, with strong New Zealand interest driving the top price. Stakes-performed Savabeel mare Twilight Tale emerged as the sale-topper when knocked down for $115,000, underlining the appetite for quality racing and breeding prospects in the increasingly competitive online marketplace. The four-year-old was secured by Go Racing in partnership with Blandford Bloodstock, emerging from a compact but well-regarded draft offered by Western Australian powerhouse Peters Investments. A two-time winner, including a metropolitan success, Twilight Tale had already shown her ability at stakes level with two placings, making her an appealing dual-purpose acquisition for her new connections. Go Racing's Albert Bosma said the digital format proved seamless during the crucial closing moments. "We found the platform very easy to use," he said. "We actually had two of us watching the bidding on separate devices as it was closing and were amazed how responsive it was, even though we were bidding from rural New Zealand." Bosma added that the strength of the catalogue demanded full attention. "The quality of the horses on offer demanded that we had to take the sale seriously." Peters Investments, one of the Southern Hemisphere's most successful breeding operations, offered six lots in total and enjoyed solid results across the board. Among their other notable sellers was the blue-blooded Regal Statue, who found a new home with Davison Racing for $90,000. Liam Peters explained the reasoning behind offering such mares to the market. "Recently we've been doing our best to reduce numbers with so many young horses coming through, so sometimes these well bred and performed mares are the ones that put their hands up to be moved on," he said. "It was great to see them get good results in the sale and we wish all their connections the best of luck." In all, 55 lots were sold throughout the afternoon for a gross of $739,100, with a clearance rate exceeding 73 per cent and expected to rise further as private deals are finalised. Additional highlights included Quietly Arrogant at $65,000 and Lyon at $60,000 from Newgate, Arrowfield's Rematch at $32,500, and Star Thoroughbreds' Mannerheim at $22,500. Star's Denise Martin described the outcome as highly encouraging. "The results of the sale were great," she said. "We are very thankful of Bryce and his team for such a smooth process and positive outcome." Shares in proven gallopers such as Jimmy's Brother and John Rambo also attracted strong interest from buyers seeking immediate returns. Magic Millions Head of Digital Bryce Bevan credited the team's preparatory work for the global engagement. "As soon as entries closed the entire Bloodstock team worked hard canvassing buyers for this sale and this work was reflected with who participated not only from across Australia but multiple countries," he said. With fortnightly auctions now locked in, attention turns to the 2026 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, while entries for the next Digital Sale, running from January 23 to 28, open this Thursday.
Twilight Tale offers significant upside (pic: magicmillions.com.au)
Ferraris Gets Hoiked from My Wish Ride
Thursday, 8th January 2026
A subtle but significant change will greet the Group 1 Stewards' Cup when elite Hong Kong galloper My Wish lines up over 1600m later this month, with Alexis Badel set to take the reins following a decision by the gelding's owners to move on from regular rider Luke Ferraris. According to scmp.com, the shift comes ahead of a blockbuster clash against Romantic Warrior and Voyage Bubble, three of Hong Kong's premier milers converging in what shapes as one of the season's defining contests. South African Ferraris' association with the gun grunner has been both deep and productive. He partnered My Wish in 13 of the horse's 15 career starts, steering him to victories in last season's Classic Mile and again this term in the Group 3 Celebration Cup over 1400m and the Gr2 Sha Tin Trophy at 1600m. Those performances helped elevate My Wish into the top echelon of Hong Kong racing and cemented Ferraris' role in his rise. The decision is nevertheless a bitter blow for the young jockey, who is enjoying a standout campaign and currently sits third in the jockeys' premiership with 19 winners. Current leading trainer Mark Newnham was quick to acknowledge Ferraris' contribution, stressing the move was not performance related. "It was the owner's choice – Luke has played a big part in the horse's career and I will never downplay that," he said. "Without Luke's input, I don't think the horse would have come as far as he has." Circumstance has intervened before. Ferraris was unavailable when My Wish captured the Sha Tin Trophy due to weight restrictions, with Badel deputising successfully on that occasion. Ferraris returned for the Group 2 Jockey Club Mile and the Group 1 Hong Kong Mile last month, where the gelding finished fourth and sixth respectively after finding little luck in running. That Hong Kong Mile effort was quickly forgiven by connections, Newnham pointing to race shape and conditions rather than form regression. The focus has since shifted to another high-pressure examination against Voyage Bubble and Danny Shum's champion Romantic Warrior, both prolific Group 1 winners and leading protagonists for the Stewards' Cup on January 25. Preparation has been smooth. "He's in good order, he's in a trial at Happy Valley on Saturday and he's as fit and well as he has been all preparation," Newnham remarked. With another gallop or two planned, the stable remains confident My Wish will arrive at the Stewards' Cup ready to test the very best.
Waller Polish to Be Applied to Joker's Grin
Thursday, 8th January 2026
A fairytale that began in the west and captured the imagination of Australian racing is about to enter a new chapter, with The Quokka hero Jokers Grin set to leave his long-time home and head east. The $5 million Ascot winner, whose unlikely rise became one of the season's great underdog stories of the turf, will soon be trained in Sydney by Chris Waller, bringing an end to his association with Western Australian trainer Bernie Miller. Confirmation of the move came from Miller himself, the 70-year-old larrikin who found himself thrust into the national spotlight when the then little-known gelding stormed home as a $21 outsider last April. A former electrical linesman and perennial small stable operator, Miller was briefly the toast of Australian racing as Jokers Grin's name entered folklore. The five-year-old's post-Quokka campaign only added further substance to the tale. After a short break, he returned to Perth in November with two sharp wins before producing a brave effort in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes, finishing less than two lengths from elite sprinter Libertad and confirming he belonged at the top level. With Waller poised to take over training duties, it is understood Jokers Grin will relocate to Sydney, a move that all but rules out a defence of his Quokka crown at Ascot. For Miller, the separation is tinged with disappointment, though those close to him say it has been met with perspective rather than protest. He has long insisted that success would never change who he is, even as the spotlight briefly swung his way. Late last year, Miller joked that the flood of owners never arrived despite the fairytale victory. "I had five horses in work before The Quokka but things are now going enormous, I've got six this week," he quipped. "I only had two phone calls after The Quokka." Those calls, he added, included one from "a lady from Parramatta in Sydney called Maureen" who wanted to buy a $700 horse online and send it west "because I had won 'The Quacker'." Jokers Grin departs Miller's care with nine wins from 13 starts and $2.66 million in prizemoney, leaving behind a story unlikely to be repeated. And, that's nothing to joke about.
Elite WA sprinter Joker's Grin (pic: Western Racepix)
Karaka Millions Feature Fields Taking Shape
Thursday, 8th January 2026
With less than three weeks remaining until Karaka Millions Night, the likely fields for Ellerslie’s two richest summer features are rapidly crystallising, with form lines sharpening and rankings shifting after key lead-up races. Both the $1m TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and the $1.5m TAB Karaka Millions 3YO (1600m) are beginning to take on a familiar shape as proven performers rise to the top of their respective orders of entry. Momentum at the juvenile end swung decisively on New Year’s Day when success in the Group 2 Eclipse Stakes reshuffled the pecking order. That victory elevated Kinnaird into the leading position on the Karaka Millions 2YO order of entry and installed the filly as early favourite for the race itself. Trained by Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, she was secured for $340,000 from Book 1 of Karaka 2025 by Te Akau’s David Ellis, whose record in the race speaks for itself, having bought eight of the past nine winners. A flawless two-start career has yielded two victories and $152,375 in stakes. That performance nudged Victorian raider Torture into second spot, but the filly’s profile continues to grow. From the first crop of Cambridge Stud stallion Sword Of State, she was purchased for $250,000 by Lindsay Park Racing and Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock and has earned A$128,250 from two starts. A debut win in the Listed Debutant Stakes at Caulfield was followed by a strong-finishing fourth in the Geelong Diamond, closing from the rear of the field. Trainers Ben, Will and JD Hayes have confirmed a Karaka Millions campaign remains firmly on track. “We really like her and saw the Geelong Diamond as a nice race to bring her on before we head to the Karaka Millions,” Ben Hayes said. “Karaka doesn’t totally rule out the Blue Diamond either.” Further depth is provided by De Armas, third on the order of entry after two wins including the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes, while another Australian-trained contender looms in Dream Roca following his Eagle Farm success. Several others sit just below the cut-line, and upcoming opportunities remain decisive, with a $40,000 Wanganui race and a $55,000 Ellerslie dress rehearsal still capable of reshaping the final field. At three-year-old level, the narrative is headed by an unbeaten filly whose dominance has been unmistakable. Well Written has won all four starts, including the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (see below) and the Group 2 Auckland Guineas, and is a clear favourite for both the Karaka Millions 3YO and the $4m NZB Kiwi. Behind her, depth abounds, led by Romanoff and Affirmative Action, who filled the quinella in the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas, while last season’s Karaka Millions 2YO heroine La Dorada has reignited her double ambitions. Added intrigue comes from the $200,000 bonus awaiting the first Book 2 graduate home.
Tassie Summer Streaming to Sparkle
Thursday, 8th January 2026
From early 2026, Tasmania’s headline thoroughbred racedays will be carried live and free on Racing.com, extending the state’s biggest moments to a national audience and giving punters and fans a clearer window into the local calendar. The agreement between Racing.com and Tasracing begins with the Devonport Cup on January 7, a summer fixture known for its atmosphere, strong community backing and a long-standing place on the Tasmanian schedule. From there, Racing.com will roll out broader coverage of feature events, leaning into the network’s familiar mix of access, context and storytelling. The expanded footprint is designed to put Tasmania’s racing heritage front and centre, from its historic Cups through to the colour and energy of twilight and night meetings, ensuring those events are showcased to more viewers than ever before. Racing Victoria EGM Andy Hoad said the move reflects a shared ambition to highlight the best of Australian racing. “This partnership represents an important step in expanding Racing.com’s national footprint. Tasmanian racing has a proud history and a passionate following, and we’re delighted to bring these feature races to a broader audience. Our focus is always on strengthening access to great racing, and Tasmania’s marquee events are a natural fit for our lineup.” Tasracing CEO Andrew Jenkins believes the collaboration will amplify the stories behind the racing as much as the action itself, particularly during the state’s peak summer period. “We’re thrilled to have Racing.com on board as a partner of Tasmanian racing. The Ladbrokes Tasmanian Summer Racing Festival is our busiest and best time of year, and the expanded reach of Racing.com will further showcase the quality of our racing and venues.” For viewers, the shift promises more consistent coverage and a deeper connection to the horses, trainers and jockeys who define the island’s racing identity. For the industry, it offers a stronger platform to lift flagship events, broaden engagement and keep Tasmania’s best days in the national conversation.
World Pool Powered by Record Growth
Thursday, 8th January 2026
A 20% lift in commingled turnover underscored World Pool’s growing reach in 2025, with overseas meetings linking into Hong Kong Jockey Club-powered pools in record fashion. By joining markets into a single pool on races staged abroad, the initiative has continued to deepen liquidity and widen international engagement. Across 57 overseas racedays, total turnover climbed to HK$9.3 billion, up from HK$7.8 billion in 2024. On the biggest stages the spike was even sharper: betting on The Everest featuring Ka Ying Rising surged to HK$83 million, eclipsing the previous single-race best of HK$66.2 million set in 2023 when Wellington lined up in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes. In all, 329 races were staged under the World Pool banner across 10 jurisdictions, and the programme’s scale ensured major carnivals were backed by deeper pools, with 70 of those contests having been placed in the IFHA Top 100 during the past three years. Hong Kong’s elite programme also moved fully into the spotlight for the first time, with every local Group 1 run as a World Pool race. Those fixtures accounted for HK$1.6 billion and helped take overall World Pool turnover for the year to HK$10.9 billion. Away from the wagering numbers, World Pool’s “Moment of the Day” initiative continued to funnel recognition to the people behind the scenes, awarding HK$1.2 million to 30 grooms across World Pool racedays. Australian horseman Kevin Daffy, who trains, owns and leads up Oh Too Good, was voted Moment of the Year after the gelding’s win in the Gr3 Jewellers Vase on Might And Power Stakes Day at Caulfield, earning a VIP trip for four to Hong Kong in 2026. The honour follows the 2024 trip awarded to David Hickey, groom of City Of Troy. Andrew Harding, Executive Director, Racing, The Hong Kong Jockey Club, said: “It’s been a very positive year for World Pool. We’ve had more racedays and jurisdictions involved than ever before, and we’ve seen turnover records broken too.” He added: “World Pool’s growth over the past 12 months has played a key role in the globalisation of racing” and noted the added revenue streams for racecourses and rights holders can flow through to stronger prize money. Looking ahead, Harding said the Club expects World Pool to “continue to act as a positive force for racing globally” and confirmed an expansion of fixtures would be announced soon. The 2026 schedule resumes with South Africa’s King’s Plate Day on 10 January, with upcoming fixtures listed on World Pool’s website.
The Everest saw record World Pool turnover for a single event (pic: supplied)
