Wednesday, 2nd July 2025
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  • NEW Luck Required for Fieldelo to Thwart Artist

    Wednesday, 2nd July 2025
    Trainer Toby Lake heads back to Flemington on Saturday with rising filly Fieldelo (Deep Field), fully aware of the challenge that lies ahead in trying to turn the tables on the classy She's An Artist (Trapeze Artist). The Listed Creswick Stakes (1200m) will see the pair clash again, but Lake is quietly confident his promising sprinter has taken the right steps since their last encounter. Lake told racing.com, Fieldelo pulled up superbly from her previous run and has continued to please in her work at home. "I was happy with that run, she was strong through the line, which was very pleasing," he said. "She galloped this morning and went well. She didn't need to burn the track up or anything – he's done the hard work and is ready to go again." With Fieldelo's fitness peaking, Lake is hopeful she can deliver a sharp showing on race day. She's An Artist will deservedly start favourite, but Lake is banking on his filly's adaptability to be an asset. "You've obviously got to respect She's An Artist, she's likely to be a short-priced favourite and deserves to be, but if there's any chink in her armour on the day, hopefully we can be the one ready to pounce," he said. He added that the Deep Field filly's ability to adapt tactically could prove valuable in what's shaping as a compact field. "It can be tricky with a small field, but she's got such good tactical speed she can be quite versatile in the run." Contextually, following a 5-length Bendigo debut win, Daniel O'Sullivan of the Ratings Bureau rated undefeated baldy-faced She's An Artist's follow-up 3.75-length city win 11 days ago at an extremely high 101.5. Looking beyond Saturday, a possible trip to Morphettville for the Lightning Stakes (1050m) later this month is on the cards, but Lake will wait to see how Fieldelo fares at Flemington before locking in any plans. With more than $60,000 in prizemoney already banked from just three starts, Fieldelo continues to build an encouraging profile.

  • NEW Stokes Stable Consolidates Top Season

    Wednesday, 2nd July 2025
    Trainer Phillip Stokes has continued his dazzling dual state season, with the stable’s latest feature triumph coming via promising colt Matahga in the Listed Sportsbet David Peacock Oaklands Plate at Morphettville on Saturday. It capped a stellar run for the team, which has surged to 42 metro wins in South Australia, nine ahead of last year’s pace, and now sits 10th nationally on the Australian Metropolitan Trainers’ Premiership. A $2.15 favourite following his last-start victory in the Racing Rewards SA feature at Murray Bridge, Matahga overcame a tricky run thanks to a cool, calculated ride by Jacob Opperman. The grey weaved through traffic late to reel in Victorian filly Ethereum Girl in the shadows of the post. The New Zealand-bred son of Eminent was a Book 1 buy for $80,000 at the 2024 Karaka Yearling Sale and now looks set for a Melbourne Spring campaign. “He’s a nice colt this horse, dug deep, he’s come a long way this preparation,” said Stokes. “He’ll go for a break now and I think he deserves to be aimed up at some nice races in the spring.” Owned by long-time friends and loyal clients, the Brooks family, Matahga’s success was the first of a treble for Opperman, who rode with precision all day. He followed up with wins aboard Test The Law – timing his run perfectly to down Exalted Fire – and Victorian mare Fiasco Tess, who stormed home up the rail in an eye-catching return to form. “I came here with a good book of rides, and it’s been a really good day,” Opperman said. Elsewhere, Darryl Hewitt’s strong run continued with Sir Now making it seven wins from 13 starts, while the Aaron Bain and Ned Taylor team saw Metrical bounce back to form with a polished Jason Holder ride. Across the border, Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea’s Sixteen Reasons made a winning return from a spell at Caulfield, with Jaylah Kennedy guiding the filly to victory first-up.

  • NEW Fellowes Attempts Belmont Derby with Luther

    Wednesday, 2nd July 2025
    Popular UK trainer Charlie Fellowes is hoping his consistent colt Luther can give him a long-awaited top-tier breakthrough when he lines up in the Gr1 Belmont Derby in the United States on Friday, according to sportinglife.com. A regular figure in Australia with near-misses in the Melbourne Cup, Fellowes, who trains out of Newmarket, now turns his attention to the American turf with a horse he believes is peaking at the right time. Luther, by Frankel, claimed a Listed win at two but announced himself in stronger company with a close fourth in the Gr1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains behind two proven elite-level gallopers. He then contested the Gr1 Prix du Jockey Club, where a wide draw saw him caught deep without cover and left him vulnerable in the closing stages. Fellowes believes that tough run didn't reflect the horse's true ability and has high hopes for a sharper showing over the 2000m at Saratoga. "We were delighted with Luther's run in the Poulains," he told GBRI. "He used up a lot of petrol to get into position and still finished well. In the French Derby, he just didn't stay after racing wide throughout. He's trained really well since. The tight track at Saratoga will suit his turn of foot, and he's got the best attitude in the world – he just wants to win." Luther was bought by Will Douglass of Charlie Gordon-Watson Bloodstock at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1 and has given his owners a memorable ride so far. "He's been brilliant since joining the yard," Fellowes said. "His Listed win last year was electric. The owners have had so much fun. Paul Hickman, who is based in Singapore, wants to race globally, and this is a great opportunity. Nicholas Jones bred the horse and still owns a share, which makes it even more special. The mare is still in the paddock and Luther has definitely enhanced the family." Fellowes is no stranger to high-level international travel, having come heartbreakingly close to Melbourne Cup glory three times with Prince Of Arran, who also gave him major wins at Royal Ascot, Goodwood and in Dubai. "I love taking horses abroad when they're good enough," he said. "You need the right ones, and I wouldn't travel just for the sake of it, but Luther is the kind of horse who will thrive overseas." Reflecting on his globetrotting stable star, he added, "Prince Of Arran gave me my best racing memories. Only when they retire do you appreciate just how extraordinary they were. He kept turning up in the world's biggest races and never let us down. I adored travelling with him."

  • NEW Hong Kong Experience to Benefit Thompson

    Wednesday, 2nd July 2025
    After a whirlwind 18 months in the high-pressure cauldron of Hong Kong racing, Ben Thompson is heading back to Brisbane with sharpened skills and a fresh perspective, reports punters.com.au. The 27-year-old Queenslander will conclude his Hong Kong stint on July 16 before returning home the next day to reunite with his wife, former jockey Stephanie Thornton, and their young son Harry. Thompson recently withdrew his application to extend his stay in Hong Kong by another six months, instead deciding to resume his career in Australia. "It felt like the right move," he said. "I've had great support fortunately since being here and received a good number of rides (352 this season) but I just felt it was in my best interests, both professionally and personally, to go back to Brisbane." While acknowledging that Hong Kong had been "the highlight of my career" and a place he'd "love to return," he added: "I just feel I can take the experience from here home and see how we go. But it'd be a dream to return (to Hong Kong) some time down the track." Despite a lean run of form – his last win came in April – Thompson has still notched eight victories this season, sitting just one behind fellow Brisbane-based rider Jimmy Orman, who extended his Hong Kong contract until February 17. "When you're only riding twice a week on the greatest stage in racing, winners are hard to come by, it's just part of it," conceded Thompson, who has amassed more than HK$22 million (AUS$4.2m) in prizemoney. "It's been a surreal experience and without doubt the most rewarding and challenging chapter of my career. You're rubbing shoulders with the world's elite riders and they're permanent fixtures, the likes of Zac Purton, Hugh Bowman and Andrea Atzeni. These are jockeys I've idolised so it's been a great experience watching them ply their trade." Riding without an agent, Thompson has had to hustle both on and off the track to secure rides. "Everything happens at such a fast pace here and you have to think so quick," he said. "From the time you jump out the gates it's all systems go and you only get one chance. Everything moves at such a fast rate and you have to be so dialled in. I'd like to think that has left me much better off for my return to Brisbane." Leading Queensland trainer Robert Heathcote is among those eagerly awaiting his return. "He's brilliant with form and he's an A-grade rider," Heathcote said. "He'll certainly be in the top three jockeys in Brisbane."

  • Black Type Stallion Titles on a Knife Edge

    Wednesday, 2nd July 2025
    One month out from the end of the 2024-25 racing season, there is a significant likelihood that the four Australian Black Type Stallion Premierships could be taken out by four stallions from four different stud farms. Although one title now looks a foregone conclusion, two of them are anybody’s guess and the remaining title is no sure thing yet either. The cliff-hanger dynamics are extremely apt and boil down to what the Black Type Premiership is all about. Metaphorically, stallions are in the last session after Tea on Day 5 of a Test Match, two wickets in hand – eight and nine at the crease – and still needing 47 runs with 10 overs left. Ergo, prizemoney gets paid at stumps, not during the drinks break. We’ve seen in the past four years that simultaneously winning both the all-races dollar-based Australian General Sires Championship and the stakes-races points-based Black Type Stallion Premiership doesn’t necessarily align. This year, there is an even-money chance that Widden Stud’s Zoustar will pull off the double after a lengthy cat-and-mouse duel with multiple champion Snitzel. The former stuck his head in front last Saturday. Four points adrift of Snitzel before then, Olentia’s third placing in the Gr1 Tattersalls Tiara, worth 10 points, elevated him 6 points ahead of his nemesis. If the overall stallion title is a close-run affair, consider the situation vis-à-vis the 2024-25 Black Type 2YO Stallion race – Yarraman Park’s I Am Invincible leads by the skin of his teeth on 75 points from Wootton Bassett (73) and Snitzel on 71 points. On the subject of Wootton Bassett (Iffraaj), this season’s Black Type 1st Season Stallion Premiership is notable for two reasons: the massive buffer for Coolmore’s globally red-hot sire-son of Iffraaj; and the anomoly that sees him lead by an unassailable 30 points despite not yet having a local stakes winner but represented by a category-high 6 individual stakes performers. Last, but not least, is the Black Type 3YO Stallion Premiership, a category that, empercially, does the heavy lifting for stallions. Here, recently deceased Snitzel holds a slender, but reasonable, 14 point advantage over Darley’s magnificent Too Darn Hot, whose first Australian crop are just 3YOs. Mathematically, July’s aggregate points available from 17 Listed races and four Gr3 events is exactly 200. In essence, with no big hauls available from Group 1s and Group 2s, three of the Premiership title fights will likely be wars of attrition decided on points, not knock-outs.

    Zoustar

    Zoustar has taken a small lead over Snitzel for the title (pic: widden.com)

  • Blueblood Fillies Prominent in Farm Maiden

    Wednesday, 2nd July 2025
    After three runs under her belt where she has not yet been able to win, $3m Inglis Easter yearling sale graduate Ernaux (I Am Invincible-Booker (Written Tycoon) will likely start at double figure odds in Wednesday's Aashi Super Dry Plate (1200m) where she is one of a handful of well-bred fillies chasing their first race win. Drawn wide in barrier 13, the Resolute Racing-owned Ernaux will be ridden by Rory Hutchins for the first time. Stablemate Beside The Ocean (Zoustar-Tallow, by Street Cry) was scratched from making her debut last Wednesday and instead looks likely to commence her career here instead, although the rain may snuff out the best laid plans of many stables. Purchased for $250,000 from the Inglis Easter draft of Vinery Stud, the Ridgmont-owned filly will be out to get a cosy run from barrier 3 with Dylan Gibbons in the saddle. As a half-sister to Champion 2YO Colt, Gr1 Golden Slipper winner, and now promising young sire Farnan (Not A Single Doubt), one would expect juvenile ability from Beside The Ocean, and she should prove hard to beat in the large field. From the same family as last Saturday's Gr1 Tattersall's Tiara winner Tashi (Sebring), the Michael Freedman trained Fairway To Heaven (Zoustar-Taraayef, by Lonhro) is yet to make her debut but has been readied with four trials under her belt, including winning her most recent one by more than four lengths at Canterbury. Unfortunately drawn very wide in 17, if she makes her debut here, then jockey Tommy Berry will need to work his tactical magic.

  • Durazzo Sibling Burns Tassie Bookies Badly

    Wednesday, 2nd July 2025
    Several Devonport performers on Sunday served a timely reminder that, even in the depths of a Tasmanian winter, it pays to keep an eye on future stars, reports tasracing.com.au. Chief among them was boom 2YO debutant Mazzini, who turned heads with a dominant 7.5-length win in the 1150m maiden. The Barry Campbell-trained 2YO clocked 1:07.66, just shy of I'm Wesley's long-standing track record of 1:07.17, despite being eased down late. Mazzini's final 600m sectional of 35.26 added further polish to an already slick performance, and early punters who snapped up the early $5.50 available were significantly rewarded as he jumped a red-hot $1.35 favourite. A $145,000 Magic Millions Tasmania buy and full-brother to promising 4YO Durazzo – both are by well credentialled local sire Needs Further – Mazzini is one of several Campbell-trained gallopers shaping as major players in the months ahead. Another is the lightly raced Earendel, who underlined his Devonport Cup credentials by edging out Night People in a tight finish over 1650m. The win, his fourth from six starts, came in track record time – six-tenths of a second quicker than Geegees Baritone's previous mark from 2016. Both Mazzini and Earendel carry the familiar purple and white stars of Star Thoroughbreds whose well-publicised investment in Tasmania contibues to pay dividends. Campbell left the meeting with three winners after Shy Guy ($2) made every post a winner in the 1880m Benchmark 70 handicap. He wasn't the only trainer to enjoy a fruitful day, with Leanne Gaffney landing a long-odds double courtesy of Chalong ($13) and Whippin Picadilly ($17). Meanwhile, Erica Byrne Burke claimed riding honours, booting home Manhattan Nights ($2.20) and Thoros Of Myr ($3.70). The latter, prepared by Adam Trinder, now boasts four wins from 13 outings and appears to be finding his groove, having saluted twice in his past four appearances.

    Mazzini

    Mazzini looks to have significant upside (pic: tasracing.com.au)

  • Small But Intriguing 2YO Field at Sandown

    Wednesday, 2nd July 2025
    With just six final acceptances for Wednesday's Sportsbet Jockey Watch Handicap (1300m) at Sandown, the need to weigh up the unraced trio versus the three that have previously raced will surely help determine the leading contenders. Having finished sixth in both of her two starts to date, the Leon & Troy Corstens and Will Larkin trained Imzada (Alabama Express-Cerberus Gal, by General Nediym) is currently the favourite. Beaten by nine and seven lengths in his two race day starts, the filly finished third in a recent jump out, but on paper would need to improve significantly, unless the other five in the field are quite average. Second at her most recent start over 1212m at Geelong, the Shane Nichols trained Too Much Too Soon (Too Darn Hot-Champ Elect, by Choisir) is sure to appreciate the step up in trip and does look capable of playing a role in the finish. The most intriguing runner in the field, and the one that should be fancied on pedigree alone is the Anthony and Sam Freedman trained Celestra (I Am Invincible-Dream in Colour, by Frankel). With two public jump outs under her belt, the Hilldene bred and raced filly was most recently seen when taking out a 1000m Cranbourne jump out. A half-sister to the stakes placed Wizard Of Oz (Exceed And Excel), Celestra is out of an imported Frankel daughter of the Gr3 winner Colour (More Than Ready) from the extended family of Forensics, Snippets and Not A Single Doubt.

  • Malula Confident Magnaspin Can Surprise in Final

    Wednesday, 2nd July 2025
    With a return to patient riding tactics and a favourable draw, Magnaspin could prove the surprise package in Saturday's Listed Winter Championship Series Final (1600m) at Flemington. The Malua Racing-trained five-year-old, who boasts a win in the $500,000 The Coast at Newcastle last May, had struggled when ridden on speed at Flemington in recent starts but rebounded impressively first-up at Sandown, swooping late as a $61 outsider. That performance, delivered with cover and a more relaxed tempo, is now the blueprint heading into the weekend, according to co-trainer Will Larkin. "He is at this point in time better ridden with a bit of cover," said Larkin, who trains in partnership with Leon and Troy Corstens. "He's been asked to do a bit of work early and led at too fast a tempo, which doesn't allow him to finish off. We've got to get things right with him in the early stages and then he'll be the one improving dramatically." Larkin stressed that a kind barrier would be key: "We can bury him straight away. Wide gates sometimes can have the opposite effect on him because he jumps so well and then it's really hard to bring him back." While open to reconsidering tactics if the draw is unkind, Larkin noted, "I just want to get him back in form because he's going so much better than what his last two starts suggest." Stablemate He'll Rip is also nominated for the Winter Championship Final, though Larkin confirmed the in-form gelding is likely to be reserved for a 1400m race at Caulfield the following Saturday. "It's just a better race for him to go and (hopefully) win off the back of his recent form. He's probably looking for another 1400m run before he goes to a mile," he said. The Final has drawn 27 nominations with 16 to face the starter, including proven performers like Berkeley Square, Detonator Jack, Welwal, Jimmy The Bear and Casino Seventeen. Malua Racing is also well represented elsewhere on Saturday, with Marble Nine aiming for the Listed Santa Ana Lane Sprint Series Final (1200m) following back-to-back wins in a strong prep. "He just needs to hold that form to be competitive," Larkin said. Santa Ana Moon, meanwhile, lines up in the Silver Bowl Series Final (1600m). The Corstens-Larkin stable has struck form at the right time, notching winners at each of the past four Melbourne Saturdays.

  • Bookmakers Wary of Asfoora at Goodwood

    Wednesday, 2nd July 2025
    Asfoora’s European campaign is gathering momentum again, with Glorious Goodwood set to be her next assignment as the Australian sprinter eyes a return to the Group 2 King George Qatar Stakes on August 1, reports racingpost.com. The Royal Ascot hero of 2023 didn’t get the result connections hoped for this year, finishing fifth in the King Charles III Stakes after weakening late, but trainer Henry Dwyer remains upbeat about her progress since. "She pulled up a bit flat after Ascot with the heat and everything, so we opted to give her two weeks off and now she's got four weeks to Goodwood," Dwyer told racing.com. "I think her fitness was fine. It was more the conditions that got her beaten. She loomed up like she was going to win but it was a bit of a testing last furlong for her. She ran as well as we could have hoped given the circumstances, so she'll just keep getting better over the summer as she acclimatises more." By Blue Gum Farm stallion Flying Artie, Asfoora has been based at Luca and Sara Cumani’s property outside Newmarket since Ascot and is due back in work on Friday. “She’s been at Luca and Sara Cumani’s place just outside Newmarket, so she’s had two nice weeks on the grass and is ready to go again.” Goodwood holds positive memories for the six-year-old, who was narrowly beaten by Big Evs in the same race last year and currently heads the market at 2-1 to go one better this time. Believing, another Group 1-winning mare, sits on the second line of betting at 5-1. From there, Dwyer expects her to follow a familiar path, with a possible tilt at the Nunthorpe Stakes at York, where she finished fourth last year, before eyeing off the Flying Five Stakes in Ireland and potentially the Prix de l’Abbaye in France. “[After the Nunthorpe] it’s three weeks to Ireland and then you’ve got France if you want to continue going there on October 5,” Dwyer said. While nothing is locked in beyond the current campaign, Dwyer acknowledged that, “This will probably be her last year racing. She may stay over there and be sold or at home, so there’s a bit to play out.”

  • Rapid Rise Sees Bergerson Honoured in NZ

    Wednesday, 2nd July 2025
    Sam Bergerson’s meteoric rise through New Zealand’s training ranks was formally acknowledged on Sunday night, as the 31-year-old was crowned the nation’s top equine licence holder at the Entain Industry Excellence Awards, and then honoured with the overall Supreme Entain Excellence Award. Now in his second season training in partnership with Mark Walker at Te Akau Racing, Bergerson has helped secure back-to-back premierships and heads this year’s standings with 127 wins and over $9.1 million in prizemoney, reports racingnews.co.nz. “It was pretty exciting,” Bergerson said. “It was a really cool night and I had family up there and plenty of friends, so it was really cool. To get the recognition among your peers against some really good horse people was very humbling.” Bergerson has taken on increasing responsibility in the Te Akau operation, running the New Zealand stable while Walker concentrates on the newer base at Cranbourne. “It has been a massive couple of years,” he said. “I am very fortunate and privileged to be in the position I am in with Te Akau, with the backing of Mark, Karyn and David. It is just a fantastic opportunity. I just love it. It is a lot of work and a lot of sacrifice, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. I am very grateful to them for the opportunity to work with these wonderful horses and fantastic group of staff and owners. It has been an awesome journey so far and I am looking forward to the future.” The young trainer attributes much of his success to the mentorship of Walker and the team behind the scenes. “I am so grateful to Mark. He has been a fantastic mentor to me and we have got a really good relationship. I look at him like a mate, not like a boss. He has really taken me under his wing and we have had some great success together and gone through the hardships as well,” he said. “I couldn’t do it without the staff here, they are a really good group of people. They are the ones at the coalface and don’t get the recognition and exposure I have been able to get through being the head trainer. But you can’t do it without the people at the forefront there every day. I won a bit of money last night, so we will probably have to have a shout and a bit of a celebration, which will be cool.” Along with $10,000 in prize money and an additional $5,000 for his Supreme Award, Bergerson also received a $5,000 education package, which he plans to use for further development. “I would love to travel and see a few different stables. I am always looking to continue to learn, I don’t think you ever stop learning.” A former Sunline Trust International Management Scholarship recipient, he said, “That allowed me to meet a lot of people along the way and learn from people not only in New Zealand but overseas as well. I pinch myself with how the last five or six years have gone, it is pretty surreal.”

    Sam Bergerson

    Sam Bergerson (pic: Trish Dunell)

  • Woodbine Emulates Aus Development Template

    Wednesday, 2nd July 2025
    A bold new urban vision anchored by Canada's Woodbine Racetrack is taking shape on the edge of Toronto, where hundreds of acres of underutilised land gifted decades ago by E.P. Taylor are now set to fuel both city growth and the future of Ontario horse racing. The late Taylor, a towering figure in Canadian breeding, donated the land with foresight, and now, according to bloodhorse.com, Woodbine Entertainment plans to transform about two-thirds of its 684-acre footprint into a mixed-use community that retains the track as its cultural and economic centrepiece. "This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create something truly special for Toronto," said Woodbine Entertainment CEO Michael Copeland. "At the heart of this new urban centre will be Woodbine Racetrack, a cultural landmark that will now also serve as the centrepiece of a thriving, inclusive, and connected city within a city." The development is expected to span 25 years, incorporating 29,000 homes, schools, parks, community hubs and transit links, including a $170 million train station announced June 26 that will bring downtown Toronto within a half-hour commute. Crucially, the project will also upgrade backstretch infrastructure – such as barns and dorms – while preserving the live racing schedule and ensuring the track remains operational throughout construction. The goal isn't merely preservation, but progress. Copeland credits former CEO Jim Lawson for initiating the long-range plan, which aims to make Woodbine financially self-sufficient by generating recurring revenue through land development while reconnecting urban residents with racing. "You can imagine going to your local park... watching training and seeing horses in the barns. That is going to make horses front and center and part of the consciousness of the people of Toronto," he said. Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association of Ontario president Sue Leslie agreed, praising the project's consultative approach and noting it "can play a significant role in generating new and recurring revenue to support horse racing and purses in Ontario for generations to come." Importantly, this redevelopment bucks the trend seen across North America where racetracks have often been lost to sprawl. Thanks to Taylor's gift and strategic planning, Woodbine has ample space to evolve without sacrificing its core. Copeland envisions a vibrant urban district where families live, work, and play with racing embedded in daily life. "This isn't just about building housing," he said. "It's about creating a complete community… with culture, entertainment, green space, and horse racing at the heart of it all." Local and provincial government leaders, including Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, have backed the project, which aims to make racing relevant to future generations while strengthening the city it calls home.

  • 11 New Stallions Added to Victoria for 2025

    Wednesday, 2nd July 2025
    Victoria’s stallion landscape is set for a shake-up this breeding season with the addition of 11 newcomers, including a mix of proven Group 1 performers, international shuttlers and first-season sires boasting top-tier pedigrees. According to tbv.com.au, the arrivals reflect growing momentum in the state’s stallion ranks, with several headline acts launching at premium fees and reinforcing Victoria’s position as a key destination for breeders across the country. Among the highlights are Rosemont Stud’s Schwarz (Zoustar) and Widden’s Southport Tycoon (Written Tycoon), two Moonee Valley sprint stars who will stand at $38,500 – the highest of the incoming sires. Woodside Park has added depth with dual Gr1 winner Celestial Legend (Dundeel), whose opening fee is set at $27,500 following a new partnership between farm principal Eddie Hirsch and the colt’s owner Bon Ho. Yulong Stud, already home to Australia’s premier sire Written Tycoon, strengthens its hand with Written Tycoon’s son First Settler ($11,000) and the Zoustar colt Growing Empire ($22,000). Rosemont will also host European Gr1 winner Henry Longfellow (Dubawi), standing for $22,000, the same fee as US shuttler More Than Looks (More Than Ready), who joins Mr Zhang’s operation after racing successfully in elite American company. Larneuk Stud welcomes Caulfield Guineas winner Griff (Trapeze Artist) at $9,900, while Bombora Downs has secured Ellsberg (Spill The Beans) for $7,700. Riverbank Farm’s new addition Kingwell, by I Am Invincible, will commence duties at $5,500. He is joined by fellow ‘Vinny’ colt Move To Strike, who enters stud at Lovatsville on a $16,500 tag after his juvenile Gr1 win in the Sires’ Produce Stakes at Trentham for Te Akau Racing. Each of the 11 stallions is nominated to the VOBIS Sires program, enabling eligible foals to compete for a lucrative slice of more than $30 million annually in VOBIS prizemoney, bonuses and vouchers. This includes the $1 million VOBIS Platinum Showdown (2YOs) and $500,000 VOBIS Platinum Guineas (3YOs). Purchasers using VOBIS Platinum vouchers may also access an additional $7.5 million pool, further incentivising investment in Victorian-based sires. With their collective achievements, depth of pedigree and strong support from commercial farms, this year’s newcomers shape as one of the most exciting and diverse crops to enter Victoria’s stallion ranks in recent memory.

    Celestial Legend

    Celestial Legend is expected to be popular at Woodside Park (pic: Steve Hart)

  • Sherry the Perfect Match for Loose Love

    Wednesday, 2nd July 2025
    With plenty of rain around, albeit not as bad as at first feared, there is still a chance that, like Newcastle on Tuesday, Warwick Farm may not go ahead. Nonetheless, racingnsw.com.au reports that trainer Todd Smart isn’t letting the forecast dampen his hopes for a long-overdue breakthrough with his tough campaigner Loose Love, who lines up for his first metropolitan win at start 47, over 1600m at Warwick Farm. The Canberra-based gelding arrives in form and primed for another crack, buoyed by the confidence of Group 1-winning jockey Tom Sherry, who partnered him to victory at Gosford a fortnight ago. Smart is optimistic that both horse and rider are peaking at the right time. “The horse is in good form, the rider is in good form so I’m looking forward to it very much,” he said. Sherry, fresh from his maiden Group 1 success on Tashi in the Tattersall’s Tiara, has now ridden Loose Love (Turn Me Loose) in his past three starts. “I’m so happy for him, what a thrill for him. That’s what we all strive for in this game,” Smart added. Loose Love, rated a $19 chance with TAB on Tuesday, has shown a liking for heavy tracks, winning three of six in such conditions. With more rain forecast, Smart hopes for a few scratchings to ease the challenge from a wide draw and sees the 1600m as ideal. “At Warwick Farm when it’s a real wet track sometimes the fence isn’t the place to be,” he said. “He’s a versatile horse and Tom Sherry just rides him a treat. If you can hold him up and be very kind to him out of the gates he’s more effective ridden like that.” While this will be Loose Love’s tenth run this prep, the rising 7YO continues to show zest for the work. “You’ve just got to keep him fresh and well, if he’s kicking and bucking on the walker, which he is, you know he’s loving life,” Smart said. “He did a bit of work on Friday and I think he’s trained on again, not saying he’s better but he’s ready to go again. He’s had his little quirks along the way but when you’ve got a jockey in form and a horse rising seven and doing what he’s doing I can’t see why he won’t go well!”
Amarina Farm
Arrowfield Stud
Bell River Thoroughbreds
Berkeley Park Stud
Bhima Thoroughbreds
Blue Gum Farm
Bombora Downs
Bowness Stud
Clear Mountain Fairview
Coolmore Stud
Cressfield
Evergreen Stud
Goodwood Farm
Kia Ora
Kingstar Farm
Lime Country Thoroughbreds
Mill Park Stud
Murrulla Stud
Newgate Farm
Newhaven Park
North
Segenhoe Stud
Silverdale Farm
Sledmere Stud
Torryburn Stud
Tyreel Stud
Vinery Stud
Widden Stud
Willow Park Stud
Yarraman Park Stud

2025 BTR Stud Stallions

BTP STUD STALLIONS

Sire
A Lot Established
Acrobat Established
Al Maher Established
Alabama Express Established
All American Established
All Too Hard Established
Alpine Eagle Established
Alpine Edge 2nd Season
Anders Established
Artie Schiller Established
Awesome Rock Established
Barbados Established
Barbaric 1st crop 2YOs
Best Of Bordeaux Established
Better Than Ready Established
Bivouac Established
Brave Smash Established
Brazen Beau Established
Bruckner 3rd Season
Bull Point Established
Bullbars Established
Cape Of Good Hope 3rd Season
Capitalist Established
Captivant 1st crop 2YOs
Castelvecchio Established
City Of Troy Established
Cliff's Edge Established
Cogburn 1st Season
Cool Aza Beel Established
D'argento Established
Danerich Established
Dash For Cash Established
De Gaulle Established
Delaware 1st crop 2YOs
Denman Established
Dirty Work Established
Dissident Established
Don Corleone 2nd Season
Doubtland Established
Dubious Established
Dundeel Established
Ellsberg 3rd Season
Encryption Established
Exceedance Established
Exosphere Established
Extreme Choice Established
Farnan Established
Flying Artie Established
Foxwedge Established
Frankel My Dear Established
Gingerbread Man Established
Gold Standard Established
Graff Established
Grunt Established
Hallowed Crown Established
Harry Angel Established
Hawaii Five Oh 2nd Season
Headwater Established
Hellbent Established
Hitotsu 3rd Season
Home Affairs Established
I Am Immortal Established
I Am Invincible Established
Ilovethiscity Established
Invader Established
Jacquinot 3rd Season
Ka Ying Master 3rd Season
Kermadec Established
King Colorado 2nd Season
King's Legacy Established
Lofty Strike 2nd Season
Lord Of The Sky Established
Love Conquers All Established
Manhattan Rain Established
Maschino Established
Master Of Design Established
Maurice Established
Merchant Navy Established
Mo'unga 2nd Season
Murtajill Established
My Admiration Established
Needs Further Established
Nicconi Established
Nostradamus Established
Officiating 2nd Season
Ole Kirk Established
Pariah Established
Pierata Established
Pierro Established
Pinatubo 1st crop 2YOs
Playing God Established
Portland Sky 1st crop 2YOs
Power Established
Prague Established
Pride Of Dubai Established
Private Life Established
Puissance De Lune Established
Rebel Dane Established
Rich Enuff Established
Rommel Established
Rubick Established
Russian Camelot Established
Russian Revolution Established
Safeguard Established
Sandbar Established
Sessions Established
Shaft Established
Shalaa Established
Shamoline Warrior Established
Shamus Award Established
Shinzo Established
Shooting To Win Established
Sidestep Established
Sizzling Established
Skilled Established
Smart Missile Established
Snitzel Established
So Secret Established
So You Think Established
Soul Patch Established
Southport Tycoon 1st Season
Spirit Of Boom Established
Squamosa Established
St Mark's Basilica Established
Star Turn Established
Star Witness Established
Street Boss Established
Super One Established
Supido Established
Swear Established
Sweet Ride 2nd Season
Switzerland Established
The Autumn Sun Established
The Brothers War Established
Time To Reign Established
Too Darn Hot Established
Toorak Toff Established
Top Echelon Established
Toronado Established
Trapeze Artist Established
Turffontein Established
Unite And Conquer Established
Universal Ruler Established
Vancouver Established
Vandeek Established
Victor Ludorum 1st crop 2YOs
Von Costa De Hero Established
Wandjina Established
Winning Rupert Established
Wooded 1st crop 2YOs
Wootton Bassett Established
Worthy Cause Established
Written By Established
Written Tycoon Established
Xtravagant Established
Your Song Established
Zousain Established
Zoustar Established