While we have to go back to the 2019 success of Castelvecchio (Dundeel) to see a winner of the Inglis Millennium who has gone onto record Group 1 success, it's worth noting that previous fields have included the likes of Rivellino, Within The Law, Grafterburners, Fully Lit, Learning To Fly, Arkansaw Kid and Bella Nipotina – to name a few. With eight last start winners including Alibaba (Alabama Express-Rowsthorn, by Written Tycoon), a winner the Gr3 Blue Diamond Preview (F), Calamari Ring (Street Boss-Excelsior Island, by Exceed And Excel) successful in the Restricted Listed Inglis Banner and Where's The Circus (Trapeze Artist-Misplaced, by Fastnet Rock), winner of the Restricted Listed Inglis Nursey, it will surely be a hotly contested race, especially from the fillies. Of the colts, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Plagiarism (Written By-Profiterole, by Snitzel) will be out to give connections two winners of the race in the last three years after Hellbent gelding Fully Lit took out the race two years ago. One of the most interesting commodities in the races is the New Zealander Lassified (Stay Inside-Exclusive Lass, by Nicconi), a winner of two of her three starts including a last start Listed victory in the Wellesley Stakes at Trentham.
Castelvecchio was the last Inglis Millennium winner to land a Gr1 (pic: Steve Hart)
Thompson Charmed Before JMac Kingston Ride
Friday, 6th February 2026
Trainer John Thompson is hoping for a dose of the James McDonald magic that lit up Rosehill last weekend, with the champion hoop set to reunite with reliable mare Kingston Charm at Randwick on Saturday. Few jockeys have been riding with more confidence, and Thompson is banking on McDonald’s skills to help overcome an awkward draw in the Midway Handicap (1600m). Sydney’s leading rider was in rare form, claiming five wins from ten rides, including a hat-trick to close the Rosehill card. “The way he rode last Saturday, yes it does. Hopefully he’s still in form,” Thompson said, reflecting on the advantage of securing McDonald despite the mare’s wide barrier. “But it’s JMac, when he rings up to ride one you let him ride it, don’t you?” Kingston Charm lines up for her 12th start this preparation – a campaign split by a short break that saw her skip much of the spring carnival. Two weeks ago, she came heartbreakingly close to a breakthrough win, only to be edged out in the final strides of the Four Pillars, with Promitto clinging on after a tight duel. “If anybody else was on the winner last start except Nash Rawiller she runs it down,” Thompson suggested. “But he just squeezed everything out of his horse and beat me by a head.” While her campaign has been lengthy, Thompson is quick to point out the mare has enjoyed freshen-ups at key intervals and remains in peak condition. “She’s still in good order and she’s got the foot on the till.” Her consistency has become a hallmark, and the stable believes a win is only a matter of time. Three runners represent the Thompson barn in the Midway, with Impunity expected to improve with racing and distance, and Starphistocated earmarked as a likely improver after a midfield effort when resuming at Kensington. A more patient ride could see her finish powerfully, with the Group 3 Epona Stakes (1900m) on Golden Slipper Day looming as a future target. The trainer is also keen to see how promising filly Screen Icon fares in the $2 million Inglis Millennium. While a poor barrier complicates her assignment, Thompson retains faith in her upside after a strong debut and two encouraging trials. “It was deflating when the draw came out because she’s been going so well. She’s on the up… She will run well but it’s a matter of what Chad (Schofield) can conjure up from the draw.”
Highview Stud Embarks on Depletion Sale
Friday, 6th February 2026
A significant transitional chapter is unfolding for one of New Zealand's most established breeding operations, with plans confirmed for an unreserved reduction sale designed to reshape the farm's future direction. The initiative reflects both succession planning and a deliberate streamlining of numbers as Highview prepares for its next phase of management. That process will take centre stage on Sunday, 15 March 2026, when approximately 50 thoroughbreds will be offered during an on-farm Unreserved Deplenishing Sale conducted by NZB at the Hamilton property. The catalogue is expected to feature a diverse spread of stock, including yearlings, two-year-olds, racehorses, broodmares and mares with foals at foot, ensuring broad appeal across different sectors of the market. The move comes as Brent Gillovic gradually transitions leadership responsibilities to the next generation. "There's a changing of the guard at Highview, with my son Kurtis now taking a more prominent leadership role," Gillovic said. He explained that the sale is intended as a practical reset rather than a reaction to market conditions, noting, "We've accumulated a lot of horses so this is a genuine reduction process to trim the operation back to around 30 to 40 mares before I hand over the reins." Highview has undertaken similar sales previously, most notably in the early 2000s, and Gillovic believes the format remains the most efficient way to manage stock levels. "While it goes against the trend in today's day and age, for us it is just easier to manage this many horses in one go, here onsite, and sell them all in one hit," he said. Buyers are expected to find strong variety among the offerings, with progeny by sires including Wrote, Santos, Divine Prophet, Sword Of State, Xtravagant, Hello Youmzain, Sweynesse and Vadamos set to be represented. Emphasising accessibility, Gillovic noted that the sale is designed to suit a wide cross-section of participants. "There will be something for everyone. At the end of the day, our main goal is to find these horses good homes, we're not expecting the world for them. It will be a nice Sunday afternoon, with plenty of opportunity for everyone." The sale will begin at 1pm at Highview Stud, located at 1544 Kakaramea Road, Hamilton, with gates opening at 10am. Catalogues are scheduled to be available online via NZB in late February, with printed copies distributed on the day. While online bidding will not be offered, prospective buyers unable to attend can engage NZB or BAFNZ agents to inspect and bid on their behalf.
Sword of State will be represented at the Highview Stud Sale (pic: supplied)
Spicy Result on The Cards in Lonhro Plate
Friday, 6th February 2026
In one of two feature juvenile races on the Randwick card on Saturday, only six of the 13 final acceptances for the Listed Lonhro Plate (1000m) have raced in the past, so we need to take a look at trial form to get an understanding on chances. Coming off her debut second behind the fellow Darby Racing-owned Revengeance (Hellbent) in the $1m Golden Gift, the Ciaron Maher-trained Spicy Miss (Trapeze Artist-Sweet Gisel, by Street Boss) has since been back to the trials, where she finished second. Drawn well in gate 2 on Saturday with Zac Lloyd the saddle, the $150,000 Magic Millions yearling sale graduate is the current favourite here. Another filly who finished second on debut is the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained-Lady Moscato (Home Affairs-Champagne Cuddles, by Not A Single Doubt). Making her debut in the $500,000 Magic Millions The Debut with a second behind Toorak Jewel (Tassort), the $1.05m Magic Millions yearling sale purchase had won both her trials leading into her debut and with race fitness on her side, if successful, she'll continue the great start at stud by her sire Home Affairs. Of the colts, the Chris Waller trained Campione D'Italia (Snitzel-Medaglia Valore, by Medaglia D'oro) comes into the race on debut off the back of three barrier trial efforts. The most expensive colt in the field, connections parted ways with $500,000 to secure the Baramul Stud yearling sale graduate from the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale. With James McDonald taking the ride, the colt is sure to be well fancied in the market.
Tempted By Her Class In Eskimo Prince
Friday, 6th February 2026
With a small field of eight assembled for Saturday's Gr3 Eskimo Prince Stakes at Randwick, we see the return of arguably one of the most exciting 3YO fillies of last season in the Godolphin-bred and raced Tempted ( treet Boss-Calliope, by Exceed And Excel) whose three runs last campaign netted an emphatic victory in the G2 Run To The Rose followed by third behind Beiwacht (Bivouac) and Wodeton (Wootton Bassett-Fiera Vista, by Exceed And Excel) in the Gr1 Golden Rose before ending her campaign with second in the Gr1 The Everest behind Ka Ying Rising (Shamexpress). Given an easy time in her lone barrier trial leading into Saturday where she finished in fourth, the Ciaron Maher-trained filly is likely to start favourite. Set to be ridden by Chad Schofield for the first time, she has drawn well in barrier 4. With three wins from his last four starts highlighted by ending his campaign with a win in the Gr3 Red Anchor Stakes by four and a quarter-lengths, the John O'Shea and Tom Charlton trained Napoleonic (Wootton Bassett-Jolie Brise, by Fastnet Rock) is one of the most intriguing runners all day. Continuing to improve in all his runs, the $360,000 Inglis Easter graduate will be ridden by Zac Lloyd, with regular jockey James McDonald set to partner the enigmatic Wodeton. From his nine starts to date, the Chris Waller trained Wodeton has only finished outside of the top four once, and while he's finished second in the Golden double of the Golden Slipper and Golden Rose, the $1.6m Magic Millions graduate has yet to secure his own black type win, something that would obviously add value to a horse that has been marked for success since his early career.
Tempted is a serious filly (pic: Steve Hart)
Class Drop Key to Tom Kitten's Return to Form
Friday, 6th February 2026
Set to line up in Saturday's Gr3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield, in the weakest race he's contested for some time, connections of the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Tom Kitten (Harry Angel-Transfers, by Street Cry) will be hoping the dual Group 1-winning gelding can bounce back to form. Having not won since success in last year's Gr1 All-Star Mile where he defeated Mr Brightside (Bullbars), the Godolphin bred and raced gelding has had seven subsequent starts where he has recorded two Group 1 third placed efforts. While he is known over further than 1400m, his fresh record is quite good, and while there is no runner in the field that can match his prizemoney haul of more than $6.2m, one would think the Tom Kitten of old should prove very hard to beat here. With victory at Listed level last time out of 1400m, the Leon & Troy Corstens & Will Larkin-trained 6YO Zou Sensation (Zoustar-Dame Claire, by Danehill Dancer) has been consistent of late, and while he has not raced since December, he was readied for Saturday's effort with a Flemington jumpout where he finished second behind his Group 1-winning stablemate Baraqiel (Snitzel). Capable of racing handy if needed, jockey Jamie Melham has drawn barrier 5 on the gelding, but with Bjorn Baker's Sandpaper (Snitzel-Smooth, by Lonhro) coming down from NSW to race here, the last start Listed Carrington Stakes winner does like to go forward, so Zou Sensation may sit just behind him in the run.
Saturday is a Big Day for the Ellis Family
Friday, 6th February 2026
The turn of February brings with it an occasion that stands out on the New Zealand racing calendar – Te Rapa’s premier day featuring the Herbie Dyke Stakes, BCD Group Sprint, and the race that honours two of Waikato’s most influential figures. Few events mean more to David Ellis and Karyn Fenton-Ellis than the Fillies’ Classic that bears their names, and this Saturday offers another chance for Te Akau Racing’s principal and his team to make an impression on a meeting steeped in personal significance. A sense of tradition now accompanies the David & Karyn Ellis Fillies’ Classic, which since 2020 has seen the stable twice taste victory, most recently with Amarelinha (see below) and Self Obsession. Hopes rest this year on Born To Be Royal, a filly acquired from Karaka in 2024 for $260,000 and already a last-start winner over 2000m at Matamata. The King’s Legacy filly has shown promise throughout her career, collecting five placings from eight starts, among them the Matamata Breeders’ Stakes and Sir Patrick Hogan Stakes. Ellis, whose close friend Butch Castles shares ownership in Born To Be Royal, is candid about the ambitions for Saturday. “It’s a very special race meeting for Karyn and I every year, and we’d love to win the race that carries our name again,” he said. “I think we’ve got a really strong chance in it this year with Born To Be Royal, and we’d especially like to win it with her because our good friend Butch Castles has a share in the filly with us.” The occasion grows further with Cameron George’s involvement in the Te Akau ranks, holding shares in both Born To Be Royal and Towering Vision – himself a leading chance in the Waikato Guineas. For Ellis, the weekend’s excitement follows swiftly on the heels of another dominant Karaka sale, where his 17 Book 1 purchases totalled $4.26 million and cemented his position as leading buyer for an astonishing eighteenth time. “It’s great to be leading buyer again, although I always say that the competition is not to see who buys the most, but who buys the best,” Ellis reflected. “That’s what we’re aiming to do when we go to these sales every year.” Te Akau’s sales strike rate is hard to match. Ellis has famously purchased eight of the last ten Karaka Millions 2YO winners, including Group One stars Melody Belle, Avantage, and Probabeel, and has added to the stable’s 100 Group One wins—61 of them with Karaka-bought horses. He remains optimistic that his latest batch can uphold the tradition. “I couldn’t be happier with the yearlings we’ve bought. We missed out on two that we had on our list, but we got all the rest.” With 15 yearlings also secured at Magic Millions and 21 at Karaka, the next challenge is selling shares and managing the broad sweep of new talent. “We buy them all on spec too. So it’s a big job every year, but one that we really enjoy.” Karyn Fenton-Ellis is confident: “Interest has been pretty strong so far – they’re selling the best they have been for three or four years.” For the Te Akau team, the stakes are as high as ever, but so too is the sense of occasion and satisfaction in shaping the next generation of stars.
Munce Approaching Millennium with Confidence
Friday, 6th February 2026
Confidence rather than bravado underpins the approach heading into Saturday’s $2 million Inglis Millennium, with a sense that unfinished business may yet be resolved. According to punters.com.au, that confidence centres on Star Of Jamaica, a colt his trainer believes should already have a much stronger formline beside his name after an educational debut that didn’t go to script. The Queenslander lines up at Randwick as one of the key chances after delivering a polished performance at the Sunshine Coast at his second start, where he justified strong support as a $1.40 favourite. That effort marked a sharp turnaround from his first outing at Eagle Farm in December, when a tardy beginning forced him into an early chase that ultimately told in the closing stages. On that occasion, he was forced to work hard after missing the start, burning fuel to find his position before understandably weakening late. The winner was Dream Roca, a filly who has since franked the form in emphatic style by crossing the Tasman and claiming New Zealand’s richest juvenile contest, the $1 million Karaka Millions 2YO. “I am sure that if my colt had jumped cleanly at his first start, he would have beaten Dream Roca,” Munce said. “We thought he would win his first start, but then he came out slow and did a few things wrong. Anyway, he got beaten.” That experience, however, appears to have been a valuable lesson. When the colt returned to the track, he showed far greater composure, allowing his rider to settle him and conserve energy before being asked to quicken. Munce was particularly encouraged by the way the race unfolded late, noting how the colt responded once he understood the task in front of him. “But the other day when he won, he came out a lot better and it was good that the jockey was able to teach him to switch off,” Munce said. “It looked like he was going nowhere at about the 300m but then when he realised he had to get out and chase, that's when he lengthened stride and knuckled down. The horse is still learning, but certainly that run the other day has brought him on a lot, that's for sure.” A son of dazzling Inglis Millennium hero Profiteer (see below), Star Of Jamaica enters the Millennium as an $8 chance and shapes as a colt still on the upward curve. Munce believes Randwick will play to his strengths, particularly with the extra 100 metres of the Millennium compared to his most recent start. While Munce concedes the overall form of the race is difficult to assess, he is confident his colt will be given every opportunity from barrier five under Zac Lloyd. With improvement expected again, the focus now is simple.
Beaufort Bloodstock Acquires In Form Mount Bona
Friday, 6th February 2026
Strong competition across the board highlighted another productive Inglis Digital February (Early) Online Sale, with depth of buying support reinforcing the platform’s continuing momentum into 2026. The headline act emerged late in proceedings when an in-form racemare attracted sustained interest before ultimately setting the day’s benchmark. That honour belonged to Mount Bona, whose recent racing record and pedigree combined to make her the standout lot, selling for $240,000 to Beaufort Bloodstock. The four-year-old daughter of Night Of Thunder arrived at the sale off three consecutive victories for trainers Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich, and her upward trajectory proved highly attractive to prospective buyers. Messara, who has been overseeing yearling inspections at Riverside this week ahead of the Classic Sale for Arrowfield, expressed satisfaction with both the final figure and the level of interest generated. “It’s a really nice result,” he said. “She’s a lovely mare with a lot of upside, she’s still got a lot of racing to come and she’s got a beautiful pedigree. I thought there was really good, strong spirited bidding on her, it was nice to see a large group of people obviously interested in her and I wish the purchaser all the very best.” Godolphin’s presence also played a significant role in shaping the session, with stakes-performed galloper Chergui emerging as the second-highest seller when knocked down to Jolly Time Syndicate for $95,000. The Frosted performer formed part of a seven-horse Godolphin draft that collectively realised $256,750, with each offering secured by different buyers. That diversity of purchasing again underlined the broad market reach of the online platform, which has previously produced stakes winners such as Barber, Alegron and more recently the Listed Carrington Stakes winner Sandpaper. Overall, the February (Early) Sale generated turnover of $2,706,550, continuing a positive run for Inglis Digital following a strong 2025. Business Manager Nick Melmeth said the figures reflected sustained confidence among vendors and buyers alike, highlighting the platform’s expanding global footprint. “The momentum of last year has continued into 2026 and is something we’re excited to build on heading into the February (Late) Sale and beyond,” Melmeth said. “As is displayed each and every sale, the broad buying bench on the Inglis Digital platform is without peer anywhere in the world in terms of online sales platforms and we continue to add to that each month.” Attention now turns to the upcoming February (Late) Sale, with entries open until February 18. Among early confirmations is Manolo Bling, a last-start Listed placegetter with four wins from 15 starts and earnings approaching $450,000. Offered by Rob Cummings and her ownership group, the mare will be presented as both a racing and breeding prospect and is scheduled to race again at Eagle Farm on February 14 before going through the ring.
Proven Fan Favourite Spud Passes Away
Friday, 6th February 2026
Racing lost one of its modern greats on Tuesday, with the passing of a horse whose courage and brilliance lit up the nation’s biggest stages. Think About It died following complications from colic surgery, a sombre announcement that brought an abrupt end to a career defined by resilience, speed and an unbreakable will to compete. Bred by Lightning Thoroughbreds and sourced from the Newgate Farm draft, he was secured for $70,000 by Proven Thoroughbreds and Joe Pride Racing at the 2020 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale. Few purchases have ever delivered such extraordinary return, as the gelding climbed from modest beginnings to the very pinnacle of Australian racing. Across 19 starts, he won 11 races and added three placings, accumulating $12.1 million in prizemoney. His defining season came in 2023, when he captured the Kingsford-Smith Cup and the Stradbroke Handicap before confirming his status among the world’s elite sprinters later that year. That autumn built toward an unforgettable Everest, where the son of So You Think produced a performance of rare authority to claim the richest sprint race on turf. Retirement followed a fall in the Gr3 Sydney Stakes in October 2024, an incident he remarkably survived despite suffering a massive pulmonary haemorrhage. Following his retirement, he was placed in the care of his regular rider Sam Clipperton, where he was cherished away from the track. “Unfortunately, our horse affectionately known as ‘Spud’ was not able to cheat death twice,” Proven Thoroughbreds said via a statement. After initially coming through colic surgery successfully, Spud took a turn for the worse, despite the efforts of the amazing team at Randwick Equine Centre. A high-energy horse, Think About It applied himself 110 per cent to everything he did, without a great deal of self-preservation. Newgate Farm echoed the sentiment, paying tribute to a special racehorse and urging him to rest peacefully now.
Think About It was a much admired sprinter (pic: Steve Hart)
