A high-class racing career has translated into significant broodmare value for Australian Oaks placegetter Profoundly, who topped the Inglis Digital August (Late) Online Sale when purchased by Boomer Bloodstock for $360,000. The four-year-old daughter of Farnan was offered by trainer Michael Freedman on behalf of her ownership group and secured by Boomer Bloodstock’s Craig Rounsefell for client Peter Murray, who is developing a select band of young broodmares at Three Bridges. According to inglis.com.au, Profoundly was regarded as an ideal fit for that operation, with Rounsefell revealing that considerable thought has already gone into her future mating plans and a final stallion decision is expected shortly. He indicated the $360,000 valuation was close to expectations and described the result as a satisfactory outcome for the buyer. Profoundly headed a strong session in which another four-year-old mare, Eyes Of Blue, commanded $235,000 as the second-highest lot. Offered by the Pope family, Eyes Of Blue is a sister to Gr1 sprinter Bridal Waltz and was purchased by Reg Ryan, who confirmed she will visit Ole Kirk during the coming breeding season. Ryan, who holds a share in Ole Kirk, viewed the mare’s pedigree as particularly appealing and ultimately extended beyond his initial budget to secure her after determined competition. The third-highest price was shared by Without Parallel and No Friends, who each realised $165,000. No Friends provided a particularly strong return for Polaris Bloodstock’s Adrian Corboy, having originally been purchased for $25,000 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale before being resold after just two race starts. Corboy praised the support received from Inglis Bloodstock Consultant Sinead Flannery throughout the process. Six horses in total reached or surpassed the $100,000 mark, with Fire Star selling to trainer David Pfieffer for $140,000 and Avengers knocked down to Executive Racing Club for $120,000. The latest results underline the continued strength of the Inglis Digital platform, which has now produced 215 six-figure transactions since the beginning of 2025. The August (Late) Sale generated an aggregate of $3,551,400, while attention now turns to the Inglis Digital September (Early) Sale, scheduled to run from September 4-9, with entries closing at midnight on September 2.
Sparan Nua Options Remain Open
Thursday, 27th August 2026
A short-head Yorkshire Oaks defeat has dramatically expanded rather than restricted the autumn possibilities for rapidly improving filly Sparan Nua, with connections now considering several major targets following her outstanding performance against Kalpana at York. The Jim Bolger-trained three-year-old entered last Thursday's Gr1 Yorkshire Oaks as a $26 outsider but came within centimetres of defeating Andrew Balding's outstanding mare, producing a sustained late challenge after encountering interference during the closing stages. Kalpana, already a multiple Gr1 winner and successful in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, eventually prevailed by the narrowest margin, with Sparan Nua finishing comfortably ahead of last year's Yorkshire Oaks winner Minnie Hauk in third. Racingpost.com reports Newtown Anner Stud racing manager PJ Colville is delighted with how Sparan Nua has recovered and believes 2400m remains her optimum distance, although connections are retaining considerable flexibility when selecting her next assignment. Among the possibilities are the Gr2 Blandford Stakes at the Curragh on September 13, particularly if softer ground develops, and the Gr3 Kilternan Stakes over 2400m at Leopardstown one day earlier. She also holds entries over radically different distances, including the Gr1 Sun Chariot Stakes over 1600m at Newmarket on October 3 and the Gr1 British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes over 2400m at Ascot on October 17. Further Gr1 opportunities are also under consideration, with Bolger indicating after York that connections intend to continue targeting races at the highest level. Sparan Nua's rise has been remarkably swift. The daughter of Dawn Approach won her first two starts before being purchased privately by Maurice Regan's Newtown Anner Stud. She immediately rewarded the investment by winning the Gr3 Munster Oaks at Cork before finishing third in the Irish Oaks. A subsequent drop to 1600m in the Gr3 Desmond Stakes produced a fourth placing, but connections now regard that exercise as valuable education rather than a setback. The sharper distance encouraged Sparan Nua to race with greater intensity, something that became apparent when she returned to 2400m at York. Her Yorkshire Oaks effort has substantially altered perceptions of her ability. Sparan Nua went into the contest as a progressive stakes winner testing herself against elite opposition; she emerged as a genuine international Group 1 filly. After missing one of Europe's major prizes by centimetres, there should be no shortage of opportunities to rectify that result before the season ends.
Moxie Gearing Up for Gr1 Proisir Tilt
Thursday, 27th August 2026
Group Two winner Moxie appears primed for another productive campaign after producing a convincing 1150m trial victory at Te Awamutu on Tuesday ahead of next week’s Gr1 Proisir Plate over 1400m at Ellerslie, with owner-trainer Ken Harrison encouraged by the five-year-old mare’s physical development and general condition since her successful previous preparation. Moxie provided Harrison with a memorable season highlighted by victory in the Gr2 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Classic over 1400m at Ellerslie on Champions Day, and the trainer believes she has returned a bigger and stronger horse as she prepares to take the next step into Gr1 company. Her first public appearance of the new season came in a Group and Listed trial over 1100m at Taupo earlier this month, where she finished unplaced, but Harrison deliberately asked more of her at Te Awamutu and was satisfied with the manner in which she responded despite having to contend with a Heavy8 surface that was not considered ideal. He had contemplated taking Moxie to Ellerslie for a gallop on Thursday instead, but decided the mare needed a stronger hit-out following her Taupo trial and believed the competitive environment at Te Awamutu would provide a more suitable foundation for her return to racing. Harrison concedes Moxie may still be slightly behind where he would ideally like her to be heading into a Group 1 assignment, acknowledging that another race or trial could have helped bring her further forward, although he is equally confident she has completed all the work that can reasonably be put into her at this stage of the preparation. Importantly, Moxie sits 10th in the Proisir Plate order of entry and is therefore comfortably positioned to secure a berth in the 16-horse field, giving Harrison the opportunity to assess where she belongs against elite opposition before settling on her next spring target. The current plan is to head south to Hastings three weeks later for the Gr1 Howden Insurance Mile over 1600m, but that assignment remains dependent on how Moxie performs at Ellerslie and, equally importantly, how she comes through the race. Harrison remains mindful that the mare endured a strong campaign last season and is reluctant to look too far ahead until she has been tested under race conditions, yet her physical progression and the manner in which she handled Tuesday’s trial have reinforced his belief that further improvement is possible. With proven Group Two form at Ellerslie, a stronger frame and a solid trial now behind her, Moxie will head into the Proisir Plate with enough established quality to warrant respect while also carrying the promise that her best racing may still lie ahead.
Balding Closes in On Trainers' Crown
Thursday, 27th August 2026
An extraordinary run through the British summer has placed Andrew Balding within striking distance of an elusive first trainers' championship, although the Park House handler continues to play down his prospects of dethroning Aidan O'Brien. Balding emerged from York's Ebor Festival with his seasonal earnings above £7 million and his domestic Group 1 tally since July 10 standing at four, narrowing O'Brien's advantage in the championship to less than £700,000. The Guardian reports Balding still considers winning the title unlikely and insists individual horses will continue being sent wherever their optimum races occur, rather than having programs manipulated simply to accumulate domestic prizemoney. History nevertheless suggests the opportunity should not be dismissed. Only 12 trainers have joined Britain's championship roll for the first time during the past half-century, while O'Brien, John Gosden, Richard Hannon Jr and Charlie Appleby are the only trainers to win their maiden title outright this century. Balding has twice come close, finishing second in 2021 and again in 2024. The foundations of his current challenge are considerably stronger. Park House houses approximately 250 horses, giving Balding both elite performers and the numerical depth required to accumulate substantial prizemoney across the final months of the campaign. He has already run 218 individual horses this season. By late August Balding had earned approximately £7.06 million compared with O'Brien's £7.77 million. That places him within sight of the £7.21 million that proved sufficient for John Gosden to win the 2023 championship. Quality at the top end may yet prove decisive. Blue Bolt, winner of the Gr1 Falmouth Stakes, remains prominent for the Sun Chariot Stakes and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, while brilliant mare Kalpana added the Yorkshire Oaks to her King George success when narrowly defeating Sparan Nua at York. Item's Juddmonte International victory further strengthened a remarkable festival for the stable. O'Brien retains formidable ammunition, particularly among his juveniles and prospective St Leger runners Christmas Day and Pierre Bonnard, meaning Balding still requires several results to fall his way. The significance of stable depth, however, should not be underestimated. Fifteen Balding-trained horses have already earned at least £50,000 this season, while three handicap winners alone collected nearly £200,000 at York.
Fast Network Heads to Japan
Thursday, 27th August 2026
Hong Kong sprinter Fast Network has embarked on an ambitious Japanese campaign aimed at the Gr1 Sprinters Stakes, with the New Zealand-bred gelding departing for Japan after completing his final serious preparation at Sha Tin. Trainer Dennis Yip has selected a two-race program for the five-year-old, beginning with the Gr2 Centaur Stakes over 1200m at Hanshin on September 6 before Fast Network heads to Nakayama for the Gr1 Sprinters Stakes over the same distance on September 27. Racingnews.co.nz reports the son of Wrote completed his Hong Kong preparation with a 1200m barrier trial at Sha Tin on August 21. Matthew Poon deliberately restrained Fast Network towards the rear because of unfavourable track conditions before allowing him to make steady ground through the straight, finishing fourth in 1:12.44. Yip was satisfied with the performance, particularly the sprinter's response when asked to improve late, and elected to proceed with the Japanese campaign. Fast Network has developed into one of Hong Kong's better short-course horses, winning seven of 20 starts and twice finishing at Gr1 level behind Ka Ying Rising, the benchmark sprinter in Hong Kong and one of the world's highest-rated speed horses. His most significant victory came in last season's Gr3 National Day Cup Handicap over 1000m at Sha Tin. History illustrates the challenge confronting him at Hanshin. No Hong Kong-trained horse has won the Centaur Stakes, although New Zealand-bred Green Birdie finished runner-up for Caspar Fownes in 2010 before stablemate Lucky Nine repeated the result 12 months later. Fast Network's campaign also completes an intriguing journey for a horse whose career began in considerably less glamorous surroundings. Bred by Highview Stud, he was offered at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 2 Yearling Sale and purchased by Wexford Stables for just NZ$30,000. Racing in New Zealand under his original name Donnie Malone, he showed enough ability to win a Te Rapa trial for trainers Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott before being sold to Hong Kong. The move transformed his career. Fast Network now has the opportunity to add international Group 1 success to an already impressive Hong Kong record, while his New Zealand breeding and modest purchase price add another dimension to the story. A competitive performance in the Centaur Stakes would leave Yip with four weeks to prepare him for Nakayama and a considerably greater challenge in the Sprinters Stakes. For a NZ$30,000 Book 2 graduate, the path has already been remarkable.
Bargain buy Fast Network (pic: nzb.co.nz)
Obambulate Faces McNeil Examination
Thursday, 27th August 2026
Two successive victories have earned promising colt Obambulate an early examination of his spring credentials, with trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young electing to send the three-year-old into Saturday’s Gr3 McNeil Stakes at Caulfield. The son of Tiger Of Malay has raced just three times but arrives at his first stakes assignment after successive victories at Pakenham and Caulfield, leaving his connections eager to establish where he sits among Melbourne’s emerging three-year-olds. Racenet.com.au reports Busuttin views the McNeil as an ideal measuring stick rather than arriving at Caulfield convinced the colt is already among the leading members of his generation. The stable recognises that strong winter performances do not necessarily translate seamlessly into spring Group company, but Saturday should provide a significantly clearer picture. Obambulate broke through narrowly at Pakenham before making a far stronger impression over 1200m at Caulfield on May 30. Craig Williams allowed him to find his rhythm away from the inside on a Heavy 8 surface before the colt drew clear to defeat Vivid Storm by more than two lengths. That performance carried additional merit because Obambulate was giving weight to most of his rivals, yet still controlled the closing stages convincingly. He was purchased for $140,000 at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale after previously changing hands for $75,000 as a weanling. Williams retains the ride on Saturday and his willingness to continue the association has encouraged Busuttin. The experienced jockey has already developed a useful understanding of the colt and his presence becomes particularly valuable now that Obambulate steps from juvenile company into a race traditionally used to identify legitimate spring contenders. The McNeil has developed an impressive record as a launching pad. Recent editions have featured horses that progressed to races including the Caulfield Guineas, Coolmore Stud Stakes and Golden Rose, while 2024 winner Growing Empire subsequently finished third in The Everest. Busuttin and Young also nominated Blind Raise, although the autumn stakes winner is expected instead to resume in the McKenzie Stakes at Sandown over 1300m a week later. That leaves Obambulate as the stable’s principal McNeil contender and, while he has considerably more to prove than some of his rivals, his record of two wins from three starts suggests there could be substantial improvement ahead.
Messara Makes Monumental Autumn Glow Call
Thursday, 27th August 2026
Few horses earn comparisons with a champion such as Miss Finland, but Arrowfield Stud principal John Messara has gone considerably further by declaring Autumn Glow the finest thoroughbred he has raced during more than four decades at the highest level. The extraordinary assessment follows Autumn Glow’s brilliant first-up success in last Saturday’s Gr1 Winx Stakes at Randwick, where the five-year-old added another chapter to a record that now stands at 12 victories from 13 appearances. According to racing.com, Messara considers the mare world-class and believes the ease with which she is compiling her record separates her even from some of the outstanding performers to have carried Arrowfield’s colours. That is no small statement given Miss Finland’s achievements. The daughter of Redoute’s Choice won 11 races and five at Gr1 level, collecting the Golden Slipper as a juvenile before becoming an outstanding three-year-old with victories in the Thousand Guineas, VRC Oaks, Australian Guineas and Arrowfield Stud Stakes. Autumn Glow has taken a radically different route. Unraced at two and managed conservatively throughout her career, the daughter of The Autumn Sun has developed into an elite weight-for-age performer after initially attracting attention through her unbeaten rise through restricted and Listed company. Her only defeat came in April’s Gr1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes, but victories in the Gr1 Epsom Handicap, Gr1 George Ryder Stakes and now the Winx Stakes have removed any lingering doubt about her standing among Australia’s best horses. Sheza Alibi was expected to provide a serious examination at Randwick, yet Autumn Glow again produced the acceleration that has become her trademark to assert superiority. Messara acknowledged that separating Autumn Glow and Miss Finland had taken considerable thought, particularly because comparing horses from different generations is inherently difficult. What appears to have swayed him is not simply Autumn Glow’s winning percentage but the apparent effortlessness with which she deals with high-class opposition. Attention now turns to what shape her spring campaign will take. Connections are weighing a sprinting program against races around 1600m, with the mare’s versatility leaving several major prizes available. Whatever route is chosen, the longer-term ambition is increasingly intriguing. A Royal Ascot campaign remains under consideration for 2027, giving Autumn Glow the opportunity eventually to test Messara’s world-class assessment on the international stage.
Revengeance Returns to Golden Rose Trail
Thursday, 27th August 2026
Nearly 10 months after establishing himself among Australia’s most promising juveniles, Revengeance finally returns to competition in Saturday’s Gr3 San Domenico Stakes at Rosehill with the Gr1 Golden Rose firmly on his agenda. The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained colt has not raced since winning the Golden Gift last November, an absence caused by a knee injury that required surgery and forced connections to abandon any prospect of contesting the major autumn juvenile races. Much has changed during his absence. Golden Slipper winner Guest House, The Next Episode and St Gotthard have emerged prominently within the three-year-old hierarchy, leaving Revengeance to effectively reintroduce himself against several horses who have continued developing while he recuperated. According to racingnsw.com.au, Bott believes the son of Hellbent has returned physically stronger and has benefited from a deliberately patient preparation involving three barrier trials since early July. His latest trial victory at Randwick on August 14 particularly pleased the stable. Tim Clark has partnered Revengeance in his past two trials and retains the ride for his return. Saturday’s 1100m distance may ultimately prove short of his optimum. Bott believes the colt’s best performances this preparation to come over 1400m and potentially 1600m, but nevertheless expects him to be competitive against a strong San Domenico field. A first-up victory would therefore be viewed as a bonus rather than an essential requirement. The immediate objective is the Golden Rose, where Revengeance currently sits around $26 in all-in markets while Golden Slipper winner Guest House occupies the top line at approximately $4. His performance on Saturday should determine how realistic that target remains. Bott believes the Golden Rose’s 1400m is particularly attractive because of the race’s enormous stallion-making potential, while a strong performance there would leave additional options later in the carnival.
Berry Lands Plum Pembrey Ride
Thursday, 27th August 2026
Queensland filly Pembrey will have another champion jockey aboard when she continues through the Princess Series, with Tommy Berry securing the ride in the Gr2 Furious Stakes at Randwick. The Tony Gollan-trained three-year-old announced herself as one of Sydney’s most exciting spring fillies with a dominant first-up victory in last Saturday’s Gr2 Silver Shadow Stakes, defeating Bangkok Hottie by 2.4 lengths after controlling the race from the front. James McDonald produced an aggressive ride from barrier nine, quickly allowing Pembrey to use her natural speed before the daughter of Prague accelerated again approaching the finish. She stopped the clock at 1:08.74 for the 1200m on a Soft 5 surface and was being eased close to the post. According to racenet.com.au, Berry will take over in the Furious Stakes, giving Gollan another elite rider as Pembrey attempts to progress through Sydney’s traditional four-race Princess Series. McDonald’s reaction after the Silver Shadow underlined just how highly the filly is regarded. Her return was sufficiently impressive for the champion rider to raise the possibility of Pembrey eventually being considered for an Everest slot, although her immediate program remains against her own age and sex. Pembrey has now won three of five starts. She began her career with a 5.5-length victory at Eagle Farm before travelling to Sydney during the autumn and winning the Gr3 Magic Night Stakes. Her campaign ended when she finished unplaced in the Golden Slipper behind Guest House, but the result did little to diminish Gollan’s confidence after she endured legitimate excuses in the feature. Her first-up performance suggests the spell has allowed her to develop significantly. There is also an appealing story behind Pembrey’s ownership. Bred by Kia Ora Stud from Bel Esprit mare Se Sauver, she was offered at the 2025 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale Book 2 but failed to reach her modest $20,000 reserve. Retained by her breeder, she has subsequently developed into a multiple Group winner. The Furious Stakes represents the second leg of the Princess Series before the Tea Rose Stakes and Gr1 Flight Stakes, and history shows high-class fillies can dominate the sequence. After what Pembrey produced first-up, Berry appears to have secured one of the most desirable three-year-old rides in Sydney.
