Wednesday, 24th June 2026
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Global Breeding, Racing and Sales News

  • Black Type 2YO Champion Elect Back in Work

    Thursday, 25th June 2026
    A spring campaign of genuine interest has begun to take shape at Cranbourne, with Blue Diamond Stakes heroine Streisand back in work for Clinton McDonald after a demanding but highly productive juvenile season. The daughter of Magnus was among the standout juveniles of her crop, winning twice and finishing second three times from seven starts, while building earnings of $2.4 million and placing herself firmly among the elite of her generation. Her Group 1 Blue Diamond success was backed up by victory in the Group 2 Blue Diamond Prelude and a gallant second to Guest House in the Group 1 Golden Slipper, before her campaign ended when she failed to handle the Soft 7 conditions in the Group 1 Sires’ Produce Stakes at Randwick on April 4. Although the margin is small with just two points separating Streisand (36) and Snitzel colt Campione D’Italia (34), it seems a fait accompli that she will take the 2025-26 Australian Black Type Premiership 2YO title. McDonald said the filly had benefited from a proper break after such a busy early career, with Streisand spending her spell in the middle of New South Wales at Nine9Park before returning to Cranbourne in excellent shape. “She had about nine weeks off. She’s coming back looking in great order,” McDonald told racing.com. “We wanted to give her a good spell, obviously she had a pretty busy two-year-old campaign. She has grown and she looks great.” Streisand has been back in the stable for just over a week and is being eased into the preparation on the treadmill before going under saddle, a measured start designed to bring her along steadily. Bought for $100,000 by Shane McGrath Bloodstock and Clinton McDonald Racing at the 2025 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale, she was later secured by Yulong following her Golden Slipper performance, adding a major new ownership chapter to her career. McDonald has not yet locked in an exact spring path, but Melbourne’s feature sprint program is firmly on the table, with races such as the Moir Stakes, Manikato Stakes and Coolmore Stud Stakes all part of the discussion. “We’re excited by her and looking forward to this preparation with Yulong,” he said, while noting the Moir’s switch from Moonee Valley to Sandown Hillside had changed the complexion of that race and required careful thought over whether it would suit a three-year-old filly.

  • Corstens Suggests It is Time for a Change

    Thursday, 25th June 2026
    A long-running push to modernise racing's working hours has again been urged by Troy Corstens, who believes later trackwork starts would make the industry far more attractive to young people and help ease the staff shortages affecting stables across the country. Speaking on Giddy Up with Gareth Hall, according to racing.com, the Australian Trainers' Association president said racing could no longer hide behind tradition when the demands on stable staff had changed so dramatically, especially with later race meetings and an increasing number of twilight fixtures. "I know I've been banging on about it for probably 20 years, but we need to change," Corstens said. "Everyone sits back – 'I can't get staff, I can't get track riders' – why would kids want to get up at 3AM, work their butts off all morning, and then go to the races all day? We're racing later, we've got more twilight meetings, and I think it's time we sat down and got real, instead of saying 'that's the way we've always done it.' Let's have a look? Maybe start a little bit later, and see if we can attract a few more people to come through." The difficulty, as Corstens sees it, is that track opening times are usually determined by individual clubs, making a consistent national or even state-wide approach harder to achieve. Still, he pointed to Rosehill's move from a 3.30am opening to 5am as evidence that change could work, even for those initially sceptical. Corstens said Peter Snowden, who shares boxes with him at Flemington, had once preferred early starts, but shifted his view after the Sydney change was introduced. "He came down not long ago, and I said – 'how are you coping with the later starts, Pete?' – and he said – 'you know what, Troy? I actually love it.' He said – 'It's changed my life. I get a little bit longer to sleep, I get better staff – once you put it into play, it's actually really good.'" For Corstens, the ideal would be even later again, with the first horse stepping out at 6am, a small adjustment he believes could deliver a far better lifestyle and a stronger workforce.

  • Golden Path Can Overturn 64 Years of History

    Thursday, 25th June 2026
    A slice of WJ McKell Cup history is there for the taking at Rosehill on Saturday, with Golden Path chasing a second win in the Listed $200,000 feature and the chance to become the first dual winner of a race that dates back to 1962. The 2000m contest has shifted distances and venues over the decades, and has been run over its current course since 2020, but no horse has yet managed to claim it twice, according to racingnsw.com.au. Golden Path earned his place on the honour roll two years ago and returns this weekend after a late change of plan from the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable, which had originally intended to send him to last week's Ipswich Cup before a wide barrier prompted connections to look again at Rosehill. "I think it looks a nice race for him. He's in the mix somewhere,'' Kent Jnr said on Sky Sports Radio. "At home his trackwork has been fantastic so hopefully we can get him back in the winner's stall. He wasn't too bad last time in the Lord Mayors Cup up there, he had to go from a wide gate and go forward and work very hard. He only got beaten two and a bit lengths." Regan Bayliss takes the ride on Golden Path, who will carry 59kg after Fawkner Park, allotted 61kg, was not among the acceptors, and the gelding has also come up with a kinder draw. History suggests the weight is manageable, with Destiny's Kiss and Ecuador both carrying 59.5kg when successful in the race over 2400m, while Allergic won under 59kg. Although Golden Path is yet to place in four starts this preparation, Kent Jnr believes the form guide does not tell the full story. The six-year-old was a second-up winner with 61kg at Flemington last spring, then placed at Group 1 level behind Sir Delius in the Underwood and finished runner-up in the Group 2 Crystal Mile, and his trainer feels recent assignments have done more to build him towards the right race than expose any decline. "You've got to kill a couple of runs early before you get him up to the right trip,'' he said. "Then we sat second and chased Pride Of Jenni in the Hollindale, well anyone who sits second against Jenni gets killed. Then last start we had to work very hard early and wasn't too bad. You can make a case that he's been going well, I think this should be a nice race. Certainly the easiest race he's faced in a while so fingers crossed." The stable also has hopes for The Creator in the Petaluma Handicap over 1500m, with the last-start Canterbury winner rising sharply in grade but dropping from 60.5kg to 53.5kg with Anna Roper claiming again, while any showers would be welcomed for a horse who has won four of six on soft ground.

  • Parish Hangs Up Her Well-Worn Saddle

    Thursday, 25th June 2026
    After four decades of riding, and a career that stretched across flat racing, jumps racing and just about every working corner of the Tasmanian industry, Dianne Parish has brought the curtain down on one of the state's most durable and adaptable careers in the saddle. Parish, whose final ride came at Devonport on May 31 according to tasracing.com.au, first took out her licence late in 1986 while apprenticed to Tony Krushka, and when Krushka soon moved to Victoria she followed, riding her first winner at Pakenham in early 1987 aboard Derring Fleet, the same horse that had given her a race debut. Opportunities for female jockeys in Victoria were scarce in that era, however, and Parish, then riding as Dianne Carter, returned to Tasmania after almost a year, linking with Bill Ryan at Longford and also doing plenty of riding for George Blacker. Her career became notable not only for its longevity, but for the rare range she displayed, with Parish proving successful on the flat and over obstacles, where she found particular satisfaction. "It was good fun, way better than flat," she said of jumps racing, an arena in which she won three Grand National Hurdles in Hobart and the famous Deloraine steeplechase aboard Angzette for Owen and Sandra Atkinson. "That was my biggest jumps win, but I won the Thousand Guineas on Askrigg Lady in Hobart in 1993," Parish recalled. While she hesitates to single out one standout horse, she remembers Askrigg Lady as the one with the most potential and Aeros Boy as a special favourite, a horse versatile enough for her to win both a 1080m sprint and a 4300m Grand National on him. She also spoke warmly of Liffeybeau, whose trackwork she regularly rode, although race-day opportunities on him were limited. Parish's career was not uninterrupted, with injury, family responsibilities and other breaks taking her away at different stages, including time spent caring for her parents after Bev Buckingham's accident initially prompted her to step back. Later, while living at Low Head, she travelled to Devonport to ride for Michael Trinder and the Wells family, initially intending to stick to trackwork before renewing her licence. Her last winning ride came aboard Platinum Reggae at Launceston in November, a fitting late note in a career widely admired by those around her. Jockeys boss Kevin Ring, who once rode against her, described Parish as a "huge asset to the Tasmanian industry" and said her horse skills were "second to none." As for retirement, Parish is in no rush to script the next chapter: "I'll just look after my horses. I don't really know; I haven't really planned that far ahead. I'll just take it day to day."

  • Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe to Welcome Geldings

    Thursday, 25th June 2026
    A significant shift in the shape of Europe’s most famous Flat race is now in motion after the France Galop board of directors overwhelmingly backed a proposal from president Guillaume de Saint-Seine to permit geldings to run in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. The decision, according to Horse Racing Nation, taken at Monday’s board meeting, represents a major policy change for a race long presented as the ultimate test over 2400 metres, or about a mile and a half, and is intended to ensure that no elite three-year-old or older horse is excluded from ParisLongchamp’s flagship contest on the basis of sex. France Galop has framed the move as part of a broader ambition to cement the Arc’s position as the global reference point in Flat racing, arguing that a wider pool of eligible runners can only deepen the sporting challenge, sharpen international interest and enhance the spectacle for racegoers and television audiences. The change is not yet immediate, with the proposal still requiring approval from the European Pattern Committee, which is expected to consider it in the first quarter of 2027, although reports suggest that clearance is likely. Its full influence may take years to judge, much as the effects of shortening the Prix du Jockey Club during Edouard de Rothschild’s presidency only became clear over time. Should it be ratified, the Arc would fall into line with most of Europe’s other major Group 1 races, leaving the Prix Jacques le Marois as the remaining French Pattern outlier after the Prix du Moulin was opened to geldings in 2020. The argument for reform has grown louder following the high-profile exploits of geldings such as Goliath – see below – and Calandagan, both trained at Chantilly by Francis Graffard, with Calandagan named the world’s best racehorse of 2025 yet unable to contest France’s greatest race under the existing rules. Godolphin’s internationally accomplished Rebel’s Romance has added further weight to the debate, and France Galop’s decision now points towards an Arc designed to gather the best, without exception, on one stage. One wonders whether the initiative might prick the ears of leading Hong Kong, Australian and New Zealand connections.

  • Sheza Alibi Could Be Spring’s Megastar

    Thursday, 25th June 2026
    Among the most compelling horses being aimed at the spring, there are few with a profile to match Sheza Alibi, the bargain-priced daughter of Saxon Warrior who is now being prepared to resume against established weight-for-age performers in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes. The Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman-trained star announced herself in emphatic fashion last campaign, first beating the boys in the Randwick Guineas before producing a stunning four-length Doncaster triumph that confirmed her as one of the most exciting racehorses in training. Owner Fred Noffke, a Queensland cattle farmer, has now outlined a bold spring path, with Sheza Alibi expected to tackle three Group 1 races before a tilt at the Golden Eagle. “Peter said the Memsie is the first one, the 1400m Group 1, and then the Makybe Diva over 1600m,” Noffke told Giddy Up with Gareth Hall. “And then I think it’ll be the King Charles in Sydney, also over 1600m, and then the Golden Eagle.” That program leaves no room for soft options, with Jimmysstar, Mr Brightside and Treasurethe Moment among the names likely to be waiting first-up, but Noffke is plainly relishing the chance to see where his filly sits against the best. He is especially keen on the potential comparison with Jimmysstar, who won the 1400m Group 1 on Orr Stakes Day while Sheza Alibi, enjoying a favourable passage, produced sharper closing figures in the 1600m Group 2 Sandown Guineas on the same card. “Last year, when (Sheza Alibi and Jimmysstar) raced in Melbourne, on the same day in different races, they did an analysis of the times and we were faster in every regard,” Noffke said. “We had a faster top speed, a faster last 200m and 400m, longer stride… I’m not sure who to fear, really. Autumn Glow might prove to be a challenge. But when Peter Moody says we fear no horse, well, I think he’s telling the truth.” For a filly who has already mixed brilliance with authority at the highest level, the Memsie now shapes as the first test of whether Sheza Alibi can carry that reputation into open company.

  • Irish Derby Locked in for James J Braddock

    Thursday, 25th June 2026
    A powerful June for the Owning Hill team could yet reach another peak at the Curragh on Sunday, where part Australian-owned James J Braddock will attempt to improve on his Epsom third in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, reports racingpost.com. Joseph O'Brien has already enjoyed a month of major achievement, first through the Derby festival, where Thundering On delivered a decisive Oaks victory and James J Braddock finished third in the Derby, and then at Royal Ascot, where his stable produced five winners and three seconds to push Aidan O'Brien hard in the overall trainer standings. There are still two significant opportunities to come this weekend, with James J Braddock set for the Irish Derby and Thundering On a possible runner in Saturday's Paddy Power Pretty Polly Stakes, where she could come back to a mile and a quarter. O'Brien won the Irish Derby with Latrobe in 2018 and believes the Curragh may play more to the strengths of James J Braddock, who broke his maiden at the track last year and has pleased connections since Epsom. "We've been very happy with James J Braddock's prep since Epsom and we think he'll probably be better suited to the Curragh," he said. "The Curragh is a very different test and we feel it won't inconvenience him. It looks like it's going to be nicer ground, and he's proven on better ground." His Epsom run had merit despite being beaten five and a quarter lengths by Christmas Day, with the colt becoming stirred up before the race, but O'Brien does not regard that as a lingering concern. Rather than treating it as a major warning sign, he sees it as part of the horse's competitive make-up, noting that such behaviour can affect some horses more than others. "He got fired up before Epsom, but I've seen plenty of horses do that before in all different places," said O'Brien. "It wasn't the first time he's got revved up, so it wasn't a complete red flag for us. It affects some and doesn't affect others. I remember State Of Rest used to get similarly fired up, and the one time he didn't was probably the worst run of his career." Aidan O'Brien's Benvenuto Cellini, withdrawn at Epsom after trouble in the stalls, heads the market after Tuesday's confirmations, with Derby winner Christmas Day and the Owen Burrows-trained Raaheeb also prominent.

  • Mr Mozart's First Kiwi Weanlings on Show

    Thursday, 25th June 2026
    A strong numerical hand at Karaka this week will give breeders and pinhookers an early look at how Mr Mozart is stamping his stock, with the Highview Stud-based son of Snitzel holding the largest first-season sire representation at New Zealand Bloodstock's National Weanling Sale. Six youngsters by the Jamieson Park-owned stallion are catalogued for Thursday's sale, which begins at 11am, placing him ahead of fellow newcomers Chaldean, Paddington and Hilal, each of whom has two weanlings entered. Bred and raced by Jamieson Park, Mr Mozart is out of Euro Angel, a mare Jamieson raced with the Hawkes team and other Australian partners before sending her to Snitzel, a mating that produced a talented and genuine racehorse connections elected to retain. Mr Mozart developed into a high-class performer, winning the Gr2 Phar Lap Stakes over 1500m, the Gr3 Doncaster Handicap Prelude over 1500m, the Gr3 Hawkesbury Guineas over 1400m and the Listed Exford Plate over the same distance before beginning his stud career at Highview at a fee of $6,000 plus GST. Jamieson Park's Dylan Ralph said the response to the stallion had been encouraging from the outset, with Mr Mozart covering 80 mares in each of his first two seasons and attracting strong support at that level. Ralph and Highview's Kurtis Gillovic inspected the bulk of the stallion's first foals in March and were pleased with what they saw, while feedback from breeders had been equally positive, with many keen to return. Ralph said Mr Mozart was leaving "good, medium size horses" and, as a chestnut, was throwing around 30 percent chestnut foals to bays. He also noted the ongoing strength of the sire line, with Snitzel leading his sixth Australian two-year-old premiership and his fifth general sires' premiership. Jamieson principal James Chapman has backed Mr Mozart heavily, with 14 quality mares in foal to him, including Gr1 winner Faint Perfume, already the dam of three stakes winners, as well as the dam of Australian Gr1 winner Inspirational Girl and two further stakes-producing mares. Ralph said another 15 mares were likely to visit, adding that Jamieson "really believe in the horse" and had no intention of easing off. Jamieson will offer a Mr Mozart filly as lot 132, while Haunui Farm, another important supporter, has three by the sire as lots 5, 25 and 83, with Brighthill Farm and Leanach Lodge presenting one each as lots 10 and 78.

    Mr Mozart weanling

    This Mr Mozart weanling brings back memories of Apache Cat (pic: nzb.co.nz)

  • Hands and Heels Best for Midnight In Tokyo

    Thursday, 25th June 2026
    A strange twist at the start of the Listed Hinkler Stakes may yet prove an important pointer to Saturday’s Group 1 Tatt’s Tiara at Eagle Farm, with Todd Pollard convinced Midnight In Tokyo’s narrow win owed plenty to Ryan Maloney being forced to ride without his whip. The emerging trainer celebrated his first Stakes success when the six-year-old mare surged late to score, but rather than lamenting the barrier mishap that saw Maloney’s whip become caught at the jump, Pollard told racenet.com.au, it may have helped deliver the result. “If Ryan had the whip the other day and he went for it, the mare might have only run third or fourth,” Pollard conceded. “You just don’t know, but him not having the whip might have been the difference between winning and the losing of the race.” That experience has shaped the thinking heading into the Tatt’s Tiara, where Midnight In Tokyo will be asked to stretch to 1400m against Group 1 company, with Maloney’s touch seen as central to her prospects. Pollard said the mare could be awkward in her ways and did not appear to respond well when placed under pressure with the whip, making Maloney’s composed, hands-and-heels style especially valuable. “He will probably just carry the whip with him only as an aid on Saturday,” he said. “Midnight In Tokyo is a bit of a cantankerous mare, she has got a tough attitude and she just doesn’t seem to get on well with the whip. Ryan is just so smooth and just hands and heels with the way he rides. It’s a huge thing for her, having Ryan Maloney on board, because he has got such as affinity with her.” Formerly prepared by Annabel and Rob Archibald, Midnight In Tokyo is now in Pollard’s care, though his connection with her reaches back further than his own training licence, having worked as the Archibalds’ Queensland foreman before branching out earlier this year. The mare has quickly become a flagbearer for his fledgling stable, and while she is also nominated for the Group 3 Healy Stakes over 1200m, a distance that looks closer to her ideal range, Pollard said the lure of a Group 1 opportunity is difficult to ignore after her latest win. “It’s hard not to, off the back of winning it gives us a lot more confidence to be able to go to the Tatt’s Tiara there and at least have a crack,” he said. “We know she is better at a shorter distance but she has won over 1350m, so it’s not something that we think she can’t do. It’s just that she is more effective over 1200.” With supportive owners and a possible spring path still in play, Pollard hopes his early stable star can again make the most of her partnership with Maloney.
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BTP STUD STALLIONS

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