Elite bloodlines again commanded a substantial premium in the digital marketplace when blue-blooded mare Ballet’s Legacy topped the Inglis Digital August (Early) Online Sale at $540,000, providing further evidence of the value attached to young breeding prospects from established stallion families. Offered by Newgate Farm as agent and purchased by New Zealand-based bloodstock agent Bruce Perry for a client, the daughter of I Am Invincible carries a particularly potent commercial pedigree. Ballet’s Legacy is a three-quarter sister to Gr1 winner and Gr1-producing Champion First Season Sire Home Affairs and a half-sister to dual Gr1 winner and successful stallion Russian Revolution, making her a rare opportunity to access one of Australia’s most active sire-producing families. Newgate’s Henry Field described the mare as an outstanding physical specimen and credited the Bateman family, together with James Harron, for developing the family to its present strength. Perry said no mating had yet been settled for Ballet’s Legacy, with a decision on her first cover this spring to be made in coming weeks, but he regarded the purchase price as consistent with the scarcity of elite young mares carrying such current pedigrees. “She’s a beautiful mare and you can’t buy into much better families, it’s outstanding and current, Home Affairs is doing the job and Russian [Revolution] is doing a great job too,” Perry said. The sale also produced strong demand below the headline lot, with Jest Excel, the Exceed And Excel mare responsible for Gr3-winning two-year-old Shiki, purchased by Suman Hedge Bloodstock for $150,000. She formed part of the Cornerstone Stud dispersal, which realised a combined $761,700, and is expected to visit Zoustar this season. Another notable feature was the offering of 74 racehorse shares by Bennett Racing, which generated $615,000 in aggregate. Five separate five per cent interests in recent Gr1 winner Fireball Miss accounted for $385,000 of that figure, effectively valuing the mare at around $1.5 million to $1.6 million according to Nathan Bennett. Other significant transactions included Tinker McPhee, sold to Mustica Bloodstock for $135,000, and three-year-old colt Loud And Clear, secured by Dynamic Syndications for $115,000. The August (Early) Sale grossed $4,044,900 overall, demonstrating the breadth now available through online trading, but Ballet’s Legacy provided the defining result: a premium price for pedigree, physical appeal and the increasingly valuable prospect of breeding into a family already producing stallions at the top end of the Australian market. The result also reinforced Inglis Digital’s role as a genuine high-end trading platform rather than merely a clearing house for lesser stock, with both breeding prospects and racehorse equity attracting meaningful competition.
Home Affairs is closely related to Ballet's Legacy (pic: Steve Hart)
NEWTalented Lulu Pitched into Group Company
Thursday, 13th August 2026
A decisive first-up examination awaits one of Victoria’s more intriguing three-year-old fillies when Riverina Lulu steps from a brilliant maiden victory into Saturday’s Gr3 Quezette Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield, a race that could shape the direction of her entire spring. Trained by Grahame Begg, the daughter of Darley sire Blue Point created a strong impression at her only start, reports racing.com, when she powered away in a 1000m straight-course event at Flemington on July 18, defeating a field that included highly regarded Hard Kick and Panchenko, the granddaughter of Black Caviar. That performance followed two Cranbourne jumpout victories and convinced the stable that an immediate rise to stakes company was warranted, despite the Quezette assembling a considerably deeper group headed by unbeaten New Zealand Gr1 winner Lara Antipova, Gr3 winner Shiki and the talented Natural Fling. Begg’s racing manager Rohan Hughes said the stable had taken time to assess the Flemington performance before deciding Riverina Lulu had earned the opportunity. “She was really exciting, we were really rapt with her,” Hughes told racing.com. “She was really impressive that day.” The filly was subsequently given a week in the paddock before returning to Begg’s Cranbourne stable, where she has continued to please in the lead-up to her second career start. Saturday’s additional 100m and significant class rise will offer a much clearer indication of whether she should remain on a sprinting path or be stretched into longer three-year-old assignments later in the carnival. “You’re stepping up to Stakes grade and it’s a little stretch in distance,” Hughes said. “She’s an extremely fast horse and this will probably be a fork in the road for her in terms of where Grahame goes with her for the rest of the spring.” Riverina Lulu has the physical strength and constitution to cope with a campaign, according to the stable, leaving several options open if she measures up immediately. Harry Coffey, who rode her at Flemington, makes way for Jordan Childs at Caulfield, where the filly has drawn gate nine should the three emergencies fail to gain starts. Bred and raced by Ian and Jane Mandie’s Quat Quatta Thoroughbreds, Riverina Lulu has so far offered only a brief glimpse of her ability, but the Quezette will determine whether that glimpse develops into something substantially more important. Her natural speed has been obvious from the outset, but Saturday should reveal whether that speed is simply precocious or the foundation of a filly capable of taking a meaningful place among the spring three-year-olds.
NEWPrecocious Chilly Girl Primed for Rosebud
Thursday, 13th August 2026
A patient autumn decision could begin paying dividends at Rosehill on Saturday, reports racingnsw.com.au, when Chilly Girl resumes in the Listed $200,000 TAB Rosebud (1100m), with trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou confident the talented filly has been given the foundation required to make an immediate impact. The daughter of Widden Stud’s Trapeze Artist has not raced since winning the Widden Stakes earlier this year, after injury forced connections to abandon plans for a Golden Slipper campaign and send her for an extended break. Rather than viewing that setback entirely negatively, Ryan believes the additional time may ultimately benefit a filly he never regarded as a precocious juvenile, particularly given his experience that progeny of Trapeze Artist often strengthen with maturity. Chilly Girl began pre-training with Shane Rose in early May and returned to the Rosehill stable before the end of that month, building steadily towards her comeback through two trials. “She’s had a really good grounding, a long foundation, and she has trialled up very good,” Ryan told racingnsw.com.au. “She trialled well last week against Group horses.” That latest 900m hit-out provided particularly encouraging evidence, with Chilly Girl splitting Gr1 winner Apocalyptic and classy sprinter Headwall, while Ryan also points to the merit of her Widden victory when she led throughout and recorded faster time than the colts on the same programme. Saturday has been deliberately pencilled in as her return since May and will launch a campaign aimed initially through the Princess Series. The Gr2 Furious Stakes (1200m) three weeks later is next on the agenda, followed by the Tea Rose Stakes (1400m), after which connections will determine whether the Gr1 Flight Stakes over 1600m is within her range. “I don’t know whether she will be going to the 1600m or not but it’s the been plan the whole way along, ever since May, to run her in this race first-up,” Ryan said. The stable will also welcome back Franz Josef in the Racing And Sports Handicap (1400m), his first start since November 2024 after an equally patient preparation involving five trials. Kerrin McEvoy, who partnered the six-year-old in all five, retains the ride. Chilly Girl, however, provides the more compelling spring pointer, with a favourable draw, lengthy preparation and encouraging trial form offering the opportunity to turn a missed juvenile autumn into a productive three-year-old campaign. After the frustration of missing the Slipper, the Rosebud is therefore less a consolation prize than the beginning of a campaign the stable has been patiently constructing for more than three months.
Bow Echo Retirement Shocks Racing World
Thursday, 13th August 2026
A career that appeared destined to reach still greater heights has been cut abruptly short, with unbeaten European mile star Bow Echo retired after suffering a setback just weeks after his spectacular Sussex Stakes triumph, according to theguardian.com. Trainer George Boughey confirmed the decision on Tuesday, ending a flawless six-start campaign for the son of Night Of Thunder, who had established himself as the standout miler of his generation and one of the most exciting horses in European racing. Bow Echo was unbeaten in three starts at two before returning this season with a breathtaking victory in the Gr1 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, where he announced himself as an elite performer over a mile. He then overcame serious traffic problems to land the Gr1 St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot before producing arguably his most memorable performance at Goodwood, coming from what appeared an impossible position inside the final furlong to defeat older rivals in the Gr1 Sussex Stakes. That success took his record to six wins from six starts and fuelled hopes he could develop into one of those rare horses capable of transcending the sport and attracting a following well beyond racing’s traditional audience. His partnership with 20-year-old jockey Billy Loughnane added considerably to that appeal, the pair becoming one of the defining stories of the British season as Loughnane continued his rapid rise toward a potential champion jockey title. Plans had been in place for Bow Echo to tackle the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville before a possible Breeders’ Cup campaign against leading American milers later in the year, but those ambitions have now been abandoned. “It is with great disappointment that we have to announce that Bow Echo has had a setback and will be retired from racing,” Boughey said. “It has been the honour of a lifetime to train a horse like Bow Echo. He has given us some extraordinary days and taken everyone involved on a journey we will never forget.” Boughey added that retiring unbeaten after victories in the 2000 Guineas, St James’s Palace Stakes and Sussex Stakes underlined the colt’s exceptional quality. Bow Echo leaves racing without ever tasting defeat, and while his career proved painfully brief, the manner in which he dominated his generation and then conquered older opposition ensured he had already secured a place among the most memorable milers of recent years.
Deserving Quartet for Queensland HOTY Honours
Thursday, 13th August 2026
Queensland racing's strongest performers of the past season will share centre stage later this month after Rothfire, Spicy Martini, Transatlantic and Yellow Brick were named as the four finalists for the 2026 Queensland Horse of the Year award. The quartet will contest the state's premier honour at The Star Brisbane on August 30 after each produced significant feature-race performances during the season, with three of the four reaching Group 1 level. Veteran sprinter Rothfire (see below) added another remarkable chapter to his career by winning the Gr1 Doomben 10,000, while Spicy Martini secured the state's most prestigious handicap sprint through her Gr1 Stradbroke Handicap success. Tony Gollan-trained Transatlantic also broke through at the elite level in the Gr1 Toorak Handicap, while Yellow Brick's season included victories in the Gr3 WJ Healy Stakes and the $1 million The Archer. The same four horses comprise the finalists for Four-Year-Old and Older Horse of the Year, while Grafterburners, Brave Monarch, Foreign Press and Earn To Burn will contest the three-year-old division. Juvenile honours will be decided between Boomelli, Cool Gent, Itchintogo, Martist and Pembrey. Gollan is again prominent among the human categories as he chases an extraordinary 13th successive Queensland Trainer of the Year title after recording 150 metropolitan wins nationally during the season, with Toby Edmonds, Rob Heathcote and Chris and Corey Munce joining him among the nominees. Ryan Maloney, Ben Thompson, Angela Jones and Taylor Marshall comprise the field for the George Moore Queensland Jockey of the Year, while five riders have been nominated for the Ken Russell Apprentice of the Year award. Twenty-seven awards will be presented during the ceremony, which will also recognise breeding, provincial and country premiership achievements and the Darby McCarthy Performance of the Year. A further historical element will come with trainer Jack Booth, jockey Jim Byrne, associate Basil Nolan and galloper Planet Ruler inducted into the Queensland Hall of Fame. With Rothfire, Spicy Martini and Transatlantic all boasting Group 1 victories during the eligibility period, the Horse of the Year decision shapes as one of the strongest and most closely contested in recent seasons.
Different UK Prime Minister, Same Old Conundrums
Thursday, 13th August 2026
Britain's betting-shop industry is facing another potential restriction after plans emerged to remove the long-standing "aim to permit" principle, which would give local councils greater power to reject new wagering outlets, according to racingpost.com. The provision has formed part of the Gambling Act since 2005 and has frequently frustrated councils seeking to prevent bookmakers from opening premises, with local authorities arguing that the existing framework leaves limited grounds for refusing licence applications. The proposed change is being championed by Andy Burnham, who has argued that declining high streets have increasingly been populated by betting shops, vape retailers and other businesses he believes do little to strengthen local communities. The move would sit alongside separate proposals requiring adult gaming centres to obtain planning permission from early next year and providing police and councils with additional time to investigate premises suspected of links to organised crime. However, Britain's Betting and Gaming Council has strongly rejected the suggestion that bookmaker outlets are proliferating unchecked, pointing instead to a steep contraction in the retail wagering estate. Betting-shop numbers have fallen by more than a third since 2019, with about 3,000 outlets closing and more than 15,000 jobs disappearing, while approximately 37,500 people remain employed in the sector. The industry body argues that licensed bookmakers should not be grouped alongside unlawful or unregulated operators and says many shops continue to generate foot traffic for neighbouring businesses. The issue carries implications beyond retail wagering because betting-shop closures can also reduce revenue flowing back to British racing, which remains closely linked commercially to bookmakers through media rights and wagering activity. Betfred recently announced plans to close 132 outlets, adding to concerns about the shrinking physical betting estate at a time when operators are already facing higher costs and regulatory pressure. Burnham, who previously joined local authorities lobbying for reform, maintains that communities require greater control over the composition of their high streets, while wagering representatives insist the sector is already heavily regulated and in retreat rather than expansion. The dispute therefore brings two competing interpretations into sharp relief: local governments seeking greater planning autonomy and an industry warning that further intervention could accelerate closures, job losses and the erosion of racing-related income.
Ballydoyle Chief Shakes Up Young Stars' Schedules
Thursday, 13th August 2026
A series of minor setbacks has forced Aidan O'Brien to reshuffle plans for several of Ballydoyle's leading youngsters, with Gstaad now likely to wait for next month's Gr1 Prix du Moulin while Great Barrier Reef and Man's Best Friend remain possible contenders for the Gr1 Prix Morny at Deauville, reports sportinglife.com. Gstaad (see below) had been considered for Sunday's Gr1 Prix Jacques le Marois, where another meeting with Royal Ascot conqueror Bow Echo appeared possible, but two deep cuts to a hind leg sustained during the Sussex Stakes have ruled out that option. O'Brien explained that the colt was galloped into during the Goodwood contest and initially appeared capable of avoiding medication before the injury subsequently flared, requiring stronger treatment and an enforced withdrawal period. "He's fine now and working and exercising so I imagine he would be trained for the [Prix du] Moulin," O'Brien said, with the September 6 feature providing additional recovery time that could ultimately work in the colt's favour. The trainer believes the delay may allow Gstaad to mature further before the latter stages of the European season rather than being pressured into an immediate return. Great Barrier Reef has also had his programme interrupted after developing ringworm, although the issue has cleared and he is expected to be available again following the necessary waiting period. His likely next assignment could be the Prix Morny on August 23, where stablemate Man's Best Friend is also under consideration after O'Brien decided that backing him up quickly following his Goodwood victory would have come too soon. Victorious faces the prospect of an even longer break after being slightly below expectations physically, with O'Brien prepared to draw stumps on her campaign if she does not return to full health. "So, whether we run her again this season I'm not sure," he said, indicating there is little incentive to push the filly after she has already raced and travelled during her juvenile campaign. The changing picture underlines the balancing act involved in managing a powerful team of elite two-year-olds through the second half of the European summer, when races such as the Morny and Moulin can reshape championship credentials but only if horses arrive at them in appropriate condition. For Ballydoyle, the immediate programme has become less about rigid targets than allowing each youngster's recovery to dictate which major prizes remain within reach.
Unique WA Tri-Code Slots Opened for 2027
Thursday, 13th August 2026
Rare opportunities to secure positions in Western Australia's distinctive tri-code slot-racing series have opened ahead of the 2027 editions of The Quokka, The Nullarbor and The Sandgroper, with Racing WA inviting expressions of interest for the limited positions available across the three features. The concept remains unique internationally by placing thoroughbred, harness and greyhound slot races within the same overarching series, headed by the $5 million Quokka at Ascot. The Nullarbor, staged at Gloucester Park, carries $1.25 million, while Cannington's Sandgroper offers $600,000, creating a combined programme that has become a central component of Western Australia's autumn racing calendar. Competition for positions is expected to be particularly keen after The Quokka field was reduced from 13 runners to 12 for 2027, further tightening access to the state's richest thoroughbred race. Slot holders effectively purchase the right to secure a runner before negotiating with owners and trainers, creating an additional commercial layer in which access to the race itself becomes an asset. The Quokka returns to Ascot on April 24, 2027, and the reduction to 12 slots places increased value on the scarce positions available, particularly after the race has rapidly developed into a target capable of attracting leading interstate sprinters. The Nullarbor provides the equivalent opportunity for harness participants, while The Sandgroper extends the concept into greyhound racing, making the Western Australian model distinctive among major slot-race structures. Racing WA has opened the process to interested parties across the three codes, with expressions of interest closing on September 7. The scarcity is central to the attraction: unlike conventional feature races where qualification rests predominantly on form and selection, a slot provides its holder with direct participation rights and the opportunity to strike agreements with leading connections. By linking three racing codes through that mechanism, Western Australia has created a framework in which commercial partnerships, horse and greyhound selection and race strategy begin well before final fields are assembled. With only a limited number of positions becoming available, the latest application process offers one of the relatively rare opportunities to become part of a series whose identity is built as much around exclusivity as prizemoney.
Myhro's Ruler Participation is no Vanity Exercise
Thursday, 13th August 2026
One emphatic provincial win has been enough to thrust Myhro's Ruler into stakes company, with trainer John McArdle prepared to test the lightly raced three-year-old in Saturday's Gr3 Vain Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield after his six-length Echuca breakthrough, reports punters.com.au. The son of Wild Ruler has raced only twice, debuting in Listed company at Caulfield during the autumn before returning from a spell to dominate a 1000m maiden on a Heavy 9 surface at Echuca on July 24. That performance immediately captured the attention of bookmakers, who installed him around the $6 mark in early Vain Stakes betting despite the considerable jump from provincial maiden grade to a Group race against some of Victoria's better-performed young sprinters. Myhro's Ruler had shown enough ability at his first appearance to warrant placement in the Listed St Albans Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield in March, where he finished sixth after racing prominently before rider Jamie Mott expressed concern with his action and the gelding was subsequently found to be shin sore. Given time to mature, he returned at Echuca as a well-supported favourite and travelled close to the speed before putting his rivals away decisively. The victory also made him the 11th individual winner from the first crop of Newgate Farm stallion Wild Ruler, while his dam Myhro, a daughter of Lonhro, has now produced five winners from as many runners. Saturday presents an altogether different examination, with the Vain Stakes drawing a mixture of established juvenile form and emerging three-year-olds, but McArdle has elected to find out immediately where Myhro's Ruler sits in the hierarchy. The gelding's capacity to transfer his Echuca performance from heavy ground to Caulfield and cope with a significant class rise will determine whether the spring opens into something more ambitious or whether a return to easier company is required. For a horse with barely two race appearances behind him, however, his emergence has been rapid enough to ensure considerably more attention accompanies start number three.
Now boasting 11 winners, Wild Ruler is the sire of Myhro's Ruler (pic: Steve Hart)
NZB Airfreight Completes South African Loop
Thursday, 13th August 2026
A significant revival in thoroughbred trade between New Zealand and South Africa has taken another step forward with NZB Airfreight completing its first thoroughbred shipment to Johannesburg in 12 years, a development that follows a conspicuous return of South African buying power at Karaka earlier this year. Fifteen horses arrived safely in Johannesburg last week on the first such service since 2014, reopening a route that had once been a regular part of New Zealand Bloodstock’s international transport network and providing an important logistical bridge for future buyers from one of the Southern Hemisphere’s major racing jurisdictions. The timing is particularly notable after South African interests made their presence felt at the 2026 NZB Centennial National Yearling Sale in late January, where expatriate bloodstock agent Craig Ramsay acted prominently on behalf of Owen Heffer’s Hollywoodbets and secured several well-bred yearlings for South African ownership. Among the purchases were a Proisir filly out of Shush from Haunui Farm for $340,000 and a Savabeel colt out of Absolutely Me from Waikato Stud for $320,000, while Ramsay also signed for further yearlings including a Savabeel filly out of Sparkling and a Harry Angel filly out of Narumi for $100,000. His activity extended into other leading drafts during the sale, underlining renewed appetite from South African buyers prepared to invest in New Zealand bloodstock despite the freight complications that had previously complicated participation. NZB Airfreight consultant Greg Northcott said considerable work had gone into restoring the service. “There has been a lot of work, time and communication between both countries over the last 18 months to get this flight off the ground,” he said. “We were delighted to get this route back up and running, with thanks to Craig Ramsay who we have been working alongside to ensure the safe delivery of these horses.” Northcott said the initial shipment had travelled well despite the demanding journey, with regular updates from the accompanying grooms confirming the horses remained settled throughout. The successful operation is likely to carry particular importance heading towards the NZB Ready to Run Sale of 2YOs at Karaka in November, with the practical barrier of getting horses home now substantially reduced. Northcott believes the restored route gives South African buyers greater confidence to participate competitively in the New Zealand market while simultaneously widening the potential customer base for local breeders and vendors. “It is another market now open for New Zealand breeders and producers, we see this as further benefit to sellers and buyers now that the transport and protocol issues have been solved.” With more than 60 years of experience moving horses internationally, NZB Airfreight can now again include South Africa among the destinations serviced on demand from Australia and New Zealand, reconnecting two racing and breeding industries whose commercial relationship showed clear signs of renewal at Karaka in January.
All Eyes on Unbeaten Lara Antipova at Caulfield
Thursday, 13th August 2026
A relatively understated Australian introduction could quickly become something more significant when unbeaten New Zealand filly Lara Antipova makes her three-year-old debut in Saturday’s Gr3 Quezette Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield. Racing in the familiar tangerine and white colours associated with Te Akau Racing and Fortuna Racing’s John Galvin, the daughter of Russian Revolution has already compiled a formidable record of four wins from as many starts, including success at Gr1 level and twice in Gr2 company, and arrives in Melbourne with close to $500,000 in earnings despite having raced only in New Zealand. Purchased for $100,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from Vinery Stud, which later finished among the top four on the 2025 Australian Black Type Vendor Premiership, Lara Antipova has done little wrong since making her debut at Te Aroha last December. Sent out at $1.80 in an 1150m juvenile maiden, she swept home by eight lengths before stepping immediately into stakes company at Trentham and winning a Gr2 over 1100m by 4.5 lengths as a $1.20 favourite. A short break did little to blunt her progress, with another Gr2 assignment over 1200m at Matamata in February producing a 3.3-length success at the same cramped quote, before she advanced to the Gr1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) in March. Starting at $1.10, she again handled the rise in grade with authority and scored by almost two lengths without appearing seriously threatened. Trainer Mark Walker then put the filly away with an Australian spring campaign in mind, and Saturday’s Quezette will provide the first indication of how far that programme might extend. Her preparation has been shaped around the leading sprint races for fillies, although there remains the possibility that her best distance may eventually prove to be beyond the shorter trips that have defined her career to this point. Genetic testing has suggested she could be better suited to a mile, placing races such as the Gr1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) firmly within the range of future possibilities if she continues to progress. Walker and Te Akau are no strangers to elite success in Australia, having campaigned horses of the calibre of Imperatriz across major carnivals, and Lara Antipova now has the opportunity to begin establishing her own reputation on that stage. Out of the Myboycharlie mare Artistic Lass, she takes her name from the central character in the 1965 film Doctor Zhivago, although by spring’s end she may be considerably better known for what she produces on the racecourse.
The scale of North America’s premier yearling marketplace will again be on full display next month after Keeneland assembled a catalogue of 4,635 horses for the 83rd September Yearling Sale, with the 12-session auction scheduled to run from September 14 to 26 and tasked with following one of the strongest renewals in global bloodstock history. This year’s catalogue represents 189 sires and includes 1,072 yearlings by 24 first-crop stallions, while 722 lots are by horses currently ranked among North America’s top 10 sires, giving buyers depth across virtually every section of the sale. The challenge is considerable after the 2025 edition generated more than $531.7 million in total sales for 3,078 horses and established new benchmarks across several major indicators, including 56 seven-figure yearlings, while the sale average and median also reached record territory. Last year’s through-the-ring turnover exceeded $510.5 million from 2,904 yearlings, with an average of $175,807 and median of $80,000, reinforcing Keeneland September’s position as one of the most influential commercial events in the international thoroughbred calendar. Gun Runner was central to the strength at the top end, led by a $3.3 million colt out of Thoughtfully purchased by M V Magnier, White Birch Farm and Winchell Thoroughbreds, while another colt by the sire brought $2.2 million and a Flightline filly matched that figure. The market strength extended well beyond individual headline lots, with Taylor Made Sales Agency leading consignors after selling 333 yearlings for $68.515 million, Repole Stable emerging as the leading buyer with expenditure of $14.155 million and Gun Runner topping the sire standings with 40 yearlings averaging $877,125. Keeneland president and chief executive Shannon Arvin said the previous sale had set an imposing standard. “The 2025 September Sale established a historic benchmark,” she said. “With record participation and strong economic performance, buying power was evident at every level of the market.” Vice-president of sales Tony Lacy believes the new catalogue again provides substantial strength from its opening session through to the closing day, with the placement of horses requiring considerable scrutiny because of the number of high-quality yearlings entered. “This year's September Sale offers remarkable quality and depth from the opening session through the final day,” Lacy said. “With so many outstanding yearlings, placing horses throughout the catalogue required careful consideration.” With elite established stallions strongly represented and more than a thousand yearlings from the first crops of emerging sires, the 2026 renewal will provide an early measure of whether the extraordinary demand seen at Keeneland last September can be sustained across another vast and internationally significant catalogue.
Simple Pleasures Ready to Repay Bargain Buy
Thursday, 13th August 2026
An old Adelaide association could be rekindled at Newcastle on Thursday when Mark Minervini calls on Kerrin McEvoy to partner the blue-blooded but inexpensive Simple Pleasures in the NSW Jockeys Association Super 3YO Maiden Plate (900m), with the flashy chestnut expected to show considerably more than she managed on debut. The former Morphettville trainer knew McEvoy long before the jockey became a three-time Melbourne Cup winner, having watched him develop through his apprenticeship in Adelaide under Russell Cameron, and the pair combined successfully on a number of occasions in those formative years, reports racenet.com.au. “I remember when he first started, he was like 42 kilos ringing wet. The saddle was heavier than the jockey,” Minervini recalled. “Kerrin had quite a few rides for us and rode winners for me back then.” McEvoy also brings an additional connection to Simple Pleasures through her sire Russian Revolution, aboard whom he won the Roman Consul Stakes before later producing a memorable ride to claim the Gr1 Galaxy from the outside barrier on a Heavy 10 surface, defeating future dual Everest winner Redzel. For all the quality in Simple Pleasures’ pedigree, Minervini secured her for just $12,000 at the 2025 Inglis HTBA Yearling Sale, a price that still surprises him given her commercial background. “We stole her,” he said. “I went to that sale thinking we'd need forty or fifty grand for her.” Her dam is a stakes-placed half-sister to champion sprinter Sunlight, meaning even modest racetrack success could quickly transform the filly’s residual value. “If this filly could win in town or pick up some black-type at some stage, she'd be worth a lot of money, a lot more than what we paid.” Simple Pleasures made her first appearance during the 2025 Championships period in a Warwick Farm midweek maiden won by Bangkok Hottie, but finished well down the order after appearing to reach the race at the end of her preparation. Minervini said the filly had trialled encouragingly beforehand but suspected she had trained off by raceday, prompting an immediate spell. The break has since allowed her to develop physically and she returns for the new season with the stable expecting a sharper showing. “She trialled well leading into that but I think by the time she got to that race, she'd probably trained off a tad so we put her straight in the paddock and she's done well so we are looking forward to this prep,” Minervini said. With McEvoy back in the fold and a pedigree carrying considerably more value than her purchase price suggested, Simple Pleasures now has the opportunity to begin repaying one of the shrewder buys of Minervini’s recent sales activity.
Sunlight is a half-sister to the dam of Simple Pleasures (pic: magicmillions.com.au)
