Saturday, 30th August 2025
All enquiries - Gary Knowles 0406 599 773

Global Breeding, Racing and Sales News

  • Protecting Your Investment: Thoroughbred Mare and Foal Insurance

    Friday, 29th August 2025
    Fitton Insurance


    Why Insure a Mare and Foal? Breeding horses is a rewarding but risky endeavor. From conception through to foaling, and throughout a foal’s early life, a range of complications can arise—many of which are unpredictable and costly. Mare and foal insurance provides peace of mind by covering losses in the event of death, illness, injury, or complications during foaling. Given the value of both mares and their offspring, especially those with strong pedigrees or racing records, insuring your horses is a sound financial decision.

    Cost of Coverage: Premiums vary depending on several factors, including the horse’s age, value, medical history, and the level of coverage chosen. For example, basic mare and foal insurance coverage can start at around $515, though this figure increases with the sum insured and the horses’ individual risk profile. Generally, insurance companies will require a veterinary certificate or health declaration to begin coverage, especially for high-value animals.

    When to Buy: Timing is critical. For foals, coverage can begin just one day after birth, but for in-utero coverage, policies should be taken out shortly after the mare’s pregnancy is confirmed (typically around 42 days). Because foaling season can bring unexpected complications, breeders are encouraged to secure coverage well in advance to avoid gaps in protection.

    A Smart Step for Breeders: Whether you’re a small breeder with one mare or managing a larger operation, horse insurance is a wise step toward safeguarding your investment. It ensures you’re financially protected against the unpredictable nature of equine health and breeding, allowing you to focus on raising the next champion with confidence.

    Over 70 Years Experience: Fitton HorseInsurse’s leading team, Ron and Christina, collectively have over 70 years of experience in the horse industry. From breeding, racing and competing horses to insuring them, they well understand the complexities of owning horses. Using a broker who understands horses and the many ins and outs of horse ownership will benefit you in having correct coverage in place and in assisting with the claim process. For tailored quotes or to explore coverage options, speak to Christina, Ron or one of our specialist equine insurance brokers today.

    Types of Coverage Available: Policies are typically customizable to suit different breeding operations and individual risk tolerances, but most mare and foal insurance packages can include the following:

    • Mortality Insurance: Covers the mare or foal in the event of death due to illness, injury, or accident. For foals, coverage often begins as early as 24 hours after birth.
    • Prospective Foal Insurance (In Utero): This covers the unborn foal, generally from 42 days of gestation until 30 days post-birth. It protects against losses due to miscarriage, stillbirth, or death shortly after birth.
    • Surgical Fee Coverage: An optional add-on that can help with the cost of surgical expenses, age of horse effects if this cover is available.

    Thoroughbred mare and foal

    Breeding thoroughbreds carries inherent risk (pic: vecteezy)

  • Wide Open 2025 Heath for the Sprinters

    Friday, 29th August 2025
    With 15 final acceptances taken for Saturday's Listed Heath 1100 (1100m) at Caulfield, the race appears to be quite open with a few up and comers taking on the proven sprinters. At the top of the field you have the proven Group 1 winners Feroce (Super Seth-Corinthia, by O'Reilly) and Mazu (Maurice-Chatelaine, by Flying Spur), while the up-and-coming horses such as She's Bulletproof (Shooting To Win-Offshore Sham, by Shamardal) make it an interesting contest. Looking good in two Sydney barrier trials, the Hawkes Racing trained Airman (I Am Invincible-Zara Bay, by Fastnet Rock) resumes at Caulfield on Saturday, and while he has never raced at the track in the past, the 6YO gelding does have some very good first up form and also solid form at the distance of the race. Racing in similar ownership to Airman, the Ben, Will and JD Hayes trained Arkansaw Kid (Harry Angel-Florabella, by Exceed And Excel) tackles the race second up after working home well first up for second in the Listed Regal Roller Stakes. Dropping slightly in weight, jockey Blake Shinn sticks with the gelding and with the fact he is yet to finish outside the top three in all starts at the track points to a forward showing. While yet to still prove himself against the top line sprinters, last season's Gr3 Zeditave Stakes winner Tropicus (Too Darn Hot-Extensible, by Exceed And Excel) looks a leading chance for the Anthony and Sam Freedman yard.

  • Top Line Up for MM Horses in Training Sale

    Friday, 29th August 2025
    This year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Horses in Training Sale promises a dynamic mix of proven bloodlines and precocious talent, with the 2025 edition offering an expansive catalogue of 210 juveniles and select older prospects. Supplementary entries will add to an already diverse group that includes a handful of three and four-year-olds – some with winning form – alongside the usual two-year-old focus. A striking breadth of stallions is represented, with 90 individual sires featuring in the line-up. Proven names such as Zoustar, Snitzel, I Am Invincible, Written Tycoon and Spirit of Boom appear alongside exciting young stallions like Bivouac, St Mark’s Basilica, Home Affairs, Stay Inside, Farnan, Ole Kirk and Tiger of Malay. International influence adds another layer, with progeny by Maurice, Harry Angel, Toronado and Wootton Bassett also catalogued. A strong black-type presence is clear, with entries closely related to Gr1 winners Briasa, Levendi and Sofia Rosa, along with stakes performers Yellow Brick, Kristilli, Madam Rouge and Hemlock Stone. Mares with Group-winning race records such as Diademe, World Peace, Sweet Redemption and Jade Marauder also feature among the dams. Fifty-nine horses are eligible for the Magic Millions Race Series, unlocking access to 28 races nationally and more than $20 million in total prizemoney. “The catalogue showcases sire power like never before,” said Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch. He highlighted the continued support of leading vendors, noting their track records in preparing horses for elite competition. “Buyers are presented with professionally educated prospects backed by some of the best names in the business.” Four breeze-up sessions are scheduled nationwide between September 23 and October 7, before the sale itself takes place on the Gold Coast on October 9. Each gallop will be tracked using Magic Millions’ TripleS technology—an advanced system that captures precise data including sectional splits, stride length, and top speeds over set distances. Bowditch said the system helps “remove the guesswork,” giving buyers confidence through raceday-calibre metrics. The 2025 edition, combining bloodlines, form, and verified physical performance, offers a compelling opportunity for both local and international buyers. Important dates:
    • Tue 23 September - Gold Coast Breeze-Ups - 9am
    • Thur 25 September - Seymour Breeze-Ups - 10.30am 
    • Fri 26 September - Newcastle Breeze-Ups - 10am
    • Tue 7 October - Gold Coast Breeze-Ups - 9am
    • Thurs 9 October - Gold Coast Horses in Training Sale - 12pm (AEST)

    MM Horses In Training

  • Group 1 Colts Eye First Up San Domenico Win

    Friday, 29th August 2025
    With two feature 3YO races on Saturday's Rosehill card, the Gr3 Up And Coming over 1300m, and the Gr3 Sam Domenico over 1100m, it's interesting to look at previous winners from a future stallion standpoint and highlight which may be a better race. In most cases it appears from the stallion aspect that the San Domenico comes out on top, but this year there are a host of impeccably-bred runners in both races that have the potential to go on to stellar stud careers. This year's running of the San Domenico Stakes sees a field of nine final acceptances highlighted by Gr1 Blue Diamond Stakes winner Devil Night (Extreme Choice-Mischief Night, by Shamardal), as well as the Gr1 Golden Slipper runner-up Wodeton (Wootton Bassett-Fiera Vista, by Exceed And Excel). Having clashed once in their careers to date, Wodeton finished about three and a quarter-lengths ahead of Devil Night in the Golden Slipper, but barriers and several other circumstances probably favoured Wodeton that day. With Devil Night also accepting for the Gr3 McNeil Stakes at Caulfield, if connections decide to run the colt here, then we should follow suit, but if not, then Wodeton has the class edge in what should be a tactical contest. To be honest, the field looks quite classy and the winner could come from anywhere, with a big watch surely being on Snowden Racing's Raging Force (Cosmic Force-Miss Loren, by Stryker), an impressive winner of his last three starts.

  • 50 million Reasons It's a Sensational Memsie

    Friday, 29th August 2025
    With over $50m in earnings and 25 individual Group 1 race victories between them, the field for Saturday's $750,000 Gr1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield looks simply outstanding. Headed by warhorse Mr Brightside (Bullbars-Lilahjay, by Tavistock), the question always remains with the 8yo gelding is just how well will be perform as he gets older, and to date, he just keeps going like an energizer bunny. A winner of this race two years ago before going down narrowly last year to Pinstriped (Street Boss-Snitzel Blitz, by Snitzel), who he will also meet here once again, Mr Brightside has a solid first up record and is bound to produce another quality effort this time around. With plenty of stats in his favour leading into the race first up, Ciaron Maher's Another Wil (Street Boss-Arohanui, by Bianconi) has always promised to be a star, and we saw the start of that rise when successful in the Gr1 CF Orr Stakes in the Autumn where he defeated Mr Brightside in the Autumn equivalent of the Memsie Stakes. Given two Gosford barrier trials leading into Saturday's race, regular jockey Jamie Melham will continue her association with the 6yo gelding. With rain forecasted over the coming days in Melbourne, the track is likely to become wet underfoot, and unfortunately that was the same reason C J Waller's Fangirl (Sebring-Little Surfer Girl, by Encosta de Lago) escaped Sydney and crossed the border last Saturday. With Mark Zahra booked to partner the Ingham family bred and raced mare, it's unsure if connections will run the mare or not if the track become wet, but with eight top three efforts from nine starts at 1400m, she could simply could blow them all away if she gets conditions to suit.

    Another Will

    Another Wil has any amount of talent (pic: Mark Gatt)

  • Cockram Stakes First Up for Magic Time

    Friday, 29th August 2025
    With connections indicating Saturday's Gr3 Cockram Stakes would be an ideal first up race before progressing to the 1400m of the Gr1 Si Rupert Clarke Stakes (a race she won in 2023) three weeks later, the Grahame Begg trained Magic Time (Hellbent-Time Awaits, by Nicconi) is likely to start one of the favoured runners here. "She'll kick off in the Cockram, it's the only real opportunity to give her a run at 1200 metres and still have a proper buffer before the Rupert Clarke," Begg told Racing.com. With three wins from six first up runs including the Gr2 Expressway Stakes last campaign, the Yulong owned mare will be ridden by Michael Dee, who has ridden her to both her two previous Gr1 victories, with the duo set to jump from barrier six in the 15-horse field. Scratched from last Saturday's Gr3 Toy Show Quality, possibly due to the heavy 10 rated track, Michael Freedman has sent Gr1 Sires' Produce Stakes winner Manaal (Tassort-Red Lodge, by Midshipman) down south to race at Caulfield for the first time. Having defeated Wodeton (Wootton Bassett) in her most recent barrier trial, the 4yo mare has a win and two placed efforts from four first up runs and if she handles the anti-clockwise way of going, she could surprise.

  • Unbeaten Vinrock Has McNeil Stakes Edge

    Friday, 29th August 2025
    Having purchased into the colt after his unbeaten juvenile campaign which saw successes in the Gr2 VRC Sires' Produce Stakes before a win in the Gr1 ATC Sires' Produce Stakes, 3YO colt Vinrock (I Am Invincible-Girl Gone Rockin', by Redoute's Choice) will be putting his unbeaten record on the line when he contests Saturday's Gr3 McNeil Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield. One of three final acceptances in the race set to sport the Yulong silks, joining the Gr1 Blue Diamond first placed Devil Night (Extreme Choice-Mischief Night, by Shamardal) and third placed Tycoon Star (Written Tycoon-Miss Iano, by Equiano), the Matt Laurie-trained colt will jump from barrier 3 with regular jockey Mark Zahra in the saddle. With the first four home from the recent running of the Gr3 Vain Stakes all set to line up here headed by winner Jimmy Recard (I Am Invincible-Aquamosa, by Alamosa), the form from that race will likely hold up and with just a length and a half separating those four runners, all look worthy chances here. A massive jump from winning a 2YO maiden on the final day of the season, the Grahame Begg trained Best Of The Best (Written Tycoon-Cymbalism, by Denman) will face a strong field at just his second start here on Saturday, but if his name is anything to go by, then the Iskander Racing-bred colt looks a show.

    Vinrock

    Gr1 Inglis Sires Produce Stakes winner Vinrock (pic: Mark Gatt)

  • Waller Dominates Up And Coming Stakes

    Friday, 29th August 2025
    Won last year by the C J Waller stable when saddling up the still unbeaten Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun), Saturday’s running of the $250,000 Gr3 Up And Coming Stakes (1300m) sees the champion trainer dominate with four of the final eight acceptances. Although it’s difficult to rule any of them out as live chances in the 3YO feature race, the recent seven length win by Sixties (Flying Artie-Gracie’s Lass, by Redoute’s Choice), albeit a mid-week maiden, suggest the full brother to Group 1 winner Flying Artie (Artie Schiller) could be something special. Having always had huge wraps on him, the Coolmore and partners owned Central Coast (Wootton Bassett-Sunlight, by Zoustar) is another runner who could reach top class this campaign. Second two starts back to Autumn Boy (The Autumn Sun), with that colt winning a stakes race next start and looking a promising Spring contender, Central Coast then defeated Crossbow (Better Than Ready) with that runner heading to Melbourne and saluting next time out. Purchased for $1.4m from the draft of Coolmore at the Inglis Easter yearling sale, the colt is the second foal of multiple Group 1 winner Sunlight, whose first foal is the Listed winner Dawn Service (Justify). Waller’s other two runners Providence (Wootton Bassett-Southbank, by Fastnet Rock) and Fermoy (Zoustar-Fundamentalist, by Not A Single Doubt) have not been able to break their maidens as yet, but they have both shown promise and a win from either would not surprise.

  • Niance Gets Begg's Moir Green Light

    Friday, 29th August 2025
    A sharp piece of work at Cranbourne this week has Grahame Begg confident his mare is ready for the challenge of Group 1 company first-up, as Niance prepares to launch her spring campaign in the Moir Stakes (1000m) at The Valley next Saturday. The six-year-old was given a second jump out on Monday – which she won – to top her off for the early-season assignment. Since arriving from New Zealand, where she was trained by Shaun and Emma Clotworthy, the Swiss Ace mare has put together six wins from seven starts under Begg's care and carries the silks of Ace Bloodstock. Her only previous attempt at the 1000m trip resulted in a debut win at Pakenham, and while Begg concedes that resuming at Group 1 level over a sprint trip is ambitious, he believes the timing and distance play in her favour. "I always believe it's a pretty tall order, but it's only 1000m," he said. "We thought to give her that extra bit of hardness going into the race we would give her that jump out, which she went really well in, and we are now looking forward to Saturday week." The stable gave her a brief reappearance in late May, where she took out the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield. That run came after a prolonged absence following a freak paddock injury that resulted in a fractured skull. "The problem was we didn't know how she injured herself," Begg explained. "They found her and she had swelling to the skull but there was no sign of any head trauma, so we were a bit miffed. It got infected, and the bone was being rejected from the body, we had to do surgery to remove the fragments." With the injury behind her, Begg has praised the mare's toughness and adaptability. "She has a great will to win… she is just a very good, rounded horse. I think her preference is for good ground with just the edge off, but she can handle all sorts of ground." Niance shares early Moir Stakes favouritism at $5 alongside Baraqiel and Alabama Lass. "They were all saying it was a weak race, but now they're coming from Sydney and Brisbane and [now] Alabama Lass is coming from New Zealand, so it's going to be strong enough," Begg said.

  • Four-Year-Olds Hold Heatherlie Stakes Key

    Friday, 29th August 2025
    Saturday’s running of the Listed Heatherlie Stakes (1700m) appears an interesting race on paper with four 4YOs set to take on the older horses. Three will be resuming on Saturday while the David Brideoake-trained Too Darn Discreet (Too Darn Hot-Maybe Discreet, by Shamardal) comes into the race off an impressive win two starts back over 1620m before going down narrowly last start over a mile at Caulfield. A winner of the Gr2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) and the Gr3 Ethereal Stakes (2000m) at 3, Too Darn Discreet has proven herself a capable mare and from a pedigree aspect she could be anything and looks a likely chance here. The remaining trio have all been nominated for the Gr1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) and kick off their campaign here on Saturday. A graduate of Mill Park Stud, the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young trained Thedoctoroflove (So You Think-Liberty Lover, by Rebel Raider) headed to New Zealand last time in, winning the G2 Avondale Guineas (2100m) before second in the Gr1 NZ Derby (2400m) – all in his first racing campaign. With a second first up when making his debut, it wasn’t until the gelding reached 2000m that we saw him win, and come Saturday, connections would be wanting to see him working home well. Both trained by the Emma-Lee & David Browne stable, Scary (Shocking-Never Ever, by Reliable Man) and Statuario (D’Argento-Miss Entice, by Dash for Cash) look capable of making their presence felt during the spring. Interestingly the pair are both Group 1 second placed in Derbies, Scary in the VRC Derby and Statuario on the South Australian. When looking at the future form out of the race, it's worth noting that two of the last three winners of the race in Soulcombe (Frankel) and Emissary (Kingman) went on to finish second in the Gr1 Melbourne Cup just four starts after their wins in the Heatherlie Stakes.

Amarina Farm
Arrowfield Stud
Bell River Thoroughbreds
Berkeley Park Stud
Bhima Thoroughbreds
Blue Gum Farm
Bombora Downs
Bowness Stud
Clear Mountain Fairview
Coolmore Stud
Cressfield
Evergreen Stud
Goodwood Farm
Kia Ora
Kingstar Farm
Lime Country Thoroughbreds
Mill Park Stud
Murrulla Stud
Newgate Farm
Newhaven Park
North
Segenhoe Stud
Silverdale Farm
Sledmere Stud
Torryburn Stud
Tyreel Stud
Vinery Stud
Widden Stud
Willow Park Stud
Yarraman Park Stud

2025 BTR Stud Stallions

BTP STUD STALLIONS

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