Few would dispute that 2025 has been a breakout year for France’s leading stables, but the numbers alone confirm Francis Graffard’s arrival in the highest echelon of global training ranks. Surpassing Andre Fabre’s long-held record of 13 Group 1 victories for a French trainer in a single calendar year, the 48-year-old has compiled a season of major international milestones heading into this weekend’s Longines Hong Kong International Races (HKIR). Among the highlights was a maiden Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (2400m) win with Daryz, while Zarigana and Gezora claimed French Classic laurels. Yet it’s abroad where Graffard has elevated his status, Gezora delivering a first Breeders’ Cup triumph, and Calandagan notching elite success in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2392m), Champion Stakes (1993m), and Japan Cup (2400m) – the first non-domestic win in that race since 2005. The Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud (2400m) also went Graffard’s way, as did multiple other black type features across the continent. This weekend, two of his most seasoned campaigners take their place at Sha Tin. Goliath lines up in the HK$26 million Longines Hong Kong Vase (2400m), returning for a second attempt at the circuit after a midfield finish in April’s QEII Cup. Quisisana, meanwhile, heads to the HK$40 million Longines Hong Kong Cup (2000m) for her first overseas test. “I’m very happy with them both; they worked well at Chantilly on Wednesday and they seem in top shape,” Graffard told racingnews.hkjc.com. Goliath’s 2024 campaign has been headlined by victories in the King George and Germany’s Grosser Preis von Baden (2400m), results that signalled a successful rebuilding phase. “Through the season, I tried to rebuild his confidence and his physical ability. He was really well for America and he travelled really well, so that was a good sign that a long journey isn’t a problem anymore,” Graffard said. Holding an international rating of 120, Goliath sits alongside Arc third Sosie and last year’s Vase winner Giavellotto – and only three points off Hong Kong star Los Angeles. “It’s a strong race but with quite an open feel to it. As we know with Goliath, everything needs to go his way for him to give his best.” Visually imposing during trackwork, Quisisana (see below) could quickly attract local attention. Christophe Soumillon reunites with the Le Havre mare, having steered her to a first Group 1 in Deauville’s Prix Jean Romanet (2000m), which granted her Arc qualification. Although that mile-and-a-half assignment stretched her stamina, Graffard remains bullish about her preferred distance: “She is a long-striding filly and I think a mile-and-a-quarter will be better for her, while I couldn’t be happier with her condition.” Despite this season’s accolades, Graffard has only once previously contested the HKIR – with Karar, who finished 13th in the 2017 Hong Kong Mile. He concedes that it’s a tough ask of his pair this late in the season, however believes it’s important to have a presence at the meeting.
NEWSabaj ‘In the Zone’ Ahead of $2m The Ingham
Tuesday, 9th December 2025
Initial plans to head to the padock were swiftly abandoned when connections saw how well Sabaj pulled up from his track-record Cranbourne Cup (1600m) win, and the rejuvenated son of now WA-based stallion Manhattan Rain is firmly on course for Saturday’s $2 million The Ingham at Randwick. According to racenet.com.au, Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr have seen the lightly framed gelding thrive through a measured post-race routine. A Sydney-direction gallop at Cranbourne last Saturday was followed by another clockwise hit-out on Tuesday before the road trip north. “He’s in the zone,” Kent Jnr said. “I like to ride on slow mornings to have a feel – I never want to lose that touch or fitness I suppose, and it gets you out of the office and off the phone, so I enjoy riding.” Sabaj had already proven himself capable in Sydney, despite a luckless sixth in the Silver Eagle (1300m) last October when debuting for the stable. He then posted a smart Flemington win in a Benchmark 84 on rain-affected ground before drawing wide and still scoring in the Listed Cranbourne Cup. “To be honest, post-race we were in two minds,” Kent Jnr admitted. “Mick was delighted with what he saw the next morning; the horse ate really well, and while he ran a track record, he coped really well with the run.” The stabling advantage at Cranbourne may have helped, with no float trip required on Cup day, but the overall condition of the horse has been the key factor. “No travelling involved, so that probably helped a bit, and for a lighter framed horse, he looks good in the body,” Kent Jnr added. A short period of light duties and paddock rest at the trainers’ Kingshaven property also helped to keep Sabaj mentally fresh ahead of what will be his toughest test to date. While Price and Kent Jnr are not yet mapping an autumn campaign, the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) looms as a potential long-term target. “We haven’t thought that far ahead, but winning The Ingham would elevate your rating and give you options, wouldn’t it,” Kent Jnr noted. “It was a hard race to pass up – great prizemoney, a handicap on the big Randwick mile. Cranbourne posed some concerns being a tight track… we got away with it, but he’s a big track miler. Getting in on the minimum at 53kg [for The Ingham], it does look like a nice race for him.” Meanwhile, super-consistent sprinter Taken is on a collision course with the $1 million The Supernova (1400m) at Pakenham. “He’s going to have to take a big step up in class,” Kent Jnr acknowledged given the presence of horses like Private Eye and Here to Shock. Despite also facing a weight disadvantage, Taken has won his last five straight and Kent Jnr is reluctant to call a ceiling on the Ardrossan gelding’s potential just yet.
NEWMachine-Like Consistency for Sire Maschino
Tuesday, 9th December 2025
Alwyn Park stallion Maschino continues to build momentum off the back of a strong spring, with a full book of mares and three headline acts – Joker’s Grin, Machine Gun Gracie and unbeaten three-year-old Smooth Chino – all circling black-type assignments. Maschino’s progeny have been delivering on the day-to-day stage too, with six individual winners in the space of five days. According to tbwa.net.au, the run began last Wednesday with Hey Pino at Belmont, followed by Coatachino (Albany) on Thursday, Razmas (Esperance) on Friday, and Trio and Grand Reserve (Ascot) on Saturday. Rounding out the streak was debutant Chino Bay, who scored at Bunbury on Sunday. Grand Reserve added fresh feature race shine for Maschino when grinding out a determined victory in Saturday’s Parliamentarians Cup (2200m). The five-year-old, bred by Alwyn Park and sold for $85,000 at the 2022 Perth Magic Millions, has now banked $230,000 including close to $70,000 in Westspeed Bonuses. Trained by Dan Morton for a syndicate managed by his wife Carol, the gelding has matured into a genuine staying prospect. “He’s a beautiful horse and is trending in the right direction,” Morton said. “He’s getting up to a distance range that suits and is a fully matured horse now. He’s a stayer in form and is in for a nice prep.” Chris Parnham navigated a tactically sound route, settling Grand Reserve behind early leaders Major Mario and Noahquintilly before peeling out to reel in Fame, who had been caught three wide throughout. The win extended a family legacy rooted in Alwyn Park’s long-time resident broodmare Shathor. Imported in 2004, the Tirol mare produced five winners including Singapore Group 3 star Captain Obvious. Her daughter Champagne Bubbles, by Scandal Keeper, has kept the line going with Vert De Grece colts Aidan’s Choice and Grece Lightning preceding Grand Reserve. The mare’s recent foals include a Rommel 2YO, a Shooting To Win yearling colt, and a filly by Aysar. Maschino’s stakes performers aren’t done yet. Joker’s Grin has been cleared by vets to press on to next Saturday’s $1.5 million The Gold Rush (1400m) after finishing within two lengths of Overpass in the Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes. That followed back-to-back Group 3 wins in the Prince of Wales Stakes and Colonel Reeves. Smooth Chino, unbeaten in five, is also entered. The lightly raced gelding completed a Magic Millions 3YO Trophy hat-trick in February and returned last month with successive Ascot wins for trainer-owner Indianna Weinert. Machine Gun Gracie, WA’s reigning Champion 3YO, is edging closer to a return. The Justine Erkelens-trained mare, who completed the WA Oaks–WA Derby double in April, impressed in a 1450m barrier trial at Lark Hill on December 1.
Parliamentarians Cup winner Grand Reserve (pic: Western Racepix)
NEWDavison 100% All In on Campionessa Sister
Tuesday, 9th December 2025
Patience and a clear long-term vision continue to shape the broodmare program at Mapperley Stud, where Simms Davison remains committed to nurturing the family of Bella Carolina. The mare has already delivered multiple headline performers, and the emergence of Stella Ma Bella has further validated his belief that this line still has much more to offer, according to NZ Racing Desk. Her authoritative win at Te Aroha on Sunday, only her second raceday appearance, suggested a filly capable of climbing well beyond age-group company. Bred and raced by Davison, the Contributor filly is a full sister to Campionessa, whose Group 1 Zabeel Classic triumph and quartet of Group 2 victories established her as one of the modern pillars of the Mapperley broodmare band. Stella Ma Bella, Davison noted, carries more strength and physical presence than her celebrated sister and has shown that precocity from an early stage. With the Eight Carat Classic at Ellerslie pencilled in for Boxing Day, the path ahead offers an opportunity to test her quickly against deeper opposition. Davison admitted it was satisfying to own her outright after retaining only a small share in Campionessa, praising Te Akau’s handling of both sisters. Campionessa’s journey back into the Mapperley fold was far from straightforward. Passed in twice as a yearling, she was eventually repurchased by Davison for $380,000 at the Gold Coast, a bold reinvestment that he hopes will pay compound dividends over time. The faith is already visible in the stud’s 2026 National Yearling Sale draft, where a sister to both Campionessa and Stella Ma Bella will be offered as Lot 306. Davison conceded that even with his affection for the family, “you can’t keep everything,” especially now that two daughters are already secured for future breeding. Bella Carolina herself continues to play a central role. Her Profondo colt has pleased the team, and she has been returned to him again as part of Davison’s philosophy of supporting his own stallions with mares capable of elevating their profiles. The strategy extends beyond New Zealand, with Campionessa crossing the Tasman to visit The Autumn Sun. Now safely in foal, she has returned home, ready to contribute to the next Mapperley generation. The mating, Davison explained, was chosen with the intent of producing classic-type fillies rather than chasing raw speed. While there was internal debate about injecting pace into the pedigree, the final decision reflected a belief in New Zealand’s longstanding reputation for cultivating Oaks-profile horses. As he put it, “everyone can get a bit carried away about injecting speed,” but the aim here was to stay true to what this family does best – and to choose a stallion capable of delivering exactly that.
NEWPotential Karaka Stars Hiding in Plain Sight
Tuesday, 9th December 2025
Recent results at Riccarton have underlined again that Book 2 of New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale is far more than a supporting act, with the New Zealand 2000 Guineas trifecta all sourced from its 2024 catalogue. Buyers looking for the next Romanoff, Affirmative Action or Shoma will have their chance when a streamlined Book 2 returns to Karaka in 2026. Staged as a one day session on Tuesday 27 January, the reworked sale will present a tight, select catalogue of 280 yearlings. The focus is firmly on quality, with pedigrees stacked with black type and close relations to some of Australasia’s most progressive performers. Book 2’s recent honour roll is headed by the Riccarton one–two–three, purchased for $75,000, $115,000 and $20,000 respectively before filling the placings in the $700,000 New Zealand 2000 Guineas. Those results have sharpened interest in the next wave, which again features siblings and close relatives to a host of stakes winners. Among them is Lot 613, a Divine Prophet colt from the Mapperley Stud draft, a half-brother to multiple Group One winner Snazzytavi whose nine victories include the Zabeel Classic, Livamol Classic and Cal Isuzu Stakes. Another half-sister, Le Societe, was stakes placed and has produced black type, while their dam Ritzy Lady added a Listed win to the family page. Further down the catalogue, an Ardrossan colt catalogued as Lot 572 comes from a mare who is a half-sister to the dam of recent Railway Stakes hero Watch Me Rock, linking him to one of Perth’s headline milers. Ardrossan also features as the sire of Lot 624, a filly out of Group Three winner Seven Schillings, already responsible for Group Two winner Emily Margaret and stakes performer Heptagon, with Emily Margaret in turn the dam of stakes placed Ha’penny Hatch. Pedigree hunters will also note Lot 633, a Sword Of State colt from a half-sister to brilliant triple Group 1 mare Sunlight and fellow stakes winners Sisstar and Clean Energy, all by Zoustar. Another highlight is Lot 655, a half-brother to Crystal Mile winner Von Hauke, whose Group 2 success at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate day added further shine to the family. Depth continues late in the session. Lot 737, an Acrobat colt, is a three-quarter brother to Levin Classic winner Age Of Fire and also a three-quarter brother to the dam of Wakeful Stakes heroine Amazonian Lass, while Lot 785 is a Tarzino colt out of New Zealand 1000 Guineas winner and NZB Filly of the Year Insouciant. Taken together, the pedigrees on offer confirm that the 2026 renewal at the Karaka Sales Centre from 25 to 29 January, with Book 2 set down for Tuesday 27 January, will again give buyers serious access to Group class families in depth for both domestic and international investors.
NEWCroft Sharpens Ambitions for Zousain Mare
Tuesday, 9th December 2025
Good fortune has a habit of appearing in unexpected places, and for Terry Croft it arrived quietly at an Inglis HTBA Sale in Sydney, reports racingnsw.com.au. Wandering behind the barns without any intention of buying, he found himself drawn to a filly by Widden Stud’s promising sire Zousain (Zoustar). Croft recalled seeing her at the same moment as another horseman and feeling an immediate pull toward her. When the other individual declined to bid, Croft slipped back inside, raised his hand once for $5,000, and walked away with a purchase that would eventually become Zoutastic. That moment of instinct has since been matched by careful, patient horsemanship. The mare, now a rising force at four, resumed on Sunday and reaffirmed her upward trajectory with a decisive victory in the Provincial Benchmark 64 Handicap over 1000 metres. Sent out a heavily supported favourite, she burst from her wide draw, controlled the race from the outset and established a winning break long before Pewter Pearl and Super Freds tried in vain to close the margin. Croft admitted he had not expected her to boss the field throughout, but the quality of her effort surprised no one at home. He felt she “won as her starting price suggested she would,” remarking on how much stronger she had returned from her spell and how well she had trialled in the lead-up. Instructions to apprentice Mollie Fitzgerald were simple: be positive out of the gates. Whether she held the lead or tracked the pace would depend on the others, though once she surged forward the outcome felt almost predetermined. With the mare’s first-up dominance now on the board, Croft is weighing up her next steps and considering a more ambitious preparation. The Provincial-Midway Championships loom as an enticing but still provisional target. A midweek metropolitan race is the likely stepping stone before any firm decisions are made. Croft emphasised that she is more than a pure speed animal, recalling her strong 1200-metre win at Wagga on Australia Day, a result that delivered an extra $100,000 through the Inglis Xtra Bonus scheme. Zoutastic’s record already includes wins at Grafton’s July carnival and the Forbes Cup meeting, yet Sunday marked her first victory on home soil, adding sentimental value to an already satisfying performance. Croft’s confidence in the family extends further, with the mare’s younger half-brother Coal Smoke, a Portland Sky juvenile, beginning his education. If early signs hold true, the chance purchase of one filly may ultimately shape more than one chapter in the stable’s future.
Rooke the King of Mufhasa Classic Castle
Tuesday, 9th December 2025
Few moments in a jockey’s career offer redemption quite as neatly as the one George Rooke experienced at Trentham, where relief and disbelief mingled before the judge finally confirmed his long-awaited Group 1 breakthrough, reports racingnews.co.nz. The memory of a recent heartbreak still lingered, making the tension of Saturday’s finish almost unbearable as he sat aboard Provence, unsure whether history was repeating itself. Only weeks earlier, Rooke had been convinced he had secured his maiden elite victory in the New Zealand 2000 Guineas on Affirmative Action, only for the photo to reveal that Romanoff – his own mount’s stablemate – had denied him by a whisker. That sting resurfaced when the Mufhasa Classic developed into a familiar short-margin duel, and then intensified when the photo finish camera malfunctioned. As officials scrambled to confirm the result, Rooke endured a long silence that felt far too similar to his Riccarton disappointment. He admitted it was “very nerve-racking” and that Affirmative Action’s loss had taught him not to celebrate early. The wait, he said, was painful, but this time “we got the right result.” The win carried more significance than a simple change of luck. Rooke arrived from England last year with ambition and resilience, searching for the opportunities that had proven elusive at home. Competing in Europe had given him two stakes victories but little access to top-tier rides. New Zealand, he felt, offered a chance to build momentum, and he credited the early support of trainers and owners for helping him settle quickly. To finally stand on the Group 1 stage, he said, left him “over the moon,” fulfilling a goal that had motivated countless early starts and long days. The Trentham meeting had begun far less promisingly. A fall from Atkins during preliminaries forced him into a mandatory head injury assessment, briefly ending his participation and shaking what confidence he had brought to the day. Two defeats on favoured runners followed before fortune shifted dramatically, culminating in the Provence triumph and a further win aboard Foreverintime to close the card. What had begun with uncertainty finished as one of the most rewarding afternoons of his career. With summer racing approaching, he hopes the momentum continues, particularly with promising mounts such as Provence and Affirmative Action headed toward important assignments. The lifestyle has already persuaded him that his future lies in New Zealand, where he has now spent more than a year. The people, climate and opportunities, he said, have convinced him “I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”
Provence (inside) prevailed by a nose (pic: Race Images Peter Rubery)
Pannell The Odd Man Out Against Females
Tuesday, 9th December 2025
Momentum swung decisively in favour of Teagan Voorham at Morphettville on Saturday, where the Parks track became the stage for her first metropolitan treble and a reminder of just how far persistence can carry a rider. The milestone arrived on the back of an afternoon in which talent, timing and a little good fortune aligned across a spread of stables, yet it was the opening-leg winner that carried the deepest emotional weight. Teardrop Rotation, returning from an extended and tumultuous break, launched Voorham’s day with a surging finish that belied the challenges of her interrupted campaign. Earlier in the year the mare had signalled her promise with a strong win in the Shillabeer at Oakbank, only for a frightening incident during trackwork to derail plans for the Adelaide Racing Carnival. Trainer Chris Bieg remembered how she had taken fright on the eve of the Adelaide Guineas, getting loose and completing “close to 15 laps of the track, going through rail after rail.” The scene, he said, resembled “a demolition derby,” leaving the mare with injuries to three legs, one requiring surgery. To see her produce such an effort fresh at 1400 metres left Bieg optimistic about her path toward next year’s carnival. She may be, as he put it, “a lot of hard work,” but her determination convinced him she has “a hell of a future.” The momentum kept rolling for Voorham when she made it a quick-fire double, guiding home a Murray Bridge-trained runner for Sarah Rutten before adding another victory later in the afternoon with Hysterical Lady, who produced a sharp first-up burst for Peter and Belinda Blanch. By day’s end, Voorham could reflect on a personal breakthrough, describing it simply as “a great day” as she absorbed the significance of a first city treble. Strong performances were not limited to her rides. Rochelle Milnes opened the card with her maiden win in the Yulong colours aboard Moana Spirit for Tony and Calvin McEvoy, while Cailin Tootell extended her good run by lifting Winning Revolution for Jon O’Connor, who acknowledged the passing of Paul Beshara with heartfelt tribute. The female riders continued their dominance by sweeping the opening eight events before Todd Pannell brought the run to an end aboard Extinguish for Michael Hickmott in the last. South Australian stables also struck interstate, with Travis Doudle’s decision to travel to Ballarat rewarded when Swiftie Harriet bounced back under Jackson Radley, and Berkeley Square defended his Ballarat Cup crown for Dan O’Sullivan. Voorham then carried her momentum into Sunday at Murray Bridge, combining with the Searle/Callanan team to close the weekend in winning style as female riders once again claimed the majority of races.
Cosmic Crusader a Chance for Gold Rush
Tuesday, 9th December 2025
Momentum can shift quickly in racing, and few horses have demonstrated that better than Cosmic Crusader, whose rise from a run of near-misses to last weekend’s Group 1 breakthrough now has connections contemplating an ambitious seven-day turnaround into the Gold Rush at Ascot. The plan hinges on how the latest Group 1 winner by Arrowfield Stud shuttle stallion Maurice – he now has 7 individuals with that achievement – holds his condition, but early signs suggest the excitement is warranted. According to racing.com, the gelding had endured a frustrating spring before his form turned, with narrow defeats in both the Asian Beau Stakes and the RJ Peters Stakes despite jumping favourite each time. A confidence-restoring Carbine Club Stakes win followed, yet it was his relentless drive in the Gr1 Northerly that confirmed his arrival as a genuine topliner. That effort came after a sharp elevation in trip, and now the pendulum swings back the other way as he reverts to 1400 metres. Trainer Michael Grantham concedes the path has its quirks but embraces the challenge ahead. He noted that “he’s pulled up well this morning” and explained that the horse would continue to be monitored while maintaining enough work to keep him sharp. Grantham added that the weekend’s test looms large, even acknowledging, “I know it was a big test on Saturday.” Saturday’s contest shapes as anything but straightforward, featuring a mix of proven sprinters and durable campaigners backing up from the Northerly. Western Empire, third last weekend, returns to defend his title, while Overpass, Jokers Grin, Rey Magnerio and Rope Them In all look to rebound after Winterbottom defeats. Watch Me Rock, who pushed Cosmic Crusader to the limit in the Northerly, will be absent after being just tipped out following his Railway Stakes triumph. Even so, Grantham expects a searching contest, remarking that the presence of high-tempo rivals could expose vulnerabilities. Yet with $1.5 million on the line, he summed up the stable’s thinking succinctly: one seizes the opportunity while the going is good.
The Northerly Stakes produced a thrilling finish (pic: racingwa.com.au)
Prompt Response When Plaintiff Threatened
Tuesday, 9th December 2025
Ambitions for an autumn carnival tilt firmed quickly after a commanding Rosehill display on Sunday, where exciting 3YO filly Plaintiff confirmed that the weight of expectation attached to her hefty yearling price is proving no burden at all. According to racenet.com.au, the effort of the daughter of Widden Stud super-sire Zoustar and mighty mare Prompt Response not only showcased her raw ability but strengthened the sense that her early promise may translate into something far more substantial in the months ahead. Few horses bought for $2.2 million justify their valuation so promptly, yet Inglis Easter graduate Plaintiff is assembling a résumé that suggests she may be one of the exceptions. Two wins from as many starts have revealed a filly still ironing out her racecraft but already capable of digging in when it matters. Her latest success in the Super Dry Handicap looked in doubt at the 100-metre mark when stablemate Nitro surged, but her response under pressure was that of a horse with deep competitive instinct. Snowden admitted, “I thought Nitro had her cold,” before adding that her determination to keep fighting made for rewarding viewing, particularly as he values horses “that keep turning up, keep fighting and sticking their head out.” In his assessment, she “really does look above average.” That impression was strengthened during post-race discussions with well respected breeder and owner John Camilleri, where the pair agreed an autumn campaign should come into focus. Snowden described her as “a 100 per cent a carnival horse,” and outlined the options: a brief freshen-up before elevating her to better grade, or another run this preparation should programming for three-year-old fillies prove thin in early autumn. The stable will assess how she comes through Sunday before locking in the next step. The win also offered a notable opportunity for Jordan Childs, who travelled to Sydney to partner Wings Of Desire and found himself ideally placed to pick up the Plaintiff ride when Tommy Berry’s Brisbane commitments clashed with the rescheduled meeting. Childs produced a tactically aware performance, later remarking on her inexperience but applauding her will to win. He recalled feeling “beaten a few times down the straight,” only for the filly to rally each time a rival crept close. Her ability to lift when challenged left him optimistic about her future, even as he noted she was “floating around late” and would improve markedly with race exposure. With another box ticked and clear signs of untapped potential, the focus now shifts to how she progresses in the coming weeks, and whether the autumn stage proves the platform for her next breakout. If she’s half as good as her dam who was in the Black Type frame 18 times, including three times at Gr1 level – she won the Tattersalls Tiara – then the world could be Plaintiff’s oyster.
Dual Group 1 Star Orchestral Retired
Tuesday, 9th December 2025
The call to wind up a remarkable career arrived sooner than anyone in the camp would have liked, yet the decision became unavoidable once tests confirmed the irregular heartbeat that halted Orchestral’s spring. According to NZ Racing Desk, what appeared at first glance to be an off day in the Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes proved far more serious, and her trainers agreed that her welfare had to take priority over any hopes of another campaign. Robert Wellwood explained the situation with the clarity of someone still processing the news, noting that she “had an atrial fibrillation in the race and her heart hasn’t come back to a normal rhythm.” The consequence, he added, meant she no longer remained a racing prospect and would instead start the next chapter as a broodmare. For a stable accustomed to guiding top talent, the shift from elite competition to early retirement was both sobering and oddly celebratory. Supporters will long remember the stretch of brilliance she produced as a three-year-old, a period when she kept rising with each assignment. Five consecutive victories established her as one of the most dynamic performers of her generation, highlighted by the Karaka Millions 3YO, the Avondale Guineas, the New Zealand Derby and the Vinery Stud Stakes, followed by a gritty placing in the Australian Derby. Those performances forged a reputation that never dimmed, even as her career matured. Last season reaffirmed her quality with a million-dollar Aotearoa Classic success and another high-level placing at Otaki. By the time the curtain fell, her record read seven wins and four placings from 18 appearances, with more than $2.7 million banked – figures that only hint at how commanding she often looked. Wellwood reflected on that privilege, saying there were moments when you “pinch yourself that you are involved with a horse like her,” especially given memorable milestones such as the Karaka Millions and the Derby triumph shared with Roger James. The partnership’s Australian Group 1 victory added a final sheen, confirming her versatility across hemispheres and conditions. Wellwood admitted it was “gutting to not have another season with her,” though optimism surrounds her broodmare prospects and the hope that the Litt family may one day welcome foals capable of echoing her ability. Plans for breeding will wait until the next season after a lengthy spell, giving her time to reset physically and ease into the quieter rhythm of life away from raceday pressures. And while her absence leaves a noticeable gap in the stable, Wellwood took comfort in the broader team’s winning weekend haul across three tracks – a reminder that racing, like retirement, always moves forward.
Bumper New Catalogue from The Everest Source
Tuesday, 9th December 2025
Anticipation always begins to build the moment the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale catalogue is released, and this latest edition confirms that Melbourne will again become the axis of the southern bloodstock world when Oaklands Junction stages its three-day showcase from March 1–3. A total of 806 youngsters will go through the ring, reinforcing why the sale has remained such an influential fixture on the calendar. The scale of participation alone suggests a deep and varied buying bench, with 64 vendors represented. Leading Victorian farms such as Yulong, Gilgai, Rosemont Stud, Blue Gum Farm and Stonehouse Thoroughbreds are joined by an accomplished interstate contingent that includes Segenhoe, Coolmore, Newgate Farm, Vinery and Mill Park. Their drafts combine to present yearlings by 110 stallions, ranging from established forces like Extreme Choice, I Am Invincible, Zoustar, Snitzel, Written Tycoon, Dundeel and Savabeel through to prominent international influences including Frankel, Kingman, Lope de Vega, No Nay Never and Siyouni. Fresh momentum comes from an intriguing group of first-season sires headed by Anamoe, Artorius, Hitotsu, In The Congo, Jacquinot, Paulele, Sejardan and State Of Rest, while the majority of lots are eligible for VOBIS Silver, BOBS, Racing Rewards SA, Westspeed or TAS Bred incentives. A familiar structure returns for 2026, with 579 Book 1 yearlings set to open proceedings across the first two days before 227 Book 2 lots round out the final session. The sale’s reputation as a producer of elite performers continues to be borne out in hard evidence. Two of last season’s Gr1-winning 2YO colts, Vinrock and Nepotism, were sourced here, while Premier has also supplied the past three public auction-offered winners of the $20 million Gr1 The Everest in Bella Nipotina, Think About It and Nature Strip. The broader body of results is equally compelling. Since 2018, the sale has produced 34 individual Gr1 winners, including 16 secured for $100,000 or less such as Benedetta, Griff, Mariamia, Gytrash and Santa Ana Lane. More than 30 graduates have earned upward of $1 million in Australia in that period, and 314 individual Australian stakes races have been won by Premier products. Its reach abroad is also notable, with 195 Hong Kong winners sourced from this sale, a group headed by Victor The Winner, Beat The Clock, Invincible Sage and Senor Toba. Inglis Victorian Bloodstock Manager James Price believes the new catalogue represents a meaningful step forward. “I feel the standard of yearlings catalogued for the sale for 2026 is higher than at any time I can remember and I know my colleagues feel the sale,’’ he said. “The quality of the pedigrees, in terms of both stallion power and female families, reads exceptionally well. Our expectation was that the strength of the sale in 2025… would help us to consolidate a stronger catalogue in 2026 and we are confident that is the case.” He added that the long list of past stars emerging from Premier – including Black Caviar, Starspangledbanner, Nature Strip, Bella Nipotina, Ole Kirk, Sacred Kingdom, Written By, Booker, September Run and Masked Crusader – offers every hope that the 2026 edition will continue that tradition. All yearlings offered are eligible for the Inglis Race Series.
The Everest heroine Bella Nipotina is an Inglis Premier graduate (pic: Steve Hart)
Queensland Racing Review Welcomed by RQ
Tuesday, 9th December 2025
A new chapter in Queensland racing was unveiled at Doomben on Saturday with the release of the Queensland Racing Review and the Government’s formal response to its more than 100 recommendations. Presented by Racing Minister Tim Mander, the long-anticipated roadmap reflects the most comprehensive examination of the state’s racing codes in recent memory and was shaped by over 1,200 contributors spanning stakeholders, owners, trainers, breeders, officials, and welfare groups. The blueprint includes a $200 million Racing Future Fund aimed at modernising infrastructure across all three codes. Central to that investment are marquee upgrades such as a new Eagle Farm grandstand, a ‘Racing HQ’ at Albion Park, and major harness enhancements at Marburg and Toowoomba. Bundaberg Greyhounds will also benefit from a new track, while Toowoomba Turf Club will see its lighting system overhauled. Eagle Farm’s ageing John Power Stand will be replaced with modern facilities offering improved amenities, greater accessibility, and a premium race-day experience. That project, delivered jointly with Brisbane Racing Club, is structured to ensure any additional public investment is ultimately repaid. At Albion Park, the proposed ‘Racing HQ’ will anchor the future of harness racing in Queensland while housing Racing Queensland, QRIC, and a new Racing Science Centre under one roof. A key plank in the reform is the shift toward a hybrid governance model. Non-core responsibilities currently under QRIC will transition to Racing Queensland, allowing the Commission to focus squarely on stewarding and integrity services. An Independent Commissioner of Stewards will report directly to the Racing Minister, sharpening accountability while separating operational and oversight functions. The plan also places regional racing at the heart of its long-term vision. Harness training will return to Toowoomba, while a new facility at Marburg is expected to grow grassroots participation. An independent Racing Infrastructure Board will assess projects against industry-wide criteria, and underutilised assets – including Norwell and QRIC’s Bowen Hills site – are earmarked for divestment. Animal welfare programs will receive a significant boost, including expanded support for post-racing care of both horses and greyhounds. A revamped Greyhound Retirement Program will now offer monthly care vouchers for rehomed dogs. Country racing, meanwhile, will be underpinned by initiatives to reduce the administrative burden on small clubs, alongside enhanced support for feature events such as the Battle of the Bush Series. “The Crisafulli Government delivered on its election promise to conduct the most thorough examination of racing in our history, and now we have delivered our plan for the future of Queensland racing,” said Minister Mander. “This plan delivers a more efficient and effective approach to governance and integrity, builds fit for purpose infrastructure, safeguards animal welfare and ensures the ongoing success of country racing.” RQ will now assemble an implementation team, with legislative reform and infrastructure rollout scheduled to begin in the New Year.
Russian Revolution 2YO Hot on Debut
Tuesday, 9th December 2025
Lara Antipova made a strong first impression at Te Aroha on Sunday, delivering a dominant performance in the Manco Maiden 2YO (1150m) to win by eight lengths on debut. The well-supported daughter of Russian Revolution – there was a $10,000 wager – was sent out a short-priced favourite and gave her backers little cause for concern. According to loveracing.nz, the Fortuna Syndications filly had shown promise in two trial appearances, finishing second at Ellerslie in October before winning at Avondale last month. That form, paired with a confident betting push, proved a reliable indicator of her readiness. Jumping quickly from the gates alongside Alohamoana, she settled off the early speed and travelled comfortably under Craig Grylls. Asked to extend at the top of the straight, she responded with a sharp turn of foot, drawing well clear of her rivals in the final stages. Sam Bergerson, who trains the filly in partnership with Mark Walker, said the Te akau team was impressed with how she handled the occasion. “She was electric,” he said. “Her trials leading in had been good.” He noted she still does a few things wrong at home but raced like a seasoned professional. “She was very professional today and hopefully there are some nice targets for her over the summer.” Stakes company now beckons, with the Gr2 Wakefield Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Trentham in a fortnight under consideration. Another option is the Eclipse Stakes (Gr2, 1200m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day. “While they are up and going it is good to carry on,” Bergerson said. “The Wakefield is a quick turnaround, or the Eclipse. They look like two nice initial potential targets. We’ll get her home and see how she pulls up, and have a good chat with John, Mark, Dave and the team to work it out.” Later in the card, Grylls completed a notable double when guiding Stella Ma Bella to victory in the Shackell Electrical Maiden 3YO (1400m). The well-related filly, a full-sister to Group 1 winner Campionessa, is raced by breeder Simms Davison and carries high expectations. “She’s a lovely filly, well-bred, and that always helps,” said Grylls. “She began well, travelled sweetly, and once I asked her, she put them away nicely. I think a mile or even further will suit her in time; she’s only going to keep improving.”
Lara Antipova was miles too good on debut (pic: Race Images Kenton Wright)
Baffert Claims G2 a Ninth Consecutive Time
Tuesday, 9th December 2025
Few races have proven as consistent for a single stable as the Starlet Stakes has been for Bob Baffert, and even with a key scratching, the Hall of Famer made it nine straight victories in the Gr2 event at Los Alamitos, reports bloodhorse.com. Himika, a two-time stakes winner trained by Baffert, was withdrawn on raceday, but Juddmonte homebred Consequent proved more than capable of carrying the stable’s banner with a well-earned success in the 1700m contest for 2YOs. Baffert’s remaining duo each boasted unbeaten records, but rider Juan Hernandez committed to the flashier Nimah, who was sent out a dominant 2-5 favourite. That left Kazushi Kimura to partner Consequent, whose quieter debut win saw her start at 5-2. Cashed, a stakes-placed local, took up pacemaking duties early, flanked by Nimah, with Consequent kept within striking range in third. A two-turn debut gave Kimura confidence in his mount’s staying power. “She had already run in a two-turn race, and I had confidence with that,” he said. “So when I started riding from the three-eighths (600m), she just kept responding and had a big, beautiful stride.” That rhythm became crucial as the field turned for home, with Nimah edging up on Cashed before Consequent loomed three wide. Contact between the leaders prompted an inquiry, but no changes followed from the Stewards. It was Consequent who asserted herself late, drawing away to win by a length in 1:44.03. Cashed held second, a further 4 lengths ahead of Nimah, who weakened under pressure. The fourth and fifth placings went to Cosmic Heat and Jewlz respectively, who trailed off behind the principals. Assistant trainer Mike Marlow acknowledged Consequent’s rawness but saw clear promise. “That looked pretty good right there – she needed all that stretch for sure,” he said. “She’s still pretty green. She was tough to saddle, but she’s going to figure it out. She’s going to be good, and it looks like more distance will be even better for her.” The Starlet awarded Road to the Kentucky Oaks points on a 10-5-3-2-1 scale and may mark just the beginning of a larger campaign. Consequent had broken her maiden only weeks earlier over a mile at Del Mar, while Nimah had won impressively over 6.5 furlongs. Bred in Kentucky from the Uncle Mo mare Cognitive, herself a $500,000 Saratoga yearling, Consequent carries a pedigree that suggests her future may lie well beyond Los Alamitos.
