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NEW Price and Kent Jr Focussed on Sydney Riches
Tuesday, 28th July 2026
Early spring preparations began in earnest at Cranbourne on Monday when Planet Red and Sabaj completed their first jumpouts for Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr ahead of campaigns aimed at some of the richest races on the calendar. Sabaj (Manhattan Rain) appeared in the opening heat and finished third behind the highly regarded Proved, an Enver Jusufovic-trained mare with six wins from eight starts, while the rising five-year-old’s effort marked his first public appearance since running fourth behind Light Infantry Man in the Australian Cup in March. That performance followed another meritorious fourth in the All Star Mile, where he finished less than a length from the winner, and reinforced the consistency that had already carried him to victory in last year’s $500,000 Cranbourne Cup after a midfield finish in the $1 million Silver Eagle. Price believes the Gr3 Five Diamonds at Rosehill on November 7 represents an ideal target for Sabaj, with the 1800m feature restricted to five-year-olds and offering $2 million in prizemoney. “I reckon the Five Diamonds for him, because he will be a five-year-old,” Price said. “That would be beautiful. That’ll be a nice race for him.” Planet Red, by former Arrowfield shuttler Admire Mars, also made an encouraging start to his preparation, finishing second in an 800m jumpout as the stable works towards the $10 million Golden Eagle at Randwick in October. The four-year-old has already demonstrated elite quality, finishing runner-up in both the Gr1 Caulfield Guineas last spring and the Gr1 Australian Guineas during the autumn, with difficult barriers adding further merit to each performance over 1600m. Price considers the Golden Eagle’s sharp 1500m particularly well suited to Planet Red, whose turn of foot and proven ability at the highest level give him the profile required for a race the stable won with I’m Thunderstruck in 2021. “You need a horse with a pretty good turn of foot and, for $10 million and four-year-olds, I think he’ll be in it,” Price said. High ratings leave limited first-up options for both horses, and the Gr1 Memsie Stakes at Caulfield is likely to provide their spring starting point despite the depth expected from several of the country’s leading gallopers. The timing and structure of the program effectively direct the pair towards the 1400m feature, with Price also identifying both as potential Toorak Handicap horses should their campaigns progress as hoped. Monday’s jumpouts were only the opening step, but they placed two proven performers back on course for demanding spring assignments.

Leading Japanese sprinter Admire Mars is the sire of Planet Red (pic: Joan Farras)
NEW Epsom Revival Plan to Continue Unabated
Tuesday, 28th July 2026
A five-year campaign designed to restore the Derby festival to something approaching its former stature is expected to continue despite the departure of Epsom general manager Jim Allen as part of a wider restructuring of the Jockey Club. Allen will leave the racecourse on October 28 after two years in the position, having elected not to seek one of five newly created regional management roles in an organisational overhaul being implemented under chief executive Jim Mullen. Around 30 positions are expected to disappear through the restructure, while Amy Starkey will assume responsibility for the London hub embracing Epsom, Sandown and Kempton. Allen, 53, said his decision reflected a desire to remain closer to horses and racing rather than move into a broader position that would necessarily reduce his direct involvement with the Derby. The former trainer was instrumental in launching an ambitious program aimed at attracting 100,000 people to the Derby by 2030, with this year's meeting representing the first significant step in that rebuilding exercise. Increased advertising, attractions and prize-money were designed to restore a sense of occasion around the Classic, although exceptionally wet weather on Derby day undermined the potential crowd, particularly across the famous Hill. Allen remains convinced the strategy has the Jockey Club's backing and will survive his departure, albeit with adjustments as lessons from the opening year are absorbed. He believes more favourable weather could have attracted another 20,000 to 30,000 people to the Hill and provided a clearer demonstration of the progress being made. Rather than regarding the initial year as a definitive test, Allen described it as the first rung in a longer rebuilding process and expects the Derby to continue strengthening as the plan develops. His connection with racing will not end when he leaves Epsom. Allen intends establishing a small friends-and-family syndicate under the name Red Horse Bloodstock while seeking another professional position, either in Britain or overseas, preferably one bringing him closer to horses and the competitive side of the industry. A racing manager's role is among the possibilities that appeal given his varied background across training, race programming and administration. He will remain at Epsom through the conclusion of the 2026 Flat season and budgeting process before formally stepping away, and hopes to return to the Derby festival next year in a different capacity — potentially with a runner of his own. His departure therefore removes one of the most visible architects of Epsom's current revival but does not appear to signal any retreat from its central objective. The challenge now passes to the next management structure: transforming an encouraging beginning into sustained growth and returning Britain's most famous Classic to the scale of occasion its history demands.
Crusader Underlines Maurice's Sire Influence
Tuesday, 28th July 2026
Few performances illustrate versatility quite like a horse returning from an 1800-metre Group 1 victory in Perth to win a 1200-metre Gr3 sprint in Melbourne, and Cosmic Crusader supplied exactly that at Caulfield on Saturday when the Maurice five-year-old announced himself as a serious spring prospect with a decisive Bletchingly Stakes success. Drawn in gate one, he settled near the rear before working through along the inside, took command about 200 metres from home and accelerated clear to defeat Winnasedge by 2.5 lengths in 1:10.63, with Arrowfield graduate and 2024 Bletchingly winner Recommendation filling third. The result added another layer to a career that has gathered considerable force after an interrupted start, with Cosmic Crusader having been handled patiently by Bob Peters at two and three before injury restricted his four-year-old season to just two appearances, both victories. He has since compensated emphatically, winning five of eight starts this season and taking his earnings beyond $1.6 million, while his early spring path now points towards Caulfield's 1400-metre features, the Gr2 P.B. Lawrence Stakes on August 15 and Gr1 Memsie Stakes a fortnight later. His emergence also provides another timely advertisement for Arrowfield's Japanese star Maurice, whose Australian-bred progeny are steadily broadening the sire's profile beyond any single distance range. Cosmic Crusader is the second foal from multiple stakes winner Cosmic Storm, by Street Sense, herself a half-sister to Gr1 Cantala Stakes winner Superstorm and Listed winner Mikimoto, and a full sister to Listed winner Royal Command. Their dam Stormy Nova, a dual Group winner, was sold to Oakland Park Stud in 2017 and produced another three winners before her death in 2024. The family's Maurice connection is continuing, with Cosmic Crusader's two-year-old full brother Cosmic Icon now in training with Michael Grantham in Western Australia and Cosmic Storm due to foal again to Maurice next month. Importantly for the stallion, Cosmic Crusader is far from an isolated headline act. Maurice has produced 15 Australian stakes performers this season, headed by $10.8 million earner and Gr1 winner Mazu, who added a third Gr3 Hall Mark Stakes and a Gr1 Galaxy placing to his record, while Gr1 J.J. Atkins runner-up Cormier has emerged as an exciting juvenile prospect after reaching that level at only his third start. Gr-placed two-year-old filly Icelady and juvenile winners Fugaku, Vallice, Misato and Cormier underline the depth coming from the first of two crops totalling 224 foals conceived at an $82,500 fee. With a 12.4 per cent stakes performers-to-runners strike-rate from his Southern Hemisphere-bred crops, Maurice is assembling the kind of numerical and quality base that suggests his influence on Australia's major black-type races may be entering its most significant phase.
Debutant Leaves No Doubt About His Upside
Tuesday, 28th July 2026
A miserable winter afternoon suddenly found some theatre at Caulfield on Saturday when a heavily supported debutant transformed the second race into one of the meeting's most dramatic finishes, with Doubt Time justifying an extraordinary betting move in the Stow Robotics Handicap over 1100 metres. Available at $31 when markets opened following final acceptances on Wednesday, the Nick Ryan-trained two-year-old was backed relentlessly into $8 by start time, creating unusual interest around a first starter at a metropolitan Saturday fixture. For much of the closing stages, however, those who had followed the money appeared destined for disappointment as $3.50 favourite Resolutely drove to the front inside the final 200 metres while Doubt Time remained several lengths away and seemingly faced an impossible task. The complexion changed rapidly once the colt balanced, unleashing a powerful late surge that carried him to the leader on the line, with the photo eventually confirming victory by the narrowest margin of a nose. "It's what it's all about isn't it," said an understandably elated Ryan after the result was posted, although the trainer admitted the performance had not arrived entirely without warning. A searching piece of work at Flemington two days earlier had given him reason for confidence. "I galloped him Thursday morning on the inside grass at Flemington and I just pushed the button a little bit for the last 50 (metres) and nearly fell off the back of him." Ryan believes one of Doubt Time's principal weapons is an unusually large stride, measured at more than eight metres compared with the seven to 7.5-metre range typical of most thoroughbreds. Purchased for $140,000 at the Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, Doubt Time is by Widden Victoria's Not A Single Doubt stallion Doubtland, and his trainer sees clear parallels between father and son. "He's a nice horse," Ryan said. "He's very much like his father. His father won his first start on a soft7 on the Kensington (Randwick) and he came from the back and he balanced up and just had a monstrous stride." Luke Cartwright experienced that finishing power at close quarters and was equally taken by what the youngster produced under race pressure. "It was a massive effort from this horse to come here at his first start and put a performance on the racetrack like that," he said. "It was some win." Ryan will resist the temptation to make immediate plans, preferring to assess how the colt recovers and how his shins respond before determining the next step, although a spell next week is already assured. The betting move created the intrigue, but Doubt Time's finish ensured the lasting impression belonged firmly to the horse.
Williams Executes Title #10 to Perfection
Tuesday, 28th July 2026
A coveted milestone that has occupied his thoughts for months has finally been secured, allowing Craig Williams to turn from the intensity of Melbourne's riding premiership towards a cause carrying far greater human consequence, with the champion jockey preparing for a sixth humanitarian mission to Ukraine alongside his wife Larysa. According to punters.com.au, Williams mathematically clinched his 10th Melbourne jockeys' title after establishing a 13-win advantage over Jamie Mott with only Wednesday's eight-race Sandown card remaining in the metropolitan season, completing another remarkable chapter in a career that has now produced 10 championships across 20 years. The achievement places him alongside retired great Damien Oliver and leaves him just one premiership short of the record 11 shared by legendary riders Billy Duncan and Roy Higgins. Williams has amassed 65 metropolitan victories this season, while Mott, who is poised to secure the Victorian statewide title for the first time, sits on 52 following his success aboard Our Chief last Saturday. Apprentice Luke Cartwright moved into third on 43 after a Caulfield double, while Mark Zahra, who controlled the premiership race for much of the season, remains on 42 after injury interrupted his campaign. Williams admitted the pursuit of double figures had become an obsession as the season progressed. "I chased one, I chased two, three, four, five but it's great (to get 10)," he said. "You're only as good as your opposition … the last two and a bit months every time I closed my eyes I could see 10." The target became a daily source of motivation, although Williams was quick to distribute credit among those around him, stressing that his manager, family, trainers, owners and the horses themselves had all contributed to the result. "My team is amazing, my manager, my family, all the people … it's great we have so many people driven to this, the result is not me, it's everyone." With the premiership now beyond challenge, Williams and his Ukraine-born wife will again travel into the war-torn country, continuing a humanitarian project supported by their own contributions and generous donations, many originating within the Australian racing industry. Since Russia's invasion began in 2022, the couple have travelled to Ukraine repeatedly, including twice during the first year of the conflict, and have helped deliver approximately $3.3 million in aid encompassing trauma first-aid kits, medical equipment, essential survival supplies and vehicles capable of being converted into ambulances. The contrast between professional triumph and the realities awaiting him in Ukraine is not lost on Williams, who said the experience continually reshapes his perspective. "You go from completing another goal to realising not everyone has the same life as we all have … it makes you put perspective on things but makes me be grateful." His gratitude extends to racing, family and the security enjoyed at home in Australia, and while the new season will soon present another list of professional targets, this latest journey carries a purpose that reaches well beyond the winning post.

Craig Williams has now won 10 Melbourne Jockey Premierships (pic: Steve Hart)
Tennessee Bound Stretches Unbeaten Run
Tuesday, 28th July 2026
A less-than-perfect passage provided the sternest examination of her career at Caulfield on Saturday, but Tennessee Bound emerged with her unbeaten record intact after digging deep to make it six victories from as many starts. Sent out the commanding $1.45 favourite in the Cup Carnival Handicap over 1100m, the Ciaron Maher-trained mare endured an awkward beginning before eventually prevailing by a head over the persistent Behavoir, producing a performance that lacked the ease of some of her earlier wins but perhaps revealed more about her competitive qualities. Apprentice Jabez Johnstone had to reorganise Tennessee Bound after she stepped awkwardly, while the wet conditions and pressure building from the 400m ensured she was never afforded the straightforward assignment many punters had anticipated. Behavoir refused to concede late, but Tennessee Bound continued to find enough to preserve the perfect sequence and extend a career that has developed rapidly following a patient approach from her connections. Johnstone acknowledged the race had become untidy almost immediately, noting that the mare gathered herself after the poor beginning and continued to respond despite coming under pressure earlier than ideal in the straight. She also displayed some greenness by laying out marginally, yet the rider remained enthusiastic about her longer-term prospects, describing six successive victories as an outstanding achievement and suggesting there remained significant improvement as she learns more about racing. Tennessee Bound is a homebred for prominent Maher supporter Gerry Ryan, and the stable's patience appears to have been rewarded handsomely. Maher said a three-month break before the preparation had been particularly beneficial and felt the mare presented in excellent condition at Caulfield. The assistance of Johnstone's claim was another positive, although the trainer admitted watching the closing stages had become uncomfortable as Behavoir threatened to end the winning streak. Rather than judge the mare harshly for the narrow margin, Maher preferred to concentrate on her ability to continue finding ways to win as the level of opposition becomes progressively stronger. Her next appearance could carry another intriguing milestone, with Tennessee Bound now one victory away from matching the stable benchmark established by Marabi, who won her opening seven starts and completed that sequence with victory in the 2022 Oakleigh Plate. Maher is not rushing to nominate an ambitious target, but Saturday's result has ensured Tennessee Bound will again be asked a more difficult question when she returns. The winning margins may be shrinking as the assignments become tougher, but six starts into her career the answer on the scoreboard remains unchanged.
Cambridge Stud Earns a Sixth Breeders’ Title
Tuesday, 28th July 2026
Another exceptional season on both sides of the Tasman has delivered Cambridge Stud New Zealand breeding’s highest honour, with the famed Waikato nursery named the Sir Patrick and Justine Lady Hogan New Zealand Breeder of the Year at Saturday night’s Property Brokers National Breeding Awards at Karapiro. According to NZ Racing Desk, it marked the sixth time Cambridge Stud has received the accolade, but the first since Sir Brendan and Lady Jo Lindsay took ownership of the operation in 2018, adding particular significance to an award carrying the names of its former custodians. The season was highlighted by dual Australian Gr1 winner Ceolwulf and New Zealand Gr1 winner Jaarffi, while Cambridge Stud bred more than 105 individual winners, including five stakes winners and another nine stakes performers. Its influence was also reflected in the sales ring, where the farm finished as leading vendor at New Zealand Bloodstock’s 100th National Yearling Sale. Sir Brendan Lindsay described receiving the award as “quite surreal”, particularly given Cambridge Stud’s history under Sir Patrick and Lady Justine Hogan, and reflected on the distance travelled since first becoming involved in racing through a horse he raced with Trevor McKee. Ceolwulf stood out as a breeding highlight, having emerged from a mare secured by bloodstock agent John Foote for €55,000, while a foal from the same mare sold for $1.1 million this year. Lindsay also paid tribute to Henry and Michele Plumptre and the wider Cambridge Stud team, stressing that the success reflected the effort and commitment of those working across the farm. He remains strongly optimistic about New Zealand breeding despite declining foal numbers, pointing to the fact that 21 per cent of Australian Gr1 winners over the past five years were New Zealand-bred and arguing that the reduction in local supply could ultimately create opportunity. Cambridge Stud’s recruitment of internationally recognised stallions Chaldean and Charyn was cited as further evidence of the operation’s confidence in the future. The awards evening also celebrated a remarkable season for New Zealand-bred horses globally, headed by Ka Ying Rising, who was named the Property Brokers Seton Otway Horse of the Year. Bred by Grandmoral Lodge, the son of Shamexpress completed an unbeaten eight-start campaign featuring five Gr1 victories in Hong Kong and Australia, including a historic success in The Everest as the first overseas-trained winner of the race. He also defended the Hong Kong Sprint, completed a second successive Hong Kong Speed Series and extended his winning sequence to a Hong Kong record 20 races, while finishing the season rated joint-best racehorse in the world. His dam Missy Moo, a winning daughter of Per Incanto who produced only two foals, was recognised as Eight Carat Broodmare of the Year, while Fraser and Erin Auret’s Grandmoral Lodge collected the Small Breeder of the Year title. Per Incanto enjoyed a career-best season by securing both the Centaine Award for worldwide progeny earnings and the Dewar Award for earnings across New Zealand and Australia, ending the late Savabeel’s extraordinary dominance of the latter category. Proisir claimed the Grosvenor Award as New Zealand’s leading sire by domestic earnings, driven by the deeds of dual Gr1 winners Legarto and Waitak. Ohope Wins was crowned NZB Filly of the Year, Jess Greenfield received the Mary-Lynne Ryan Young Achiever Award, and Rodney Schick was named NZTBA Personality of the Year in recognition of a lifetime devoted to breeding, leadership and service to the New Zealand thoroughbred industry.

Ceolwulf has been a standout for Cambridge Stud (pic: Steve Hart)
Cavalry Girl Gallops into Spring Calculations
Tuesday, 28th July 2026
An emphatic breakthrough at stakes level has given Tom Dabernig another exciting spring prospect after Cavalry Girl demolished her rivals in Saturday's Listed Lightning Stakes over 1050m at Morphettville. The three-year-old arrived in Adelaide with four victories from 14 starts and a reputation as a talented short-course performer, but her 4.5-length success under Todd Pannell elevated the discussion considerably as she converted consistent metropolitan form into black type. Starting the $2.60 favourite, Cavalry Girl travelled prominently before putting the contest beyond doubt in the straight, her acceleration producing the sort of margin that inevitably encourages thoughts of better races during the Melbourne Spring Carnival. Dabernig was particularly pleased for part-owner Joe O'Neill, who had identified the Lightning Stakes as a suitable target well in advance, and the preparation paid off with a performance that left little doubt the daughter of Bivouac belonged in stakes company. The Warrnambool trainer now has decisions to make regarding where she fits during the opening stages of spring, although her preferred distance range appears reasonably well defined. Dabernig considers Cavalry Girl especially effective from 1000m to 1100m but believes maturity could eventually allow her to stretch successfully to 1200m, potentially broadening the program available to her as the carnival unfolds. Her established affinity with Melbourne's major tracks is another advantage. Cavalry Girl has already won twice at Flemington and has also shown herself comfortable around Caulfield, giving the stable several logical avenues without needing to reinvent her racing pattern or expose her immediately to unfamiliar circumstances. Saturday's victory lifted her record to five wins from 15 outings and pushed her earnings to about $320,000, while also delivering an eighth individual stakes winner for her sire Bivouac. The Lightning Stakes has previously provided a useful launching pad for high-class sprinters, most notably Nature Strip, who won the race in 2018 before developing into one of Australia's outstanding speed horses, although Dabernig understandably stopped well short of making such comparisons. What Cavalry Girl has done is earn the right to enter conversations about stronger company. She has raced regularly, learned her craft through competition and, importantly, appears to be improving rather than merely accumulating runs. Dabernig's immediate task will be choosing the appropriate progression rather than chasing a particular race too soon. With genuine speed, established form at Flemington and Caulfield and now a stakes victory secured in decisive fashion, Cavalry Girl heads towards the new season with significantly more options than she had before her Morphettville expedition.
Waitak Primed for Another Spring Gr1 Campaign
Tuesday, 28th July 2026
A familiar spring program awaits multiple Gr1 winner Waitak as Wexford Stables prepares its established headline performer for another assault on New Zealand's major weight-for-age races. The Proisir gelding has returned to stronger work in encouraging order for trainers Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott, with the Gr1 Proisir Plate over 1400m at Ellerslie on September 5 pencilled in as his first major assignment. Before then, the stable intends trialling him at Taupo on August 16, providing an important stepping stone towards a campaign designed to replicate last season's highly successful path. Subject to everything progressing smoothly, Waitak will again advance from the Proisir Plate towards the Gr1 Howden Insurance Mile over 1600m and Gr1 Livamol Classic over 2040m, races he will attempt to defend after establishing himself among the country's leading older horses. Scott said a lengthy break had served Waitak well after the stable made a conscious effort not to over-race him last preparation, and early indications suggest the gelding has returned in the condition required to shoulder responsibility as Wexford's principal open-class representative. That role has become particularly significant following the retirement of accomplished stablemates Tomodachi, Lux Libertas and Grail Seeker, leaving Waitak as Wexford's sole intended runner in the spring Gr1 features. The stable nevertheless possesses considerable emerging talent beneath him, headed by a group of rising three-year-olds likely to begin their seasons in the Listed Chittick Family Fillies Classic over 1100m at Taupo on August 16. Frankel filly Te Encuentro, Almanzor filly Pounce and Dashing Dixie, by Alabama Express, are all being prepared for that assignment, while Pinatubo filly Fiamma is another youngster held in particularly high regard. Te Encuentro won on debut as a juvenile and subsequently finished runner-up in the Gr2 Matamata Breeders' Stakes before going to the paddock following an unplaced effort in the Gr1 Sistema Stakes. Scott expects her Frankel pedigree and physical development to become increasingly evident at three, and she is scheduled to trial at Te Rapa before heading to Taupo. Pounce, an impressive Ellerslie winner at only her second appearance, and debut winner Dashing Dixie are following a similar route. Fiamma finished fourth at her sole juvenile start before being deliberately given time, with connections believing she has developed appreciably during her break and will strengthen as the new season progresses. The younger brigade offers Wexford considerable promise, but the proven standard remains Waitak. With his program deliberately mirroring the route that produced two elite victories last spring, the stable enters the new campaign knowing exactly what works — and with a seasoned performer ready to try to do it all again.

There are many options for Waitak (pic: Kenton Wright Race Images)
Strapping Prophet Rewards Patient Connections
Tuesday, 28th July 2026
Persistence finally received the result it deserved at Belmont on Saturday when Strapping Prophet converted a remarkably consistent campaign into victory in the Westspeed Platinum Handicap over 1600m, rewarding trainer Steph Bakranich and a partnership that had resisted any temptation to lose faith. The four-year-old had won a Northam maiden at a similar stage last year before compiling an unusual sequence in which he placed in all but one of his next 10 appearances, regularly earning prize-money without quite delivering another victory. That drought ended on Bolton Sprint Day when Jason Whiting secured a favourable midfield position behind leader Our Rocky Bay before finding an uninterrupted passage through the field near the entrance to the straight. Equipped with a nose roll and wearing winkers for the first time, Strapping Prophet drove clear to defeat Ginger Green by two lengths and take his earnings during the past 12 months beyond $120,000. Bakranich's relief was evident after a horse she regards as the most consistent member of her Bullsbrook stable finally converted another competitive performance into a win. She credited Whiting with an accomplished ride and felt the unobstructed run had proved important once the gelding began building through his gears. Whiting shared the sense of satisfaction, observing that repeated placings might test owners' patience but were vastly preferable to a horse finishing at the rear, and hoped the success would encourage Strapping Prophet to make winning a more regular habit. Bred in the Great Southern by Mt Barker-based Norm and Jeannine Burren, Strapping Prophet was sold for $30,000 through Clare Downs Stud at the 2023 Perth Magic Millions Yearling Sale. His pedigree adds another layer to the story. By Universal Ruler from Black Prophet, a daughter of Fusaichi Pegasus, he is one of five winners produced by the mare, who is a half-sister to Gr1 Caulfield Guineas winner Divine Prophet and successful Gr1 sire Proisir. The family entered the Burrens' ownership after agent John Chalmers paid $50,000 for Black Prophet at the 2017 Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale while she was carrying the subsequent Pinjarra winner Woodruff. Clare Downs continues to maintain a presence at the Perth Magic Millions, offering a select annual draft from its Porongurup base. Its February consignment comprised eight yearlings, headed by a $100,000 Playing God colt bought by Noel Carter of Commercial Bloodstock for trainer Steve Wolfe. Now named Insanity Laughs, that colt is the first foal from Gr3 Gimcrack Stakes placegetter Come Magic. Strapping Prophet may lack the glamour of some relatives in a distinguished family, but his reliability has continually paid his way. Saturday finally supplied the additional commodity connections had been waiting for — another winning photograph.
Kalpana King George Victory Flips 2025 Result
Tuesday, 28th July 2026
A year after being denied by Calandagan, Kalpana reversed the result in emphatic fashion with a superb victory in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes, giving trainer Andrew Balding and jockey Colin Keane a richly deserved measure of redemption. The early shape of the race was dictated by the rank outsider Action, who rolled forward into a clear lead, with Lambourn following and Mini Hauk securing an economical position on the rail to leave three Aidan O’Brien-trained runners occupying the first three places. Keane settled Kalpana immediately behind that trio and ensured the eventual winner enjoyed an ideal passage, while favourite Calandagan and Benvenuto Cellini were restrained several lengths farther back through the opening two-thirds of the contest. The order remained largely unchanged until the home turn, where Action’s effort began to unravel and Mini Hauk and Lambourn moved through to dispute the lead at the top of the straight. Keane angled Kalpana away from their heels approaching the 300m, but the brief wait for clear running brought the Balding-trained runner alongside Benvenuto Cellini, who had advanced strongly from behind, while Mikael Barzalona was beginning to ask Calandagan for his challenge on the outside. Kalpana and Benvenuto Cellini initially matched strides as the race developed into a genuine test, but the older runner gradually asserted superiority, shook off the three-year-old and struck the front with approximately 150m remaining. That decisive move provided Kalpana with an important advantage over Calandagan, who lengthened bravely in pursuit but was unable to bridge the gap. The 2025 Longines Horse of the Year continued to make ground through the final stages, yet Kalpana maintained a powerful gallop to score by 1½ lengths and settle the rematch conclusively. The winner produced a performance of exceptional quality, combining tactical speed, composure and a sustained finishing effort, while Calandagan lost little in defeat after again demonstrating the determination that has made him one of the leading middle-distance horses in the world. Benvenuto Cellini also emerged with his reputation enhanced, finishing only half a length behind Calandagan despite being unable to withstand the superior finishing power of the first two. His effort against proven elite opposition suggested he possesses the ability to become a major force in high-level company. The principal disappointment was Japanese representative Masquerade Ball, who raced near the rear, appeared detached from the contest and failed to produce the anticipated response when asked to improve in the home straight.

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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 3rd Season
Anamoe 1st crop 2YOs
Anders Established
Artie Schiller Established
Awesome Rock Established
Barbados Established
Barbaric Established
Best Of Bordeaux Established
Better Than Ready Established
Bivouac Established
Brave Smash Established
Brazen Beau Established
Bruckner 1st crop 2YOs
Bull Point Established
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Cape Of Good Hope 1st crop 2YOs
Capitalist Established
Captivant Established
Castelvecchio Established
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Cliff's Edge Established
Cool Aza Beel Established
D'argento Established
Danerich Established
Dash For Cash Established
De Gaulle Established
Delaware Established
Denman Established
Dirty Work Established
Dissident Established
Don Corleone 3rd Season
Doubtland Established
Dubious Established
Dundeel Established
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 3rd Season
Headwater Established
Hellbent Established
Hitotsu 1st crop 2YOs
Home Affairs Established
I Am Immortal Established
I Am Invincible Established
Ilovethiscity Established
Invader Established
Jacquinot 1st crop 2YOs
Ka Ying Master 1st crop 2YOs
Kermadec Established
King Colorado 3rd Season
King's Legacy Established
Lead Artist 1st Season
Lofty Strike 3rd 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 3rd Season
Murtajill Established
My Admiration Established
Needs Further Established
Nicconi Established
Nostradamus Established
Officiating 3rd Season
Ole Kirk Established
Pariah Established
Pierata Established
Pierro Established
Pinatubo Established
Playing God Established
Portland Sky Established
Power Established
Pride Of Dubai Established
Private Life Established
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Rubick Established
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Safeguard Established
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Shamus Award Established
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Shooting To Win Established
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Skilled Established
Smart Missile Established
Snitzel Established
So Secret Established
So You Think Established
Soul Patch Established
Southport Tycoon 2nd Season
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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 3rd 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
Tropicus 1st Season
Turffontein Established
Unite And Conquer Established
Universal Ruler Established
Vancouver Established
Vandeek Established
Victor Ludorum Established
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Wandjina Established
Winning Rupert Established
Wooded Established
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Daily News

NEW Price and Kent Jr Focussed on Sydney Riches

Leading Japanese sprinter Admire Mars is the sire of Planet Red (pic: Joan Farras)

NEW Epsom Revival Plan to Continue Unabated

Crusader Underlines Maurice's Sire Influence

Debutant Leaves No Doubt About His Upside

Williams Executes Title #10 to Perfection

Craig Williams has now won 10 Melbourne Jockey Premierships (pic: Steve Hart)

Tennessee Bound Stretches Unbeaten Run

Cambridge Stud Earns a Sixth Breeders’ Title

Ceolwulf has been a standout for Cambridge Stud (pic: Steve Hart)

Cavalry Girl Gallops into Spring Calculations

Waitak Primed for Another Spring Gr1 Campaign

There are many options for Waitak (pic: Kenton Wright Race Images)

Strapping Prophet Rewards Patient Connections

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