Not too many races have done more to underline the link between elite sprinting performance and stallion promise than the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate, and Vinery Stud will be looking for that history to repeat when Tropicus begins his stud career this season at a fee of $27,500 inc GST. The Oakleigh Plate honour roll has long carried a strong commercial echo, with past winners including Snippets, Fastnet Rock, Snitzel and Starspangledbanner, each of whom went on to make a significant impact at stud in Australia or internationally. For Vinery, Tropicus arrives with a profile that places him squarely in that company, having become the highest-rated colt to win the Oakleigh Plate in the past decade and carrying the highest winning weight since ratings metrics were introduced. His addition gives the farm a new sprinting son of Too Darn Hot, the Group 1 sire whose first crop has already made a serious impression through performers such as Broadsiding, Arabian Summer, Perspiration, Too Darn Lizzie and Rivellino. The Oakleigh Plate has proven a potent pointer for breeders, with Snippets becoming one of Australia's most influential stallions and broodmare sires after taking the race in 1988, while Fastnet Rock developed into a dual Champion Sire and dual Champion Broodmare Sire, producing 193 stakes winners worldwide and more than $258 million in progeny earnings. Snitzel, successful in 2006, built an extraordinary record as a four-time Champion Sire, five-time Champion Sire of two-year-olds and sire of 28 Group 1 winners, while 2010 winner Starspangledbanner forged an international record across both hemispheres, leaving more than 100 stakes performers and 27 two-year-old stakes winners. Tropicus now joins that sequence as a colt defined by speed, class and elite performance, with Vinery presenting him as a rare Australian-bred prospect retiring this season. His credentials are strengthened further by a pedigree that combines Too Darn Hot's emerging sire power – he stands for $275,000 – with the influence of a Group-placed multiple sprint-winning daughter of Exceed And Excel, one of the world's most prolific sources of juvenile speed. In a race where performance has repeatedly translated into breeding relevance, Tropicus brings the right blend of rating, weight-carrying merit, sire line and commercial appeal, giving Vinery a compelling new addition to its 2026 roster.
Japan Hoping to Break its Ascot Shackles
Wednesday, 24th June 2026
For all the remarkable success Japanese-trained horses have enjoyed on the international stage in recent years, a handful of prized targets continue to resist their advances, and among them Ascot remains one of the sport's most elusive frontiers. The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp is perhaps the most famous example, with Japan having finished runner-up on four occasions despite repeatedly sending elite middle-distance performers in pursuit of Europe's greatest prize. Yet, according to bloodhorse.com, Ascot presents a similarly frustrating challenge. Agnes World came close when second in the 2000 King's Stand Stakes, Heart's Cry managed third in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes in 2006, while Satono Reve added another near miss when runner-up in the 2025 Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes. History repeated itself again on June 20 when Satono Reve, racing for owner Hajime Satomi, produced a courageous effort in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes only to be denied by the narrowest possible margin. The 25-1 outsider Almeraq prevailed by a nose, extending Japan's wait for a first victory at the famed royal venue. That quest will resume on July 25 when two of the nation's most compelling performers, Masquerade Ball and Wurttemberg, carry Japanese hopes into the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Owned by Shadai Race Horse Co. Ltd. and prepared by Takahisa Tezuka, Masquerade Ball has rapidly established himself among the country's premier middle-distance horses. The son of Duramente from Mask Off boasts four victories from nine starts and earnings exceeding ¥871 million, highlighted by a commanding triumph in the 2025 Tenno Sho (Autumn) under Christophe Lemaire. He later chased home Calandagan in a memorable Japan Cup duel and continued his outstanding run with a second placing in Hong Kong's Queen Elizabeth II Cup. Wurttemberg, meanwhile, brings a different profile but no less intrigue. The Hiroshi Miyamoto-trained son of Kitasan Black, raced by Teruya Yoshida, has earned admiration through relentless stamina and determination. His defining performance came in the 2026 Tenno Sho (Spring), where, sent out as the 12th favourite, he stormed home from the rear and pushed Croix du Nord to the limit before falling agonisingly short in a photo finish. With one horse possessing elite acceleration and the other seemingly limitless reserves of endurance, Japan's latest assault on Ascot arrives armed with two contrasting but highly accomplished contenders.
Bright Rae of Sunshine for Cranbourne Trainer
Wednesday, 24th June 2026
Eight years after turning his first Flemington runner into a winner, the long wait for another visit to the winner’s stall at headquarters finally ended for Alex Rae when I’mateez swept down the straight last Saturday, the Cranbourne trainer’s second success there arriving at start number 23 and in the middle of a purple patch for his stable. According to racing.com, Rae is not inclined to overstate the significance of the venue, particularly when two winners from 23 starters at Flemington is hardly a record to lament, but the timing made the breakthrough especially satisfying, with his past three metropolitan runners all winning inside eight days. “It’s been a while between drinks – in fairness, we don’t have that many run there – but it’s always a great thrill to get a winner at headquarters,” Rae told Giddy Up with Gareth Hall on Monday. The lesson, he said, had been delivered in classic racing fashion after Cochada scored for him in the 2018 Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Final and briefly made the game look easy, only for Flemington to prove a far tougher nut to crack in the years that followed. Now, with Enna’s Dream having won at Morphettville and Loft Vega successful at Caulfield Heath in the week before I’mateez joined the run, the stable’s horses are doing plenty to keep spirits high. A son of Capitalist raced by prominent supporter Paul Lofitis’ Lofty Group, I’mateez has long hinted at better-class talent, though his lightly raced profile tells the story of a horse who has not always been straightforward to keep at full power. Rae thought he was “a good thing” at Warrnambool second-up, but the gelding needed a month to recover from that effort, prompting the trainer to tell connections he would not return him to the races until he was completely right. That patience was rewarded when Daniel Stackhouse produced him late at Flemington and the horse tore clear in a performance that now has Rae looking seriously at the Listed Creswick Series Final, provided the winter remains kind. “It was no surprise to see him win on Saturday. He’s always shown that ability, the biggest concern has just been making sure he’s in one piece,” Rae said, adding that the horse had spent time in the ice bath since the run and had trotted up as well as possible by Monday morning. With 20 horses in work, Rae believes about half the team has metropolitan-grade ability, a position made stronger by a staff group he values highly, headed by his brother and assistant trainer Chuck. The horses, he said, are not missing anything, the people around them are enthused, and a happy stable is being reflected where it matters most: on race day.
Taroona Continues Rich Vein of Form
Wednesday, 24th June 2026
A productive run through the colder months reached its best point in Hobart on Sunday when Taroona completed a rich autumn and winter campaign with victory in the $45,000 Carbine Club 3YO Winter Classic over 1390m, reports tasracing.com.au. The Barry Campbell-trained filly has now won four of her past five starts across May and June, collecting close to $100,000 for connections and rewarding the patience of a stable that always felt there was talent beneath the earlier frustrations. "She always had the ability, but everything went wrong with her, and this time in, everything's gone right," Campbell said. Sent out at $5.50, Taroona was positive from the start under Troy Baker, who took her straight to the lead and made full use of the opportunity while hot favourite Daytona Diva, a $1.24 chance, was forced to cover ground back in the field. With the favourite unable to settle into a comfortable rhythm, Taroona stole a decisive break before the home turn and still had enough in reserve to hold off The Little Bay, a $91 outsider who made ground along the inside to finish three-quarters of a length away, with Daytona Diva close up in third. Campbell indicated the filly had likely done enough for now, saying he would put her out and consider the next step in a later campaign, with each start this preparation having brought further improvement. Although Daytona Diva's defeat meant the feature did not unfold as hoped for John Blacker, the trainer still played a major role on the nine-race card with a treble. Light Work opened his account for the stable in a 1600m maiden at $5.50, before new addition Alpine Ruby caused a $31 upset in one of the 1200m maidens only two races later. Blacker said Laura Blacker had paid just $2,500 for Alpine Ruby, largely because she was by Alpine Eagle and Tasbred, making her eligible for the full range of incentives. The filly had been unplaced at her only previous start for Adele Garraway in Victoria in April, and Blacker felt more distance would suit her, though the stable had not expected her to be the price she was. Alpine Ruby also ended a winless stretch dating back to April 17 for apprentice Lauryn Bingley, who quickly doubled her tally when Wild Nights landed the first leg of the quaddie at $21 after she picked up the ride from a doubly engaged Bulent Muhcu. "I got hit with a suspension and had a few plain weeks," Bingley said, adding that a strong day had given her reason to keep building through a difficult time of year.
Maschino Filly Tops MM Perth Winter Sale
Wednesday, 24th June 2026
Strong demand for a well-related youngster saw a Maschino filly emerge as the headline act of Sunday's Magic Millions WA Winter Yearling Sale, with Roostand Racing principal David Gatti securing the daughter of the Alwyn Park stallion for $55,000. Offered as the first foal from stakes-winning mare Sheza Chalmer, the youngster carried an appealing pedigree page and represented the dispersal of a partnership involving breeders David and Dee Gatti, Mark and Lyn Jones, Brandon and Lisa Publow, and Bernie Miller of Belles Park. Presented by Gervase Park Stud as agent, the filly traces to Sheza Chalmer, a daughter of Vital Equine who captured the Listed Belmont Guineas over 1600 metres in 2021. Gatti was pleased to add her to the Roostand Racing team and confirmed her future lies with trainer Summer Dickson. “She’s a lovely filly and will be trained by Summer Dickson,” he told tbwa.net.au. “I have a few with Summer down at Port Kennedy and the best of them so far is the Safeguard 3YO Hurricane Harley who has won at Ascot and Belmont this season.” The purchase adds another chapter to what has already been an exceptionally lucrative association with Maschino for the ownership group, whose colours are carried by Jokers Grin, one of Western Australia's premier sprinters and a horse that has elevated the stallion's profile to new heights. The gelding is set to return to pre-training at Thenford Farm this week after a foot abscess ruled him out of a Brisbane winter carnival campaign. Situated at Sutton Forest in New South Wales' Southern Highlands, Thenford Farm is widely utilised by champion trainer Chris Waller for pre-training, spelling, education and rehabilitation duties across his extensive stable. Managing part-owner Mark Jones reported encouraging news regarding the gelding's recovery, explaining, “He did extra well during that time off and they tell me his feet are looking good. There are any number of good races for him and we will be guided by Chris going into the new season.” Jokers Grin's outstanding 2024 season featured victories in the $5 million Kia Quokka, the Group 3 Colonel Reeves Stakes and the Group 3 Prince Of Wales Stakes before his transfer from Bernie Miller to Waller in January. The family continues to grow, with his dam Walk In Beauty producing another Maschino colt and carrying a further pregnancy to the stallion, while Sheza Chalmer has followed an identical path with a weanling colt by Maschino and another foal due from an early cover. Reflecting his growing influence, Alwyn Park has increased Maschino's fee to $13,750 including GST for the coming season, while newcomer Minsk Moment will stand alongside him at Serpentine at a service fee of $5,500 including GST as he embarks on his first commercial book.
The Maschino filly out of Sheza Chalmer topped the sale (pic: Western Racepix)
Key British Racemeeting Cancellations by BHA
Wednesday, 24th June 2026
As much of southern Europe swelters through an intense heatwave that has driven temperatures to extraordinary levels, Britain has also found itself in the grip of severe conditions, prompting racing authorities to act decisively in the interests of both horses and participants. For the first time in four years, extreme heat has forced the cancellation of race meetings in Britain after a rare Met Office red weather warning was issued across large areas of southern England and Wales. Forecasts suggesting temperatures could climb to 40C in the middle of the week — eclipsing the June record of 35.6C that has stood for half a century — led the British Horseracing Authority to activate its hot-weather procedures. As a result, Wednesday's fixtures at Kempton, Salisbury, Worcester and Ffos Las have been called off. According to Racing Post, Kempton and Ffos Las will instead race next Monday, while Salisbury's meeting has been transferred to the following Tuesday. Worcester's abandoned card has not been reassigned. Despite the disruption, racing is expected to proceed at Carlisle on Wednesday, while Ireland's Naas fixture also remains on schedule. The BHA's previous weather-related cancellations came during the fierce heatwave of July 2022, when five meetings were lost amid the conditions that ultimately produced the UK's all-time temperature record of 40.3C at Coningsby in Lincolnshire. The latest red warning, which the Met Office said was likely to cause "significant disruption to daily life", extends from 1am on Wednesday until 11pm on Thursday across southern England and parts of Wales, with amber warnings already in force earlier in the week. The BHA noted that its existing hot-weather policy requires any fixture situated within a red warning area to be abandoned. Although Ffos Las falls outside the designated zone, officials explained that the meeting could not continue because horses would be required to travel from, or through, areas covered by the highest-level alert. The authority added: "We will continue to liaise with racecourses hosting fixtures in amber warning zones this week to consider any further mitigations that may be needed. Each fixture will be managed on a case-by-case basis, with several factors considered according to the local weather forecast and environmental conditions." Trainers were also reminded that horses must not be transported from or through regions where red heat warnings remain active.
Bahrain Race Earns International Gr1 Status
Wednesday, 24th June 2026
Against the backdrop of a still uncertain Middle East peace deal, a landmark elevation for racing in the Gulf will arrive late this year when the 2026 Bahrain International Trophy is run as a Group 1 for the first time, giving the Kingdom of Bahrain its inaugural race at the sport's elite level, reports TDN. First staged in 2019, the 10-furlong contest has become the centrepiece of Bahrain's international programme in a relatively short span, and its eighth running at Rashid Equestrian & Horseracing Club on Friday, November 13 will also carry a boosted purse of $1.5 million. The race has steadily built a profile through the quality of its winners, with popular international campaigner Lord Glitters successful in 2021, Spirit Dancer claiming back-to-back editions in 2023 and 2024 after the race was promoted to Group 2 level, and Royal Champion adding his name to the honour roll in 2025. His Highness Shaikh Isa bin Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, chairman of the Bahrain Turf Club, described the upgrade as "a proud moment for The Kingdom of Bahrain" and said the ambition had been clear from the beginning. "When we established the Bahrain International Trophy in 2019, it was always our ambition and belief that the race would grow to become our first Group 1 race," he said. "To have achieved that after only seven years is fantastic." He added that Bahrain's racing strategy was built around international collaboration, long-term development and a determination to raise the country's position on the world stage, with the Trophy now the clearest expression of that plan. He also thanked those who had supported the race since its launch and said Bahrain looked forward to welcoming more visitors and more world-class horses in 2026. Bahrain Turf Club chief executive Yusuf Buheji said the Trophy was the nation's flagship race and that its Group 1 promotion represented a major step in the development of racing in the country. He added that the broader programme of premier races was also continuing to expand, creating further opportunities for international horses to compete in Bahrain across the season.
Trenwith Celebrates First Metrop Double
Wednesday, 24th June 2026
A career-first metropolitan double at Morphettville added another bright note to Paula Trenwith's impressive season, with the stable's knack for improving tried horses again to the fore through Ginger Sinner and Babayka, according to racingsa.com.au. Trenwith went to the meeting with confidence that her team was ready to run well, and that belief was rewarded when both horses continued their productive second chapters under her care. "I thought I had some good chances today, the team is going really well," she said after the double. Ginger Sinner has now won five of his 14 starts since transferring from the Richard and Chantelle Jolly stable last year, banking $202,950 for connections and giving Trenwith another reason to admire his honesty. "He's a little ripper," she said. "He just tries so hard, he's a wonderful horse." Babayka, who joined Trenwith in 2023, is also racing in career-best form after posting his fifth win for the stable and his second victory from his past three starts. He has clearly become a favourite around the barn, with Trenwith summing him up simply as "such a legend" and adding, "If every horse tried like he tries." Both winners were partnered by Caitlin Tootell, who shared riding honours with fellow apprentice Brooke King on a day when the younger riders made a strong impression. King landed a significant result aboard Mansiere, giving Karren Letts-Maund her first city winner in 13 years, before later taking the last on Sir Leapalot for Ryan Hannemann. The durable Nicajon also had his turn in the Morphettville spotlight, the 11-year-old making it two wins from his past three starts after Campbell Rawiller produced a cool ride from the inside gate. Former local Mick Shepherdson, now based at Geelong, said the veteran's previous failure at Murray Bridge was down to trainer error, admitting they had been "too soft on him in between runs". Nicajon, who has now won three and placed four times from 11 Morphettville starts, was described by Shepherdson as "such an old beauty", and Rawiller's patience allowed him to switch off before unleashing when clear. Dan Clarken and Oopy MacGillivray were also back among the winners when talented filly Orlova returned to form under Tala Hutchinson, with Clarken saying she had "a little bit of talent". At Port Augusta on Sunday, apprentice Ashlee Stone rode her first winner aboard Bad To The Bone for boss Bill Bogarts, while Garret Lynch completed a race-to-race double that included Fox Dunnett's Saltbush Livestock Squatter's Cup win under Jemma Gutte.
Highly Capitalised Amo Racing On the Up
Wednesday, 24th June 2026
According to sportlinglife.com, a narrow defeat in the King Edward VII Stakes left Amo Racing still searching for a Royal Ascot winner this year, but principal Kia Joorabchian came away from the meeting encouraged by the shape of an operation he believes is still being built for sustained pressure at the highest level. Ancient Egypt came within a neck of giving the purple-and-white silks a second success in the race after King Of Steel’s 2023 victory, only to find Ballydoyle’s Causeway and Ryan Moore too strong late on Friday. Joorabchian made no pretence that the result was easy to absorb, telling Sky Sports Racing, “I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t gutted to lose,” and adding that he felt for a team that had worked so hard to have a winner at the royal meeting. Yet he also drew plenty from Ancient Egypt’s performance, particularly as the colt was backing up just 13 days after the Derby, whereas King Of Steel had 20 days between Epsom and Ascot two years earlier. Joorabchian felt that a few more days might have changed the finish, and he praised Charlie Johnston and his staff for getting Ancient Egypt back in such competitive order. He also pointed to Pikachu, another Frankel colt in the Johnston stable, who finished fifth in the Chesham Stakes and was beaten less than two lengths, as evidence that Amo’s younger talent is beginning to take shape. Crownbreaker, trained by Kevin Philippart De Foy, also ran with credit when fifth at 100-1 in the Queen Mary Stakes behind Victorious, finishing third in her group, but Joorabchian said the lack of broader two-year-old representation was deliberate rather than a sign of weakness. He said “80% of our two-year-olds are at home”, explaining that Amo had bought deep-pedigreed horses not designed to be early June juveniles or obvious Ascot types. While he admitted that neither he nor the team could be satisfied without a winner, he said they were pleased with the stock at home and the stage of the broader project. The scale of the challenge was laid bare in the King Edward VII, where Coolmore again demonstrated the reach and tactical strength of its programme. Joorabchian said their operation could shape races with one or two runners because of the depth of their pedigrees, and acknowledged Amo was “way, way behind” a machine developed over more than three decades. Still, he framed the gap as something to be narrowed through patience, breeding and better bloodlines. Persian Force has already encouraged him at stud, with Pershaada, by the same sire, finishing fourth in the Queen Mary, while King Of Steel’s progeny are still to come. Amo has also invested in broodmares, including Streak Of Luck in the United States, dam of champion two-year-old Ted Noffey, and Joorabchian believes those foundations can eventually bring the operation closer to the giants it is chasing.
