Two weeks ago I brought to your attention the early riding feats of 4kg claimer Yvette Lewis. Having learned to ride horses at pony club, she gravitated to Sue Grills barn and slowly over the next two years Grills taught her how to ride a racehorse. You may recall she… Read More »
For those peering ahead to November and the annual gathering of equine excellence at the Breeders’ Cup carnival, take note. It now may not be run at Santa Anita as previously advertised – all over the world. This is because the California government unanimously voted last night to give authority… Read More »
With all the talk of late surrounding improved prizemoney levels, naming new races, and which state has the best racing carnivals, perhaps it might be prudent to take a step back and look at what we already have. Not the new stuff or the new debates, but at the races… Read More »
The wait is over. Winx will be covered by champion stallion I Am Invincible this year. And that seems only fitting. I Am Invincible stands at Yarraman park in NSW. “As owners we have utilised and considered the expert advice of bloodstock professionals both internationally and domestically,” said part-owner Debbie… Read More »
Did we see a new stallion hope race at Canterbury yesterday? I think so, but the main question is: would you send a mare to him? His name is Embracer, a strong winner over 1200m at BM 70 level carrying 58kg. He showed great toe to lead and tremendous fight… Read More »
It may pay to remember this name. Rising star apprentice jockey Yvette Lewis has just literally burst from nowhere onto the country racing scene in NSW with an astonishing 66% winning success rate. Sure, that is flattered by the fact she’s only had 3 rides to date, but she has… Read More »
Sydney caller Darren Flindell almost, and I mean almost, delivered a race call at Rosehill on Saturday that would have been immortalised. Not quite London to a brick on, but sooo, sooo close to the Accurate One’s Cox Plate call. You know the Accurate One, right? It was Bill Collins… Read More »
On May 28, I reported that I’d seen a very, very powerful debut run. It came from a horse called NOSTRO RE (Not A Single Doubt-Card Queen) who is trained by Jason Deamer at Newcastle. I watch an enormous amount of racing, and while yes the win was achieved only… Read More »
In one of the most disrespectful, extraordinarily inaccurate headlines ever sent to print, The Guardian Newspaper in England has slammed our export-racing business. Have a look at this and you be the judge. Winx’s brother among Australian racehorses killed for meat in South Korea. That was the headline. I kid… Read More »
At Canberra on Friday, a name in the jock’s ranks no-one has ever heard of can land a winner. And maybe two! He is, like Glyn Schofield, Robbie Fradd, Jeff Lloyd and Tony McEvoy’s latest riding star Barend Vorster, a South African who is now in Australia looking for a… Read More »
A couple of rule changes for NSW racing people were announced to no fanfare last night. And they come into existence, meaning they are enforced as of 1 July this year. They are significant to some people, particularly battling trainers and owners. They are: LR41A – Restricting a horse from… Read More »
I was driving along yesterday listening to the radio and heard a song with a clever verse. It said: “Midnight in a crowded room I would have had to come up and talk to you Anywhere, I don’t care Forever’s gotta start somewhere.” And while that’s about a relationship starting,… Read More »
Here’s an early leg up for those who, like me, like having a long range look at the Melbourne Cup. Charlie Fellowes, the dashing young English trainer who is making a massive name for himself as a thoroughbred mentor is coming to Australia with his 2019 Melbourne Cup hope. That… Read More »
The second best racing offspring of sire sensation Sidestep, struts her stuff this weekend at stakes level. And does so for new owners and a new trainer. Longbottom (Sidestep-Orphrey) has had three starts to date, for two wins and a narrow 2nd in the big Inglis Challenge. She has won… Read More »
Connections of the heavily tried $2.00 favourite in race 6 at Sale yesterday are entitled to be miffed. And, while I’m not advocating they go the way of Gary and Mary West, who own Maximum Security, the dethroned Kentucky Derby winner and take action in the courts, at the very… Read More »
Hey, remember that good race mare MISSROCK? You know the one in Victoria who raced about a million times in Gr 1 races and never actually won one of them? Well, someone bought her yesterday for $2.3million. For the record, all jokes aside, her actual race career record was pretty… Read More »
When the tiny face of Alexis Angland banged the gavel down at the Magic Millions Broodmare Sale yesterday, she smiled. The tiny young daughter of wounded warrior, jockey Tye Angland, was asked to sign off on the final auction sale of the many noms to stallions gifted to Tye Angland… Read More »
A 3YO won his maiden at Taree yesterday, on debut, and the word to describe it is….WOW! His name is NOSTRO RE and that seems to be an Italian banking reference. Which might well be accurate as he is owned by the famous Italian Racing family – the Polettis of… Read More »
I was at Toronto’s beautiful Woodbine racetrack for a race meeting last week. And a big smile split my face like a watermelon when I heard a familiar – accent. It was music to my ears when I heard the race caller tell all and sundry that the horses were… Read More »
Yesterday at Gawler, a 3YO sprouted wings in the straight to race away and win like a horse going places. First let’s take a look at his 4.8L win over 1718m: "Should've put the house on it!" The short priced favourite Vacant Block wins easily, taking out Race 3 at… Read More »
