Little Avondale announce 2025 stud fees
Little Avondale Stud have announced the 2025 fees for the proven sire Per Incanto (USA) and his G1 Blue Diamond winning son Little Brose. Per Incanto will stand at NZ$60,000 plus GST (up from NZ$50,000) with Little Brose at NZ$15,000 plus GST.
“Australian Group 1 victories in 2025 by Jimmysstar and Gringotts, together with the emergence of the exciting Group 2 winning 3-year-old Evaporate as a genuine elite level performer, along with a string of Group 2 winners Marble Arch, Belclare and Marotiri Molly now has the stallion deservedly recognised amongst the very best stallions in Australasia. This coming Saturday has Per Incanto with four horses set to feature on the final day of the Championships, head lined by Belclare and Jimmysstar in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes,” said the press release.
Gallery: Stallions to stand at Little Avondale Stud in 2025
“Little Brose is the first Australian 1200 metre Group 1-winning 2-year-old colt to debut at stud in NZ. He will have his first public parade at Little Avondale on 15 May.”
Deny Knowledge retired
Yulong announced on Tuesday that their Group 1-winning mare Deny Knowledge (Ire) (Pride Of Dubai) has been retired.
Winner of 10 of her 41 starts and over $2.3 million, Deny Knowledge was purchased by the Panthalassa Syndicate at the 2024 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale for $500,000 as a Group 2 winner. Since that sale, she added the G1 Might And Power Stakes and two Listed wins.
Her dam, The Paris Shrug (GB) (Manduro {Ger}) was a winner in Ireland and is a half-sister to Group 1 winner Big Orange (GB) (Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}).
New vote date for Rosehill
The long-delayed vote on the proposed sale of Rosehill Gardens has been pushed back once more, with a new date of Tuesday, May 27, 2025 set for the Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) of Australian Turf Club Members.
Originally intended to take place at the Club’s AGM in December 2024, the vote has now been delayed three times: first rescheduled to April 3, then postponed to May 12 under direct orders from Racing NSW, and now delayed again by the ATC Board. The latest deferral adds a further 15 days to the process, citing the impacts of the Easter and ANZAC Day public holidays on preparations.
The proposal has been mired in controversy since its announcement by Premier Chris Minns and ATC Chairman Peter McGauran in December 2023. Racing NSW intervened ahead of the April meeting, citing a lack of sufficient information provided to Members. A parliamentary inquiry further scrutinised the decision-making process.
The ATC has now confirmed that any previous votes cast ahead of the abandoned April 3 EGM are void, and that all Members, more than 11,000, must vote again if they wish to have their say on the future of Rosehill. Proxy nominations must also be resubmitted.
The ATC has promised to send out a full Explanatory Memorandum, including perspectives from both the “Yes” and “No” cases, by May 6, 2025, along with additional detail on broader plans for Sydney racing.
Members are once again being urged to participate.
Belclare’s toughest task in All-Aged
Owner-breeder David Woodhouse realises the tough task ahead of his dual Group 1 winning mare Belclare (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) in Saturday’s G1 All-Aged Stakes. “It is a hot field. Bjorn (Baker) rang me this morning and said she is doing everything right and he is going to put Rachel King on her, who rides her trackwork. He is happy with her,” Woodhouse told Loveracing.nz.
Belclare (NZ) | Image courtesy of Sportpix
“This will be the best field she has ever raced against I’d say. She is entered for the Magic Millions (National Broodmare Sale), but I haven’t made a final decision yet.”
Godolphin Flying Start class announced
Godolphin Flying Start announced the latest intake of trainees for its prestigious Thoroughbred Industry Management and Leadership Program. The class of 2025 – 2027 comprises trainees from six countries: Ireland, Morocco, Spain, India, New Zealand and the UK.
“We are thrilled to welcome the 23rd intake of Godolphin Flying Start trainees this August. Their diverse talents and passion for the industry will sustain them as they commence the professional and personal development provided to them by Godolphin Flying Start,” said Godolphin Flying Start Executive Director Clodagh Kavanagh.
The 2025 – 2027 trainees are Luke O’Neill (Ireland), Saad Saidi (Morocco), Kitty Ashby (UK), Tara Carroll (Ireland), Adrian Redondo (Spain), Jamie O’Connor (Ireland), Mageswar Periasamy Vishakan (India), Harry Winnard (UK), Emma Dillon (Ireland), Callum Jeffries (New Zealand), Raphael McCall (UK), and Emma Hunter (Ireland).
Grail Seeker set to upset All-Aged
Trainers Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott will seek to upset the G1 All-Aged Stakes with Kiwi raider and dual Group 1 winner Grail Seeker (NZ) (Iffraaj {GB}). “We want to give her a chance, she has won at the highest level in New Zealand so we have to try give her an opportunity to get some black type in Australia,” O'Sullivan told racenet.com.au.
Grail Seeker (NZ) | Image courtesy of Peter Rubery (Race Images)
“We have probably picked a pretty tough one to have a crack at and we contemplated going to Brisbane with her, but decided to go to this and then get her home to get ready for the spring.”
Jimmysstar to settle closer in All-Aged
Trainer Ciaron Maher hopes Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) will settle closer in Saturday’s G1 All-Aged Stakes. “1400 metres he should land a little bit closer. He sort of muffed the start a little bit the other day, he had his head down when the gates opened, so I think he would have landed a bit closer if he had jumped with them,” Maher told racing.com.
Ciaron Maher | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“His sectionals were blistering the other day, I think he ended up running home quicker than he did in the Oakleigh Plate. Any of those Group 1s are hard to win but he seems to have gone to another level this preparation and his form has been consistent and the 1400 metres should suit him down to the ground.”
Racing Victoria alters spring program
Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners Association (TROA) chair Jonathan Munz likes the way Racing Victoria have approached the planning for the spring with the G1 Thousand Guineas and G1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes returning their usual spots in the spring pattern. “All credit to RV and the industry for getting together and working it through and listening,” Munz told racing.com.
“The whole initiative is ultra-welcomed. We have been pushing for it for a few years since they (former management) made those poorly conceived changes and everyone has seen the light and it shows what happens when everyone co-operates and listens.
“Full credit to them. They have introduced a proper consultative process. They have these racing forums and it is chaired by Mark Player, who is a new board member there and who has done an excellent job. Full credit to that board. They have pivoted and they are listening. The owners and breeders are the investors in the industry and you don't have anything to bet on unless they are reinvesting.”
The Thousand Guineas returns to Caulfield Cup day, two weeks after Sydney’s G1 Flight Stakes, while the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes moves back to September 20 (it was in November this year). The G1 CF Orr Stakes moves from early autumn to the end of spring.
Storm Season to attack Guineas
Co-trainer Mick Price wants 3-year-old filly Storm Season (Toronado {Ire}) ridden more positively in Saturday’s Mornington Guineas. “The other day at Flemington when you get back in those races that are slowly run, halfway through the race you might as well go home,” Price told racing.com.
Mick Price | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“It was a real sit and sprint. So I think at Mornington over the mile, regardless where she drew, I would want to be putting her up there, she has trained on no trouble. I do like her, I think she's got a good future.”
Vale Geoff Bamford
Racing Victoria announced the passing of former jockey Geoff Bamford, 76, owing to illness. “A respected rider and mentor, Geoff rode in races from 1962 to 2002 and continued riding trackwork until 2017. He rode winners from Flemington to Towong with his biggest success the 1979 Marlboro Cup (now Rupert Clarke) on Private Talk,” said RV.
Geoff Bamford | Image courtesy of Racing Victoria
Microphone moves to Brasil
Darley stallion Microphone shipped out to America on April 8, and it was reported on Tuesday that he has been purchased by Haras Niju, in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
Microphone | Image courtesy of Darley
The G1 Sires’ Produce Stakes winner stood his first season in 2020 with 56 3-year-olds resulting from that season. To date, he has sired 16 winners with stakes-placed Matisse and Abbakiss his two best to date.
Akaysha wins at Kembla Grange
Capitalist 2-year-old filly Akaysha won on debut on Tuesday at Kembla Grange for trainer Peter Snowden who quinellaed the race with fellow debutant colt Beadman (Snitzel).
A full sister to Listed winner Ka Bling, Akaysha is out of G3 Brithday Card Stakes winner Zingaling (Redoute’s Choice), and she is a homebred for David Baxter’s Macquarie Stud.
Around the nation: Tuesday’s highlights
Tuesday enjoyed four race meetings with 3-year-old gelding Nation Changing (Cosmic Force) winning at Armidale to stay unbeaten in two starts. Written Tycoon sired a double at Kembla Grange with 3-year-olds Iron Hawk and Colophon.
At Townsville, 2-year-old gelding Carohvic (Dubious) won at his second start by 1.06l for trainer Peter Cullen. He becomes the fourth juvenile winner from the second crop of Dubious and was purchased by Pinhook Bloodstock (FBAA) for $25,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale from Kenmore Lodge. He is a half-brother to Listed winner My Khalifa (Pride Of Dubai) out of unraced O’Reilly’s Charm (NZ) (O’Reilly {NZ}).
Well bred Candlewick runs on Wednesday
John O’Shea and Tom Charlton-trained 3-year-old filly Candlewick (Pierro) runs at Warwick Farm on Wednesday. “She was potentially going to kick off in the PJ Bell and we met with a slight setback which meant we missed the second trial at Randwick,” Charlton told racingnsw.com.au.
“Nothing is firmly in the diary, we’ll get through this benchmark race and if she continues to win and run well there are options, probably more north of the border, which could suit. It’s realistic to feel that she could end up in black type races given what we’ve seen so far.” Winner of two of her three starts, she is a half-sister to The Everest winner Classique Legend (Not A Single Doubt) and Group 2 winner Aethero (Sebring).
Injured jockey update
Racing NSW reported that jockey Tom Sherry was hospitalised after an incident on Tuesday. “Jockey Tom Sherry sustained an injury to his right leg resulting from a fractious horse in the barriers prior to Race 7 at Kembla Grange on Tuesday.”
Apprentice heads to Sydney
Gold Coast-based apprentice jockey Jace McMurray is set for a three-month loan stint with Randwick conditioner Michael Freedman through the winter months of 2025. “I am very happy to give him the opportunity and we are looking forward to getting him here and getting him settled in,” Freedman told racingqueensland.com.au.
“The timing will be good for Jace because there is a couple of our better apprentices now who are starting to claim less. I think with those apprentices that you can use their full claim, he will certainly get opportunities.
Jace McMurray | Image courtesy of Racing Queensland
“As is the case for any of them, he needs to get down here and work hard and he will get some opportunities to ride some trackwork for other stables at Randwick and they are stables that have traditionally been happy to use claiming apprentices on the right sort of horses. He will get the opportunity to spread his wings outside of my yard and hopefully increase his opportunities, as well.”
Royal Ascot for Storm Boy
Trainer Aidan O’Brien confirmed a Royal Ascot target for Storm Boy (Justify {USA}). “He's very well,” O'Brien said on the Nick Luck Daily Podcast.
“The plan is to go Irish Guineas weekend for a six-furlong Group 3 then he could to Ascot for the six-furlong Group 1. We weren't sure before he came whether he was a six, seven-furlong, mile (horse) - the more we do with him, he's a quick, fast horse, so probably end up at Ascot.”
Pier set for Brisbane
Group 1 winner Pier (NZ) (Proisir) will head to Brisbane after running second when resuming in the Listed City Of Napier Sprint last weekend. “We’re thrilled to bits to have him back, he’s our first and only Group One winner so he holds a very special place in our stable,” co-trainer Darryn Weatherley told Loveracing.nz.
“He’s five rising six now, and to be honest, I think he’s only just grown into himself. He’s having a couple of days in the paddock, the weather looks like it’s turning so he’ll probably come back into his box on Tuesday night. He’ll go to the track and swim for a week, then ideally, we would love to get to Brisbane.
Pier (NZ) | Image courtesy of Kenton Wright (Race Images)
“I know it’ll be a hard race to get into, but a race like the Stradbroke would be an ideal race for him, maybe even if we have to go a bit earlier and run in a race like the Kingsford-Smith Cup to qualify, we’ll have to wait and see.”
Crocetti arrives in Perth
Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto {GB}) has landed in Perth ahead of next week’s The Quokka where he’ll run in the Trackside NZ and Perth Racing slot. “It’s an honour and a privilege to get it (slot) and we were pretty keen to give it a go,” Danny Walker, who trains in partnership with Arron Tata, told Loveracing.nz.
Crocetti (NZ) | Image courtesy of Racing WA Thoroughbred
“Hopefully they have selected the right horse. He flew to Sydney on Sunday and then arrived in Perth last night. He has settled in well, he travelled excellent, I am really happy with him.”
Mr Brightside lands safely in Hong Kong
Lindsay Park’s multiple Group 1 winner Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) has landed safely in Hong Kong. “He’s travelled over beautifully, no problems at all,” co-trainer Ben Hayes told racing.com.
“The flight went really well, no delays and it’s only a nine-hour flight. It’s like going to Sydney on a float and probably not as bumpy. It was only his second flight, but he was very professional, which we expected. He’s settling in and he’ll most likely have a quiet day today, then we might have him under saddle tomorrow (Wednesday).”
Jackson-Stops joins Victorious Racing
Billy Jackson-Stops has been appointed as the racing manager of Shaikh Nasser Al Khalifa's Victorious Racing, with the former assistant trainer to Ralph Beckett describing the opportunity as a "great honour".
Victorious Racing's red and white silks have become an increasingly familiar sight in recent years, both at home in Bahrain and in Europe.
Mineshaft retired from stud duties
Horse of the Year Mineshaft (USA) (AP Indy {USA}) has been retired from stud duty at the age of 26, and will be pensioned at Lane's End, the farm announced Monday morning. In excellent health as he transitions to the newest stage of his life, Mineshaft wraps a breeding career which saw him garner acclaim as one of the leading sons of the great AP Indy (USA), including being named a top five general sire in 2024 and a top 20 lifetime active sire.
“Mineshaft is a tremendous horse in all aspects–a champion racehorse and a top sire,” said Lane's End president, Bill Farish. “We are so pleased that he is retiring from stud in wonderful health and will enjoy a long retirement at his birthplace.
Mineshaft (USA) | Image courtesy of Lane's End, USA
“Mineshaft means so much to our family and to the farm. When he arrived home at Lane's End following his retirement from racing, literally everyone on the farm gathered at the stallion barn to celebrate his accomplishments and to welcome him home. He is a very special horse.”
From 20 crops to his credit, Mineshaft's progeny have earned over US$101-million in purses with some of his top horses including G1 Saudi Cup hero Senor Buscador–who accounts for over US$12-million of that tally–who now stands at the same farm and will carry his sire's banner. His eight Grade I winners include the late Effinex (USA), It's Tricky (USA), dam of graded winner Enticed (USA) (Medaglia d'Oro {USA}); True Timber (USA), Dialed In (USA), himself among leading sires; Discreetly Mine (USA), who stands in Uruguay; Weep No More (USA), a producer of winners in Japan; and Bond Holder (USA).
