Here’s something you don’t see every day: Nine-year-old jockeys. But the subject provides a historical link for two of the most famous families in Australian racing – the Woottons and the Freedmans. Back in 1902, trainer Richard “Dick” Wootton took umbrage with Australian racing authorities when they wouldn’t let his son Frank ride professionally in... Read More

One of the richest families in New Zealand racing and breeding has done it again, with Maison Louis (Super Seth) joining its many elite winners in taking out Saturday’s Queensland Derby (Gr 1, 2400m). The gelding, trained by John O’Shea and Tom Charlton, forms the latest chapter in a story deeply woven into the fabric... Read More

Take a look at the pedigree of Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth II Cup (Gr 3, 2400m) winner Campaldino (Ghibellines) and there’s one thing that strikes you: there’s a lot going on. It’s a fair bet Darby Racing’s New Zealand-bred four-year-old has the most intricate pedigree of any Orange Cup (2100m) winner, the race that started what... Read More

The blend of burgeoning Australian breed-shaper Fastnet Rock (Danehill) and American legend Storm Cat (Storm Bird) has produced another Group winner with Imperialist’s (Churchill) victory in Saturday’s Rough Habit Plate (Gr 3, 2000m) at Doomben. Bred by Gordon Cunningham of New Zealand’s Curraghmore Stud and Arkle Bloodstock’s Demi O’Byrne, the gelding was bought for $170,000... Read More

The Dundeel daughters are fighting back. And they have a leader, like an equine Boudica. You could call her the chosen one, for when her breeder Simon Delzoppo came up with her name, he boldly took on the gods, the perceived wisdom, and even the yearling market realpolitik. “On day one I said, ‘We’re going... Read More