Jo McKinnon Column
From travesty to ecstasy: Williams’ Shelby Sixtysix reignites popular trainer
When trainer Danny Williams lost his talented horse Hot ‘N’ Hazy (Snitzel) in a race fall at Rosehill in July 2020, he hit one of the lowest points of his life. In fact, he was so devastated by the tragic incident, he thought seriously about closing down his stable and walking away from the training... Read More
More from Jo McKinnon Column
‘You have to enjoy it while it lasts’
Ozzie Kheir on his remarkable run in racehorse ownership Racing has taken owner Ozzie Kheir on a magic carpet ride during the past two years. In that time, he’s won a Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m), Caulfield Cup (Gr 1, 2400m), Cox Plate (Gr 1, 2040m), The Everest (1200m), Blue Diamond (Gr 1, 1200m) and,... Read More
Laurel Oak hoping Fireburn can hand them Slipper glory
While the global racing and breeding powerhouse, Godolphin took centre stage on Saturday when Daumier (Epaulette) landed the Blue Diamond Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m), a Golden Slipper Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) dream sprung to life for Laurel Oak Bloodstock when their homebred filly Fireburn (Rebel Dane) landed the Sweet Embrace Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) at... Read More
Former paper boy Jusufovic hopes Pinstriped can deliver a first Group 1
As a young boy growing up in Footscray, Enver Jusufovic delivered Herald newspapers at Flemington and would regularly park his bike at the fence of the racetrack to admire the horses as they went through their paces early in the morning. Decades later, the humble Yugoslav from the Western Suburbs of Melbourne is only a... Read More
The unheralded yearling handlers deserve all the praise
The energy of a thoroughbred horse sale is frenetic. Anxious vendors hope their hard work and investment pay off and cautious buyers try to find a future champion at the right price. Adding to the intensity is the constant sound of high-pitched whinnies of yearlings who have been launched from the quiet and calm of... Read More
Milestone winner for talented horsewoman Fogden
Kacy Fogden’s career reached an important turning point at Rosehill on Saturday when a colt she hand-picked at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale galloped into Golden Slipper (Gr 1, 1200m) contention by winning the Canonbury Stakes (Gr 3, 1100m). In doing so, Best Of Bordeaux (Snitzel) brought up Fogden’s first Group winner... Read More