Of all the myriad statistics that can be accumulated by a stallion of his standing – both as in ‘status’ and actual years of standing at stud – there is one that puts a halo on Fastnet Rock’s (Danehill) CV as globally elite. It’s not his two Australian champion sires titles from 2012 and 2015.... Read More

It’s been a long journey to have Kintyre (Hallowed Crown) join his year older half-sister Fireburn (Rebel Dane) as a stakes winner, its arduous nature illustrated further by Saturday’s Frank Packer Plate (Gr 3, 2000m) breakthrough having to be settled in the stewards’ room. But while it might be tempting to also call it mystical,... Read More

Amid the huge buzz about shuttle sensation Wootton Bassett (Iffraaj) – his mega purchase by Coolmore, his northern hemisphere Group 1 winners, his first-season yearling prices in Australia, and more – there’s a very close direct link who’s been more quietly but assuredly building his own impressive CV down here for years. And Saturday’s Sydney... Read More

“Buy the horse you dream about”, the Inglis advertising said. But for a couple of shrewd breeders, the one they sold turned out to be the horse of their dreams this Easter. Kerrie Tibbey, the septuagenarian owner of Goodwood Farm, went “a little bit naughty” three years ago in paying $25,000 for an unraced and... Read More

If Bandi’s Boy (The Brothers War) – the new pride of Goulburn – can win Saturday’s $1 million Country Championships Final (1400m), even the eyes of the most hardened bushies drawn to Randwick for the big day might be more than a bit moist. It would be one of the more emotional, battler, stories you’ll... Read More