No one wants to take a pay cut and naturally racing participants – owners and trainers, in particular – are up in arms about Racing Victoria’s plan to reduce prize-money “across a broad cross-section of races” in the new season. Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners Association chair Jonathan Munz led the charge on Tuesday night, delivering a... Read More

Sheamus Mills, who has been a prominent figure in recent years purchasing high-end yearling fillies, says the top end of the bloodstock market continues to defy overall trends. The value of black type for fillies has also skyrocketed, according to the Melbourne-based agent who cited the $1.35 million price Widden Stud paid for Ottawa Stakes... Read More

Alice Springs-based trainer Greg Connor has called the centre of Australia home for six decades and while far from oblivious to the crime and violence the town is experiencing, he also does not feel threatened by the constant theft and alcohol-fuelled upheaval making interstate and international headlines. Connor feels somewhat sheltered, living on his property... Read More

Perth racing’s Western Trilogy – the thoroughbreds’ $4 million The Quokka, the standardbreds’ $1 million Nullarbor and the greyhounds’ $500,000 Sandgroper – was a massive success, more than any administrator or Western Australian racing fan could have even hoped. Bjorn Baker’s Overpass knocked off the local filly Amelia’s Jewel in the tightest of finishes, the... Read More

Regardless of how Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai) – this season’s Manikato Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) winner – goes tomorrow in The Quokka (1200m), the $3.5 million earner holds immense value and would be high on the list for any commercial breeding operation. Co-breeders and part-owners Michael and Brad Christian and Michael’s wife Siobhan Miller... Read More