‘Inglis Digital has done it again’ – $340,000 for Hong Kong-bound Equerry

Talented three-year-old Equerry (Snitzel) will continue his career in Hong Kong after topping the Inglis Digital November (Early) Online Sale at $340,000.

Trained by Chris Waller and offered by an ownership group led by Coolmore, the colt was purchased by Mr T Leung following his impressive Randwick victory on Tuesday.

“He looks a very promising young horse that we think will fit in well up in Hong Kong,’’ Leung said. “We will sit down in coming days to work out a trainer and a program for him but I think he is a very exciting horse.’’

Coolmore’s John Kennedy was equally pleased with the result.

“That’s a phenomenal result, Inglis Digital has done it again. Equerry won very impressively yesterday and looks to have a bright future and I wish Mr Leung all the best with him,” Kennedy said.

So far in 2025, 21 individual Inglis Digital graduates have won in Hong Kong, including Helios Express (Toronado) and Tomodachi Kokoroe (Written Tycoon), with Inglis graduates winning 729 races in Hong Kong overall since 2018.

The sale’s second-top lot was Silent Shares (Overshare), a winner of her past two starts who was purchased by her trainer Gavin Bedggood for $140,000.

“The owner is reducing his racing stock and I think this mare has good residual in her and is far from at her peak so I was happy to keep her,’’ Bedggood said.

The November (Early) Sale grossed $2.29 million, while Equerry became the 38th horse to sell for $200,000 or more on Inglis Digital this year.

Entries are now open for the November (Late) Sale (Nov 14–19), which will be preceded by a Spring Boutique auction headlined by Group 2 winner Coeur Volante (Proisir).

Olive confident Spicy Lu can give Oaks a shake

Spicy Lu (Tagaloa) has made rapid progress through the grades and will line up in Thursday’s VRC Oaks (Gr 1, 2500m) as a genuine contender for trainer Nick Olive. The Queanbeyan-based horseman said the $30,000 yearling has continued to thrive since taking out the Ethereal Stakes (Gr 3, 2000m) at Caulfield last start. “I couldn’t be happier with her, everything has gone spot on since the Ethereal,” Olive told Racing.com. “We took luck out of the equation that day, rode her forward, and she gave Nash [Rawiller] a really good feel. He was keen to stay on her and said she felt so strong through the line. He thinks she’ll run the 2500 metres and I do too.” Spicy Lu has been based at Flemington since her Caulfield win, and Olive said the filly had taken further improvement from the stable’s Melbourne stint. “She’s probably gone to another level since that run,” he said. “She’s adapted well to the Melbourne way, her coat’s come right out and she’s feeling great.” A winner on debut at Cowra in March, Spicy Lu announced her talent early, progressing to Listed success at Randwick before finishing midfield in the Champagne Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) as a two-year-old. Olive has had the Oaks earmarked since she returned to work for her spring campaign. “This has always been her grand final,” he said. “We had a Plan B if she didn’t measure up, but she’s ticked every box.” The trainer chose to skip last Saturday’s Wakeful Stakes (Gr 2, 2000m), won impressively by short-priced Oaks favourite Getta Good Feeling (So You Think). “There were more negatives than positives in backing up,” Olive said. “The Wakeful winner looks very hard to beat, but I do feel our filly is a genuine chance.”

Sutton confident Oaks trip will suit After Summer

Promising filly After Summer (The Autumn Sun) will get her chance to test her stamina in Thursday’s VRC Oaks at Flemington, with trainer Dom Sutton confident the staying distance will bring her right into contention. The daughter of The Autumn Sun (Redoute’s Choice) heads to the fillies’ Classic off a third placing in the Ethereal Stakes behind leading Oaks contenders Spicy Lu and Just A Journey (Justify), having previously taken out the Oaks Preview (1800m) at Flemington. Sutton chose to bypass last Saturday’s Wakeful Stakes, believing the filly will thrive beyond 2000 metres. “We’re really happy with the preparation, she’s improved with each run,” Sutton told Racing.com. “She was solid in the Ethereal, just beaten by two fillies with a bit more change-up speed, but the 2500 metres will play right into her hands. Her pedigree suggests she’ll relish the trip, so we didn’t feel we had to go to the Wakeful.” Bought for $170,000 from the 2024 Inglis Easter Sale, After Summer is out of the Irish-bred mare Al Jasrah (Shirocco), and Sutton said the filly was identified early as a staying prospect. “When we picked her out, she looked every inch an Oaks filly,” he said. “She’s got a great cardiovascular system and has got tougher and mentally stronger as the prep’s gone on.” Sutton kept a close eye on Saturday’s Wakeful and believes tempo could be key on Thursday. “They went a very sedate tempo and the class filly [Getta Good Feeling] sprinted best,” he said. “Whether the Oaks is run at a genuine clip, we’ll see, but we trust After Summer’s staying ability to give her an edge.”

Hayes backs Ethereum Girl to bounce back in Oaks

Co-trainer JD Hayes is confident Ethereum Girl (Maurice) can turn the tables on dominant favourite Getta Good Feeling when the pair clash again in Thursday’s VRC Oaks at Flemington. A Group 3 winner in Adelaide as a juvenile, Ethereum Girl endured a luckless run in last Saturday’s Wakeful Stakes, where she over-raced early and was held up for clear running before finishing sixth, just over four lengths behind the winner. “She seems to have pulled up super,” Hayes told Racing.com. “We’re looking forward to seeing her in the Oaks. She’s got a good draw, and as long as she settles, she’ll be hard to beat.” The Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained filly will jump from barrier three under Ben Melham, and sits at $19 with Sportsbet for Thursday’s Classic. Earlier on the card, the Lindsay Park team will saddle up Apulia (Fiorente) in the Chester Manifold Stakes (Listed, 1800m). The 2023 Victoria Derby (Gr 1, 2500m) runner-up impressed when scoring first-up and is being aimed towards a summer trip west. “He’s going really well,” Hayes said. “He obviously put in a good win first-up and he’s possibly heading to Perth for the Perth Cup, so it’ll be interesting to see how he goes.” Apulia is currently an $8 chance for the Listed contest at Flemington.

Carberry unfazed by wide draw for Oaks hopeful

Trainer Tommy Carberry has said barrier 13 will pose no issues for Strictly Business (Grunt), who will look to turn the tables on Getta Good Feeling in Thursday’s VRC Oaks at Flemington. The filly was one of the eye-catchers in last Saturday’s Wakeful Stakes, charging home for second behind the Oaks favourite after drifting back from a wide gate. That performance saw her firm from $31 to $5 in early betting before easing back to $12 following Tuesday’s barrier draw. Carberry, who trains in partnership with wife Monique, remains relaxed about the outside alley and is confident regular rider John Allen can find a suitable position. “It’s no bother, God no,” Carberry told Racing.com. “She’s not a go-forward horse anyway and Johnny can just take his time finding a spot. She’ll be better off relaxing back there, building into the race. Hopefully there’s a bit of pace on early so she can find her rhythm.” Strictly Business will be contesting the stable’s first Group 1, a milestone made more special by carrying the colours of long-time supporter Martin Falvey, who also raced former stable stars Scuderia (Squamosa) and Kicking King (Highland Reel), a half-brother to the Oaks contender. “It was a proud moment seeing her run second last week,” Carberry said. “Something like this is just great for any small stable, we’re all just trying to find that good horse. She’s always shown she’d be handy once she got over ground, and she’s just kept improving. She’s a very promising filly. We’re really enjoying the ride.”

Waller set for first VRC Oaks runner with The Pearls

Champion trainer Chris Waller will break new ground during Melbourne Cup week when he saddles his first runner in the VRC Oaks at Flemington on Thursday. Waller will be represented by The Pearls (Proisir), who has continued to impress through each stage of her preparation. The Hawkesbury maiden winner stepped into stakes company with a second in the Gloaming Stakes (Gr 3, 1800m) before running third in the Spring Champion Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) at Randwick. “I can’t remember having a runner in the Oaks, unless we had one in the early days as the race comes up quick and it’s a long way, and it doesn’t really suit our style of training,” Waller said. “But this filly, she has had the right grounding and most importantly she has come through each run really well. She came through the Gloaming well, so we ran her in the Spring Champion. She came through the Spring Champion well, so we brought her down here. She came through the trip down here well, so we’re running. If at any one of those steps I wasn’t happy with her, she was going for a spell. But she’s thriving.” A winner of 185 Group 1s, Waller has captured several Oaks races across Australia but never the VRC version. He admitted barrier 12 of 13 was not ideal, adding with a smile: “That’s James McDonald’s problem now.”

Hayes confident Mr Brightside can shine again in Champions Mile

Trainer Ben Hayes believes that Lindsay Park star Mr Brightside (Bullbars) can add another Champions Mile (Gr 1, 1600m) to his glittering record at Flemington on Saturday. The evergreen eight-year-old heads into the $3 million Group 1 off a brave second in the King Charles III Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) at Randwick on October 18, and returns to the same track and distance as the Makybe Diva Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m), a race he has won three times including this season’s renewal. “I think, arguably, you could say he’s going as well as ever,” Hayes said. “He’s come back and his three runs to date have been fantastic, he’s showing no signs of training off. He’s an eight-year-old that every trainer would love. He’s won ten Group 1s, he’s placed in ten and he’s also won an All-Star Mile, so he’s a very special horse to Lindsay Park.” Winner of the Champions Mile last year when beating Antino (Redwood), Mr Brightside also finished fourth in 2021, third in 2022 and second in 2023. On Saturday, regular partner Craig Williams will guide him from barrier nine in a field of ten, which features familiar rivals including Ceolwulf (Tavistock), Pride Of Jenni, Treasurethe Moment (Alabama Express) and Stefi Magnetica (All Too Hard). “He’s got some stiff competition,” Hayes said. “There are horses that have beaten him before, and he’s beaten them, so it’s going to be really interesting. He’s good enough, I know that.”

Maher pair set for potential Five Diamonds back-up

The Ciaron Maher stable could be strong-handed again in another rich Sydney feature, with Vivy Air (Hellbent) and Lugh (Snitzel) both paid up to back up in Saturday’s $2 million Five Diamonds (1800m) at Rosehill after filling the placings behind stablemate Gringotts (Per Incanto) in Tuesday’s $3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick. Assistant trainer Joh Gerard-Dubord confirmed both horses remain in contention pending how they recover from their efforts on Tuesday. “She is tough,” Gerard-Dubord said of Vivy Air. “She’s very laidback, has a good constitution, and is a good doer. The 1800 metres will only suit her, and mares in form, there’s nothing like it.” Vivy Air, who won the Big Dance Wild Card (1600m) two starts ago, has finished runner-up in the feature two years running and is expected to relish the step up in trip. Stablemate Lugh was equally courageous, leading throughout before holding on for third in just his ninth career start. The five-year-old, who spent over a year on the sidelines, has returned in outstanding form with three wins from six starts since resuming. “He had to go forward and do a bit of work, and he was very tough,” Gerard-Dubord said. “He keeps improving and is very lightly raced.” Saturday’s Five Diamonds has drawn a field of 14, headlined by Toorak Handicap (Gr 1, 1600m) winner Transatlantic (Snitzel), while the William Haggas-trained Bullet Point (Advertise) adds an international touch.

Heathcote banking on softer Ipswich track for Billionair Baby

Firm tracks have hampered Billionair Baby’s (Winning Rupert) campaign, but trainer Robert Heathcote believes conditions at Ipswich should finally favour the gelding’s return to form. Heathcote will saddle three runners in Friday’s Racing and Sports Class 5 Handicap (1200m) in Billionair Baby, Party Spirit (Winning Rupert) and I Am A Marvel (Epaulette) and is confident a drying but forgiving surface will assist his metro-performed sprinter. “Billionair Baby and I Am A Marvel just won’t let down on the firm tracks we’ve had these last two months,” Heathcote said. “Ipswich was a Soft 5 on Thursday morning, and even if it dries out, it won’t be a hard surface like Eagle Farm.” The six-year-old hasn’t won since December 2024, but Heathcote insists recent results don’t tell the full story. “If you look at his form you’d think he’s going terrible, but every rider says the same thing: he’s travelling like a winner and just can’t quicken on the firm ground,” he said. Party Spirit is second-up after finishing second at Ipswich over 1100 metres on October 17 while I Am A Marvel could lead again to try and pinch a sixth career victory. "I Am A Marvel has good gate speed but we'll use it and Party Spirit has raced really well at Ipswich in the past and that's the reason we're going there,” Heathcote said. "Emily Lang is brilliant at getting them out of the barriers and starting from gate three there's every chance that Party Spirit will be one-two with I Am A Marvel in the run."

Snowden colt impresses at Rosehill juvenile trials

The Peter Snowden-trained unraced Russian Revolution (Snitzel) colt Seeiaye impressed in his second trial at Rosehill on Wednesday, after finishing second at his first appearance to $2.8 million Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice) colt The Next Episode last month. The juvenile clocked 54.39s for 900 metres, defeating Regal Hustle (Dirty Work) by 1.8 lengths, with Internal Affairs (Home Affairs) another 0.5 lengths back in third. The colt, a $65,000 purchase for his trainer and Capri Racing & Syndication Pty Ltd at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in January, is out of unraced mare Blue Blazers (I Am Invincible), a sister to Singapore champion two-year-old and Group-winning sire Super One. In the second heat for juveniles, the Brad Widdup-trained Tenenbaum (Snitzel) made it two straight trial wins when beating Euripedes (Street Boss) by 0.9 lengths in a time of 55.58s. Wootton Bassett (Iffraaj) colt Letters Patent finished another 0.8 lengths behind in third. Tenenbaum was purchased by Mulberry Racing for $750,000 at Inglis Easter from Arrowfield Stud. He is out of Fastnet Rock (Danehill) mare C’est Beau La Vie, herself out of Group 3 winner Valkyrie Diva (Jade Robbery) – a half-sister to triple Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) winner and two-time Australian Horse of the Year Makybe Diva (Desert King).

Rawiller lands Kyneton win for family friend Nardino

Nash Rawiller combined with small-time trainer Debra Nardino for a meaningful victory at Kyneton on Wednesday, guiding Dollar Shot (Shooting To Win) to a comfortable win in the Benchmark 66 (1203m). Rawiller made the trip to ride for Nardino, who is a close childhood friend of his wife Sarah. Sent out the $3.20 favourite, Dollar Shot took up the running and was never seriously challenged, winning by two lengths. “I didn’t want the mare to let him down after coming all this way,” Nardino told Racing.com. “It’s a big thrill.” Rawiller said the result had been in the works for some time. “I remember talking about the horse over Christmas a couple of years ago,” he said. “It’s great to see her continue to improve and for Debra to get a nice result.” It capped a successful day for Rawiller, who rode a double when Grid Girl (Time Test) won the following race for the Lindsay Park stable. “I think I rode my first provincial winner here, so it’s nice to come back,” he said. The Kyneton Cup (2000m) later went to Lincoln Rocks (Road To Rock), who justified strong support to start $3 favourite and win for Annabel and Rob Archibald and OTI Racing.

Cream Tart primed for Guineas test

Tony Pike couldn’t have wished for a smoother lead-up with Cream Tart (Hello Youmzain) ahead of the filly’s sternest challenge in Saturday’s New Zealand 1,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) at Riccarton. “This is the race we targeted and her preparation couldn’t have worked out better, I think she’s peaking at the right time,” the Cambridge trainer said. “She hasn’t taken on the big guns yet, but it’s been a nice progression for her and she was pretty dominant at Wellington. Her work on Tuesday was outstanding and barrier one on Saturday will be a big advantage.” Cream Tart is one of three runners for the stable on the opening day of the New Zealand Cup carnival, joined by Churchillian (Churchill) in the Canterbury Breeders’ Stakes (Gr 3, 1400m) and Slipper Island (No Nay Never) in the Pegasus Stakes (Listed, 1000m). Pike confirmed Cannon Hill (Ardrossan) will head south for the TAB Mile (Gr 3, 1600m) after his win at Ellerslie on Tuesday, while Happy Youmzain (Hello Youmzain) remains in contention for next week’s New Zealand 2,000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m). “Cannon Hill will definitely be going down for the TAB Mile. It was a good effort at Ellerslie,” Pike said. “That set him up nicely for a mile on the big track at Riccarton.” Churchillian will again be ridden by Sam Collett, while Slipper Island will be partnered by Logan Bates. “The way Churchillian is going, I think she will be very hard to beat,” Pike said.

Richardson hoping Lollapalooza can be in Guineas mix

Matamata trainer Graham Richardson believes Saturday’s New Zealand 1,000 Guineas is a wide-open contest and hopes Lollapalooza (El Roca) can feature prominently in the $600,000 event. The filly stamped herself as a contender when winning the Gold Trail Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) early in the spring before going down narrowly to Tajana (Darci Brahma) in the Sunline Vase (Gr 3, 1400m). The pair met again in the Soliloquy Stakes (Gr 2, 1400m) at Ellerslie, finishing fifth and third respectively behind Well Written (Written Tycoon), who has since been installed favourite for Saturday’s classic. Richardson was content with Lollapalooza’s latest run and confirmed she will wear blinkers for the first time this weekend. “She just got too far back and wouldn’t go through the gaps, the winner won very well but we were only a half-length from the second horse [Little Black Dress],” he said. “She left Matamata at two in the morning and got down here about 9:30am, she travelled very well and hadn’t shifted any plates…I’m happy with her, so as long as she’s 100 per cent well and healthy with a good draw [two] and blinkers on for the first time, hopefully she can race up to the best of her ability.” Lollapalooza shares the second line of betting with Belle Cheval (Savabeel), but Richardson expects strong competition. “There’s more than just Well Written in the race,” he said. “There’s six or seven in the field that could very well win this race.”

Jaarffi seeking breakthrough stakes win

Group 1 performer Jaarffi (Iffraaj) will be out to claim a deserved stakes victory at Pukekohe on Saturday when she lines up in the Legacy Lodge Sprint (Listed, 1200m). The mare was in strong form earlier this year, finishing runner-up in both the Rich Hill Mile (Gr 2, 1600m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day and the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) in March. She resumed with a seventh placing in the Sweynesse Stakes (Gr 3, 1215m) at Rotorua and trainer Lance Noble expects improvement second-up. “Her first start was at Rotorua on a wet track, which didn’t really suit her,” Noble said. “Provence is in there [on Saturday], but it is not an overly big field. She runs well at Pukekohe and I am happy with where she is at.” A return to the Auckland venue is planned in a fortnight for the Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (Gr 2, 1400m), in which she finished fifth last year. Stablemates First Dance (Zousain) and Mollify (So You Think) are also scheduled to start on Saturday, while Hey Dana (Hello Youmzain) makes her debut at Avondale on Thursday. “She is probably going to need the run for experience,” Noble said. “She is quite a big filly, so whatever she does tomorrow she will improve on.”

Derryn filly gives Patterson deja vu

Robbie Patterson may have unveiled another star filly at New Plymouth, with The Dirty Dee (Derryn) producing a dominant debut in the Entain/NZB Insurance Series Fillies and Mares (1400m) on Wednesday. Twelve months ago, Patterson saddled Derryn (Hichinbrook) filly Leica Lucy to win the same race before she went on to claim five Group victories, including the New Zealand Oaks (Gr 1, 2400m), and later Group 1 placings in Australia. The Dirty Dee was well-backed into odds-on favouritism and justified the support with an emphatic 3.3-length win under Craig Grylls, who settled her behind the speed before surging through a gap at the top of the straight. “She’s a Derryn, and I won this race last year with a horse called Leica Lucy in her first start and she won this race like this as well, so hopefully I’ve got another one,” Patterson said. “I knew she had ability and I think Gryllsy will give us a pretty good wrap. It’s a bit like Leica Lucy really, just get through today and then target the three-year-old fillies races with her. She’ll get a mile because she’s so relaxed… any shower of rain would help her.” Grylls was equally impressed. “She was very impressive,” he said. “She’s really kicked away, so she’s quite exciting at this stage… she’s very tractable for a green horse having her first start.” Bred and raced by Eddie and Nicola Bourke and Allan Piercy, The Dirty Dee is the third winner from The Duchessa (O’Reilly), all trained by Patterson.

German scores Steely victory at Ellerslie

Ellerslie’s Melbourne Cup Day meeting brought plenty of cheer for local trainer Lynda German, who celebrated the biggest win of her career when Steely Man (Embellish) stormed home to take out the $75,000 NZB Ready To Run Sale Trainers Series 1600 (1600m) on Tuesday. The gelding, owned by harness trainer John Dickie, produced a powerful finish under Matt Cartwright, coming from well back in the 17-horse field to defeat Skymax (Ferrando) by 0.3 lengths. “I was absolutely over the moon,” German said. “I made a few changes by adding the blinkers and a barrier blanket and I changed his work just a little bit and I was really happy with him going into it. He had raced against some of those horses before and I think that extra 200 metres was the difference as well, it was more to his liking.” Steely Man showed ability last season, placing in his first three starts and later finishing fifth in both the $1 million Aotearoa Classic (1600m) and Sir Patrick Hogan Karapiro Classic (1600m). German now plans to test him again over the mile later this month. “As long as he pulls up well… there is a Rating 75 mile at Pukekohe on the 22nd, that seems like the most logical plan,” she said. German will also saddle Four Leaf Clover (Darci Brahma) at Avondale on Thursday and is confident the mare can show improvement. “It is a tough little field…but I am happy with her going into it,” she said.

Star-studded field confirmed for 2025 IJC

A world-class line-up will contest the 2025 International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) at Happy Valley on December 10, featuring five previous winners – Ryan Moore, Zac Purton, Mickael Barzalona, Joao Moreira and Christophe Lemaire. Moore’s participation remains subject to fitness after a leg injury, while the field also includes James McDonald, the current World’s Best Jockey and a two-time winner of the award, alongside William Buick, who sits fourth in the standings. Top female riders Hollie Doyle and Rachel King return, while Umberto Rispoli will represent the United States. The HK$7.5 million four-race challenge carries an additional HK$1 million in rider bonuses, with HK$600,000 to the overall winner. Two local riders will complete the 12-strong field based on the Hong Kong championship standings after November 26. HKJC executive director (Racing) Andrew Harding said: “The LONGINES IJC is the world’s most coveted jockeys’ competition and this year’s line-up is one of the strongest in recent years, featuring McDonald, Barzalona, Moore and Buick – the current top four in the LONGINES World’s Best Jockey standings.” Purton, an eight-time Hong Kong champion, will chase a record fourth IJC crown, while Barzalona, Lemaire and Moreira all bring elite international form. The contest will again use HKJC’s points-based allocation system (12 points for a win, six for second, four for third) to ensure competitive balance. The minimum riding weight is 118lb, with preference given to horses with recent form.

Lui launches dual assault on Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse

Francis Lui will bid for his first Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse Handicap (Gr 3, 1800m) success when he saddles a strong two-pronged team at Sha Tin on Sunday. Champion jockey Zac Purton takes the reins on Cap Ferrat (Snitzel) for the first time, while Jerry Chau will again partner Chancheng Glory (Mor Spirit) in the HK$4.2 million feature, an important lead-up to December’s HK$130 million LONGINES Hong Kong International Races (HKIR). “Cap Ferrat is currently in fine form. He ran well last time in the Group 2 Sha Tin Trophy Handicap, just held up for clear running and could not be ridden out to the finish. However, he was beaten not far and hopefully with Zac onboard this time, he will run close,” Lui said. The 2025 Hong Kong Derby (2000m) winner holds entries for both the Hong Kong Cup (Gr 1, 2000m) and Hong Kong Mile (Gr 1, 1600m), with Lui to confirm his target after Sunday. “Cap Ferrat will be aimed at HKIR and his performance on Sunday will tell us which race he will run. Purton rode him in trackwork last week and the feedback was positive,” Lui said. Chancheng Glory, runner-up in September’s Korea Cup (Gr 3, 1800m), also resumes. “He recovered well from his Korea trip and is in good shape. He’s had a couple of trials and is well prepared for Sunday. Hopefully both horses run well to enhance their HKIR prospects,” Lui said.

UK: Night Of Thunder raised to €200,000 as Darley announce 2026 fee

Darley have rewarded Night Of Thunder (Dubawi) for winning the British and Irish champion sires title with a fee rise, with the son of Dubawi (Dubawi Millennium) set to stand the 2026 season for a fee of €200,000 (approx. AU$353,700), up from the €150,000 he stood for this year. His father, Dubawi, will stand for an unchanged price of £350,000 (approx. AU$702,700). The newcomers to Darley's roster are triple Group 1 winner Rosallion (Blue Point) (£40,000/ AU$80,300), European champion two-year-old Shadow Of Light (Lope De Vega) (€17,500 / AU$30,900), champion sprinter Inisherin (£12,500 / AU$25,100) and Group 1-winning miler Tribalist (€6,000 / AU$10,600). Shuttle stallion Too Darn Hot (Dubawi), responsible for the top-class Fallen Angel and German Group 1 winner Tornado Alert this year. His fee has increased to £100,000 (AU$200,700). Click here to see Darley’s full 2026 fees.

US: Lush Lips to race on after bringing a sale-topping $3.7 million at Keeneland

Grade 1 winner Lush Lips will race on next season after Dixiana Farm purchased the daughter of Ten Sovereigns (No Nay Never) for a sale-topping US$3.7 million (approx. AU$5,692,800) at Book 1 of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale on Tuesday.

Consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, the three-year-old filly, who was last seen winning the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (Gr 1, 9f) at Keeneland, will remain in training with Brendan Walsh. "We sponsor the QEII [Cup], so we got to see her win the Grade 1 here [at Keeneland],"

Dixiana Farm's William Shively told Bloodhorse. "We've been trying to get grass fillies who really can run, we bought two today. That's the future for Dixiana, some grass mares from Europe, give us what we want. I expected $3 [million], but she was special for us.”

Lush Lips was bred by the Pocock family's Stringston Farm in Somerset and was bought by a combination of Avenue Bloodstock, Medallion Racing and Donnacha O'Brien for £82,000 at the 2023 Goffs UK Premier Yearling Sale. She is out of the winning mare Lamyaa (Arcano), a half-sister to Golden Peitsche (Gr 3, 1200m) winner Electric Beat (Shinko Forest).

She had three starts for Donnacha O’Brien before moving to Brendan Walsh's yard and now races for a combination of Medallion Racing, Parkland Thoroughbreds, Hoffman Thoroughbreds and the Shanahan and Magnier families.

Since moving stateside, the filly has never been out of the top two and alongside her Grade 1 victory, her record also includes a runner-up finish behind Velocity (Nyquist) in the Del Mar Oaks (Gr 1, 9f) and a win in Listed company.

Shively said the ultimate goal for Lush Lips would be the Breeders' Cup at Keeneland next year.

On Tuesday, Keeneland sold 122 horses through the ring for US$72,737,000 (approx. AU$111,913,400), for an average of US$596,205 (approx. AU$917,300) and a median of US$422,500 (approx. AU$650,000). Compared to figures from the first session in 2024, the gross increased 17 per cent from US$62,370,000, while the average rose 37 per cent from US$436,154 and the median was 21 per cent higher than last year’s US$350,000.

The most expensive foal of the session was bought by Amr Zedan, who splashed out $2.2 million (approx. AU$3,384,900) on the youngster by Gun Runner (Candy Ride).

US: Coolmore America announces fees for newcomers

Breeders’ Cup Classic (Gr 1, 10f) winner Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), who finished an unlucky runner-up when attempting to def Classic last weekend, will stand his first season at Coolmore America’s base in Kentucky for US$75,000 (approx. AU$115,400). Coolmore America's director of sales Charlie O'Connor said: "Sierra Leone is a Saratoga sale-topping son of the great Gun Runner and Eclipse Award-winning champion three-year-old colt who was never out of the money in all of his 14 starts.A true warrior, he arguably saved his best race for last when closing from behind in his typical barnstorming fashion to run a close second to Forever Young. His final Beyer Speed Figure of 111 equalled that of Forever Young, and he ran the best Ragozin Speed Figure of his career of 2 3/4, which was equal to that of the winner." Sierra Leone will be joined on the roster by dual Grade 1 winner Fierceness (City Of Light) who has been introduced at US$50,000 (approx. AU$76,930) and Citizen Bull, a dual juvenile Grade 1-winning son of Into Mischief (Harlan's Holiday) and he will stand for an introductory fee of US$35,000 (approx. AU$53,850).