Marhoona heads filly trio into Lightning

Three-year-old fillies will take a leading role in Saturday’s Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (Gr 1, 1000m) at Flemington, with My Gladiola (I Am Invincible), Military Tycoon (Written Tycoon) and Golden Slipper (Gr 1, 1200m) winner Marhoona (Snitzel) headlining the younger brigade in the eight-horse sprint. The Michael Freedman-trained Marhoona has been based at Flemington for just over a week as she builds towards her autumn return. The filly resumed in the spring with a Heritage Stakes (Listed, 1100m) win prior to a third placing in the Roman Consul Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m). Freedman said Marhoona had returned in strong order following a grounding that included a trial win at Randwick on January 27, with unbeaten star Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) second. "I think she’s come back great," Freedman said. "Slipper-winning fillies aren't easy to place, especially the ones that are more sprinting types. She’s already a Group 1 winner so we want to try to line her up in races that can only potentially enhance her page, so we had a chat about it and thought we'd have a crack at the Lightning." Freedman is unconcerned about Marhoona stepping onto the Flemington straight for the first time, with Michael Dee taking the ride after Craig Williams was ruled out through suspension. "We had Craig Williams booked, but he is suspended on Saturday, so we had to make a bit of a late change," Freedman said.

Pride chasing distance answers with Ceolwulf

Joe Pride will use Ceolwulf’s (Tivaci) autumn campaign to determine whether he can be as effective at 2000 metres as he is at a mile, starting with Saturday’s Apollo Stakes (Gr 2, 1400m) at Randwick. The gelding’s major victories have come over a mile, though he boasts an Australian Derby (Gr 1, 2400m) placing and a Group 3 win over 2000 metres. Pride said this preparation would provide clarity on his best trip, with the Australian Cup (Gr 1, 2000m) at Flemington and the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) key targets. "This preparation, I’m about establishing if he can run 2000 metres as effectively," Pride said. "He never seems to get speed on, and that might be the defining factor for him. He might get in a 2000 metre race that is run a bit different and be a different horse." Ceolwulf has never won first-up but has performed well, including a fourth placing in last year’s Apollo Stakes behind Fangirl (Sebring). Pride believes he has addressed one of the main factors behind last autumn’s disappointing performances. "I'm convinced one of them was that I had him too big," he said. "I had him up around 530 kilos for his first-up run and he's 510 now. I'm not a believer in a fighting weight for a horse so much, but with him, there’s a weight he runs well at and it's around that." Pride expects Ceolwulf to be strongest late on Saturday and would be content with a top five finish before stepping him out every fortnight to peak for his final two runs. "It’s always my aim to find out the perfect formula for each horse, and I'll repeat it all day long," Pride said.

Antino bidding to put poor spring behind him

Two-time Group 1 winner Antino (Redwood) gets his chance to turn the page on a disappointing spring when he resumes in Saturday’s Apollo Stakes at Randwick. The Tony Gollan-trained seven-year-old was fancied to measure up in the Cox Plate (Gr 1, 2040m) but failed to beat a runner home, a result that left connections searching for answers. “Off the Cox Plate we want to see him come back and have a competitive showing,’’ Gollan told Racing NSW. “Often these early races are real cat-and-mouse events with horses with bigger races ahead. It’s an important run nonetheless, we want to see him come back and run well. Normally on tighter turnarounds I’d only give him one trial but this time he’s had two jump-outs or trials to be ready.” Gollan said extensive testing failed to reveal any issues. “I don’t really know what happened, was it an off day or was it the showery rain on the day? He really put in a poor performance which is very unlike him,” he said. “We’ve done just about every test known to man and there were no significant findings. He looks really well, has good weight on him and is in a good spot for a first-up run.” Antino, a $23 chance with TAB on Thursday, opened his spring with a fourth in the Memsie Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) and a similar effort on Saturday would satisfy Gollan.

Waller unable to split Everest trio ahead of Expressway clash

Chris Waller admits he’s finding it difficult to separate stablemates Joliestar (Zoustar), Angel Capital (Harry Angel) and Lady Shenandoah (Snitzel) ahead of their anticipated clash in Saturday’s Expressway Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m), with less than a length having split the trio in last year’s Everest (Gr 1, 1200m). Joliestar and Lady Shenandoah are already proven at the top level, while Angel Capital is still chasing a maiden Group 1 victory after strong spring performances, including placings in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) and C F Orr Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m). Waller believes the four-year-old is on the verge of a breakthrough. "Joliestar has come back really well. James [McDonald] has been on her in a few pieces of work and her trials and is very happy," Waller said. "I don't know where the ceiling is with Angel Capital, but he is very, very good. That's what we’ll find out." Waller agrees Lady Shenandoah might be the forgotten horse after a mixed spring. "Through bad luck, I guess she is. She had no luck [last campaign]," he said. While the trio are set to clash at Randwick, Waller indicated they may go their separate ways deeper into the autumn. Angel Capital is being aimed towards a potential Newmarket Handicap (Gr 1, 1200m) tilt at Flemington, while last year’s winner Joliestar is more likely to remain in Sydney for the Canterbury Stakes (Gr 1, 1300m).

Oaks the long-term plan for Queen Of Clubs

Trainer Gary Portelli says Saturday’s Light Fingers Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) at Randwick is just the starting point for Queen Of Clubs’ (Maurice) Australian Oaks (Gr 1, 2400m) campaign, conceding the filly is likely to be better suited once she steps out to staying distances. "We're on an Oaks campaign," Portelli said. "Winning a stakes race is what we're hoping to do, and I don't think that's going to come until she gets to 2000 metres. I don't think she’s sharp enough to win against these really good fillies like Apocalyptic, who’s really sharp. She will be hard to beat right up until the mile, but from there on, the gate opens up a bit more." Queen Of Clubs showed promise during the spring in the Princess Series before pulling up with heart arrhythmia after the Flight Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m). Her best performances have come on rain-affected ground and Portelli is hoping for wet conditions later in the autumn. "If we happen to get rain when we get to our grand final period, it would certainly help," he said. "She loves it wet and the autumn is often a wet time."

Stronger Verona Rose returns in Triscay Stakes

Gary Portelli is expecting an improved version of Verona Rose (Castelvecchio) when the mare resumes in Saturday’s Triscay Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m), returning off her Inglis Bracelet (1600m) victory at Flemington last spring. While he acknowledges she must lift to match the elite mares this campaign, Portelli has been pleased with her physical development during the break. "It's a different horse you're going to see this weekend. She's more powerful. She's got more condition on her. She knows what she’s here for now, and she never runs a bad race," Portelli said. "Whether she's up to the real Group 1 horses, we will find out this campaign. She's heading towards a Coolmore [Classic] if she can really get some form under her belt, and we'll just try to earn as much prize-money as we can in the process."

Rachini brilliant at Rosehill juvenile trials

Six juvenile heats held at Rosehill on Tuesday morning were headed by an impressive return from Zoustar (Northern Meteor) filly Rachini, who is now in the care of Bjorn Baker. A $200,000 Magic Millions purchase for Baystone Farm and Matt Houldsworth, Rachini debuted with a fifth placing in the Debutant Stakes (Listed, 1000m) last spring for Leon and Troy Corstens before, rather unconventionally, being offered through the Inglis Ready 2 Race Sale, where she made $500,000 to the bid of Baker Racing and Clarke Bloodstock. Having her first trial for her new stable, Rachini sat outside the leader under Rachel King and quickly put the heat away when asked, going clear to score by four lengths over Tenenbaum (Snitzel). She is the third foal out of Ordos Honor, a winning Fastnet Rock (Danehill) half-sister to Group 2 winner Media (Gilded Time), the granddam of the recently retired Group 1 winner Cool Archie (Cool Aza Beel). The Chase will offer Rachini’s brother at the Inglis Premier Sale as Lot 245. Baker also produced Pierro (Lonhro) colt Malua Bay to win in his debut trial, the Darby Racing-owned youngster scoring by 0.8 lengths for Dylan Gibbons over Stunning Future (Admire Mars). A $270,000 NZB Ready to Run purchase, he is the second foal out of Exceed And Excel (Danehill) mare Batemans Bay. Meanwhile, Team Hawkes-trained Too Darn Hot (Dubawi) colt Dr Hook also caught the eye. Fifth on debut behind subsequent Inglis Millennium (RL, 1100m) winner Fireball (Snitzel), he wore blinkers for the first time and finished strongly along the rail to defeat Lorax (Zoustar) by 1.2 lengths.

Wootton Bassett’s Royaltown scores on debut

Wootton Bassett (Iffraaj) gelding Royaltown made a winning start to his career at Goulburn on Thursday, overcoming a series of mishaps to score impressively on debut. The three-year-old, who was not offered at public auction due to a sway back, defeated Classic Touch (Villermont) by a half-length for trainer Luke Pepper. The gelding is out of Italian stakes winner Aquila Solitaria (Raven’s Pass), who is already the dam of seven-time winner Charcoals (Too Darn Hot) for Anthony and Sam Freedman. A Pierro (Lonhro) half-brother was purchased by Hawkesbury trainer Marc Chevalier for $50,000 from Willow Park Stud at the recent Inglis Classic Yearling Sale. Instead of heading to the sales ring, Royaltown was leased to Canberra-based Pepper by breeder Glenn Burrows, who maintained the gelding’s conformation fault would not impact his athletic ability. “He’s a lovely horse apart from the obvious and gee he was impressive after missing the start, then had to push out of a pocket and then he got lost in front, I think he has a future and he’d be suited to a mile next prep I reckon,” Pepper said. “This is the second debut winner I’ve had from Willow Park in four days, the other one didn’t make a yearling sale either as she was a small first foal so she was retained. Both are very promising and BOBS eligible too”.

Nolen charged with 24-meeting ban

Luke Nolen, the rider of legendary sprinter Black Caviar (Bel Esprit), has been slapped with a 24-meeting ban after purposely steering his mount into a rival horse and jockey after the winning line. Nolen, who partnered Black Caviar to 22 of her 25 wins during her perfect career, partnered Irreverent (I Am Invincible) to finish second in a 1400-metre contest at Pakenham on Thursday behind the Lachlan Neindorf-ridden The Benchmark (Frosted). Both suffered interference against each other in the home straight. However, the drama continued following the finish, when Nolen directed Irreverent to make contact with The Benchmark, before he and Neindorf appeared to exchange words. Nolen subsequently pleaded guilty to improper riding and the Racing Victoria stewards did not take kindly to his actions. They also dismissed an objection by him into the result placings on the grounds of alleged interference in the final furlong. "Rider Luke Nolen pleaded guilty to a charge of improper riding, in that after passing the winning post, he turned his horse's head out and directed it out towards The Benchmark, making heavy contact with that gelding. Nolen had his licence to ride in races suspended for 24 race meetings," the Racing Victoria stewards' report said.

Racing SA launches new scholarship with MJN Program

Racing SA has unveiled a new industry scholarship in partnership with Sport SA’s Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Centre for Women’s Sport Program, reinforcing its commitment to leadership development within the state’s racing sector. The initiative builds on an established relationship between Racing SA and the MJN Program, which has already seen several graduates progress into senior roles across South Australia’s racing workforce. “Racing SA recognises the value of the Marjorie Jackson-Nelson Program, and this scholarship reflects our commitment to supporting people across all areas of racing,” Racing SA CEO Nick Bawden said. “By enabling access to meaningful development opportunities, we are investing in the long-term strength of our racing community.” Applicants will be able to nominate their interest in the Racing SA Scholarship as part of the MJN Program application process, with final selections to be made by Racing SA. Sport SA CEO Leah Cassidy welcomed the partnership, saying it demonstrated the impact industry bodies can have in fostering professional growth. “The Racing SA Scholarship highlights the positive role organisations can play in supporting professional growth and leadership development within their industries,” Cassidy said.

Vale Robert Chapman

Racing Victoria (RV) and Kilmore Racing Club (KRC) have paid tribute to respected industry figure Robert “Chappy” Chapman, who has passed away suddenly. Chapman’s involvement in racing spanned 51 years, beginning at Flemington at 17, when he worked under legendary trainer Bart Cummings and served as foreman for Leon Corstens. Across five decades he contributed to both the thoroughbred and harness codes, working with trainers including Don and Trevor Dove, Bobby Knight, Tommy Archer and Hannah Powell. In later years, Chapman held the role of trackwork supervisor at KRC, and away from racing was a devoted member of the Kilmore and Broadford football clubs. “RV extends its condolences on behalf of the entire Victorian racing industry to Robert Chapman’s family, friends and colleagues on the news of his sudden passing,” RV chairman Tim Eddy said. “I’d like to recognise Chappy’s incredible contribution to the racing industry over a period of more than five decades, he will be missed by many.” KRC chief executive Ben Murphy also paid tribute. “The Kilmore community is devastated by the loss of the beloved Robert ‘Chappy’ Chapman,” Murphy said. “Chappy made so many connections across various racecourses and sporting clubs throughout his life, and our condolences go out to his family, friends and anyone who was lucky enough to know him.”

Wide draw and weather concerns for Ardalio

Stephen Marsh is hoping luck can finally turn for Ardalio (Ardrossan) after the talented mare drew another wide barrier ahead of Saturday’s Lisa Chittick Champagne Stakes (Listed, 1400m) at Matamata. The mare has endured a string of awkward gates in recent Group 1 assignments, including the Telegraph (Gr 1, 1200m) and Railway (Gr 1, 1200m), and will again start from the outside half of the field in barrier 12. “She ran well in both races, and you just wonder how a horse can draw so many bad gates,” Marsh said. “If she’d drawn a good gate on a Dead 4 on Saturday then I would be really confident. She’s very smart but it also concerns me what the weather will do, she’s a real Good track horse.” Marsh is pressing on with the run as a lead-in to Champions Day at Ellerslie next month, where the mare could target either the Dubai Classic (Gr 2, 1400m) or the King’s Plate (Gr 3, 1200m). “We’ll either run her in the mares’ 1400 metres [Dubai Classic] or the 1200 metres [King’s Plate] there,” he said.

Marsh confident King Of The Air ready for Slipper test

Stephen Marsh will also chase black-type success at Matamata with unbeaten juvenile King Of The Air (Acrobat) in the Matamata Slipper (Gr 3, 1200m) following his impressive debut win at New Plymouth. The youngster has not raced since scoring on a heavy track last month, but Marsh said the colt had continued to progress at home and should handle any rain-affected conditions. “He won it well, he was very professional and jumped to put himself up on the pace,” Marsh said. “I don’t think he loves a wet track, but he certainly gets through it so any rain around isn’t going to worry him like it might affect a few of the others. He’s done nothing wrong since then and is a nice horse and it’s big help to run on the speed.”

Bobby Mcgee chasing second stakes

Wingatui filly Bobby Mcgee (Ancient Spirit) will look to add to her black-type record when she heads to Invercargill for Saturday’s Southland Guineas (Listed, 1400m). The daughter of Ancient Spirit (Invincible Spirit) provided White Robe Lodge’s stallion with his first stakes winner when successful in the NZB Airfreight Stakes (Listed, 1400m) on Boxing Day and trainer Terry Kennedy says she has trained on well following a short freshen-up. “She had a week on the walker and has progressed well,” Kennedy said. “She’s a nice filly and will get better the further she goes, she has done everything right since she has raced.” Bobby Mcgee has drawn barrier one and Kennedy expects the filly to secure a favourable on-speed run. “She seems well, has a good barrier draw, so I think she should go well,” he said. “She will get in behind them. At Invercargill you have got to be on speed, so a good draw does help.” Bobby Mcgee could press on to the Dunedin Guineas (Listed, 1600m) at Wingatui in a fortnight should she perform to expectations. “There is plenty for her as long as she keeps going ahead,” he said.

Hezashocka returns home

Group 1 performer Hezashocka (Shocking) has come full circle, returning to Shaun and Emma Clotworthy’s Byerley Park stable where his career first began. Purchased by Shaun Clotworthy for $18,000 from Grangewilliam Stud’s 2019 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 3 Yearling Sale draft, the gelding won three of his early starts in New Zealand, culminating in victory in the Trelawney Stud Championship Stakes (Gr 2, 2100m). He was subsequently sold into OTI Racing and transferred to Melbourne trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, adding four further wins and more than $1.65 million in earnings. His Australian highlights included the Premier’s Cup (Gr 3, 2400m) and Gosford Gold Cup (Listed, 2200m), alongside placings in the Champions Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) and two editions of the JRA Plate (Gr 3, 2000m). “It was five years ago that we sent him over to Aussie and he has done a great job for us. He raced with some distinction against some quality horses,” Shaun Clotworthy said. “It’s just nice to have a quality horse like him back in the stable.” Hezashocka resumed in an 1100-metre trial at Te Aroha on Wednesday. “He wants to get over 2000 metres-plus,” Clotworthy said. “They went pretty quick… we will just build his work up and see where he gets to.”

Wyndspelle dies after freak stud accident

Group 1 winner Wyndspelle (Iffraaj) has died suddenly following a freak accident at Victoria’s Wyndholm Park Stud. His breeder and long-time syndicate manager Jen Campin confirmed the news, while stud owner Kim McKellar explained the stallion succumbed to injuries sustained after taking fright from a kangaroo. The son of Iffraaj (Zafonic) had begun to build momentum at stud after launching his stallion career at Cornwall Park Stud. He was among the standout performers of his generation in New Zealand, finishing runner-up in the Sistema Diamond Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) at two, before winning the Waikato Guineas (Gr 2, 2000m) and placing in the James & Annie Sarten Memorial Stakes (Gr 2, 1400m) at three. He later placed in the Thorndon Mile (Gr 1, 1600m) behind Shadows Cast (Per Incanto) before reversing that result ten months later when capturing the Captain Cook Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m). His record also featured two gallant seconds to champion mare Melody Belle (Commands) in the Herbie Dyke Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) and Tarzino Trophy (Gr 1, 1400m). “He was a gentleman of a horse,” Campin said. “Wyndspelle was more than a racehorse and stallion to me. He represented four decades in this industry. His loss for me is profound.” Campin thanked those involved throughout Wyndspelle’s career, including original owners Neil Randles and the late John Frew, along with McKellar and the Wyndholm Park team.

KSA: TBA chief upbeat on Australia’s strength and depth

Bloodstock sales have made a strong start to 2026 according to Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) chief Andrew Hore-Lacy, who told attendees at the Asian Racing Conference in Riyadh that the industry remains well-positioned despite global economic headwinds.

“It’s been a robust start to the sales season for us, more so than what we heard earlier. It’s a really positive sign that producers are meeting the demand of the market,” he said.

With strong participation across the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and Karaka’s centenary National Yearling Sale in New Zealand last month, followed by the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, which wrapped on Tuesday with increases across all metrics, Hore-Lacy said the Australasian market benefits from genuine competition and theatre.

“We start the year with Magic Millions, and they’ve created an event that’s value added to just buying horses; people want to be a part of it,” he said. “Just ask Nick Luck, he went there for the first time this year and ended up buying two horses.

“There is also strong competition between the sales companies. Inglis are looking to do similar to Magic Millions at their sales and in New Zealand, Karaka have also brought a focus around tourism alongside the sale.”

While he acknowledged pressure in the lower yearling market and the recent loss of elite stallions like Snitzel, Fastnet Rock and So You Think, Hore-Lacy said that the industry maintains great depth and opportunity.

“There are some other areas that are sticky, such as the zero to $100,000 yearling market and that is something we need to be vigilant about. We cannot rest on our laurels but we do not get the same medium-term concerns that are being expressed by other jurisdictions here.

“We don’t think the deaths of leading stallions is going to leave a vacuum and their legacies will be continued by their progeny. There's great depth in our stallion ranks and Australian buyers are always seeking out unique opportunities.

“There’s a horse for every aspiration in Australia and you can find, buy and dream with these horses at any level which is one of our biggest strengths.”

Hore-Lacy also highlighted Australia’s broad ownership base as a key industry advantage, while acknowledging there remains room for greater international investment at the top end.

“The breadth of ownership is another positive Australian racing has to draw on and that is from big owners right the way down to one per cent shareholders, who are celebrated and treated like full owners, which is great.

“We don’t have a lot of new money coming into the sport at the top end, and we would want greater investment from international players at that level as well.”

HK: Ka Ying Rising prepares to surpass legendary Silent Witness

David Hayes says it would be a “great thrill” to surpass the legendary Silent Witness (El Moxie) as Ka Ying Rising (Shamexpress) bids to post a Hong Kong record 18th consecutive victory in the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Cup (Gr 1, 1400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday. Ka Ying Rising has already matched Silent Witness’s extraordinary run of 17 straight wins, a sequence achieved between 2002 and 2005. “I would say it’s a real magic number,” Hayes said. “To equal it was magic, and to beat it [would be] even better, especially at a distance [1400 metres] where he’s stretching out to show the diversity that he has. The expectation is for him to win; you just want him to and not let everyone down. But he hasn’t, and the way he trialled recently, I don’t think he’s going to.”

KSA: Chau ready for new frontier with Self Improvement

Jerry Chau says it is an honour to represent Hong Kong for a third time overseas as he prepares to partner Self Improvement (Deep Field) in Saturday night’s Riyadh Dirt Sprint (Gr 2, 1200m) at King Abdulaziz Racecourse. Self Improvement provided Chau with his biggest success when the pair captured the 2025 Korea Sprint (Gr 3, 1200m) in Seoul, defeating Japanese raider Chikappa (Real Steel). “It’s my honour to represent Hong Kong around the world. It’s really helpful for me to gain more experience. I will give my all and put my heart into this trip,” Chau said. “It was my first overseas win, not including my training in Australia. It was amazing, and the crowd was cheering for me. We beat the Japanese horse – he’s very good. We fought to the end. I am grateful – thank you to trainer Manfred Man and owner Mr Wong.” The six-year-old son of Deep Field (Northern Meteor) faces a sterner test in Riyadh, with North American contenders including Bob Baffert’s Imagination (Into Mischief) and Grade 1 winner Lovesick Blues (Grazen) among the opposition. Self Improvement, owned by Wong Chung Yin, Wong Lai Ngor and Wilson Wong, tuned up with a slick dirt trial at Sha Tin on January 29 and has drawn barrier eight for the contest. “He looks like he is really ready for the race after his last trial. Hopefully, he runs well,” Chau said.

IRE: Prix de l’Opera winner Barnavara heading to Waller

Group 1 winner Barnavara (Calyx), who became the highest-priced filly in training sold anywhere in the world last year when going through the ring at 4,800,000gns, is set to go into quarantine near Newmarket ahead of an intended switch to Chris Waller.

The daughter of Calyx (Kingman) has been under the supervision of James Ferguson in Newmarket since her purchase at the December Sales at nearby Tattersalls, like Via Sistina (Fastnet Rock), who went on to rack up a remarkable 11 Group 1 wins in Australia.

Barnavara won four of her last five starts for Jessica Harrington, claiming a Listed win at Navan and a Group 3 success at Naas before finishing third behind Red Letter (Frankel) in the Snow Fairy Stakes (Gr 3, 1m 1f) at the Curragh in August, when she carried a three-pound penalty.

The following month she gained her revenge on Red Letter in the Blandford Stakes (Gr 2, 1m 2f) back at the Curragh, before finishing her three-year-old campaign with a breakthrough Group 1 win in the Prix de l’Opera (Gr 1, 2000m) on Arc day at Longchamp.

A couple of months later, she brought the hammer down at 4,800,000gns at Tattersalls to the bid of Sugar Whiskey Trading, having been consigned by Baroda Stud on behalf of owners Alpha Racing.

Dual Cox Plate (Gr 1, 2040m) heroine Via Sistina, who herself changed hands for 2,700,000gns at Tattersalls in 2023, kicked off her lucrative Australian career with a win in the Ranvet Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) at Rosehill in Sydney the following March, and Barnavara could follow the same route.

Ferguson said: “We’ve had Barnavara since the sale and she's been working away nicely on the all-weather in recent weeks.

"The plan is to take her to Kempton for a racecourse gallop next Thursday. After that, she'll go into quarantine at a new place over in Chippenham, before shipping out to Chris Waller’s early next month.

"She’s been a pleasure to train and all is good with her as she heads into the next chapter of her career.”

IRE: Mehmas colt tops lively Goffs February Sale trade at €220,000

There was a familiar look to proceedings on day one of the Goffs February Sale as Tally-Ho Stud went to €220,000 (approx. AU$366,260) to secure a standout colt by Mehmas (Acclamation) at Wednesday’s session. Just 12 months ago Tally-Ho owners the O’Callaghan family topped the same sale buying a €250,000 Blue Point (Shamardal) colt, who was later traded to Amo Racing for 575,000gns, and they will be hoping lightning strikes twice with their latest purchase ahead of the yearling market. “The horse is right, the price is wrong,” said Tony O’Callaghan. “We had to have him. We liked the horse, he’s the full shilling. The trade is good for the good ones.” Roger O’Callaghan added: “He’s the best horse in the sale. Simple as.” The colt was bred by Hanshen Tham’s Pattern Bloodstock in partnership with Carol and Peter Henley and offered by Clare Manning’s Boherguy Stud. Out of Listed-placed Russian River (Dandy Man), a half-sister to Group 3 winner Miss Marjurie (Marju), the colt hails from the family of Group 1 scorers Soviet Song (Marju) and Marsha (Acclamation). His No Nay Never (Scat Daddy) half-sister Never The Same made €330,000 at last year’s Orby Sale. Trade was markedly stronger year-on-year, with turnover climbing 199 per cent to €3,898,500 (approx. AU$6.49 million). The average rose 75 per cent to €24,215 (approx. AU$40,310), the median jumped 129 per cent to €16,000 (approx. AU$26,640) and 161 of 239 offered sold for a clearance rate of 67 per cent.