"Precious" Extreme Choice pregnancy added to Chairman's Sale

Stakes-winning juvenile Kiki Express (Sepoy), in foal to world-class stallion Extreme Choice (Not A Single Doubt), is the latest star addition to what is building to be another stellar catalogue for the Inglis Chairman’s Sale which will take place on May 7 in Sydney.

A daughter of champion two-year-old Sepoy (Elusive Quality), Kiki Express won the Debutant Stakes (Listed, 1000m) beating colts at Caulfield and is closely related to dual Group 1-winning sprinter Isca (Rory’s Jester).

But it is in her secondary career as a broodmare that Kiki Express looks like making an even bigger impression.

In January this year, her first foal, a much-admired filly by nine-time Group 1-winning star Anamoe (Street Boss), realised $800,000 when offered by Newgate Farm, purchased by Matt Laurie Racing/Willannah Park Bloodstock/ARJB.

The reception by the market of that filly – no Anamoe yearling filly has sold for more – only enhances the appeal of her pregnancy to Extreme Choice.

The Newgate domiciled stallion has achieved extraordinary things in his stud career to date, with compromised fertility limiting the number of his progeny in each crop.

To date, he is the sire of over 12 per cent stakes winners to runners, with his six Group 1 winners including two-year-olds like Stay Inside, Devil Knight and She’s Extreme, while colts Paradoxium and Hidrix will represent him in this Saturday’s Golden Slipper (Gr 1, 1200m).

"Kiki Express is a spectacular looking mare and her first two foals have been both A++ physicals," Newgate Farm's Henry Field said.

"Her Anamoe filly, that sold for $800,000 earlier this year, was a beautiful filly and her Ozzmosis weanling filly is equally outstanding.

"She's a blue-chip investment, being a young, fast mare, proven to produce stunning foals and carrying an October cover to Extreme Choice.

"Extreme Choice has the highest Group 1 winners to runners ratio of any stallion on the planet and his Group winners to runners strike-rate is just under ten per cent, which is phenomenal.

"The Chairman's Sale is a tried and true formula for high-end mares and it's a sale we've enjoyed tremendous success at previously with the likes of She's Extreme, Montefilia and Icebath.

"We also have a strong line up of weanlings this year, one of our biggest ever for the Australian Weanling Sale, so we look forward to what will be an exciting week,” added Field.

Inglis Bloodstock CEO Sebastian Hutch said he had expected no Extreme Choice pregnancy to be offered to the market this year given their scarcity, so is “delighted” to have Kiki Express committed to Chairman’s.

“Extreme Choice is a freak and to have achieved what he has to date is quite incredible,” said Hutch.

“As has been well documented, he doesn’t have a lot of pregnancies in any given season, so this is a precious pregnancy, especially considering that Kiki Express was herself a very good two-year-old that has already produced a show-stopping yearling with her first foal.

“There is no such thing as a ‘certainty’ in breeding and racing, but I think a package like this is as close as it gets and we are very grateful for the opportunity to offer her to the market," Hutch said.

In its short history, The Chairman’s Sale has become one of the most significant events on the global bloodstock calendar.

In 2025 pregnant mares averaged $461,481, significantly higher than the average price of the top-100 pregnant mares sold at the Magic Millions National Sale of $369,200.

Entries for The Chairman’s Sale must close this coming Friday, March 20.

Chayan favourite for Golden Slipper following draw

Chayan (I Am Invincible) was promoted to $5 outright favouritism for Saturday’s $5 million Golden Slipper (Gr 1, 1200m) after the top six chances in betting drew gates ten or wider at the all-important barrier draw on Tuesday morning.

Winner of the Reisling Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) on her most recent start, the Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained Chayan was drawn to start from 12 but will move into gate ten after the emergencies come out of Saturday's big race at Rosehill Gardens.

"I'm happy with that barrier for Chayan, she should be able to find a good position with cover,'' Annabel Archibald said. "But it is such an open race and it will come down to luck in running. Guest House has drawn well [barrier 10] and I think the Blue Diamond winner, Streisand, is the forgotten filly.''

Connections believe Guest House (Home Affairs) has drawn ideally for Saturday’s race after the colt came up with barrier ten. Assistant trainer Ben Elam, representing the stable of Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, said the gate should suit the big colt, who finished third in the Blue Diamond Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) at his most recent start.

Guest House is expected to come into barrier eight should emergencies Gin Twist (Home Affairs) and Screen Icon (Nicconi) fail to gain a start.

"I think the alley is perfect for him where he has got a bit of room to move," Elam said. "He’s 565 kilograms – he’s not a small two-year-old – he’s a big-bodied colt who is quite athletic. He’s not a heavy colt, he’s athletic and he’s very fast so if he’s got a bit more room to move in the early part of what is going to be a high pressure Group 1 - we can’t have him any fitter or better - so goes there with every chance."

Guest House firmed into $9 (from $11) following the barrier draw and fared best among the leading Victorian contenders. Blue Diamond (Gr 1, 1200m) winner Streisand (Magnus) drew barrier 11, runner-up Close To Free (Street Boss) came up with gate 17, while Stretan Ruler (Wild Ruler) will jump from barrier 13.

Canonbury Stakes (Gr 3, 1100m) winner Hidrix (Extreme Choice), one of three starters for Chris Waller, drew barrier one, historically the most successful gate in the Slipper with 11 winners, most recently Shinzo (Snitzel) in 2023, and firmed into $21 (from $51) following the draw.

Schofield confident Stretan Ruler is a leading Slipper contender

Chad Schofield believes he is aboard one of the key contenders in Saturday’s Golden Slipper Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) at Rosehill after seeking out the ride on the Phillip Stokes-trained colt Stretan Ruler (Wild Ruler) when he first arrived in Sydney. The colt impressed with a dominant victory in the Silver Slipper Stakes (Gr 2, 1100m) before finishing second to Paradoxium (Extreme Choice) in the Todman Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m), and will attempt to become the first horse since Farnan (Not A Single Doubt) in 2020 to complete the Silver Slipper-Golden Slipper double. “I’m in the game, I honestly wouldn’t swap him for any other horse,’’ Schofield said. “It’s wide open, whatever wins the Slipper might be the one that gets the right run. In terms of ability of the horse I think I’m on the right one.” Stretan Ruler drew midfield at the barrier draw and is rated a $13 chance, a price Schofield said surprised him given the colt’s performances this preparation. “That Silver Slipper run was enormous, he got a good tempo and showed a devastating turn of foot and demoralised his opposition,’’ the rider said. “His next run in the Todman was a very different race, it was a trot and canter and a sprint home for 300 metres. I thought Paradoxium was entitled to win that the way he did but I love my horse’s strength the last 50 metres and through the line. A high pressure 1200 metres is what he wants and that’s what he looks like he’ll get in the Slipper. He does have good early speed, hopefully we can let him find his rhythm and unleash his turn of foot. Schofield will also partner Regal Award (Ole Kirk) for Stokes in the Darby Munro Stakes (Listed, 1200m), with the three-year-old resuming after finishing second in the Carbine Club Stakes (Gr 3, 1600m) in November. “He might find it a bit short on the weekend but he’s a really nice horse going forward,’’ Schofield said. “I worked him [Tuesday] morning and he’s going well.”

Rosehill Guineas to test Autumn Boy’s Cox Plate credentials

Chris Waller will step Autumn Boy (The Autumn Sun) up to 2000 metres for the first time in Saturday’s Rosehill Guineas (Gr 1, 2000m) as he looks to assess the colt’s potential as a Cox Plate (Gr 1, 2040m) prospect later this year. The Caulfield Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) winner had also been considered for the George Ryder Stakes (Gr 1, 1500m) on the Golden Slipper program, but Waller said the decision to target the Rosehill Guineas was about testing the colt’s staying credentials rather than avoiding unbeaten stablemate Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun). "We could have gone to the shorter option for him and run into Autumn Glow in a George Ryder and Doncaster, and we could still go to a Doncaster," Waller said. "But I want to know whether he is a solid, 2000-metre horse to see whether he's in a Cox Plate when he comes back in the spring." Autumn Boy has finished third in the Hobartville Stakes (Gr 2, 1400m) and second in the Randwick Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) to Sheza Alibi (Saxon Warrior) at his two runs this campaign, and Waller expects the colt to peak third-up at Rosehill. "He ran into a pretty smart one last week, but he will be ready to peak as well third-up," he said. Waller confirmed blinkers, which were used during the colt’s previous preparation, will not be applied on Saturday.

Darby Munro likely target for Hidden Motive

Nathan Doyle concedes Hidden Motive (Capitalist) is unlikely to gain a start in Saturday’s Galaxy (Gr 1, 1100m) at Rosehill, with the colt currently sitting 26th in the order of entry. Instead, the three-year-old is expected to line up in the Darby Munro Stakes, on the Rosehill card where he could again meet Beadman (Snitzel) and Inkaruna (I Am Invincible), who finished ahead of him when he resumed with a third in the Fireball Stakes (Listed, 1100m). "The Darby Munro is the only real option with him," Doyle said. "I'd say we'll be struggling to get into The Galaxy, but if he did make the field I'd definitely have a crack with him because he's an on-speed horse with no weight on his back." Hidden Motive defeated Beadman in the Roman Consul Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) over the same course and distance in the spring and Doyle expects improvement second-up. "He rails like a greyhound and flicks on corners, I think that's his best attribute," the trainer said. "He can ride a hot tempo, flick, then just maintain so Rosehill is going to suit him down to the ground. He's got a good attitude towards things. He's a good eating horse, he's pretty casual around the stables, so he doesn't overexert himself, which allows him to stay up, continue on as a racehorse and put his best foot forward." Doyle said the colt has traditionally improved deeper into his campaigns. "He's always a big roly-poly horse, so he takes a bit of time to come to hand," Doyle said. "That's probably shown in his last preparations as well, third-up when he won the Roman Consul was probably his best run. But we've had him in quite a while this time in. I think he's probably more forward than last preparation which he'll probably need to be, taking on that class. We're really pleased with the horse and how he's come on from that first-up run."

McNeil picks up William Reid ride on Angel Capital

Jye McNeil will partner Angel Capital (Harry Angel) in Saturday’s William Reid Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m), with the Group 1 sprint to be run at Caulfield while Moonee Valley undergoes redevelopment. McNeil partnered the Chris Waller-trained entire in trackwork at Caulfield on Tuesday morning, taking the opportunity to familiarise himself with the four-year-old ahead of the race. Regular rider Ben Melham will be in Sydney chasing Golden Slipper success aboard Streisand, opening the door for McNeil to take the ride on the $6 second favourite. "He can look a bit tricky in his races, but this morning he was beautiful and relaxed and worked nicely," the jockey said. "He's a nice horse and I'm grateful to be given the opportunity. He does like Caulfield and hopefully he can put his best foot forward on Saturday." McNeil said he plans to speak with Melham before raceday to gain further insight into the horse. "Watching the replays, it looks like he can get a little bit strong, that's what I mean by a bit tricky, but this morning he never gave me that feel at all," McNeil said. "The 1200 [metres] out of the chute at Caulfield, it shouldn't be a problem. I'll speak to Ben, potentially. He's been on him a bit and between now and Saturday I'll hopefully have a chat to him and see what he thinks. It's a good race, with the good horses there, but on his day, he's more than capable."

Strictly Business set for Caulfield return

VRC Oaks (Gr 1, 2500m) winner Strictly Business (Grunt) is set to resume in Saturday’s Sunline Stakes (Gr 2, 1600m) as Thomas Carberry plots a path towards the Australasian Oaks (Gr 1, 2000m) and South Australian Derby (Gr 1, 2500m). One of the fairytale stories of last spring, Strictly Business rose from maiden winner to Oaks heroine in the space of 13 days and will begin her third racing preparation at Caulfield this weekend. While Carberry acknowledged the filly may already be suited by 2000 metres, he is inclined to start her over a mile before stepping up in distance towards the Adelaide carnival’s staying features. “She might be looking more for the 2000 metres, to be honest, but with the future in mind, we’ll start at a mile,” the trainer said. “That way we can step to 2000 metres in a couple of weeks, and she’ll have taken a few steps towards the Oaks in Adelaide. Even then, I think the 2000 metres there will be pushing on her lower limit, but she’s a VRC Oaks winner, so she’ll go there. But the 2500 metres of the Derby might suit her better, and fillies have a great record in that race – they’ve won the last two.” Strictly Business has prepared for her return with two jump-outs against sharp opposition, most recently over 1200 metres at Ballarat last Thursday. Regular rider John Allen is expected to partner the filly again if he can reach her likely 54 kilogram impost.

Australian Cup next target for Pride Of Jenni

The Australian Cup (Gr 1, 2000m) at Flemington on March 28 looms as the likely next target for Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) following the mare’s gallop at Caulfield on Tuesday morning her trainer Ciaron Maher has revealed. Maher took a small team away from his Cranbourne base for trackwork, with the evergreen mare among those to stretch out ahead of a possible return on Australian Cup day. The Queen Of The Turf Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) at Randwick on April 11also remains under consideration. Pride Of Jenni resumed her campaign with a third placing behind Tom Kitten (Harry Angel) in the All-Star Mile (Gr 1, 1600m) at Flemington on March 7 and Maher said she had taken improvement from the run. "Dec [Declan Bates] said she was wanting to pull him in half early in the gallop, so that's always good to see," Maher said. "She had a nice blow after her first-up run where she ran pretty quick time, fresh up, so she will take natural improvement and she wasn't here to bring her on or anything, it was just a tick over gallop. I'm quite happy with how she came through her first-up run. Her weight is good, her action is good and she just had an easy time this morning. The Australian Cup or the Queen Of The Turf, is next, but at this stage the Australian Cup. You would think Flemington is more chance of being drier than Sydney, but the main thing is she came through it well and we'll track towards the Australian Cup."

Truck driver and three horses dead after accident in Victoria

A truck driver and three horses trained by Patrick and Michelle Payne have died following a road accident involving a horse transport truck in Victoria’s west on Monday morning. The horses were being transported to Camperdown for jump-outs when the truck rolled on a sweeping bend shortly after 8am on Slate Quarry Road at Bamganie, near Meredith, about 100 kilometres west of Melbourne. Two horses died at the scene while a third died from injuries sustained in the accident. Payne Racing said in a statement. "The accident has deeply impacted the entire team as well as the wider racing community and we thank you for your support." The stable also paid tribute to truck driver Peter Butler, who died in the accident. "Peter brought character and laughter to our jump-out mornings and he will be sorely missed as a regular at our stable," the statement said. "Our thoughts are with the team at South West Horse Transport, Peter's work colleagues Troy, Bruce and Brooke. We would like to thank the emergency services and responders who attended the scene including Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria, Country Fire Authority and SES volunteers and for the countless locals and members of the public who assisted at the scene. A special mention and thank you to the veterinarians and the entire team at Golden Plains Equine, we thank you for taking care of the six injured horses who survived."

O’Shea to appeal four-month ban

John O'Shea is set to appeal a four-month ban handed to him by Racing NSW stewards over conduct related charges. Racing NSW stewards announced the penalty for the Group 1-winning trainer on Tuesday, which he received following a lengthy inquiry into an incident at Rosehill on February 21. O'Shea was left upset after Racing NSW veterinarians made the call to scratch Bev's Nine (Shalaa) from a race having deemed the gelding to be 1/5th lame behind the barriers. The four-year-old subsequently stretched his unbeaten record to five when successful at Canterbury six days later. In the aftermath of the Rosehill race, O'Shea was seen in discussions with Dr Carly Garling and Dr Claire Moore, which ultimately led to complaints being lodged and Racing NSW stewards launching an inquiry into the matter. More than six hours of evidence was heard at an inquiry on March 9 before O'Shea pleaded guilty to the charges. While announcing the penalty, Racing NSW revealed O'Shea's co-trainer Tom Charlton would receive a provisional training licence to train in his own right in the event that a stay of proceedings request lodged by O'Shea is unsuccessful.

Long-term plan dictates next mission for Omega Boy

With a view to what the long-term future holds for last Saturday’s Tauranga feature winner Omega Boy (Time Test), the Awapuni Gold Cup (Gr 2, 2100m) will be next on his schedule to assess his middle-distance potential. Off the back of a Rating 75 1400-metre win a fortnight before at Hawera, Peter and Trent Didham made a well calculated move to step their rapidly improving five-year-old up to Group company for the Japan Trophy (Gr 2, 1600m). Ridden by apprentice Sam McNab, Omega Boy proved right up to the task, finishing hard down the centre of the track to overhaul Sterling Express (Shamexpress) and fellow proven performers Khafre (American Pharoah) and Qali Al Farrasha (Almanzor). Peter Didham has since confirmed another Group 2 set weight and penalty feature for the gelding, the Awapuni Gold Cup at Trentham on Saturday week. “We’ve thought for a while that he would make a good middle-distance horse, so while he’s at the top of his form is the ideal time to test him,” Didham said. “The Wingatui race was tempting but at a rating of 79 he wouldn’t have been very well placed under weight-for-age conditions and we decided on the Benchmark race up at Hawera. We were looking for a soft kill and that’s exactly how it turned out. As well as giving him a confidence boost, winning that race got him out of that danger zone where horses in the high 70s, low 80s can find themselves. That took his rating to 83 and even though he was up against some decent types at Tauranga, he’s just kept improving and we felt he deserved his chance at a race like that.”

NZTR upholds Australian Racing registration embargo

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) has confirmed that it will recognise and support the enforcement of key traceability provisions within the Australian rules of racing relating to broodmare returns and foal ownership declarations.

Some time ago, Racing Australia amended its rules of racing to prohibit any horse from racing unless both a mare return and a foal ownership declaration have been lodged in accordance with the Australian rules. These rules are now being actively enforced, and horses that have not complied with the requirements are being prohibited from being registered to race in Australia.

Under Australian rules of racing AR 285 and AR 286, the following requirements apply:

• A mare return must be lodged with the Australian Stud Book by the manager of a broodmare, or their authorised agent, within 30 days of the broodmare giving birth to a live foal.

• A foal ownership declaration must be lodged with Racing Australia by the manager of the foal, or their authorised agent, within 30 days of the foal’s birth.

These provisions form part of the traceability section of the rules of racing and are designed to protect the integrity and image of horseracing while enhancing the welfare and lifetime traceability of thoroughbred horses.

Importantly, horses affected by this prohibition remain fully recognised as thoroughbreds. In cases where the required returns were lodged late, the horses have still been accepted and registered within the Australian Stud Book. As such, they are recognised as thoroughbred horses and are eligible for breeding purposes.

From a stud book perspective, these horses may still enter the New Zealand Thoroughbred Stud Book through the standard export and import process. They may be named and used for breeding purposes in the usual way. The restriction imposed in Australia applies only to racing eligibility within that jurisdiction.

The NZTR Racing and Integrity Committee recently considered whether New Zealand should recognise the Australian embargo when such horses are imported.

The committee determined that New Zealand should not provide a pathway that would allow participants to avoid the consequences of non-compliance with the Australian rules of racing. Accordingly, under rule 408(4), NZTR resolved that any horse prohibited from being registered to race in Australia due to non-compliance with AR 285 and AR 286 will not be approved for racing registration in New Zealand.

As a result, while a horse prohibited from racing in Australia under AR 287(1) may still be imported into New Zealand and recorded in the New Zealand Thoroughbred Stud Book, it will not be eligible to be registered for racing in New Zealand.

NZTR said the decision reinforces the importance of industry traceability requirements and supports the broader international framework designed to maintain confidence in thoroughbred racing and breeding.

Entries open for 2026 NZB National Weanling Sale

Entries for New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2026 National Weanling Sale are now open, with the sale to be held at Karaka on June 25. The weanling session has proven a popular avenue for buyers seeking pinhook prospects and future racetrack performers, while also providing breeders with access to a strong domestic and international buying bench. More than $2.5 million was returned to breeders at last year’s edition, headed by a $190,000 colt by Per Incanto (Street Cry) offered by Seaton Park. Four weanlings realised $100,000 or more during the sale. Following another successful sales season in New Zealand, NZB managing director Andrew Seabrook said the sale continues to be a proven source of talent. “Industry players know the National Weanling Sale is a proven source of genuine racehorses and pinhooking success. After a strong yearling sale, the demand for weanlings in June is going to be as strong as ever,” he said. “Last year, the Australian support of the sale grew, so we look forward to producing a catalogue that will entice them back to Karaka again.” Entries close on April 16. To enter the sale, visit NZB's online portal at portal.nzb.co.nz. All weanlings offered are eligible to be nominated for the Karaka Millions Series.