Four for Tiger Of Malay

Newgate Farm first-season sire Tiger Of Malay (Extreme Choice) added a fourth winner to his tally when promising juvenile Obambulate (2 c ex Lucky Lago by Encosta De Lago) fought hard to shed his maiden tag at Pakenham on Friday. Prepared by training partners Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young, the colt improved sharply on his debut sixth at Caulfield last month, with leading jockey Craig Williams retaining the ride for the 1200-metre maiden. Obambulate showed determination in the straight to edge out hot favourite Bohemian Rhapsody (Prague) by 0.1 lengths in a tight finish. The colt had already proven a profitable pinhook result before making his racetrack breakthrough. Purchased by Jim Carey for $75,000 from Glen Gallic Stud’s draft at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale, he later realised $140,000 when secured by Busuttin Racing from Newgate’s draft at Magic Millions Gold Coast. Obambulate is the fourth winner from as many runners out of the Group 2-placed mare Lucky Lago (Encosta De Lago), a half-sister to VRC Oaks (Gr 1, 2500m) winner Pinot (Pierro) out of Australian Oaks (Gr 1, 2400m) winner Dizelle (Zabeel). Lucky Lago also has a weanling filly by Tiger Of Malay, who will stand the upcoming breeding season at an unchanged fee of $11,000 (inc GST).

Irish import Hellsing toughs it out in Scone Cup

Irish import Hellsing (6 g Dandy Man - Souzie by Le Havre) continued his outstanding preparation when landing Friday’s Scone Cup (Listed, 1600m) at Scone, giving trainers Annabel Archibald and Rob Archibald a memorable hometown success. The gelding was having his tenth start of a campaign spanning more than six months but showed no signs of slowing down, backing up from a last-start Randwick victory to prevail in a tight finish where only two lengths covered the first six runners. Jockey Tom Sherry made an early move to position Hellsing outside the leader and out of trouble before the gelding dug deep in the straight to fend off the fast-finishing Churchill’s Choice (Churchill) by 0.3 lengths, with stablemate Formal Display (Too Darn Hot) another 0.8 lengths away in third. “This is a massive thrill,” Annabel Archibald said. “Hellsing is such a tough, honest horse and he has a great racing pattern where he gets up on the speed. He has been in work a long time but he is so very consistent.” Sherry praised the gelding’s determination after he again refused to surrender when challenged late. “It was a bit of a step up in grade for him today but to his credit he showed a great will to win,” he said. Hellsing’s victory secured him a ballot-free path into the $3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick on Melbourne Cup Day, which Archibald confirmed would now become the gelding’s major spring target following a short break.

Geisel Park’s trio of stallions find homes for 2026 season

Geisel Park Stud has confirmed the relocation of their three stallions from its roster ahead of the 2026 breeding season ahead of the sale of the farm, with Aysar (Deep Field), Manhattan Rain (Encosta De Lago) and Winning Rupert (Written Tycoon) all set to continue their stud careers at fellow Western Australian farms. Aysar will relocate to Ridgeport Farm, where he will stand alongside established sire Rommel (Commands). The Group 2-winning son of Deep Field (Northern Meteor) has received strong support since retiring to stud and will stand the 2026 season at a fee of $6,000 (plus GST). Manhattan Rain, the sire of 21 stakes winners headed by dual Group 1 winner Jigsaw, will continue his career at Rangeview Stud under the management of Robbie Gray. The proven stallion will also stand for $6,000 (plus GST) in 2026. Meanwhile, Winning Rupert will relocate to Westbury Park, where he will stand under the guidance of Phil Ibbotson and the Westbury team. The sire of six stakes winners, he will stand the upcoming season at a fee of $4,000 (plus GST). Geisel Park thanked breeders and supporters who had backed the stallions during their time at the farm and wish each success in their new homes.

Butter Blonde tops Inglis Digital's Australian Broodmare Session

Offered in foal to exciting young sire Home Affairs (I Am Invincible), Butter Blonde (Choisir) topped the Australian Broodmare Sale Session of the Inglis Digital May (Early) Online Sale when selling to Twin Hills Stud for $350,000.

The result highlighted a strong day’s trade that saw 12 mares or fillies realise six-figure prices and helped drive turnover for the overall sale to a record $5,604,750, making it the most lucrative May (Early) auction in Inglis Digital history.

Consigned by Merricks Station, Butter Blonde was secured by Twin Hills after significant competition for the mare, whose appeal was boosted by her timely mating to Home Affairs.

Merricks Station’s Ben Cooper described the result as his best ever on the Inglis Digital platform.

“She was a timely mating with Home Affairs being red hot at the moment and presented us with a good trade opportunity with Inglis Digital but if we didn’t get what we wanted for her, we were more than happy to keep her with us,’’ Cooper said.

Twin Hills principal Olly Tait said Butter Blonde had been identified as an ideal broodmare prospect for the operation.

“We thought we’d reinvest and this mare came up on our radar, with a nice covering to Home Affairs who looks very exciting and she comes from a fantastic family,” Tait said. “We were prepared to pay the $350,000 because she’s a lovely package and one we really wanted.”

The second-highest price of the session came when Bubba’s Bay (Cable Bay) sold to CB Racing, acting in consultation with Portia Baronian, for $185,000. The six-year-old mare is likely to be retired to visit Coolmore’s new sire Super Seth (Dundeel).

Kinshachi (Commands) rounded out the top three lots when selling to Boomer Bloodstock for $175,000. The mare formed part of a large Godolphin draft that generated $1,268,000 across 45 race fillies and broodmares.

Other notable results included Meseika (Medaglia D'Oro) ($160,000), Smirnova (Snitzel) ($155,000), Influenza (Exceed And Excel) ($125,000), Twilight Zone (Exceed And Excel) ($120,000), Zelify (Snitzel) ($120,000) and She’s The Gift (Power) ($110,000).

Bidding open for latest Magic Millions Digital Sale

The catalogue for the Magic Millions Digital (15-20 May) Sale is now live, featuring a strong mix of racing and breeding stock, with racehorses, race fillies and shares making up almost half the offering. Among the headline lots is the progressive three-year-old Botanist (Wootton Bassett) (Lot 9), offered by Coolmore Stud and partners. The $900,000 yearling has won one of his five starts and placed at Kembla Grange, with the colt also eligible for Hong Kong. Botanist will be offered unreserved, with x-rays to be uploaded to the Magic Millions repository for veterinary inspection. Another key offering is Crusader Voyage (Camelot) (Lot 1), consigned by Chris Waller Racing. The son of Camelot (Montjeu) is out of multiple Group 1 winner Sea Siren (Fastnet Rock) and has already competed at Group 1 level after placing six times from ten starts, including three metropolitan placings. The racehorse gelding and colt section also includes Demon (Fastnet Rock) (Lot 2), an unraced three-year-old who has won two of his three Sydney trials, while recent Goulburn winner Viipuri (Russian Revolution) (Lot 40) was added as a late entry following his third victory from eight starts earlier this month. In the filly and mare division, city-winning mare Meadowbrook (Tivaci) (Lot 11) headlines alongside an unnamed four-year-old mare by Rich Enuff (Written Tycoon) (Lot 14), a half-sister to recent $1.2 million Chairman’s Sale purchase Kiki Express (Sepoy). Bidding is now open, with the sale set to close from 12pm (AEST) on May 20. To view the catalogue, please click here.

Solid Gold to make Australian debut

Trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood are hoping talented filly Solid Gold (Savabeel) can overcome a testing week when she makes her Australian debut in Saturday’s Rough Habit Plate (Gr 3, 2000m) at Doomben. The Group 3-winning filly endured a lengthy trip from Cambridge to Brisbane before drawing barrier 17 for the final event on a rain-affected track, with connections now viewing the race more as a lead-up to next month’s Queensland Oaks (Gr 1, 2200m). “She’s had a big week,” James said. “She left here on Monday night and it nearly took nine hours from stable to stable to get to Sydney, then nearly 13 hours to Eagle Farm. Robert is over there with her and he said she has coped with everything very well and is bouncing. Having said that, she has drawn 17 and the track is going to be heavy, so she hasn’t got a lot of boxes ticked in that respect.” James said the lack of direct flights from Auckland had made Queensland campaigns more difficult in recent years but praised both Solid Gold and stablemate Sweynesday (Sweynesse) for handling the travel well. Sweynesday finished a brave fifth in last week’s Takeover Target Stakes (Listed, 1200m) at Gosford after racing wide throughout and will back up in next Saturday’s BRC Sprint (Gr 3, 1350m). Meanwhile, juvenile Excite (Wootton Bassett) could join the stable’s Queensland contingent if he performs up to expectations in Saturday’s Champagne Stakes (Listed, 1600m) at Ellerslie. The colt is being considered for the J.J. Atkins (Gr 1, 1600m) after his recent stakes breakthrough at Te Rapa.

Surfin’ Bird set to strike in Dark Jewel

Trainer Adrian Bott believes talented mare Surfin’ Bird (The Autumn Sun) is ready to take the next step when she contests Saturday’s Dark Jewel Classic (Gr 3, 1400m) at Scone following an encouraging first-up effort at Hawkesbury. The four-year-old resumed with a narrow defeat to the race-fit Chidiac (Better Than Ready) in the Hawkesbury Crown (Gr 3, 1300m) and Bott said he was particularly pleased with the way Surfin’ Bird rallied late after appearing vulnerable at the top of the straight. “In fairness she was good, she was coming again late,” Bott, who trains in partnership with Gai Waterhouse, told Racing NSW. “They got to her easy enough at the top of the straight, had her under pressure, probably just sprinted a bit better than her over the 1300 metres. She should be better for the run and 1400 metres should be ideal. Hopefully she can take the next step.” Bott said the mare had continued to strengthen physically and was now better equipped to absorb pressure in her races. “She’s still physically maturing but at this point she looks a lot stronger,” he said. “I’m confident she’s in very good shape and she’s gone the right way.” The Waterhouse and Bott stable has a strong history in the Dark Jewel, having won the race previously with Con Te Partiro (Scat Daddy), Upon This Rock (Fastnet Rock) and Chuckle (Danehill).

Tuileries with the class in Dark Jewel for Snowden

Trainer Peter Snowden is relying on jockey Chad Schofield to overcome a difficult barrier draw with Tuileries (So You Think) as the mare chases victory in Saturday’s Dark Jewel Classic at Scone. Snowden has long targeted the Dark Jewel as a launching pad toward a Brisbane winter campaign and remains upbeat despite the mare drawing wide while carrying topweight of 59.5 kilograms. “When I first saw the draw I thought they must have forgot I come from Scone,” Snowden told Racing NSW. “There’s a good run down the back, there’s good speed out there with us and hopefully they string out a bit. She has a bit of gate speed herself, but she has a bit of weight so she will need an economical run so she can finish the race off.” Snowden, who has won the Dark Jewel three times, said Tuileries had been specifically set for the race after her freshen-up following an unplaced effort in the Emancipation Stakes (Gr 2, 1500m). The mare’s credentials include a victory in the Newcastle Stakes (Gr 3, 1400m) in March, where she defeated subsequent Hawkesbury Cup (Gr 3, 1600m) winner Churchill’s Choice. “It was a great trial at Canterbury the other day so it tells me she is in good order,” Snowden said. “This race I really aimed her at to have her as good as I can and I feel we’ve got there.”

Stradbroke warm-up for Estadio Mestalla

Trainer Joe Pride admits he is puzzled by the weights allotted to Estadio Mestalla (Galileo Gold) in Saturday’s Luskin Star Stakes (Listed, 1300m) at Scone, but remains confident the tough gelding will again prove competitive. The seven-year-old has been assigned 61 kilograms for the feature sprint, two kilograms more than Group 1-winning rival Linebacker (Super Seth), despite his biggest success coming in last year’s Winter Stakes (Listed, 1400m). “Explain that one to me,” Pride said. “He is curiously weighted.” Estadio Mestalla has developed a reputation as a strong weight carrier, having won at Randwick on Melbourne Cup Day with 63 kilograms before carrying 61 kilograms when placed in the Summer Cup (Gr 3, 2000m) later in the year. Pride said the gelding’s physical strength and overall quality had helped him handle hefty imposts throughout his career. “He’s a very well-balanced horse, and quality helps them carry weight,” he said. “If they’re not good, they can’t carry it against anyone.” The gelding heads to Scone second-up after a closing sixth in the Hawkesbury Gold Rush (Listed, 1100m) and Pride expects another forward showing before the horse progresses toward his main winter target, the Stradbroke Handicap (Gr 1, 1400m) in Brisbane. “He will peak third-up, but he will run very well at Scone,” Pride said. “The Stradbroke is his goal.”

Wide gate no barrier for Sequista

Trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou remain convinced Sequista (D'Argento) has the talent to win at stakes level as the filly resumes in Saturday’s Denise’s Joy Stakes (Listed, 1100m) at Scone. The three-year-old already boasts black-type form, having been placed in last year’s Inglis Nursery (RL, 1000m) and finishing close-up behind Tempted (Street Boss) in the Percy Sykes Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m), although Alexiou admits the filly has often contributed to her own misfortune in races. “She has been unlucky but in saying that a lot of it has been self-inflicted,” Alexiou said. “She can get a high head carriage, and she likes a nice, flowing gallop, so a position three-wide will be a good thing for her if she can get in a nice spot and the track is playing that way.” Sequista has drawn barrier 18, although that will improve if emergencies fail to gain a start, and Alexiou said the stable had no hesitation pressing on with the Scone assignment after targeting the race throughout her preparation. “At this stage she will take her place. We’ve had the intent all preparation to run here first-up,” he said. “She had a very solid trial the other day to make sure she was up to the mark, and there is only the one turn at Scone so hopefully the bad barrier isn’t the be-all, end-all.” Tyler Schiller has been booked to ride the filly, who the stable hopes can either earn valuable black type this preparation or continue progressing through the Sydney grades.

Andrew Ramsden task for Sir Kingsford

South Australian training trio Gary Searle, Nichole Searle and Brianna Callanan are daring to dream of a Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) start with stayer Sir Kingsford (Sir Prancealot) as the gelding heads to Saturday’s Andrew Ramsden (Listed, 2800m) at Flemington. The Andrew Ramsden offers the winner a ballot exemption into the Melbourne Cup and the Searle team were inspired by the success of fellow South Australian stayer The Map (Alpine Eagle) in 2024. Nichole Searle travelled to Melbourne alongside The Map’s co-trainer Oopy MacGillivray and said the atmosphere surrounding the mare’s victory had left a lasting impression. “There was this hype around her, and everyone was so excited,” Searle said. “When she won, the hype in South Australia was just fantastic.” Sir Kingsford won last year’s Port Adelaide Cup (Listed, 2500m) before being spelled, with connections now taking a more measured path toward the Ramsden during his current preparation. “We all want to try and emulate something like that, getting to a nice big race,” Searle said. “Sir Kingsford is probably the sort of horse that can take that step. Hopefully, the Andrew Ramsden is that on Saturday.” The gelding heads to Flemington off a placing behind fellow Ramsden runner Alainge (Sir Prancealot) in this year’s Port Adelaide Cup at Morphettville earlier this month. Searle said the stayer had trained on strongly since that effort and was expected to handle another interstate trip without issue. “He’s had a few trips across now, so the travel shouldn’t bother him,” she said. Teegan Voorham has been booked to ride Sir Kingsford in the Melbourne Cup qualifier.

Black type aim for Hearcomesthestar

Trainer John Moloney is hoping progressive mare Hearcomesthestar (Zoustar) can continue her steady rise through the grades by landing a breakthrough black-type success in Saturday’s Straight Six (Listed, 1200m) at Flemington. The rising six-year-old has won six of her 28 starts and placed a further eight times, with her best stakes performance coming when placed at Listed level at Geelong earlier this year. Moloney believes the timing of Saturday’s race presents an ideal opportunity after many of the nation’s leading sprinters contested last week’s The Goodwood (Gr 1, 1200m) in Adelaide. “I won this race with Songs Of Vienna and she was there at the right time,” Moloney said. “So, it’s probably not a bad race to go after with this mare. It’s a chance race for a horse like her to get some black type.” Hearcomesthestar has competed in stakes company in each of the past three seasons and Moloney said the mare had continued to improve physically and mentally with age. “She has steadily got better from prep to prep to where she is now,” he said. “A little bit stronger, a little bit better, not by big margins but just each time she has come back into training there has been improvement.” Moloney was encouraged by Hearcomesthestar’s first-up third behind Stoli Bolli (Deep Field) at Bendigo, where she charged home from last carrying 59 kilograms. “The way she got home from the back, to make up that ground with 59 kilos on her back, it was fantastic,” he said. “We’re meeting the winner again, Stoli Bolli, and I would like to think that wherever it finishes, we won’t be far away again with reasonable luck.”

Gold Coast turf meeting moved to Polytrack

Racing Queensland has confirmed Saturday’s scheduled meeting on the course proper at Gold Coast Turf Club has been abandoned after the track was deemed unsuitable for racing. Racing Queensland advised the meeting would instead be transferred to the club’s Polytrack surface under the existing back-up arrangement.

Lismore transferred to Grafton

Following a track inspection, Saturday’s scheduled meeting at Lismore has been transferred to Grafton. As a result of the venue change, several race distances have been amended. Grafton was rated a Heavy 10 on Friday, with the rail positioned five metres out around the entire circuit.

Life’s a beach for Riverplate

Riverplate (Flying Artie) is loving life on the Kapiti Coast and that has been reflected in his recent results. The seven-year-old gelding made a comeback from retirement late last year and Campbell has been working him on the beach, with his new environment agreeing with the son of Flying Artie (Artie Schiller), who has won two of his last five starts. “We work him on the beach and he is loving life, he is doing well,” Campbell said. “We have got a little stable at the beach so we use that and keep him there permanently. It is good for the older horses.” While Riverplate has finished unplaced in his last two starts at stakes level, his runner-up performance behind Mr Mojo Risin' (Deep Field) over 1400 metres at Waverley last week has given Campbell the confidence to tackle black-type company once more in Saturday’s Rangitikei Gold Cup (Listed, 1600m) at Otaki. Campbell is pleased with his charge heading into the weekend, with the mile distance being his only concern. “The mile is a concern. On his pedigree he is a sprinter, but we have taken the blinkers off him this time and hopefully he gets a nice easy lead,” Campbell said. The Otaki horseman hasn’t made any plans with Riverplate post his weekend run but said the spelling paddock is beckoning. “He is race by race,” Campbell said. “We will just see how he goes. He has been up a while, but while he is racing well we will just press on.”

Sharrock holds strong hand at Otaki

New Plymouth trainer Allan Sharrock will trek south to Otaki with a strong contingent on Saturday, including a two-pronged attack in the meeting’s feature – the Rangitikei Gold Cup. Sharrock will contest the mile race with five-year-olds Bridal Train (U S Navy Flag) and Tisse (Belardo), and he said their performances over the same distance at Te Rapa a fortnight ago were commendable. “They both went really nice races at Te Rapa last start,” he said. “Bridal Train was a bit unlucky, never saw daylight and cantered to the line under a throttle hold, so her run was outstanding, and Tisse closed the race off well.” The pair have drawn at opposite ends of the spectrum, with Bridal Train set to jump from gate four, while Tisse will start from gate 12. “They were both tardily away at Te Rapa. I would like to get them a little bit more motivated pre-race and utilise Bridal Train’s draw a little bit more tomorrow,” Sharrock said. “The other horse will naturally end up midfield or back of midfield, so we will just see what eventuates.” Bridal Train currently heads the TAB’s market for the Rangitikei Gold Cup at $4.40, with Tisse rated a $12 winning hope, and Sharrock agrees with the bookmaker’s assessment. “I put Bridal Train ahead at this stage, but Tisse will be running on strongly again too,” he said. “Tisse’s main aim is probably the Taumarunui Gold Cup whereas I would like to execute with Bridal Train tomorrow and get that black-type for her, so let’s hope she can.”

HK: In-demand Atzeni closes in on personal-best Hong Kong season

No rider will be busier than Andrea Atzeni at Sunday’s Sha Tin meeting, where the Italian takes ten rides as he closes in on his best-ever Hong Kong season. Atzeni, who reached a century of Sha Tin successes earlier this month, currently has 54 winners for the season and sits third in the jockeys’ rankings behind Australian Hugh Bowman, who has 56 wins this term. Zac Purton is the distant leader with 114 wins. The 35-year-old’s best Hong Kong season to date came last term when he registered 58 wins on his way to a third-place finish in the jockeys’ championship behind Purton and Bowman. With five winners already in May, and operating at an 11 per cent strike-rate, he looks set for a new personal-best Hong Kong campaign. Among his mounts on the 11-race card is John Size-trained Endeared (Dark Angel), who has hit a purple patch of late-season form and will be one of the leading fancies in the first section of the Class 3 Siu Ma Shan Handicap (1400m). “He’s a very consistent horse; he never really runs a bad race. He does everything right,” Atzeni said. “If he keeps his form, he’s definitely there with a chance on Sunday.” The durable six-year-old will line up for the 15th time this season on a 15-day back-up from his third-place effort in a 1650-metre Sha Tin dirt contest earlier this month. All four of his career wins in Hong Kong have come on Sha Tin’s 1400-metre turf course. “His best form is over 1400 [metres],” said the 31-time Group 1 winner. “We don’t know what the track conditions are going to be on Sunday, but he’s a [son of] Dark Angel out of a Frankel mare, so I don’t think the slow ground is going to be an issue. When you’re riding one of John’s, they’re pretty consistent – you know they’re always going to run a good race.”

180 for Frankel

Juddmonte stalwart Frankel (Galileo) chalked up his 180th individual stakes winner on Friday when the Roger Varian-trained Rahiebb (4 c ex Playful Sound by Street Cry) took out the Yorkshire Cup Stakes (Gr 2, 1m 6f) at York. Ridden by Ray Dawson, the four-year-old entire, who had last been seen running a narrow second in the English St Leger Stakes (Gr 1, 1m 6.5f) at Doncaster as a three-year-old, proved his staying prowess as he took up the lead entering the final furlong and asserted late on to beat Al Nayyir (Dubawi) by two and a quarter lengths. Last year’s runner-up Epic Poet (Lope De Vega) finished a neck further behind in third. Racing in the colours of Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum, Rahiebb is a half-brother to winners Sinmara (Kingman) and Spinto Soprano (Invincible Spirit) being out of the Listed-placed winning Street Cry (Machiavellian) mare Playful Sound, herself a half-sister to Group 3 winner Ispolini (Dubawi) and Group-placed winner Vivionn (Dubawi) and out of US Grade 2 scorer Giants Play (Giant's Causeway). Frankel is standing at Banstead Manor Stud for a fee of £350,000 (approx. AU$653,970).

105 for Kodiac

Tally Ho Stud’s Kodiac (Danehill) registered his 105th individual stakes winner when juvenile filly Love A Giggle (2 f ex Silver Bullet Lady by Decorated Knight) landed Friday’s Marygate Fillies' Stakes (Listed, 5f) at York. Trained by Karl Burke and ridden by Clifford Lee, Love A Giggle was entering Listed grade off the back of her debut win at Southwell and maintained her unbeaten record, denying Armor Supreme (Armor) by a head with Lover Girl (Gregorian) a further two lengths back in third. Bred by Peter & Hugh McCutcheon, Love A Giggle was a 130,000gns purchase for owner Carl Waters at Book 1 of the 2025 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. She is the first foal to race out of Decorated Knight (Galileo) mare Silver Bullet Lady, herself a winning half-sister to Listed scorer Elusive Beauty (Elusive Pimpernel). Silver Bullet Lady was bought by Peter & Hugh McCutcheon for 9,000gns at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale in 2022. Kodiac stands at a fee of €20,000 (approx. AU$32,494).

162 for Lope De Vega

Ballylinch Stud stalwart Lope De Vega (Shamardal) chalked up his 162nd individual stakes winner when Lilt (3 f ex Dank by Dansili) landed Friday’s Sky Bet Fillies’ Stakes (Listed, 1m) at York. Ridden by Tom Marquand for trainer William Haggas, the three-year-old filly doubled her unbeaten tally as she kept on well inside the closing stages to deny So Regal (Kingman) by a length and a half. There was a further two lengths back to Botagoz (Mehmas) in third. Bred and raced by James Wigan, Lilt is a half-sister to fellow Listed winner Doom (Dubawi) being the sixth foal out of the Grade 1-winning mare Dank (Dansili), herself closely related to Group 1 winner Eagle Mountain (Rock Of Gibraltar) and a half-sister to Group 1 winner Sulk (Selkirk). Lope De Vega is standing at a fee of €200,000 (approx. AU$325,160).

Nine for Pinatubo

Darley shuttler Pinatubo (Shamardal) chalked up his ninth individual stakes winner on Thursday when the Kevin Ryan-trained Dickensian (3 c ex Yourtimeisnow by Charm Spirit) landed the Westow Stakes (Listed, 5f) at York. Ridden by Shane Gray, the three-year-old colt came from the rear of the field and kept on inside the closing stages to beat Simplify (Profitable) by a half-length. There was a further neck back to Aspect Island (Showcasing) in third. Bred by the late Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum and raced by his estate in the same silks, Dickensian is closely related to winner Time Turner (Lope De Vega) being the third foal out of the Group 3-winning Charm Spirit (Invincible Spirit) mare Yourtimeisnow, who is from the family of Grade 1 scorer Stroll (Pulpit). Pinatubo will return to Darley Kelvinside at a fee of $27,500 (inc GST) for the 2026 breeding season.

179 for Frankel

Frankel sired his 179th individual stakes winner on Thursday when Rumoriste (3 c ex All Rumours by Shamardal) scored in the Prix de l’Avre (Listed, 2400m) at Longchamp. Ridden by Maxime Guyon for trainer Andre Fabre, the three-year-old colt defeated Bright Light (City Light) by a neck, with a further five lengths back to the third-placed Montsecret (Zarak). Racing in the silks of Wertheimer & Frere, Rumoriste is the only foal to race from two out of the Listed-winning Shamardal (Giant’s Causeway) mare All Rumours.