Long-serving TBA President Basil Nolan steps aside as Antony Thompson takes over

After more than a decade leading Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA), outgoing president Basil Nolan has handed over the role to newly elected president Antony Thompson following the organisation’s AGM on Monday.

Nolan, principal of Raheen Stud, has served as TBA President since 2014 and has been part of the board since the national breeders’ body was established in 2005. While stepping down from the presidency, he will remain on the board as the representative of Queensland breeders.

During his tenure, Nolan helped guide the industry through some of the thoroughbred sector’s most challenging periods, including Equine Influenza, the 2011 Queensland floods, COVID-19 disruptions and a range of national and international Pattern Committee matters.

“It has been a privilege to serve as President of TBA, and I am proud of what we have achieved together as a Board,” Nolan said.

“The time is right for me to hand over the role and make space for the next leader.

“TBA has an important role to play for breeders and for the wider industry, and I am confident it will continue to be in good hands.”

Thompson, principal of Widden Stud and chairman of Aushorse, praised Nolan’s contribution to the breeding industry.

“Basil has given many years of wise and committed service to TBA and Australian breeders,” Thompson said.

“He has been a steady and respected voice around the Board table, particularly through some of the most difficult periods our industry has faced.”

Thompson said he was honoured to take on the presidency at an important time for Australian breeders.

“Our industry is facing some real challenges, but it also has enormous strengths,” he said.

“We have a breeding sector that continues to produce horses of world-class quality, a racing industry that remains the envy of many jurisdictions, and a community of people whose resilience and optimism underpin everything we do.”

He added that his focus would be ensuring breeders maintained a strong voice on key national issues, including commercial settings and the Pattern system.

TBA also confirmed the appointment of respected Queensland breeder Scott McAlpine of Eureka Stud to the board, replacing outgoing Queensland representative Jeff Kruger.

Industry’s unsung heroes celebrated at Australian Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards

The people who power Australia’s thoroughbred racing and breeding industry were recognised on Monday night at the 2026 Australian Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards on the Gold Coast, with legendary broadcaster Bruce McAvaney honoured with the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award.

Held at the Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort, the awards, formerly known as the Stud and Stable Staff Awards, celebrate the skill, dedication and care of those working across all sectors of the thoroughbred industry.

Delivered by Thoroughbred Breeders Australia on behalf of the industry, the awards continue to be supported by principal partner Godolphin as part of its global commitment to recognising industry participants behind the scenes.

TBA and Aushorse chief executive Andrew Hore-Lacy said the awards were an important opportunity to celebrate those often away from the spotlight.

“These Awards matter because they recognise people who are often not in the spotlight. The people who are up before dawn, stay late, care for the horses and keep the industry moving,” Hore-Lacy said.

A major highlight of the evening was the presentation of the inaugural ATIEA Lifetime Achievement Award to McAvaney, whose iconic voice has become synonymous with many of Australian racing’s greatest moments.

“Great racing is great sport, and tonight I have received one of the greatest honours of my life,” McAvaney said.

The acclaimed broadcaster reflected on two moments that stood above all others in his racing career. The Melbourne Cup when Makybe Diva claimed her historic third consecutive victory, and the 2019 Queen Elizabeth Stakes farewell of champion mare Winx at Royal Randwick Racecourse.

Among the other winners honoured on the night were Brett Killion (Dedication to Racing Award), Verna Metcalfe (Dedication to Breeding Award), Arda Tascioglu (Horsemanship Award), Neasham Clegg (Leadership Award), Matt Harrington (Administrative and Ancillary Services Award), Alexandra Kelly (Thoroughbred Care and Welfare Award) and Cooper Albers (Newcomer Award).

Planned long service leave for Peter V’Landy’s

Racing NSW have announced that long standing Chief Executive Mr Peter V’landys AM will take four months of long service leave at the end of this racing season.

“Mr V’landys has asked for four months long service leave to take an interim executive role at the Australian Rugby League Commission following the departure of CEO Mr Andrew Abdo,” explained Racing NSW Chairman Dr Saranne Cooke.

“Mr V’landys has made this application so he is not spending more time on the Australian Rugby League Commission while performing his Chief Executive duties at Racing NSW.

“Having carefully considered Mr V’landys’ application, the Racing NSW Board unanimously supported the professional approach that Mr V’landys has taken.” Dr Cooke continued.

The Racing NSW Board has appointed Mr Graeme Hinton as Acting Chief Executive while Mr V’landys is on leave. Mr Hinton has been with Racing NSW since 2012 and has been Chief Operating Officer since 2016.

Super Smink to race on

Connections have withdrawn Group 2 winning mare Super Smink (Super One) from the first session of the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale at the Gold Coast on Tuesday. Catalogued as Lot 471, she was last seen winning the Irwin Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) in Adelaide. Bred by Forest View Farm owners Ben and Jo Duncan, she is a 5yo daughter of Sminky Shorts (Snitzel) and was initially listed for sale by Vinery Stud (as agent) for a 20-member syndicate. Trainer Dan Morton reported Super Smink (Super One) is on her way to Queensland but will dodge the Gold Coast Sale in favour of the Helen Coughlan Stakes (Listed, 1200m) at Eagle Farm this Saturday. Super Smink was Champion WA 2yo in 2022-23 sweeping the Karrakatta Plate (Gr 2, 1200m) and WA Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr 3, 1400m) and Morton declared the mare’s main target is the Tatt's Tiara (Gr 1, 1400m) under weight-for-age conditions at Eagle Farm on June 27.

Recommendation set for familiar winter path

Ciaron Maher’s stable may have its major focus on Jimmysstar (Per Incanto) in Saturday’s Kingsford Smith Cup (Gr 1, 1300m) at Eagle Farm, but veteran sprinter Recommendation (Shalaa) is also set to launch another winter campaign at Caulfield. The six-year-old resumes in the Bel Esprit Stakes (Listed, 1100m), a race that kickstarted a successful cold-weather campaign last year which culminated in victories in the Sir John Monash Stakes (Gr 3, 1100m) and Bletchingly Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m). Assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said a similar program was again on the cards for Recommendation. “He’s had this as the target since he ran in Adelaide,” Turnbull said. “He’s good and he’ll be on a similar pathway to the last couple of winters in the Monash and Bletchingly. That’s his right trip, 1100. It’s well documented that’s his go now.” Recommendation has had two runs this preparation, finishing third in the $500,000 Country Discovery at Ballarat before a midfield finish in the John Hawkes Stakes (Gr 3, 1100m) at Morphettville. While Recommendation returns to a distance that suits him perfectly, Maher’s Queensland focus centres on Jimmysstar, who steps back out to 1300 metres after a string of runs over shorter trips. The talented galloper has managed just one placing from four starts this campaign, finishing third in the All Aged Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m), but Turnbull believes the spacious Eagle Farm circuit and rise in distance will suit. “He just needs a bit of time to wind up,” Turnbull said. “Everyone’s been going on like he’s been getting beaten three, four, five lengths, but his runs have been credible and he just wants a little bit further.” Jimmysstar remains at the head of Kingsford Smith Cup betting ahead of fellow contenders King Of Roseau (Capitalist), Private Eye (Al Maher) and Fangirl (Sebring).

Maher star Jimmysstar favoured this weekend

All eyes will be on Ciaron Maher’s stable star Jimmysstar (Per Incanto) when he goes out a $3.50 favourite for the Kingsford Smith Cup (Gr 1, 1300m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Jimmysstar completed a Group 1 double during an autumn campaign last year in the MRC Oakleigh Plate (Gr 1, 1100m) at Caulfield and All-Aged Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) at Randwick. He returned in the spring earning $4 million for victories in the Russell Balding Stakes (1300m) and C F Orr Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) but has only placed once in four starts this campaign. “We expect him to bounce back over 1300m at Eagle Farm,” assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said on Monday. "He just needs a bit of time to wind up. Everyone's been going on like he's been getting beaten three, four, five lengths, but his runs over 1200m have been credible and he just wants a little bit further." Jimmysstar was purchased by Ozzie Kheir and John O’Neill on behalf of a large syndicate after winning his first two starts at Wanganui and Hastings. He was bred in partnership by Little Avondale Stud who stand his sire Per Incanto (Street Cry).

Sky’s the limit for Skybird and Freedman in Brisbane

Ballarat trainer Mitch Freedman has set the bar high for his talented mare Skybird (Exosphere) in the Kingsford Smith Cup (Gr 1, 1300m) at Eagle Farm this Saturday. Skybird had won the 2023 Moonee Valley Fillies Classic (Gr 2, 1600m) over a mile but since then has been confined to races up to 1200m. “She’s got to step up to 1300m this weekend and that’s a little query, but once you get to this grade there’s not races on for them every week. She’s in great shape, the rain is coming, and hopefully the sting is out of the ground on Saturday.” Skybird was bred by Anthony and Kristen Evans at HP Thoroughbreds and she won last year’s Lightning Stakes (Gr 1, 1000m) at Flemington. The Hilldale-based breeders have a filly foal by Home Affairs from her dam Real Desire (Wanted). “She went to Adelaide for the Robert Sangster Stakes (Gr 1, 1200) but had an average blood-count when she got back home,” Freedman revealed. “She also copped a hip-and-shoulder in that race and that threw her off her game. “We had to just scratch that and make the call to send her to Queensland. Even though she was beaten a little bit of a margin, she ran really well and showed she is back in form.”

Waller sets Autumn Glow for return in Winx Stakes

Fresh from preparing his 200th Group 1 winner with Birdman in the Saturday’s Doomben Cup (Gr 1, 2000m), trainer Chris Waller is already looking forward to the Melbourne spring carnival with his superstar mare Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun). Autumn Glow will be one of the star attractions and races on her radar include the Makybe Diva Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) and Champions Mile (Gr 1, 1600m) at Flemington. Waller said she would almost certainly return to the races in the Winx Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) at Randwick on August 22. “There are no firm plans beyond that,” he added. “I would imagine at some stage she will get down to Melbourne and there could be some coming and going to and from Sydney. The whole prep isn’t locked in yet, but we’re pretty decisive on the Winx Stakes as the starting point.” The Cox Plate (2040m) isn’t guaranteed. She is currently on the fourth-line of pre-post markets at $9 with Sheza Alibi (Saxon Warrior). Autumn Glow was unbeaten in 11 starts before her last-start third in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) at Randwick. She has earned over $8.59 million to date for Arrowfield and Hermitage Thoroughbreds.

Begg making a big Splash in Brisbane

Grahame Begg has been chasing a win in the Stradbroke Hcp (Gr 1, 1400m) since the 1990s and the Cranbourne trainer is quietly confident his French import Splash Back (Le Havre) can play a hand at Eagle Farm on June 13. A six-year old mare, Splash Back has a black-type pedigree going back to Wannabe Grand (Danehill) who gave trainer Jeremy Noseda a first in the 1999 Cheveley Park Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) at Newmarket. Splash Back broke into black-type ranks winning the Stocks Stakes (Gr 2, 1500m) last September before adding the Victory Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) at Eagle Farm earlier this month. Splash Back will have a final Stradbroke dress-rehearsal in the Kingsford Smith Cup (Gr 1, 1300m) at Eagle Farm this Saturday. Her regular Melbourne rider Jordan Childs has a standing booking for the Kingsford Smith Cup but won’t be able to make the weight in the Stradbroke. She has been allocated the flyweight of 52kg and Craig Williams has been booked for Queensland’s premier sprint. “It’s very achievable,” Begg said. “Craig was booked two weeks ago. I wanted a marquee jockey who can ride at that weight and not many fit the bill. I did consider Zac Lloyd but he’s going to Royal Ascot.”

Big plans on big tracks for Zambardo

Caulfield trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr have stable star Zambardo (Belardo) returning to action in Sydney this Saturday. Zambardo will be given the chance to get his winter prep back on track in the $200,000 Lord Mayor's Cup (Listed, 2000m) at Rosehill. His original target was the Doomben Cup (Gr 1, 2000m) last weekend, however, there was a change in plans after unplaced runs at Randwick and Gosford. "All his good form is on bigger tracks and the Doomben Cup was going to be a big ask especially with Pride Of Jenni engaged,” Kent said. “All going well this weekend, he will be set for the Q22 on the bigger Eagle Farm circuit." This year’s $1.20 million Q22 (2200m) is scheduled for Saturday, June 13. "We've got three weeks until then,” Kent continued. “The Q22 on the big track, it will be beautiful with no Jenni." Zambardo was bred by Fairdale and Goodwood Studs at Longburn on NZ’s North Island. He’s one of seven winners from Zambezi (Zabeel) and second-dam Tall Poppy (Kaapstad) was a triple Group 1 winner of the Waikato Sprint (1400m), Thorndon Mile (Gr 2, 1600m) and Lion Red Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) in 2000-01.

Industry mourns Rich Hill Stud co-founder Colin Thompson

The New Zealand thoroughbred industry is mourning the loss of highly respected Waikato veterinarian, breeder and owner Colin Thompson, who passed away over the weekend aged 97. Thompson was a pioneering figure in the Waikato veterinary and breeding industries and, alongside his late wife Irene, son John and daughter-in-law Colleen, helped establish Rich Hill Stud in the early 1990s with Alan Galbraith. “He didn’t suffer and passed away peacefully early on Sunday morning,” John Thompson said. With no veterinary schools in New Zealand at the time, Thompson studied in Sydney before returning home to work for the government-run Vet Club. He later settled in Matamata before establishing his own practice in Te Aroha and eventually returning to Matamata, where he became a leading figure in the local veterinary community. John Thompson said his father was an innovator in the field. “Dad and Jim Marks pioneered a lot of surgeries, and he was the first vet to get an x-ray machine, which he got from Waikato Hospital,” he said. Beyond veterinary work, Thompson was deeply involved in breeding and racing. He was part of successful stallion syndicates involving Battle Waggon, Hasty Cloud and Zephyr Bay and was also an original shareholder in legendary sire Zabeel (Sir Tristram). “He always had a few mares and sold at Trentham for many years, and that sparked my interest in breeding,” John said. Rich Hill Stud has since grown into one of New Zealand’s premier nurseries and is home to champion sire Proisir (Choisir). The farm’s graduates include Group 1 winners Prince of Penzance (Pentire), Xtravagant (Pentire), Mufhasa (Pentire), Ferlax (Pentire) and Zarita (Pentire).

Wood excited by fresh talent after farewelling stable stars

Cambridge trainer Chris Wood is hopeful new additions Sassy Lass (Staphanos) and Son Of Sun (Tavistock) can help fill the void left by stable stars That’s Gold (Cullen) and Canheroc (El Roca). Wood enjoyed a breakout season with dual Group winner That’s Gold, who captured the Avondale Guineas (Gr 2, 2100m), Bonecrusher Stakes (Gr 3, 1600m) and the Sir Patrick Hogan Karapiro Classic (1600m) before finishing sixth in the New Zealand Derby (Gr 1, 2400m). The gelding has since transferred to Hong Kong trainer Mark Newnham, where Wood believes he can develop into a serious Hong Kong Derby contender. “I’m sure he can win the Derby up there,” Wood said. Wood has also farewelled stakes-winning stayer Canheroc, who has moved south to trainers Michael and Matthew Pitman, but the Cambridge horseman is excited about the horses arriving at his barn. Former Group 3 winner Son Of Sun joins the stable after seven wins and several strong black-type performances for Bruce Wallace and Grant Cooksley. “The owners just wanted a change of environment,” Wood said. “He looks a nice horse on paper and should be a good addition.” Wood is also looking forward to working with Sassy Lass, a four-time winner and Group 3 Waikato Cup placegetter formerly prepared by Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott. “She’s another horse whose owners thought might benefit from a fresh start,” he said. Wood believes the success of That’s Gold has helped attract stronger horses to the stable. “When you win with horses like him, it puts your name back out there again.”

Purton two wins from history in HK

Zac Purton is on the verge of creating history as the first rider to reach 2,000 wins in Hong Kong after saluting the judge three times at Sha Tin on Sunday. The eight-time Hong Kong champion jockey was on roll early winning aboard Flying Amani (Wrote), Come Fast Fay Fay (Wrote) and Packing King (Darci Brahma) in his first three rides at the Group 1 meeting. But Purton came up empty from his remaining seven mounts, leaving him needing just two victories at Happy Valley on Wednesday night for the breakthrough. “That’s all right,” Purton said. “I was hoping to ride one or two today so three was better than expected.” He finished fifth on Romantic Thor (Justify) in the Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (Gr 1, 2400m) won by long-odds favourite Romantic Warrior (Acclamation) who was piloted by James McDonald. Purton had recommended to trainer David Hall blinkers would help his opening winner Flying Amani. Bred by Highview Stud’s Brent Gillovic, he settled near the rear of the field before launching a strong run down the centre of the track to nail Perfecto Moments (Sweynesse) by a short-head. “He’s had a few unlucky runs where he hasn’t had clear room for Zac,” Hall said. “The blinkers didn’t really put him in a better position, but he certainly jumped a bit better and he might get some confidence out of that today.”

My Mars saves the Day for David Hayes

David Hayes salvaged an otherwise forgettable Sha Tin meeting on Sunday when My Mars (Avertise) won the penultimate race on the card with Brenton Avdulla aboard in the Renminbi Business Hcp (1200m). Going into the meeting with 48 wins this season, Hayes was trailing the leader Danny Shum (54) and went further behind when the Shum-trained Packing King (Darci Brahma) won Race 4 and Romantic Warrior (Acclamation) won the Champions & Chater Cup (Gr 1, 2400m). My Mars had been labelled by Hayes as the best of his seven-strong squad at Sha Tin on Sunday. The Irish-bred import continued an encouraging start to his Hong Kong career after a strong win on his local debut and close second to Turquoise Velocity (Zoustar) at his previous start. “I couldn’t see him running a bad race from barrier four,” Hayes predicted. “He’s run into three really good Class Three races but did extremely well because at his age. If he was unraced, he could be in the Griffin races.” Shum’s double boosted his seasonal tally to 56 wins, leading Caspar Fownes (54), Mark Newnham (52), Francis Lui (50), David Hayes (49).

IRE: Starspangledbanner completes a rare double, O’Brien a treble

Caulfield Guineas winner Starspangledbanner (Choisir) completed a unique double over the weekend when Precise (Starspangledbanner) claimed the Irish One Thousand Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) just a day after Gstaad (Starspangledbanner) dominated the Irish Two Thousand Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) in race record time. A homebred for Coolmore, Precise is the sixth foal and first stakes winner out of the placed mare, Way To My Heart (Galileo). Now a winner of five of her seven starts, last year’s Champion 2YO Filly of Europe also completed a rare combination for her trainer Aiden O’Brien giving him a clean sweep of the Irish, English and French One Thousand Guineas, the latter two claimed by True Love (No Nay Never) and Diamond Necklace (St Mark's Basilica). Starspangledbanner is the sire of ten Group One winners and stood this season for €60,000 at Coolmore, Ireland.

IRE: Almaqam the latest Group One winner for Lope De Vega

It may have been the first winner in Ireland for trainer Ed Walker and the first Group 1 win for five year old Almaqam (Lope De Vega) in the Tattersalls Gold Cup (Gr 1, 2100m) but it was the 27th such elite level victory for former Patinack shuttler Lope De Vega (Shamardal).