Maher’s Melbourne Cup team starting to take shape
Ciaron Maher strengthened an already-powerful Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) hand via Berkshire Breeze (Mastercraftsman) winning at Flemington on Saturday, further elevating himself in a market that is headed by a Group 1-winning stablemate. Circle Of Fire (Almanzor) is advancing in his work towards providing Maher with a second win in Australia’s most famous race,... Read More
‘We enjoy trying to do something out of the ordinary’
John Magnier not ruling out Breeders’ Cup Classic for City Of Troy John Magnier described the prospect of winning the Breeders’ Cup Classic (Gr 1, 10f) as a “dream” following City Of Troy’s (Justify) Coral-Eclipse (Gr 1, 1m 2f) success on Saturday. The son of US Triple Crown winner Justify (Scat Daddy) followed up his... Read More
‘We’re planning on returning’
South African racing participants could be back at the major Australasian sales An upswing in confidence about a rejuvenation of racing in South Africa has trainers considering returning to the Australian yearling market for the first time in years. And those participants suggest that South Africa’s top race fillies and mares should be on the... Read More
City Of Troy made to work hard for Coral-Eclipse victory
City Of Troy (Justify) became just the 11th horse in history to follow up a win in the Epsom Derby (Gr 1, 1m 4f) with success in that season’s Coral-Eclipse (Gr 1, 1m 2f) when landing Saturday’s Sandown feature – although it wasn’t the saunter up the straight many were expecting. The Aidan O’Brien-trained colt... Read More
Francis Lui edges to within one win of Pierre Ng in trainers’ championship
The Hong Kong trainers’ championship continues to hang in the balance after Francis Lui narrowed Pierre Ng’s lead to one – 67 to 66 – with only two race meetings left with King Miles’ (Exceed And Excel) victory at Sha Tin on Saturday. With the trainers’ championship resting on a knife’s edge after 86 of... Read More
First-season sires to the fore on both sides of Tasman
Newgate’s Brutal (O’Reilly) was not the only first–season sire to have a good day on Saturday, with a further three freshmen stallions racking up winners in both Australia and New Zealand. Those successes were headed by Brave One (Exceedance), who became the seventh individual winner for Vinery Stud’s Exceedance (Exceed And Excel) when scoring in... Read More