‘It’s been a mounting issue for years and now it’s reaching a critical point’
There’s been an all-too-common theme in the conversations I have been having with racing participants lately; staff – and the lack of them. Leading trainers including Danny O’Brien, who is currently on the lookout for an assistant trainer, and Richard Freedman recently took to Twitter to express their concerns and pleaded for the industry to... Read More
Waller planning another Royal Ascot raid after Nature Strip’s romp
Connections set to call time on career of Home Affairs after stud-bound sprinter pulls up lame following Platinum Jubilee defeat The dust has barely settled on this year’s Royal Ascot carnival but already Chris Waller has his eyes set on a return to Europe’s showpiece meeting in 12 months’ time. Nature Strip (Nicconi) justified his... Read More
‘You don’t want to count chickens, because we’ve been close before, but it’ll be hard for So You Think to run him down from here’
I Am Invincible’s (Invincible Spirit) ascension from a non-Group 1 winning, $11,000 hit-and-hope stallion into Australia’s undisputed champion sire could effectively be sealed today, with Yarraman Park’s titan holding a stronger hand across the country than close rival So You Think (High Chaparral). The battle at the top of the general sires table has been... Read More
Coolmore’s Platinum Aussie
Royal victory for Home Affairs would provide valuable boost to stud’s global operation Nineteen years ago, the much revered Choisir (Danehill Dancer) shocked the European elite when the Paul Perry-trained colt scored a stunning Royal Ascot double for Australia in the King’s Stand Stakes (Gr 2, 5f) and Golden Jubilee Stakes (Gr 1, 6f), the... Read More
Perfect Power earns second Royal Ascot success in Commonwealth Cup
Perfect Power (Ardad) followed in the path of filly Campanelle (Kodiac) and Coolmore stallion Caravaggio (Scat Daddy) in winning the Commonwealth Cup (Gr 1, 6f), having a year earlier claimed Royal Ascot success as a two-year-old. Trained by Richard Fahey, who also prepares Thursday’s Norfolk Stakes (Gr 1, 5f) winner The Ridler (Brazen Beau), Perfect... Read More
Inspiral slams her rivals in Coronation Stakes romp
Last season’s European champion two-year-old filly Inspiral (Frankel) made a hugely impressive return to action when she stretched her record to a perfect five wins from five starts with a stunning performance in the Coronation Stakes (Gr 1, 1m). At a sweltering Ascot, the temperature was turned up on Frankie Dettori after what had so... Read More