
Imperialist
The blend of burgeoning Australian breed-shaper Fastnet Rock (Danehill) and American legend Storm Cat (Storm Bird) has produced another Group winner with Imperialist’s (Churchill) victory in Saturday’s Rough Habit Plate (Gr 3, 2000m) at Doomben. Bred by Gordon Cunningham of New Zealand’s Curraghmore Stud and Arkle Bloodstock’s Demi O’Byrne, the gelding was bought for $170,000... Read More

Mum’s the word as Esha eyes spring riches
The unflappable nature she inherited from her suitably stellar mum I Am A Star (I Am Invincible) should set dominant debut winner Esha (Extreme Choice) in good stead as she prepares to add some precious black type to her pedigree page this spring. That is the considered view of her trainer Shane Nichols, who prepared... Read More

‘It will be difficult to say goodbye but I’m very proud of the legacy I leave behind’ – Orton announces he will leave Vinery
After 25 years at the helm of Vinery Stud, which he effectively helped build from scratch, general manager Peter Orton has called time on his tenure at the famed Hunter Valley operation. Since being head-hunted by its previous owner Dr Tom Simon a quarter of a century ago, Orton has successfully established Vinery as a... Read More

Thompson hoping Benagil can rise to the Group 1 occasion once again
Glen Thompson is confident the rise and rise of his three-year-old filly Benagil (Manhattan Rain) will continue as she begins her Brisbane swing this weekend with eyes on a second Oaks triumph. Benagil, who broke through at the top tier last start with a dominant victory in the Australasian Oaks (Gr 1, 2000m) at Morphettville... Read More

Hayes edges closer to John Size in trainers’ championship with treble
A David Hayes treble at Sha Tin on Sunday has breathed fresh life into the 2024/25 Hong Kong trainers’ championship, as the Australian moved to within six wins of compatriot and 12-time champion John Size with 16 meetings left in the season. Hayes dominated with the performances of Oriental Smoke (Artie Schiller), Solid Shalaa (Shalaa)... Read More

‘He has a lot of good prospects on the horizon’- Future’s bright for Newhaven’s Cool Aza Beel
Newhaven Park is expecting a surge in interest in their young sire Cool Aza Beel (Savabeel) on the back of the deeds of his son Cool Archie, who claimed his second stakes win in Saturday’s Spirit Of Boom Classic (Gr 2, 1200m) at Doomben. But Newhaven will resist the temptation to increase Cool Aza Beel’s... Read More