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Articles by Dane McLeod
2YO and 3YO Summary: Amelia’s Affair delivers in dominant fashion on debut
Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything • The Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained Amelia's Affair (Home Affairs) was a brilliant winner of the G3 Maribyrnong Plate on debut for Damien Lane. • Billycart (Dundeel {NZ}) showed she is a staying filly of real promise winning the Listed TAB One Pool Trophy in style for trainer Taige Weir and jockey Dean Yendall.
Tuesday Summary: Point Of Law sensational in Melbourne Cup triumph
Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything • Point Of Law (GB) (Frankel {GB}) was a brilliant winner of the G1 Melbourne Cup by just under four lengths in the hands of Ethan Brown as he led home a Ciaron Maher-trained trifecta. • Shadhavar (Pride Of Dubai) made it three Group wins in a row for trainer Tom Dabernig and jockey Craig Williams with an all of the way win in the G3 The Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes.
A full-circle Melbourne Cup moment for Laurence Eales
Cover image courtesy of Racing Photos For Laurence Eales, the build-up to Tuesday’s Group 1 Melbourne Cup carries a significance few owners and breeders get to experience. Having raced Shocking to victory in the 2009 edition, Eales now returns to Flemington with Shockletz (NZ), a mare he bred by Shocking, bringing a remarkable story full circle.
Saturday Preview: Coolmore Stud Stakes glory runs in the family for Waller’s colts
Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything Champion trainer Chris Waller has a two-strong hand in Saturday’s G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington, a race many are calling the race of the carnival. Interestingly, both runners, St Gotthard (Snitzel) and Steel Will (I Am Invincible), are siblings to previous Coolmore Stud Stakes winners who were also trained by Waller.
Vinery secures controlling interest in Group 1 star Warwoven
Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything The deal further strengthens Vinery’s emerging stallion line-up, with the stud believing Warwoven has all the attributes to make his mark at stud. Vinery Stud has reached an agreement to acquire a controlling interest in Warwoven, the brilliant 3-year-old who has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting colts of his generation.
Coolmore clues: Which form line holds the key to the 2026 winner?
Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything A field of 14 3-year-olds will head to the Flemington starting gates on Saturday, each chasing a victory in the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes that could shape their future. For the colts, success can open the door to a career at stud. For the lone gelding, the prize is Group 1 glory, while the three fillies have the opportunity to further establish themselves among the leading performers of the spring by beating the boys.
Inglis innovation sees ‘The Cup’ dream a reality for the new owners of Vauban
Cover image courtesy of Sportpix The Inglis Spring Carnival Sale initiative reflects a growing appetite for accessible racehorse ownership with immediacy a key and the timing of the sale adding another layer of appeal. For vendors, it offers a chance to realise value during the spring carnival, while buyers can secure an interest in established performers with significant racing opportunities still ahead.
Wednesday Racing: So You Are digs deep to boost Melbourne Cup hopes
Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything The talented and tough stayer So You Are (So You Think {NZ}) deserves a spot in the G1 Melbourne Cup, and he should now go at least very close to earning his way into the big one next Tuesday after a tough, tenacious effort in the G3 Bendigo Cup under Rachel King, continuing her outstanding association with Bjorn Baker this spring.
A special filly, an enduring legacy and a Flemington fairytale
Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything Some victories mean more than the result on the racetrack, and Caddington’s success in Saturday’s $200,000 Listed Crockett Stakes at Flemington was one of them.
Six mares and a $2 million winner: B2B’s smaller operation delivers
Cover image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography Ricky Surace Jnr and the B2B Thoroughbreds team enjoyed a standout day at Randwick on Saturday, with Revolina (Russian Revolution) winning the Listed Brian Crowley Stakes before Lazzura (Snitzel) captured the $2 million Group 2 The Invitational. The double offered an interesting snapshot of the operation, with the two winners representing different sides of its approach.
A lifetime in racing builds to a Cox Plate moment like this
Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything For Andrea Leek, it has been a spring of high emotion and personal hardship, but Saturday brought a moment to savour as Cosmic Crusader (NZ) (Maurice {Jpn}) delivered the biggest victory of her training career. The gelding’s G1 Cox Plate triumph at Flemington made Leek just the third woman to train a winner of the prestigious race, adding to his G1 Turnbull Stakes success earlier in the spring.
3-Year-Old Summary: Proxima Dea remains unbeaten with tough Spring Champion triumph
Cover image courtesy of Inglis • Proxima Dea (Tarzino {NZ}) was too tough in the G1 Spring Champion Stakes for Zac Lloyd and trainer David Payne, as the fillies made up the quinella. • Buggsy (Harry Angel {Ire}) was a classy winner of the G3 Red Anchor Stakes at Flemington, heading a Mick Price and Michael Kent (Jnr) quinella under a clever ride by Craig Williams. • Central Europe (Frankel {GB}) broke his maiden in style in the $1 Million G3 Callander-Presnell at Randwick for trainer Chris Waller.
Saturday Summary: Cosmic Crusader shines brightest in historic Flemington Cox Plate
Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything • Cosmic Crusader (NZ) (Maurice {Jpn}) has been a star all spring and he capped it off with a thrilling victory in the G1 Cox Plate for trainer Andrea Leek. • Juja Kibo (Ire) (Belardo {Ire}) was the winner of the G2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup in the hands of Sam Clipperton as he led a Ciaron Maher-trained trifecta in the race.
From Perth to Inglis: Tom Johnston’s arrival into the bloodstock world
Cover image courtesy of Inglis The Inglis Internship has helped launch the careers of several successful industry participants, including James Price, Will Gardner, Peter Twomey and James Mitchell. For Perth-born and bred Tom Johnston, he is hoping his appointment can be the springbaoard to a life within the industry.
The 2026 Flemington-based Cox Plate brings a different test
Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything For more than a century, the Cox Plate has been defined by the unique demands of Moonee Valley, where tight turns, a short straight and the urgency of the start have helped shape one of Australian racing’s most celebrated contests.
Confederation commands $205,000 to top Inglis Online Sale
Cover image courtesy of Inglis • The two-time Group 3-placed colt Confederation (Wootton Bassett {GB}) sold to Sandhurst for $205,000 • Two individual 2.5% shares in the exciting 2-year-old She’s Supreme (Exceedance) sold for $10,000 each to the bid of ML Thoroughbreds, valuing the filly at roughly $400,000. • Blue Gum Farm and Suman Hedge paid $155,000 for the classy Maurice (Jpn) mare Queen Of Clubs.
Wednesday Racing: Point Of Law wins Geelong Cup to secure a golden ticket to the big one
Cover image courtesy of Racing Photos It was European form to the fore in the G3 Geelong Cup, with the lightly raced Point Of Law (GB) (Frankel {GB}) producing a strong staying performance under Ethan Brown to win at just his fifth career start and secure a ‘Golden Ticket’ into the G1 Melbourne Cup.
Nominations closing for Magic Millions Racing Women Achievement Awards
Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions With nominations closing in just over three weeks, the Magic Millions Racing Women Achievement Award provide an opportunity to recognise women across all sectors of the thoroughbred industry, from established figures to those making their mark at earlier stages of their careers.
Hong Kong Review: Cummings breaks through in Hong Kong with Grand Eagle
Cover image courtesy of The Hong Kong Jockey Club James Cummings has enjoyed success in many of Australia’s biggest races, but his first winner in Hong Kong carried a significance of its own. The grandson of legendary Australian trainer Bart Cummings broke through when Grand Eagle (Farnan), owned by a syndicate headed by iconic Hong Kong trainer John Moore, stormed home to defeat the highly promising Mr Incredible (Toronado {Ire}) to also become the first winner for his sire Farnan in Hong Kong.
From the bush to the big stage: Why racing’s biggest names need to keep backing the country
Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything Racing’s biggest businesses have good reason to keep horses in country stables. Every horse they send supports work for local trainers, jockeys and stable staff, while the country circuit helps develop the horses and horsemanship those businesses rely on. For Arrowfield Stud and Gerry Harvey’s Baramul Stud, that relationship is part of daily business.
Trial Report: King Of Roseau shows his class in stylish Rosehill victory
Cover image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography The Capitalist gelding King Of Roseau has won a tick over $2.3 million on the track, and he showed his class with a stylish win over 1030 metres at the Rosehill trials in the hands of Tom Sherry. Sherry settled the gelding back on the rail in midfield and, when he manoeuvred him behind heels shortly after straightening, King Of Roseau picked up the field under minimal urging to score narrowly but nicely.
The mare nobody wanted: Tricolours' remarkable Group 3 result
Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything When James Moss bought Miss Moana (NZ) (Uncle Mo {USA}) for NZ$50,000 at Karaka in 2017, she became the first yearling purchased by his Tricolours Racing syndication business. Miss Moana showed plenty of ability on the track before injury ended her career. Offered as a broodmare prospect with a $100,000 reserve, she failed to sell. Moss decided to keep her, only to endure two frustrating breeding seasons before she finally produced a foal.
3-Year-Old Summary: Saintly Dancer waltzes her way to Thousand Guineas glory
Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything • It was the Ciaron Maher and First Light Racing combination that picked up the G1 Thousand Guineas with a strong front-running performance by Saintly Dancer (St Mark's Basilica {Fr}) in the hands of Blake Shinn. • Marrfiano (Home Affairs) led a Home Affairs quinella in the G3 Blue Sapphire Stakes at Caulfield for Team Hayes.
Woodlow Equine strikes the right balance with $600,000 Inglis Ready2Race result
Cover image courtesy of Inglis For Australian eventing riders Shenae Lowings and Sam Woods, success in the saddle has taken them to the Olympic Games and World Championships. Their latest achievement, however, came in the bloodstock ring, where their first-ever draft at the Inglis Ready2Race Sale produced $775,000 in sales from just two colts.
Saturday Preview: Can Tempted be the giant-killer in The Everest?
Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything A lot of the talk in the week leading up to the $20 million G1 The Everest has centred on the rainfall in Sydney and whether Hong Kong superstar Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) will be able to handle the likely heavy or soft track conditions.
Stable Tours: Will the Cups overflow for Grahame Begg?
Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything The Cups are on everyone’s mind at the Grahame Begg yard with Zakouma already qualified for the Melbourne Cup and She’s a Hustler (NZ) on a Caulfield Cup pathway. But there are also plenty of rising stars to pay attention to, with the spring ahead looking like an exciting time. Exciting 3-year-old filly Jadzia (Ole Kirk) ran seventh in Sunday's G3 Scarborough Stakes.
Trial Report: Xidaki big and bold as he bolts in at Randwick
Cover image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography The G3 Winx Guineas and Listed Canberra Guineas-winning 3-year-old Xidaki (Zoustar) promised that he may be reaching the form we know the Zoustar gelding is capable of now as a mature 6-year-old with a demolition job in the opening heat over 1200 metres at Randwick, bolting in by a touch under six and a half lengths.
Weekend Preview: Guest House primed and ready to bloom in the Golden Rose
Cover image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography The excitement machine Guest House (Home Affairs) was a star as a 2-year-old, winning the G1 Golden Slipper, and when he resumed at three with a track record in the G3 San Domenico Stakes, his name naturally went straight to the top of the market for the stallion-making G1 Golden Rose Stakes.
Stable Tours: Gelagotis Racing building for the future while still chasing spring success
Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything In this instalment of Stable Tours, TTR caught up with Manny Gelagotis, General Manager and Assistant Trainer to his brother Peter, for an insight into the team’s spring hopes and the next wave of talent looking to make their mark.
Wednesday Racing: Blessed Eagle takes flight in Warwick Farm romp
Cover image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography The smart Farnan 3-year-old colt Blessed Eagle showed he has plenty to offer and is a candidate for better races ahead after a sustained showing of speed for trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, scoring in style in the 3-year-old BM68 Handicap at Warwick Farm on Wednesday. There was a bit of drama early, with race favourite Peyton (Zoustar) scratched after getting fractious in the gates.
Anamoe announces himself at the official 2YO Trials
Cover image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography All eyes were on Randwick’s Kensington track on Monday, as the first 2-year-olds of the new season stepped out across nine trials, with plenty of talking points emerging from the morning.
Stable Tours: Smith’s spring stars keeping big-race dreams alive
Cover image courtesy of Sportpix There is plenty happening across the Matthew Smith stable as the spring carnival gathers momentum, with the Warwick Farm trainer preparing a team that offers both immediate targets and plenty to look forward to further down the road. At the forefront is Aethelwulf (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}), whose progression through the grades continued with an impressive victory in the G3 Newcastle Gold Cup.
3-year-old Summary: Bangkok Hottie packs too much heat again
Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything • The David Payne-trained Bangkok Hottie (Too Darn Hot {GB}) went back-to-back at Group 2 level with an impressive win in the G2 Tea Rose Stakes in the hands of Kerrin McEvoy. • The New Zealand-bred Blind Raise (NZ) (Ace High) was a brilliant winner of the G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude for trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young in an action-packed running of the race.
Saturday Summary: Angel Capital finds his Group 1 wings
Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything • Angel Capital (Harry Angel {Ire}) was a brilliant winner of the G1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes in the hands of Ben Meham. The Yulong owned horse has now cemented his spot at stud in the future with that valuable Group 1 win. • Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) showed her class again with a narrow but dominant victory in the G2 Seven Stakes at Randwick for the Chris Waller and James McDonald combination.
Aethelwulf in a race of his own in a classy Newcastle Gold Cup romp
Cover image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography The very exciting Matthew Smith-trained 4-year-old stayer Aethelwulf (Saxon Warrior {Jpn}) came into the G3 Newcastle Gold Cup at Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) type odds and, on completion of the race, he cemented himself as a genuine spring contender as expected with a demolition job win by a touch under two and a half lengths, but in saying that, under minimal urgings.
Saturday Preview: Autumn set to glow again at Randwick
Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything It may look like a potential procession, but funny things can happen in racing. Still, the superstar mare Autumn Glow (The Autumn Sun) is a well-deserved short odds-on shot to claim the $1 million G2 Seven Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.
Racing Australia announce welfare exemption for denied Thoroughbreds
Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything If the point of being a Thoroughbred is to race, then getting as many horses accepted to race as possible is the outcome that every breeder wants. On Thursday, Racing Australia announced that breeders who have had Foal Ownership Declaration (FOD) appeal denied can now appeal for their horse to be reinstated as eligible to race.
Wednesday Racing: Sav On Ice goes back-to-back in the Balaklava Cup
Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions It was the big 5-year-old grey gelding Sav On Ice (Puissance De Lune {Ire}) that was toughest of them all in the 2026 running of the Listed Balaklava Cup in the hands of Kayla Crowther, meaning the grey went back-to-back in the feature race after also winning in 2025.
Stable Tours: Modella leads the charge as a new generation emerges at Curtis Racing
Cover image courtesy of Sportpix The Curtis stable has a different look about it this season, but there is plenty of excitement around what lies ahead. With a number of the older horses having moved on, the classy headline act is Modella who has big aims, Cherie Curtis gives TTR the background of their new and promising team.
Stable Tours: Pondalowie has Sparta Racing dreaming of more Group spoils
Cover image courtesy of Sparta Racing There is plenty happening around Sparta Racing at present, and Emmalee Browne wouldn’t have it any other way. Training in combination with husband David Browne, she has a team that is starting to take shape across the grades as she outlined to TTR.
Welcometotheshow welcomes Donaldson-Aitken to the stakes winning club
Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything For Ballarat-based trainer and horse educator Tyler Donaldson-Aitken, the Listed Tontonan Stakes victory of Welcometotheshow at Flemington was a significant milestone and a quick entry to the stakes-winning training ranks, but hardly an overnight achievement. The 36-year-old saddled up his first runner, Immortal One (I Am Immortal), roughly 18 months ago.
Matings Mix: Charyn’s Cambridge chapter begins with some of the stud’s best mares
In today's Matings Mix, Scott Calder, Sales and Nominations at Cambridge Stud, talks TTR through some of the matings for the Cambridge Stud broodmare band and the use of the farm's exciting stallion roster. A handful of top-class mares will cross the Tasman to visit established Australian suitors, while the arrival of triple Group 1 winner Charyn (Ire) adds another dimension to an already strong lineup.
Stable Tours: Baker armed with depth across the age groups
Cover image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography With his Warwick Farm stable boasting considerable depth across all age groups and potential distance targets, Baker has plenty to look forward to this preparation ahead of all of the major Group races in the spring.
Stable Tours: Willaidow heads Conners’ team as proven performers blend with future investments
Cover image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography There is plenty to like about the Conners stable heading into spring, with Mitchell Conners talking to The Thoroughbred Report about their proven performers ready to make their mark again, while a promising group of young horses provides an exciting glimpse of what is still to come.
Wednesday Racing: Warnie weaves his magic in the Chautauqua Stakes
Cover image courtesy of Racing Photos The Ciaron Maher-trained Warnie (Ire) (Highland Reel {Ire}) was in dynamic form second-up, claiming the delayed running of the G3 Chautauqua Stakes at Sandown in thrilling fashion by just over a length in the hands of Mark Zahra. The race was postponed from Saturday after stormy weather hit Melbourne over the weekend, but the result was never really in doubt on Wednesday as the Bennett Racing-owned gelding proved far too good.
Trial Report: Robusto looks sharp as Everest-bound Ninja catches the eye
Cover image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography It was the Bjorn Baker-trained Group 2 winner Robusto (Churchill {Ire}) who was the sharpest over 900 metres at Rosehill, in a trial field packed with classy gallopers, with Nash Rawiller aboard. Rawiller went straight to the lead on Robusto, while the smart sprinter Jokers Grin (Maschino) was keen after being taken a hold of by Adam Hyeronimus in second. Cambridge Stud's star mare Joliestar (Zoustar) settled towards the rear of the field.
Stable Tours: Sutton’s youngsters ready to step up as Feroce leads older brigade
Cover Image courtesy of Dominic Sutton Racing There is plenty of optimism around the Sutton stable heading into spring, with several of last season’s promising 2-year-olds now stepping into their 3-year-old campaigns. With the next phase of their development ahead, Sutton spoke to The Thoroughbred Report about a team he believes can make its presence felt.
A McDonald masterclass gets Matusalem the Wyong Cup
Cover image courtesy of Matusalem There would have been all sorts of emotions during the running of the Listed Wyong Cup for connections and followers of the Chris Waller-trained Matusalem (The Autumn Sun), as James McDonald gave the progressive stayer a beautiful trip throughout the 2100 metres. However, at the top of the straight, when travelling like the winner, no run presented and hope looked lost.
Saturday Preview: The young gun Natural Fling takes on the older stars in 'The Moir'
Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained Natural Fling (Home Affairs) is looking to add her name to the list of 3-year-olds to win the G1 Moir Stakes after Coolangatta (Written Tycoon), She Will Reign (Manhattan Rain) and Extreme Choice have all tasted success in the race over the last decade.
Trial Report: Willaidow warms up for the spring in style
Cover image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography The Marc and Mitchell Conners-trained Willaidow (Shamus Award) looked in fine form ahead of a spring campaign with a comfortable trial victory over 800 metres at Warwick Farm in the hands of Tim Clark. The Shamus Award 8-year-old gelding had not been seen publicly since running a strong fifth in the G3 BRC Sprint behind Abounding (Rich Enuff), having previously won the G3 JRA Plate over 1200 metres at Rosehill in late January.
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