Horse Racing News
Sons And Lovers enters 2025 Melbourne Cup picture
Joseph O’Brien’s stayer Sons And Lovers has taken a significant leap towards a potential Spring Carnival tilt in Australia after capturing the Group 3 Ballyroan Stakes (2414m) at Leopardstown on Thursday night (AEST). The son of Study Of Man produced a gritty performance to defeat Crystal Black and Siege Of Troy,...
Heavy conditions a Blessing for 2025 Missile Stakes contender
Trainer John Thompson believes a return to Randwick could be just what With Your Blessing needs to claim a long-awaited Group win in Saturday’s Missile Stakes. The honest sprinter returns after a fifth-place finish first-up at Rosehill, where he was beaten two lengths by Missile Stakes rival Romeo’s Choice. While the...
Ceolwulf on track for 2025 Winx Stakes return
Ceolwulf sharpened up for a big spring campaign with an eye-catching trial at Warwick Farm on Friday as he prepares to launch in the Winx Stakes. The Joe Pride-trained gelding was ridden quietly in his first trial last month, but this time, with Chad Schofield back aboard, he was allowed to...
Last year’s winner to miss the 2025 Caulfield Cup
Ciaron Maher’s hopes of a back-to-back Caulfield Cup win with Duke De Sessa have taken a hit, with the stayer removed from contention following a minor training issue. On Friday, Racing Victoria stewards confirmed that last year's Cup winner had been withdrawn from the 2025 renewal, which is set to be...
Stars horses don’t disappoint at barrier trials at Randwick
The stars were out in force at Thursday’s Randwick trials, where Cox Plate winner Via Sistina showed she's ready for another big spring, finishing a strong second to Vauban in a 1000m trial on heavy ground. With James McDonald in the saddle, Via Sistina travelled smoothly under a tight hold, while...
Melbourne Cup 2025 dream starts at Randwick for Kadavar's connections
Chris Waller is no stranger to leading the way in Australian racing, but the Hall of Fame trainer says last year’s Melbourne Cup win by Knight’s Choice has sparked a fresh approach to his Cup ambitions this spring. Sheila Laxon’s victory with the Walcha-bred gelding was a significant moment, showing that...
Parchment Party bound for the 2025 Melbourne Cup
Parchment Party has placed himself firmly on a path toward the Melbourne Cup after a commanding victory in the Birdstone Stakes at Saratoga, held Thursday morning Australian time. The four-year-old entire, trained by U.S. Hall of Famer Bill Mott, followed up his win in the Grade 2 Belmont Gold Cup —...
Circumstances dictate start at Moonee Valley races
A backup plan has been enacted for Nellie Leylax, with the imported galloper now set to remain in Melbourne and race at Moonee Valley this Saturday. Originally dual accepted for the weekend’s racing, Nellie Leylax will line up in the Travis Harrison Cup (2040m) instead of the Premier’s Cup Prelude (1800m)...
2025 Missile Stakes day at Randwick races in doubt
The fate of Saturday’s Missile Stakes meeting at Randwick could be at the mercy of the skies, with officials keeping a close watch on further predicted rainfall. Following more than 155mm of rain this week, the Randwick track was rated a heavy 9 on Thursday, raising questions about how conditions will...
Peter Snowden puts emerging mares on different routes
Peter Snowden has decided to split promising mares Tuileries and Amreekiyah, scratching the former from Randwick to keep the two on separate paths. The pair were both acceptors for the Chandon Handicap (1400m) on Saturday and while Snowden doesn’t know if he will be able to keep them apart for long, he is...