# Newgate Farm racing news brief, full text

Site: https://www.newgate.farm
Feed: https://www.newgate.farm/news/feed.xml

## Monday 9 November 2026: Izzy Neale critical after Warren fall, Scone postponed
URL: https://www.newgate.farm/news/091126

Racing in New South Wales paused on Monday, with the Scone meeting postponed while apprentice Izzy Neale remains in a critical condition after Sunday's fall at Warren. Elsewhere there is better news on Autumn Glow, a retirement date set for Forever Young, and fresh sales and funding numbers from both hemispheres.

### 1. Apprentice Izzy Neale in critical condition after Warren fall
Source: Racenet (Australia), https://www.racenet.com.au/news/apprentice-izzy-neale-airlifted-to-hospital-after-fall-at-warren-races-on-sunday-20261108
Interactions on X: 38

Apprentice jockey Izzy Neale was airlifted to hospital after a fall at Warren on Sunday and remains in a critical condition. Monday's Scone meeting was postponed following discussions with jockeys and trainers.

### 2. Forever Young to retire after Tokyo Daishoten
Source: Paulick Report (International), https://paulickreport.com/news/thoroughbred-racing/forever-young-to-close-career-in-japans-tokyo-daishoten
Interactions on X: 61
Horses: Forever Young (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/forever-young-AUS-2014)

Forever Young (JPN) will make the final start of his career in the Tokyo Daishoten (G1) on 29 December at Ohi Racecourse in Tokyo. Trainer Yoshito Yahagi announced the plan on Sunday via X. The horse will be retired after the race.

### 3. Foot bruising for Autumn Glow, autumn targets flagged
Source: sen.com.au (Australia), https://www.sen.com.au/news/2026/11/08/horse-racing-2026-autumn-glow-update-pulled-up-lame-autumn-preparation-plan-overseas-race-plans
Interactions on X: 0
Horses: Autumn Glow (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/autumn-glow-AUS-2021), Lindermann (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/lindermann-AUS-2019), Joliestar (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/joliestar-AUS-2020)

Chris Waller said Autumn Glow pulled up mildly lame after her 1.25-length Champions Mile win over stablemate Lindermann, but X-rays and scans were clear and the issue was bruising in her foot, since attended to by the farrier. The mare is comfortable on anti-inflammatories and her spring is over, leaving her with a record of 15-0-1 from 16 starts and six Group 1 wins. Waller indicated sprint and mile races in the autumn, with the George Ryder shaping as her main target alongside the Apollo and Canterbury Stakes, and said he was reluctant to return to 2000m. He also played down an overseas campaign, citing travel demands and Australian prize money.

### 4. Magic Millions catalogues 1,280 for Gold Coast yearling sale
Source: ANZ Bloodstock News (Australia), https://www.anzbloodstocknews.com/gold-coast-catalogue-released-for-2027/
Interactions on X: 0

Magic Millions has released a catalogue of 1,280 lots for its 2027 Gold Coast Yearling Sale, which opens the Australasian yearling selling season. The catalogue includes a strong representation of proven stallions, 22 first-season sires and an extensive selection of yearlings from Group 1-winning mares.

### 5. Claiborne pays $240,000 for Hypersport as Book 4 opens
Source: Thoroughbred Daily News (International), https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/240k-blame-mare-on-top-as-book-4-opens-at-keeneland-november/
Interactions on X: 8
Horses: Hypersport ()

Claiborne Farm went to $240,000 for the seven-year-old Blame mare Hypersport (hip 2150) to top the sixth session of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. The two-time stakes winner sold in foal to Fierceness. The session saw 264 horses gross $9,962,200 at an average of $37,736 and a median of $29,000, with the average down 7.88 per cent and the median down 3.33 per cent on the corresponding session of the record 2025 sale, and a buy-back rate of 19.76 per cent. Claiborne's Walker Hancock, who sold all 14 horses the farm offered, said young, unexposed mares with early covers by attractive sires sold very well, while late covers and older mares were tough.

### 6. Tasracing loss widens to $1.35 million as wagering slips
Source: thestraight.com.au (Australia), https://thestraight.com.au/tasracing-loss-widens-wagering-falls/
Interactions on X: 0

Tasracing recorded a total comprehensive loss of $1.35 million for 2025/26, up from $1.21 million, with the pre-tax loss widening to $1.89 million. Revenue rose to $76.12 million but expenses grew faster to $78.02 million, while racefield revenue fell 4.9 per cent to $21.78 million after a kennel cough outbreak cost 12 greyhound meetings and thoroughbred margins weakened. Wagering on Tasmanian racing totalled $691 million against a $728 million target, with thoroughbred turnover easing to $319 million from a reduced program of 65 meetings and 528 races, lifting turnover per thoroughbred race about 8 per cent. A 10-year industry strategy has been signed off, though state funding beyond 2029 remains unsettled.

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## Sunday 8 November 2026: Autumn Glow Delivers as Flemington Closes Cup Week
URL: https://www.newgate.farm/news/081126

Melbourne Cup week signed off at Flemington with Autumn Glow holding firm in the Champions Mile, a Chris Waller trifecta and a first for James McDonald. Off the track, the carnival's crowd figures, a seven-figure Keeneland broodmare and the end of Al Kazeem's stallion career round out the day.

### 1. Autumn Glow Takes Champions Mile in Waller Trifecta
Source: nine.com.au (Australia), https://www.nine.com.au/sport/horse-racing/champions-stakes-sprint-mile-results-video-flemington-autumn-glow-chris-waller-james-mcdonald-birdman-carlton-patrick-cripps-20261107-p61c9j.html
Interactions on X: 0
Horses: Autumn Glow (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/autumn-glow-AUS-2021), Lindermann (), Buckaroo (), Winx (), Verry Elleegant (), Nature Strip (), Birdman (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/birdman-AUS-2007), Cosmic Crusader (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/cosmic-crusader-NZ-2020), Sir Delius (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/sir-delius-GB-2021), Tempted (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/tempted-AUS-2022), Point Barrow (), Joliestar (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/joliestar-AUS-2020), Plaintiff (), Skybird (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/skybird-AUS-2020)

Autumn Glow won the $3 million VRC Champions Mile at her first Flemington start, the $1.18 favourite charging home late to beat stablemate Lindermann with Buckaroo third, giving Chris Waller the trifecta. The five-year-old mare has now won 15 of 16 starts, seven at Group 1 level, and Waller said she could beat Winx on her day while noting Winx's longevity set her apart. The result made James McDonald the first jockey to ride a winner in every Group 1 across the four Cup week meetings. Birdman, part-owned by Carlton's Patrick Cripps and teammates, won the TAB Champions Stakes from Cox Plate winner Cosmic Crusader and Sir Delius, while $16 outsider Point Barrow upset the VRC Sprint after $1.70 favourite Tempted failed to run top four.

### 2. Cup Week Crowds Pass 300,000 at Flemington
Source: Racenet (Australia), https://www.racenet.com.au/news/remarkable-week-2026-melbourne-cup-carnival-fourday-crowds-top-300000-20261107
Interactions on X: 58

Racenet reports the 2026 Melbourne Cup carnival drew 307,889 people across its four days at Flemington. The figure returns Cup week to its position as the world's best attended race carnival. Fuller detail was not available from the publisher at the time of writing.

### 3. Spangled Banner Makes $1 Million at Keeneland
Source: BloodHorse (International), https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/295917/dam-of-u-s-s-valor-brings-1-million-at-keeneland
Interactions on X: 29
Horses: Spangled Banner (), U. S. S. Valor (), Expressman (), Tiz the Law (), Fully Subscribed (), Eve of War (), The Puma (), Ladyecho (), Curalina ()

Spangled Banner, the 15-year-old Tiz Wonderful mare who produced Champagne Stakes (G1) winner U. S. S. Valor, sold for $1 million late in the fifth session of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale on 7 November. Bertie Butler bought her for Saleh Al Otaibi's Al Ruwais Stables from the Bluewater Sales draft, with the mare in foal to Tiz the Law. She topped the session and was the highest-priced horse to sell in Book 3, having last changed hands for $225,000 at the 2022 Fasig-Tipton August Digital Sale to Barry and Kathleen Irwin. Al Ruwais also bought Eve of War, the dam of The Puma, for $2.4 million on day one of the sale.

### 4. Oakgrove Stud Retires Al Kazeem From Stud Duty
Source: Racing Post (International), https://www.racingpost.com/bloodstock/stallion-news/were-incredibly-lucky-to-know-what-its-like-to-own-and-breed-a-champion-end-of-an-era-as-al-kazeem-retired-from-stallion-duty-aUDhs6D4SJO1/
Interactions on X: 47
Horses: Al Kazeem ()

Oakgrove Stud has called time on the stallion career of Al Kazeem, the subfertile Group 1 winner the operation both owned and bred. "We're incredibly lucky to know what it's like to own and breed a champion," his connections told the Racing Post. Fuller detail was not available from the publisher at the time of writing.

### 5. Racing NSW Future Fund Reaches $260 Million
Source: Racenet (Australia), https://www.racenet.com.au/news/nsw-racing-industry-future-fund-hits-quarter-of-a-billion-mark-20261108
Interactions on X: 9

Racing NSW's 2025/26 Annual Report shows the NSW Racing Industry Future Fund has passed the quarter-of-a-billion mark at $260 million. Chief executive Peter V'landys will formally depart Racing NSW at the end of the month. Fuller detail was not available from the publisher at the time of writing.

### 6. Sovereignty Heads Classic Future Wager Pool One
Source: breederscup.com (International), https://breederscup.com/news/2026/sovereignty-closes-as-3-1-favorite-in-pool-1-of-longines-breeders-cup-classic-future-wager
Interactions on X: 0
Horses: Sovereignty (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/sovereignty-AUS-2022)

Godolphin LLC's Whitney Stakes (G1) winner Sovereignty closed as the 3-1 favourite when betting finished in Pool 1 of the Longines Breeders' Cup Classic Future Wager. It was the first of two future wagering pools on North America's richest race. The release was issued from Lexington, Kentucky.

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## Saturday 7 November 2026: Point Barrow Upsets Stakes Day Sprint As Sovereignty Retires
URL: https://www.newgate.farm/news/071126

Stakes Day at Flemington opened with a genuine boilover, Point Barrow accounting for the best sprinters in the land at $19. Abroad, the retirement terms for Breeders' Cup Classic winner Sovereignty have been set, while the Keeneland November Sale moved into Book 3 with a $750,000 topper. Chris Waller also has next year's Melbourne Cup in mind after the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

### 1. Point Barrow lands first Group 1 in Champions Sprint
Source: aapnews.com.au (Australia), https://www.aapnews.com.au/news/boilover-in-champions-sprint-as-point-barrow-beats-best
Interactions on X: 0
Horses: Point Barrow (), Tempted (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/tempted-AUS-2022), Joliestar (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/joliestar-AUS-2020), Plaintiff (), Sky Bird (), Giga Kick (), Santa Ana Lane (), Ka Ying Rising (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/ka-ying-rising-NZ-2020)

Point Barrow ($19) won the $3 million VRC Champions Sprint at Flemington on Saturday, upsetting Everest winner Tempted and five-time Group 1 winner Joliestar. The four-year-old mare, trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman and ridden by Mark Zahra, held off Plaintiff and Sky Bird in a blanket finish for her first win at the top level. It was Zahra's third win in the race after Giga Kick in 2025 and Santa Ana Lane in 2018.

### 2. Sovereignty to stand at Darley America for $150,000
Source: BloodHorse (International), https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/295781/bc-classic-winner-sovereignty-enters-stud-at-150-000
Interactions on X: 0
Horses: Sovereignty (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/sovereignty-AUS-2022), Knightsbridge (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/knightsbridge-AUS-2023), Into Mischief (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/into-mischief-USA-2005), Nyquist (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/nyquist-USA-2013), Street Sense (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/street-sense-USA-2004), Authentic (), Ferdinand (), Alysheba (), Sunday Silence (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/sunday-silence-USA-1986), Unbridled (), American Pharoah (), Crowned (), Mushka (), Speaker's Corner (), Golden Pal (), Corniche (), Tyburn Brook (), Round Pond ()

Breeders' Cup Classic winner Sovereignty will enter stud next year at Darley America at Jonabell Farm near Lexington at a fee of $150,000, with Pacific Classic winner Knightsbridge set at $75,000. A Godolphin homebred son of Into Mischief, Sovereignty retires with five Group/Grade 1 wins and earnings of more than $10.5 million, and is the only horse to win the Kentucky Derby, Travers and Breeders' Cup Classic. Knightsbridge, a son of Nyquist, is a five-time graded stakes winner who ran third in the Classic and retires with more than $2.15 million.

### 3. Hot Mash brings $750,000 at Keeneland November
Source: BloodHorse (International), https://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/295899/hot-mash-tops-keeneland-book-3-opener-at-750k
Interactions on X: 14
Horses: Hot Mash (), Not This Time (), French Friction (), City of Light (), More Oats Please (), Peace and War (), Conquest Angel (), Rushie ()

Hot Mash, a grade 1-placed three-year-old daughter of Not This Time, topped Friday's Book 3 opener of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale at $750,000, bought by Hugo Merry Bloodstock for Blue Diamond Stud USA from the Taylor Made draft. Gainesway paid $450,000 for stakes winner French Friction, a daughter of City of Light. Day four saw 246 horses sell for $23,395,200, a total down 10.1 per cent, with the average up 4.9 per cent to $95,102, the median down 7.1 per cent to $65,000 and an RNA rate of 25.2 per cent.

### 4. Pinhole wins Queen Elizabeth Stakes to earn Cup exemption
Source: justhorseracing.com.au (Australia), https://www.justhorseracing.com.au/news/australian-racing/pinhole-taps-in-melbourne-cup-qualification-in-queen-elizabeth-stakes/914366
Interactions on X: 0
Horses: Pinhole (), Point Of Law (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/point-of-law-GB-2023), Manzor Blue (), Torranzino (), Defiantly (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/defiantly-AUS-2013), Makybe Diva ()

Pinhole, who missed a Melbourne Cup start by one spot at 25th in the order of entry, won the Queen Elizabeth Stakes as the $2.60 favourite by 2¾ lengths from Manzor Blue ($41) and Torranzino ($26). Trainer Chris Waller described the UK import as a bright stayer of the future and said he is now qualified for next year's Cup. The Joseph O'Brien-trained Defiantly, who led for two-thirds of the race, finished fourth.

### 5. Soldi reported winner of Inglis Banner at Flemington
Source: Racenet (Australia), https://www.racenet.com.au/news/hayes-filly-soldi-cashes-in-again-in-inglis-banner-at-flemington-on-champions-day-20261107
Interactions on X: 0
Horses: Soldi (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/soldi-ARG-2022)

Racenet reports that the Hayes-trained filly Soldi won the Inglis Banner at Flemington on Champions Day. The full report was not retrievable at the time of writing, so no further detail is confirmed here.

### 6. Dolan wins Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge with Classic exacta
Source: Thoroughbred Daily News (International), https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/rob-dolan-wins-breeders-cup-betting-challenge/
Interactions on X: 0
Horses: Sovereignty (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/sovereignty-AUS-2022), The Puma ()

Rob Dolan of Saratoga Springs, New York, won the 2026 Breeders' Cup Betting Challenge after going all in on an exacta combining Sovereignty with The Puma in the Breeders' Cup Classic. He finished with total winnings of $625,794, made up of a $140,694 bankroll and $485,100 in prize money. The 18th running of the live-money tournament, held 30-31 October at Keeneland, drew a record 693 entries, up 7.7 per cent on 2025.

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## Friday 6 November 2026: Proxima Dea unbeaten in Oaks as Betfred quits Classics
URL: https://www.newgate.farm/news/061126

Proxima Dea's VRC Oaks win kept a perfect record intact and has her trainer talking about next year's Melbourne Cup. Overseas, last week's British budget has claimed its first sponsorship casualty, and Keeneland's Book 2 closed with a steady mare market but a softer weanling trade. There was tragedy at Ipswich, where a three-horse fall cost the mare Maurita her life.

### 1. Proxima Dea makes it six from six in VRC Oaks
Source: Racing.com (Australia), https://www.racing.com/news/2026/11/05/news-review-flemington-vrc-oaks-main-051126
Interactions on X: 72
Horses: Proxima Dea (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/proxima-dea-AUS-2023), Shameful Impulse (), Denise's Joy (), Tarzino (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/tarzino-NZ-2012)

Proxima Dea remained unbeaten with a dominant win in Thursday's VRC Oaks at Flemington, her first start at 2500m and her first at the track racing anticlockwise. The David Payne-trained daughter of Tarzino overcame barrier 15 and drew clear of $51 chance Shameful Impulse, who ran second for Rob Blacker. She has now won six from six including two Group 1s in her first preparation, and the win delivered Zac Lloyd his first Melbourne Group 1. She is the first Oaks winner from gate 15 or wider since Denise's Joy in 1975, heads to the paddock next, and is a $15 third favourite for next year's Melbourne Cup, a race Payne nominated as a long-term possibility.

### 2. Betfred walks away from all five British Classics
Source: Racing Post (International), https://www.racingpost.com/news/industry/racing-industry/betfred-left-with-no-choice-but-to-walk-away-from-classics-sponsorship-after-budget-blow-a8Uho3W5crF2/
Interactions on X: 141

Betfred will not proceed with a three-year renewal of its sponsorship of the five British Classics, citing successive tax rises and in particular the increase in machine games duty from 20 to 25 per cent in last week's budget. The firm's modelling claimed 284 of its remaining 1,094 shops would become loss-makers, putting 1,420 jobs at risk. The Jockey Club said it was disappointed but is already in talks with prospective partners for the Derby and the Guineas festival, while Arena Racing Company said the decision was no surprise and it hoped to work with Betfred again. Betfred began sponsoring the Derby and Oaks in 2023, added the St Leger later that year and the two Guineas from 2025, and offered a £2 million Triple Crown bonus.

### 3. Sovereignty to stand at $150,000 after Jonabell arrival
Source: Thoroughbred Daily News (International), https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/sovereignty-knightsbridge-at-home-with-team-godolphin-at-jonabell-farm/
Interactions on X: 35
Horses: Sovereignty (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/sovereignty-AUS-2022), Knightsbridge (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/knightsbridge-AUS-2023), Flightline ()

Breeders' Cup Classic winner Sovereignty and stablemate Knightsbridge, who ran third, have arrived at Godolphin's Jonabell Farm and will join the Darley America roster in 2027. Sovereignty will stand for an introductory fee of $150,000, the highest for a new stallion since Flightline's $200,000 in 2023, with Knightsbridge at $75,000. Darley America sales manager Darren Fox said the pair would future-proof the stallion barn and credited trainer Bill Mott and his team. Sovereignty, by Into Mischief and out of a Bernardini mare, is the only horse to sweep the Kentucky Derby, Travers and Breeders' Cup Classic, and retired with earnings above $10.5 million.

### 4. Royal Slipper tops Keeneland November Book 2 at $900,000
Source: Thoroughbred Daily News (International), https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/900k-royal-slipper-tops-keeneland-november-book-2-finale/
Interactions on X: 0
Horses: Royal Slipper ()

The Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale closed its Book 2 section on Thursday with Royal Slipper the $900,000 topper. Across Book 2, 411 horses sold for a gross of $78,018,000, with the average of $189,825 down 1.5 per cent and the median of $150,000 down 6.25 per cent on last year. Weanlings accounted for 172 lots at $27,149,000, an average of $157,843 and a median of $137,500, all below last year's figures. Of 421 catalogued lots on Thursday only 295 went through the ring and 94 failed to meet reserve, a buy-back rate of 31.86 per cent against 24.37 per cent a year ago, with Keeneland officials describing the mare market as steady and more selectivity among weanlings.

### 5. Mare Maurita euthanised after three-horse Ipswich fall
Source: news.com.au (Australia), https://www.news.com.au/sport/superracing/horse-racing-world-rocked-as-horse-dies-and-jockey-hospitalised-in-horror-race-fall/news-story/165334d7f082e14dfcd2e40a816e6f6b
Interactions on X: 0
Horses: Maurita (), Interro (), Flop Shot ()

Three horses fell in Race 4 at Ipswich on Thursday, with Mark Du Plessis on Maurita, Jace McMurray on Interro and Boris Thornton on Flop Shot all coming down. Interro and Flop Shot escaped injury, but Maurita suffered a broken shoulder and was humanely euthanised. McMurray and Thornton avoided serious injury, while Du Plessis was taken to hospital for X-rays and observation; trainer Ruby Chatterton said he had suffered a badly broken leg. Chatterton confirmed the mare's death on Thursday night, saying Maurita was the last horse to go over the fallen runners in front of her and took the brunt of the impact.

### 6. Waller to take over O'Brien pair James J Braddock and Omni Man
Source: google.com (International), https://www.google.com/goto?url=CAESwwEBxCJF1wwMeV-PhGifQ-6uR3rusb-iR8V-GT8DtsO4aV2UFJzTrMND1awg1atGt855STDT7bbRIVYVOqzWVtj7KK2XLDh8_Z192mEsjE8nrPueGazAuiko90YaXPW17YHZF_ebZGDk1B1oEvXzHUr2NZnLISf3Aa6QpzzrJWobT34JfYZ2qiWrsHVSMCEhYzEwJZeuQ0wsb2KbmOXyr6xLntZwtizgGYcL3gR0FCXHl3U8JunMMTcuyfqGnR0hGMyqlFI
Interactions on X: 0
Horses: James J Braddock (), Omni Man (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/omni-man-AUS-2018), Point Of Law (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/point-of-law-GB-2023)

Chris Waller will take over two Joseph O'Brien-trained internationals that will stay in Australia after the spring carnival. James J Braddock, third in the English Derby, finished seventh in Tuesday's Melbourne Cup behind Point Of Law from barrier 23, beaten 6.06 lengths, and races in an ownership group that includes Ozzie Kheir. Omni Man, owned by New Zealand syndicator Go Racing, contests Saturday's $3 million Group 1 Champions Stakes over 2000m at Flemington still listed under O'Brien, from barrier six with 59kg and Dylan Browne McMonagle riding.

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## Week ending Thursday 5 November 2026 (weekly edition): Point Of Law Hands Maher Melbourne Cup Trifecta
URL: https://www.newgate.farm/news/051126-week

Cup week dominated the reading list, headed by Point Of Law's win at Flemington and the record turnover figures that came with the first Melbourne Cup run under a single national tote pool. Off the track, Godolphin moved early on a retained rider and Keeneland's November opener posted a firmer average. Here are the six most-read stories of the week.

### 1. Point Of Law lands Melbourne Cup trifecta for Maher
Source: ANZ Bloodstock News (Australia), https://www.anzbloodstocknews.com/masterful-maher-makes-his-point-with-a-win-fit-for-a-king/
Interactions on X: 0
Horses: Point Of Law (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/point-of-law-GB-2023), Frankel (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/frankel-GB-2008)

Point Of Law (Frankel) won the Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) at Flemington under Ethan Brown, overcoming his lack of race experience. The win completed a trifecta in the race for record-breaking trainer Ciaron Maher.

### 2. Godolphin signs Billy Loughnane as retained rider
Source: Racing Post (International), https://www.racingpost.com/news/people/jockeys/billy-loughnane-joins-godolphin-as-racing-powerhouses-new-retained-jockey-albrP1v77OXW/
Interactions on X: 941
Horses: Bow Echo (), Libertango (), Rebel's Romance ()

Godolphin has appointed 20-year-old champion jockey Billy Loughnane as a retained rider, with chief operating officer Hugh Anderson describing him as the most exciting young jockey riding in Europe. Loughnane formally starts at the Dubai Carnival in December 2026, with William Buick continuing as the operation's other retained jockey. This year he won the 2,000 Guineas, St James's Palace Stakes and Sussex Stakes on Bow Echo and the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint on Libertango, having recorded his first Group 1 win on Godolphin's Rebel's Romance last year. Anderson said Godolphin had moved early in part to secure him before others could, and that the riding hierarchy would be settled as the seasons develop.

### 3. Quietside brings $5.2 million to top Keeneland November opener
Source: Thoroughbred Daily News (International), https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/5-2-million-quietside-tops-vibrant-keeneland-november-book-1/
Interactions on X: 0
Horses: Quietside ()

Keeneland's November Breeding Stock Sale opened on Tuesday with 152 horses sold for $95,929,000, an average of $631,112 (up 5.85 per cent on 2025) and a median of $400,000 (down 5.33 per cent). Forty-six horses were reported not sold for a buy-back rate of 23.23 per cent, against 24.22 per cent a year ago. Twenty-three horses, including four weanlings, made $1 million or more and eight reached $2 million or above. The session topper was the four-year-old Malibu Moon mare Quietside, in foal to Nyquist, sold by Stone Farm for $5.2 million to Erdenheim Farm Thoroughbreds.

### 4. Cup turnover record stands as One Pool reshapes the tote
Source: justhorseracing.com.au (Australia), https://www.justhorseracing.com.au/general-news/betting/melbourne-cup-betting-hits-record-247-million-as-major-tab-change-reshapes-wagering/913812
Interactions on X: 0

Victoria Racing Club figures show the 2025 Melbourne Cup generated a record $247.4 million in wagering turnover, up 16.4 per cent on 2024 and ahead of the previous benchmarks of $225.8 million in 2021 and $226 million in 2022. Turnover across the 10-race Flemington card reached $382.5 million, eclipsing the 2021 record of $375.6 million. The 2026 running was the first Melbourne Cup conducted under Tabcorp's One Pool, launched on 2 October, which merged the NSW TAB, SuperTAB and UniTAB totalisator pools into a single national pool so punters across the country bet into the same tote rather than receiving different dividends by state.

### 5. Waller fined $50,000 after Asterix withdrawn
Source: justhorseracing.com.au (Australia), https://justhorseracing.com.au/news/australian-racing/melbourne-cup-2026-waller-fined-50000-over-race-day-treatment/913683
Interactions on X: 0
Horses: Asterix ()

Chris Waller has been fined $50,000 by Racing Victoria stewards after Penetrene, a topical anti-inflammatory and analgesic liniment, was applied to the forelegs of Asterix on Melbourne Cup morning. Acting on a report from RV's Compliance Assurance Team, stewards took evidence from Waller, stable staff, Tim George of the CAT team and regulatory vet Dr Edwina Wilkes, before Asterix was withdrawn at 10.33am. Waller pleaded guilty under Australian Racing Rule 227(a), with stewards accepting the application was made in error by a staff member and taking into account his guilty plea and record.

### 6. Noble Mission to stand at Lanwades for £9,000
Source: Thoroughbred Daily News (International), https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/noble-mission-joins-lanwades-at-a-fee-of-9000/
Interactions on X: 237
Horses: Noble Mission (), Frankel (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/frankel-GB-2008), Galileo (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/galileo-IRE-1998), Sea The Moon (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/sea-the-moon-GER-2011), Study Of Man (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/study-of-man-IRE-2015), Code Of Honor (), Nobals (), Spanish Mission ()

Noble Mission, the Group 1-winning full-brother to Frankel, will stand at Kirsten Rausing's Lanwades Stud in Newmarket in 2027 at a fee of £9,000, covering a strictly limited book of mares. The 17-year-old son of Galileo stood at Lane's End in Kentucky from 2015 before moving to the JBBA Shizunai Stallion Station in Hokkaido in 2021, and joins Sea The Moon and Study Of Man at the farm. His progeny include Code Of Honor, Nobals and Spanish Mission, and have won more than 810 races and over $36 million. The deal was brokered by John Tyrrell of BBA Ireland.

---

## Thursday 5 November 2026: Loughnane lands Godolphin retainer as Waller gains Cup runners
URL: https://www.newgate.farm/news/051126

Godolphin has moved early on Britain's youngest champion jockey in more than a century, signing Billy Loughnane to the royal blue alongside William Buick. Closer to home, Chris Waller will inherit two of Joseph O'Brien's spring team, while Ciaron Maher is already thinking about Royal Ascot for Point Of Law. Keeneland's November sale also opened with 23 seven-figure lots.

### 1. Godolphin signs Billy Loughnane as retained rider
Source: Racing Post (International), https://www.racingpost.com/news/people/jockeys/billy-loughnane-joins-godolphin-as-racing-powerhouses-new-retained-jockey-albrP1v77OXW/
Interactions on X: 941
Horses: Bow Echo (), Libertango (), Rebel's Romance ()

Godolphin has appointed 20-year-old champion jockey Billy Loughnane as a retained rider, with chief operating officer Hugh Anderson describing him as the most exciting young jockey riding in Europe. Loughnane will formally start at the Dubai Carnival in December 2026, with William Buick continuing as the operation's other retained jockey. The rider won the 2,000 Guineas, St James's Palace Stakes and Sussex Stakes on Bow Echo this year, took the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint on Libertango, and recorded his first Group 1 win on Godolphin's Rebel's Romance last year. Anderson said Godolphin had moved early in part to secure him before others could, and that the riding hierarchy would be settled as the seasons develop.

### 2. Kanga nominates for Victoria Racing Club board
Source: Racenet (Australia), https://www.racenet.com.au/news/john-kanga-nominates-to-join-victoria-racing-club-board-in-november-2026-elections-20261104
Interactions on X: 61

Former Melbourne Racing Club chairman John Kanga has nominated for a seat on the Victoria Racing Club board at the November 2026 elections. Kanga resigned from the MRC chairmanship before last year's Caulfield Cup Carnival. The report was written by Gilbert Gardiner for Racenet.

### 3. Waller to take over James J Braddock and Omni Man
Source: Racing.com (Australia), https://www.racing.com/news/2026/11/05/news-contenders-james-j-braddock-omni-man-join-chris-waller
Interactions on X: 59
Horses: James J Braddock (), Omni Man (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/omni-man-AUS-2018), Point Of Law (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/point-of-law-GB-2023)

Melbourne Cup runner James J Braddock and Champions Stakes contender Omni Man will stay in Australia and join Chris Waller once Joseph O'Brien's spring campaign concludes. O'Brien stable representative Kevin Blake confirmed the move on Wednesday's episode of Giddy up with Gareth, hosted by James J Braddock part-owner Gareth Hall. James J Braddock contested Tuesday's Melbourne Cup for O'Brien, ridden by Craig Williams from barrier 24. Omni Man remains in work and is set to run in Saturday's Group 1 Champions Stakes at Flemington before the stable transfer.

### 4. Coolmore spends $4.4m on Keeneland opening day
Source: Racing Post (International), https://www.racingpost.com/bloodstock/sales-reports/well-bring-him-home-and-go-to-ballydoyle-1.3-million-brother-to-ruling-court-among-coolmores-seven-figure-keeneland-spree-a71oQ0E9DdpT/
Interactions on X: 62
Horses: Admit (), Ruling Court (), Quietside ()

Twenty-three lots made seven figures as Keeneland's nine-day November Breeding Stock Sale opened on Tuesday, with Coolmore's MV Magnier and Peter Brant's White Birch Farm spending a combined $4.4 million on two lots. They paid $3.1 million for Grade 2 Valley View Stakes winner Admit, a Claiborne Farm homebred by Blame sold in foal to Life Is Good, and $1.3 million for the Justify weanling brother to 2,000 Guineas winner Ruling Court. Magnier said the colt would be brought home next year and go to Ballydoyle. The session was topped by Grade 2 winner Quietside, who sold for $5.2 million to Peter and Bonnie McCausland's Erdenheim Farm Thoroughbreds carrying her first foal, by Nyquist, making her the year's most expensive mare at auction in North America.

### 5. Maher floats Royal Ascot Gold Cup for Point Of Law
Source: Racing Post (International), https://www.racingpost.com/news/festivals/melbourne-cup/surprise-gold-cup-bid-mooted-for-world-class-melbourne-cup-hero-point-of-law-aioPq1u76t4r/
Interactions on X: 43
Horses: Point Of Law (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/point-of-law-GB-2023)

Ciaron Maher has said it would be a dream to target the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot with Melbourne Cup winner Point Of Law. The trainer said it would not surprise him if the horse raced in the best races around the world.

### 6. Michigan approves fixed-odds racing for online sportsbooks
Source: news.worldcasinodirectory.com (International), https://news.worldcasinodirectory.com/michigan-adds-fixed-odds-horse-racing-to-online-sportsbooks-124979
Interactions on X: 0

The Michigan Gaming Control Board has added fixed-odds horse racing to the state's approved sports wagering catalog, effective 30 October 2026, allowing licensed online sportsbooks to offer racing markets where the displayed price is locked in at the time of the bet. MGCB executive director Henry Williams said bettors wanted the same locked-in odds experience they are used to with sports betting. The existing pari-mutuel model remains in place, and standard sportsbook consumer safeguards, including operator licensing, responsible gaming tools and age and residency verification, will apply to racing bets.

---

## Wednesday 4 November 2026: Maher sweeps the Cup as Keeneland November roars
URL: https://www.newgate.farm/news/041126

Melbourne Cup day delivered a clean sweep for Ciaron Maher, with the lightly raced Frankel colt Point Of Law leading home the trifecta at Flemington. In Kentucky, the breeding stock season opened at full tilt, with Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton between them trading close to $200 million in two days. Elsewhere, a protest at Randwick cost one set of connections $1.41 million.

### 1. Point Of Law lands Melbourne Cup trifecta for Maher
Source: ANZ Bloodstock News (Australia), https://www.anzbloodstocknews.com/masterful-maher-makes-his-point-with-a-win-fit-for-a-king/
Interactions on X: 0
Horses: Point Of Law (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/point-of-law-GB-2023)

Point Of Law (Frankel) won the Melbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) at Flemington under Ethan Brown, overcoming his lack of race experience. The win completed a trifecta in the race for record-breaking trainer Ciaron Maher.

### 2. Quietside brings $5.2 million to top Keeneland November opener
Source: Thoroughbred Daily News (International), https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/5-2-million-quietside-tops-vibrant-keeneland-november-book-1/
Interactions on X: 0
Horses: Quietside ()

Keeneland's November Breeding Stock Sale opened on Tuesday with 152 horses sold for $95,929,000, an average of $631,112 (up 5.85 per cent on 2025) and a median of $400,000 (down 5.33 per cent). Forty-six horses were reported not sold for a buy-back rate of 23.23 per cent, against 24.22 per cent a year ago. Twenty-three horses, including four weanlings, made $1 million or more and eight reached $2 million or above. The session topper was the four-year-old Malibu Moon mare Quietside, in foal to Nyquist, sold by Stone Farm for $5.2 million to Erdenheim Farm Thoroughbreds.

### 3. Big Dance protest upheld, Formal Display relegated to fourth
Source: au.news.yahoo.com (International), https://au.news.yahoo.com/horse-racing-world-divided-after-winner-stripped-of-victory-and-141-million-over-rule-breach-201306740.html
Interactions on X: 0
Horses: Formal Display (), Gringotts (), Hellsing (), Matias ()

Chad Schofield and Formal Display were first past the post in The Big Dance at Royal Randwick but were relegated to fourth after Nash Rawiller, fourth aboard Gringotts, lodged a successful protest. Stewards found Schofield had shifted out from the rail and impeded Gringotts between the 600m and 500m, with chief steward Tom Moxon satisfied Gringotts would otherwise have finished in advance of Formal Display. Hellsing was promoted to first and Matias to second, and Formal Display's connections collected $150,000 rather than $1.56 million. Schofield was also suspended for nine meetings for careless riding, having been banned six meetings for the same offence in the Golden Eagle.

### 4. Cup turnover record stands as One Pool reshapes the tote
Source: justhorseracing.com.au (Australia), https://www.justhorseracing.com.au/general-news/betting/melbourne-cup-betting-hits-record-247-million-as-major-tab-change-reshapes-wagering/913812
Interactions on X: 0

Victoria Racing Club figures show the 2025 Melbourne Cup generated a record $247.4 million in wagering turnover, up 16.4 per cent on 2024 and ahead of the previous benchmarks of $225.8 million in 2021 and $226 million in 2022. Turnover across the 10-race Flemington card reached $382.5 million, eclipsing the 2021 record of $375.6 million. The 2026 running was the first Melbourne Cup conducted under Tabcorp's One Pool, launched on 2 October, which merged the NSW TAB, SuperTAB and UniTAB totalisator pools into a single national pool so punters across the country bet into the same tote rather than receiving different dividends by state.

### 5. Puerto Rico retired to Coolmore's Castlehyde Stud
Source: Racing Post (International), https://www.racingpost.com/bloodstock/bloodstock-news/champion-two-year-old-puerto-rico-retired-to-stand-at-coolmores-castlehyde-stud-for-2027-aT5ig5l3TXh6/
Interactions on X: 0
Horses: Puerto Rico ()

Champion two-year-old Puerto Rico has been retired from racing and will stand at Coolmore's Castlehyde Stud for the 2027 breeding season. No further detail, including a service fee, was available in the material to hand.

### 6. Ways and Means tops $102m Fasig-Tipton November sale
Source: Horse Racing Nation (International), https://amp.horseracingnation.com/news/Ways_and_Means_sells_for_5_million_to_top_Fasig_Tipton_sale_123
Interactions on X: 0
Horses: Ways and Means (), Sovereignty (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/sovereignty-AUS-2022), Cy Fair (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/cy-fair-USA-2023), Kathynmarissa (), Scottish Lassie (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/scottish-lassie-USA-2022)

Ways and Means, winner of Saturday's Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, sold for $5 million to Boyd Racing, Brittany Linton agent, to top the Fasig-Tipton November sale. The five-year-old Practical Joke mare, a six-time graded stakes winner of $2,157,500 whose victories include the Test (G1) and this year's Ballerina (G1), was consigned as a racing-broodmare prospect by ELiTE for Klaravich Stable. The sale grossed $102,187,000 for 142 sold, including 33 seven-figure fillies and mares, two seven-figure weanlings and a lifetime breeding right to Breeders' Cup Classic winner Sovereignty. Amo Racing USA paid $4.2 million for Cy Fair, Katsumi Yoshida gave $3.2 million for Kathynmarissa and Spendthrift Farm secured Scottish Lassie for $3 million.

---

## Tuesday 3 November 2026: Point Of Law Takes Melbourne Cup on Rain-Soaked Flemington
URL: https://www.newgate.farm/news/031126

Cup day delivered a wet Flemington and a new name on the honour roll, with Point Of Law holding off Zahrann and Juja Kibo. Off the track, a A$2 million betting plunge from JP McManus, a $50,000 fine for Chris Waller and a late medical clearance for Harry Coffey framed the build-up. Abroad, Fasig-Tipton's November Sale has wrapped up and Frankel's full-brother Noble Mission heads back to England.

### 1. Point Of Law wins the Melbourne Cup
Source: Sydney Morning Herald (Australia), https://smh.com.au/sport/racing/melbourne-cup-live-punters-brave-a-rainy-day-at-flemington-trustyourinstinct-among-favourites-in-3pm-main-race-20261103-p61aju.html
Interactions on X: 0
Horses: Point Of Law (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/point-of-law-GB-2023), Zahrann (), Juja Kibo (), Trustyourinstinct (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/trustyourinstinct-IRE-2020)

Point Of Law has won the 2026 Melbourne Cup at Flemington, finishing ahead of Zahrann in second and Juja Kibo in third. Punters braved a rainy day at headquarters for the 3pm feature, in which Trustyourinstinct had been among the favourites.

### 2. McManus and Byrne stake more than A$2m on the Cup
Source: Racing Post (International), https://www.racingpost.com/news/festivals/melbourne-cup/jp-mcmanus-and-paul-byrne-stun-aussie-bookies-with-a2m-of-melbourne-cup-bets-including-a1m-on-rival-british-runner-a0oBg4J7GzOb/
Interactions on X: 90
Horses: Hopewell Rock ()

JP McManus and Paul Byrne placed more than A$2 million in bets on the Melbourne Cup on the eve of the race. The wagers included A$1 million (£523,000/€627,000) on the leading British candidate Hopewell Rock.

### 3. Waller fined $50,000 after Asterix withdrawn
Source: justhorseracing.com.au (Australia), https://justhorseracing.com.au/news/australian-racing/melbourne-cup-2026-waller-fined-50000-over-race-day-treatment/913683
Interactions on X: 0
Horses: Asterix ()

Chris Waller has been fined $50,000 by Racing Victoria stewards after Penetrene, a topical anti-inflammatory and analgesic liniment, was applied to the forelegs of Asterix on Melbourne Cup morning. Acting on a report from RV's Compliance Assurance Team, stewards took evidence from Waller, stable staff, Tim George of the CAT team and regulatory vet Dr Edwina Wilkes, before Asterix was withdrawn at 10.33am. Waller pleaded guilty under Australian Racing Rule 227(a); stewards accepted the application was made in error by a staff member and took into account his guilty plea and record.

### 4. Ways And Means tops Fasig-Tipton November Sale at $5 million
Source: Paulick Report (International), https://paulickreport.com/news/bloodstock/5-million-ways-and-means-tops-2026-fasig-tipton-november-sale
Interactions on X: 0
Horses: Ways And Means ()

Ways And Means was the top lot at the 2026 Fasig-Tipton November Sale at $5 million. The full report was not accessible at the time of writing, so further sale aggregates and clearance figures are not available here.

### 5. Noble Mission to stand at Lanwades for £9,000
Source: Thoroughbred Daily News (International), https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/noble-mission-joins-lanwades-at-a-fee-of-9000/
Interactions on X: 237
Horses: Noble Mission (), Frankel (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/frankel-GB-2008), Galileo (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/galileo-IRE-1998), Sea The Moon (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/sea-the-moon-GER-2011), Study Of Man (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/study-of-man-IRE-2015), Code Of Honor (), Nobals (), Spanish Mission (), Joyeuse (), Amusingly ()

Noble Mission, the Group 1-winning full-brother to Frankel, will stand at Kirsten Rausing's Lanwades Stud in Newmarket in 2027 at a fee of £9,000, covering a strictly limited book of mares. The 17-year-old son of Galileo stood at Lane's End in Kentucky from 2015 before moving to the JBBA Shizunai Stallion Station in Hokkaido in 2021, and joins Sea The Moon and Study Of Man at the farm. His progeny include Code Of Honor, Nobals and Spanish Mission, and have won more than 810 races and over $36 million. The deal was brokered by John Tyrrell of BBA Ireland.

### 6. Coffey cleared to ride Shockletz in the Cup
Source: Racing.com (Australia), https://www.racing.com/news/2026/11/02/news-jockeys-coffey-cleared-to-ride-shockletz-in-melbourne-cup
Interactions on X: 65
Horses: Shockletz (), Duke De Sessa ()

Harry Coffey was cleared to ride the Ciaron Maher-trained mare Shockletz in the Melbourne Cup after injuring his collarbone in a fall in Saturday's G1 Empire Rose Stakes at Flemington. He had scans at the Royal Melbourne Hospital on Saturday and a procedure at Epworth Hospital on Sunday, before being assessed on Monday by his surgeon and Racing Victoria chief medical officer Dr Ben Baressi. Shockletz was on the third line of Cup betting at $9.50 at the time of writing. Coffey won the 2024 Caulfield Cup for Maher on Duke De Sessa.

---

## Monday 2 November 2026: Sovereignty retired to stud as Melbourne Cup looms
URL: https://www.newgate.farm/news/021126

Breeders' Cup Classic hero Sovereignty has gone straight from the racetrack to the breeding shed, with Godolphin announcing stud fees for both him and Classic third placegetter Knightsbridge. Closer to home, Flemington is braced for a wet Monday ahead of the $10.2 million Melbourne Cup, and the betting ring has already seen plenty of action at Call of the Card.

### 1. Sovereignty vans to Jonabell after Classic win
Source: Thoroughbred Daily News (International), https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/breeders-cup-followup-sovereignty-retires-as-king-of-the-hill-nitrogen-to-return-in-2027/
Interactions on X: 0
Horses: Sovereignty (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/sovereignty-AUS-2022), Knightsbridge (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/knightsbridge-AUS-2023), Nitrogen (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/nitrogen-AUS-2019)

Breeders' Cup Classic winner Sovereignty (Into Mischief) was loaded onto a Godolphin van bound for Jonabell Farm on Sunday morning, joined by Classic third placegetter Knightsbridge (Nyquist). Stud fees of $75,000 and $150,000 respectively were announced later that morning, along with news that a lifetime breeding right in each stallion would be offered Monday night at Fasig-Tipton. Trainer Bill Mott said Sovereignty had confirmed he was "as good as we always thought he was" and was in no doubt he deserved the 2026 Horse of the Year title, having been forced to withdraw from the 2025 Classic through illness. TDN reports Nitrogen will return to racing in 2027.

### 2. Coffey still a chance for Cup after collarbone surgery
Source: Racenet (Australia), https://www.racenet.com.au/news/harry-coffey-given-glimmer-of-hope-of-riding-in-melbourne-cup-after-surgery-success-20261101
Interactions on X: 20

Racenet reports Harry Coffey remains a chance of riding in Tuesday's Melbourne Cup after successful surgery on his collarbone. The injury was sustained in a fall on Derby Day.

### 3. Monday storms could reshape Melbourne Cup conditions
Source: justhorseracing.com.au (Australia), https://justhorseracing.com.au/news/australian-racing/melbourne-cup-2026-weather-bomb-thunderstorms-threaten-to-turn-race-upside-down/913462
Interactions on X: 0
Horses: Juja Kibo (), So You Are ()

Flemington is rated a Good 4 after Saturday's Victoria Derby meeting, but the Bureau of Meteorology is forecasting 3mm to 15mm of rain, thunderstorms and possible flash flooding across Melbourne on Monday. Tuesday's outlook is kinder, with only a slight chance of showers and a maximum of 18 degrees. Runners with form on rain-affected ground, including Ciaron Maher's Juja Kibo ($11) and Bjorn Baker's So You Are ($12), would be suited by a downgrade. Derby Day drew almost 90,000 racegoers and the track handled the changing weather well.

### 4. McManus backs three Cup runners at Call of the Card
Source: Racenet (Australia), https://www.racenet.com.au/news/irish-billionaire-jp-mcmanus-backs-three-melbourne-cup-runners-to-win-2m-at-call-of-the-card-20261102
Interactions on X: 2

Racenet reports Irish billionaire owner JP McManus made his presence felt early at the Melbourne Cup Call of the Card, backing three horses for $2 million collects. The runners were not named in the available material.

### 5. The Puma to stay in training for 2027 campaign
Source: Paulick Report (International), https://paulickreport.com/news/breeders-cup/breeders-cup-runner-up-the-puma-to-race-in-2027
Interactions on X: 132
Horses: The Puma ()

Breeders' Cup Classic runner-up The Puma will head back to trainer Gustavo Delgado's base at Gulfstream Park with a 2027 campaign to come, the Paulick Report says. The Essential Quality colt is not bound for stud. "We don't think too far ahead," Delgado said. "But the Classic next year sounds pretty good."

### 6. Johnstone rides Cup weeks after online abuse
Source: The Age (Australia), https://www.theage.com.au/sport/racing/he-d-just-ridden-his-first-group-1-race-then-came-the-death-threats-20261102-p619be.html
Interactions on X: 0
Horses: Mr Monaco (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/mr-monaco-GB-2021)

Jabez Johnstone, 20, received death threats and social media abuse after a horse death in the Caulfield Cup, with many wrongly accusing the second-year apprentice of causing the mid-race interference that brought down two horses and their riders. Racing Victoria stewards cleared Johnstone and all riders involved two days later. Supported by his sister Taylor, first trainer Sarah Cotton, apprentice coach Stephen Maskiell and new master Ciaron Maher, he returned on Cox Plate day at Flemington and almost won the Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup on Mr Monaco. He rides the same horse in Tuesday's Melbourne Cup as the only apprentice in the field.

---

## Sunday 1 November 2026: Sovereignty crowns Keeneland as Skyhook lands Golden Eagle
URL: https://www.newgate.farm/news/011126

A heavy Saturday either side of the Pacific. Sovereignty gave Bill Mott a Breeders' Cup Classic to savour at Keeneland and Japan struck in the Sprint, while at home Skyhook took the first Group 1 running of the Golden Eagle and The Next Episode secured his stud future in the Coolmore Stud Stakes. Joseph O'Brien, meanwhile, lost his shortest-priced Melbourne Cup runner to the vets.

### 1. Sovereignty prevails in Breeders' Cup Classic for Mott
Source: Paulick Report (International), https://paulickreport.com/news/breeders-cup/bill-mott-masterclass-once-in-a-lifetime-sovereignty-prevails-in-breeders-cup-classic
Interactions on X: 118
Horses: Sovereignty (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/sovereignty-AUS-2022)

Sovereignty won the Breeders' Cup Classic, with trainer Bill Mott describing him in glowing terms afterwards. "I've had a couple good ones, but you could almost say he's a once-in-a-lifetime horse," Mott said. "He's a magnificent horse."

### 2. Defiantly withdrawn from Melbourne Cup on vet advice
Source: Racing Post (International), https://www.racingpost.com/news/festivals/melbourne-cup/joseph-obrien-suffers-major-melbourne-cup-blow-as-leading-contender-ruled-out-after-failing-veterinary-inspection-aBYOi4Q0SUyi/
Interactions on X: 27
Horses: Defiantly (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/defiantly-AUS-2013), Small Fry (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/small-fry-AUS-2018), Kizlyar (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/kizlyar-IRE-2022), Sons And Lovers (), Trustyourinstinct (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/trustyourinstinct-IRE-2020), James J Braddock (), Goodie Two Shoes (), Wine Dark Sea (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/wine-dark-sea-JPN-2023), Enfjaar (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/enfjaar-IRE-2020), Stinger Glass (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/stinger-glass-JPN-2021), Saint George (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/saint-george-USA-2021), Hopewell Rock (), Point Of Law (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/point-of-law-GB-2023), Shockletz (), Middle Earth (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/middle-earth-AUS-2012), Juja ()

Joseph O'Brien's leading Melbourne Cup contender Defiantly, a 10-1 chance, has been withdrawn by order of the stewards on veterinary advice after failing a further inspection on Saturday, having shown changes in his gait on Thursday. Kevin Blake, speaking for the O'Brien team, said the four-year-old had not missed any ridden exercise and would instead be entered for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, as will Small Fry. Stablemate Kizlyar secured the final place in the 24-runner field, while Dylan Browne McMonagle switches to Sons And Lovers, leaving Ryan Moore without a ride. Wine Dark Sea and Enfjaar passed further inspections; Stinger Glass and Saint George had already been ruled out.

### 3. The Next Episode wins Coolmore Stud Stakes for Maher
Source: ANZ Bloodstock News (Australia), https://www.anzbloodstocknews.com/coolmore-plan-pays-for-maher-and-the-next-episode/
Interactions on X: 0
Horses: The Next Episode (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/the-next-episode-AUS-2023)

The Next Episode (Snitzel) confirmed his stud future with a win in Saturday's Coolmore Stud Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m). The colt, the top-priced colt at last year's Magic Millions Yearling Sale, was sent out a well-supported $3.20 for trainer Ciaron Maher. ANZ Bloodstock News reports the result as the pay-off for a heavily committed plan with the youngster.

### 4. T O Elvis runs down Englishman in Breeders' Cup Sprint
Source: Thoroughbred Daily News (International), https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/t-o-elvis-nails-englishman-to-win-the-breeders-cup-sprint/
Interactions on X: 56
Horses: T O Elvis (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/t-o-elvis-USA-2022), Englishman (), Liam Smith (), Forever Young (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/forever-young-AUS-2014)

Japan's T O Elvis (Volatile) surged past Englishman in the final strides to win the Grade 1 CyGames Breeders' Cup Sprint at Keeneland in 1:08.20, giving Japan its first Breeders' Cup win of the weekend. The 5-2 second choice was held up well back as Liam Smith led 4-5 favourite Englishman through fractions of :21.68 and :44.42, before clearing traffic at the furlong pole. It was a sixth straight win for the son of Volatile, bred in Kentucky by Jeff and Melissa Prunzik out of the Curlin mare Stopshoppingdebbie. Owner Tomoya Ozasa and trainer Daisuke Takayanagi both indicated he would return to race in the United States.

### 5. Skyhook takes first Group 1 Golden Eagle in record time
Source: Thoroughbred Daily News (International), https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/skyhook-soars-to-victory-in-the-golden-eagle-as-snitzel-and-wootton-bassett-reach-milestones/
Interactions on X: 2
Horses: Skyhook (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/skyhook-AUS-2022), Decorum (), Beiwacht (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/beiwacht-AUS-2022), Apocalyptic (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/apocalyptic-AUS-2022), Madame Pauline (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/madame-pauline-AUS-2014)

Skyhook (Written Tycoon) won the inaugural Group 1 running of the A$10-million Golden Eagle at Royal Randwick, pipping Decorum (Snitzel) on the line in record time after Beiwacht and Apocalyptic set the pace. The four-year-old entire, trained by Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou, had won the G2 Theo Marks Stakes and G2 Shannon Stakes this spring before going down to Apocalyptic in the Listed Silver Eagle. "He's won his good race now and I think there's more in him," Ryan said, nominating February's Apollo Stakes as an autumn target. Bred by Arrowfield Stud and bought for A$575,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Skyhook was conceived in Written Tycoon's single season at Arrowfield and is out of Madame Pauline.

### 6. Breeders' Cup attendance rises, handle slips 1.2 per cent
Source: Thoroughbred Daily News (International), https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/two-day-breeders-cup-attendance-up-handle-down-over-2025/
Interactions on X: 0

All-sources common-pool handle for the two-day Breeders' Cup World Championships at Keeneland was $167,930,278, made up of $114,303,297 on Saturday's 12-race card and $53,626,981 on the 10-race Future Stars Friday card. Handle on the 14 Breeders' Cup races was $146,431,783, down 1.2 per cent on 2025. Two-day attendance was 81,604, up from 65,232 at Del Mar last year, with 45,775 on Saturday and on-track handle of $18,322,068. International separate pool figures are not yet available, and the 44th edition returns to Belmont Park on 29-30 October 2027, the first New York running since 2005.

---

## Saturday 31 October 2026: Stormy Marco lands Victoria Derby as Defiantly scratched
URL: https://www.newgate.farm/news/311026

A wet Derby Day at Flemington went the way of the favourite, with Stormy Marco and James McDonald taking out the Victoria Derby. The Melbourne Cup field shuffled again as Defiantly failed his final veterinary check, while stewards withdrew two runners from the Flemington card over a prohibited substance charge. Abroad, Aidan O'Brien dominated Breeders' Cup Friday at Keeneland.

### 1. Stormy Marco wins Victoria Derby under McDonald
Source: nine.com.au (Australia), https://nine.com.au/sport/horse-racing/melbourne-cup-barrier-draw-live-victoria-derby-day-field-results-20261031-p61a6w.html
Interactions on X: 0
Horses: Stormy Marco (), Cold Shower (), Quick Finish (), Vallice (), The Next Episode (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/the-next-episode-AUS-2023), De Armas (), Private Eye (), The Roaring Sun (), Regal Ambition (), Ndola (), Lady Shenandoah (), Surfin Burd (), Concord Connie ()

Stormy Marco ($3.50) won the $3 million Group 1 Howden Victoria Derby at Flemington, finishing clear of Cold Shower and Quick Finish. James McDonald said he and Mark Zahra on Vallice had agreed to let their horses relax in the run, and credited Chris Waller for backing the colt up. Earlier on the card The Next Episode ($3.20) took the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes, with De Armas winning the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes, Private Eye the Group 2 Damien Oliver, and The Roaring Sun, Regal Ambition and Ndola the three Group 3 events. McDonald was then set to ride the $2.15 favourite Lady Shenandoah in the Group 1 TAB Empire Rose Stakes.

### 2. Sun Goddess seals O'Brien four-timer at Keeneland
Source: Thoroughbred Daily News (International), https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/sun-goddess-completes-group-1-four-timer-on-breeders-cup-friday-for-record-breaking-obrien/
Interactions on X: 0
Horses: Sun Goddess (), Libertango (), Haffner (), Green Empress (), Lake Victoria (), Rumplestiltskin (), Misty For Me (), Minding (), Happily (), Precise ()

Sun Goddess, a daughter of Sioux Nation, won the Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf at Keeneland for her fourth top-level success and seventh win of the season, completing a Group 1 four-timer on the day for a record-breaking Aidan O'Brien. Green Empress chased her home for the third time this campaign. Libertango, by No Nay Never, won the opening Grade 1 Juvenile Turf Sprint, while Haffner also scored for Europe. O'Brien said the filly was likely to change a lot through the winter.

### 3. Defiantly out of Melbourne Cup on vet advice
Source: races.com.au (Australia), https://www.races.com.au/2026/10/31/defiantly-ruled-out-of-melbourne-cup-2026-irish-fancy-fails-vet-clearance-kizlyar-promoted-into-final-field/
Interactions on X: 0
Horses: Defiantly (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/defiantly-AUS-2013), Kizlyar (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/kizlyar-IRE-2022), Wine Dark Sea (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/wine-dark-sea-JPN-2023), Enfjaar (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/enfjaar-IRE-2020), Saint George (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/saint-george-USA-2021), Stinger Glass (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/stinger-glass-JPN-2021)

Defiantly has been withdrawn from Tuesday's $10.2 million Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup after failing Racing Victoria's final veterinary examinations, with Kizlyar promoted into the field. The Joseph O'Brien-trained five-year-old was re-inspected at Werribee on Saturday morning and stewards acted on veterinary advice, Racing Victoria stating he "remains unsuitable to accept for the Melbourne Cup". Wine Dark Sea and Enfjaar were also re-examined and gained approval. The decision follows the earlier withdrawals of Saint George and Japanese runner Stinger Glass under the same protocols. Vets had detected a change in gait and sensitivity in a hind foot earlier in the week.

### 4. Two Flemington runners withdrawn after Ryan charge
Source: justhorseracing.com.au (Australia), https://www.justhorseracing.com.au/news/australian-racing/victoria-derby-day-horses-withdrawn-after-trainer-found-with-prohibited-substances/912936
Interactions on X: 0
Horses: Anglais (), Doubt Time ()

Flemington trainer Nick Ryan has been charged under AR 250(a) with possessing a substance on Prohibited List A after stewards allege two syringes of Darbepoetin Alfa were found in the glove box of his car during an inspection of his stables on the morning of 31 October. He reserved his plea. Acting under AR 23(d), stewards ordered his two Derby Day runners withdrawn at noon: Anglais from the Wakeful Stakes and Doubt Time from the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes. The statement concerns an allegation of possession only, with no allegation that either horse was administered the substance or returned a positive test. The inquiry was adjourned until Monday 2 November.

### 5. Vinery secures controlling interest in Warwoven
Source: justhorseracing.com.au (Australia), https://justhorseracing.com.au/news/breeding-news/vinery-stud-buys-controlling-interest-in-star-colt-warwoven/912801
Interactions on X: 0
Horses: Warwoven (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/warwoven-AUS-2023), Beiwacht (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/beiwacht-AUS-2022), Bivouac (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/bivouac-AUS-2016)

Vinery Stud has acquired a controlling interest in dual Group 1-winning colt Warwoven, who will join the stud's stallion roster when his racing career ends. Breeder Kia Ora Stud retains an ownership interest and the Bjorn Baker-trained son of Sword Of State is set for an autumn campaign. Warwoven won the Group 2 Run To The Rose, Group 1 Golden Rose and Group 1 Caulfield Guineas this spring, the first horse to complete that treble, and recorded the fastest winning times in both Group 1s. His Golden Rose run earned a Timeform rating of 123, equalling the best figure in the race over the past decade alongside Beiwacht and Bivouac.

### 6. McLachlan defends Tabcorp's One Pool at AGM
Source: news.ssbcrack.com (International), https://news.ssbcrack.com/tabcorps-one-pool-aims-to-revitalize-tote-betting-system-ceo-defends-initial-performance
Interactions on X: 0

Tabcorp chief executive Gillon McLachlan defended the company's One Pool tote initiative at its annual general meeting. Launched on 2 October, One Pool consolidates Australia's three tote pools and the company says it beats fixed-price odds in about 60 per cent of races, though fixed odds beat the tote in 13 of 20 races at Randwick and Flemington on its first major weekend. Tote betting has been declining about 5 to 6 per cent annually, with parimutuel falling from half of Tabcorp revenue in 2021/22 to roughly a third in FY26. McLachlan also addressed the proposed $283 million BetMakers acquisition, which targets $30 million in cost synergies by the end of the second year.

---

## Friday 30 October 2026: Stinger Glass Ruled Out Of Melbourne Cup
URL: https://www.newgate.farm/news/301026

Veterinary matters are driving the Melbourne Cup narrative four days out, with Stinger Glass withdrawn and stood down for the spring, and five more runners yet to be passed suitable to accept. Abroad, the Breeders' Cup begins at Keeneland tonight, and Coolmore America has added two new stallions to the Ashford roster.

### 1. Stinger Glass withdrawn from Melbourne Cup on vet advice
Source: Racing.com (Australia), https://www.racing.com/news/2026/10/30/news-contenders-stinger-glass-out-of-cup
Interactions on X: 55
Horses: Stinger Glass (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/stinger-glass-JPN-2021), Future History ()

Racing Victoria stewards have ruled Japanese stayer Stinger Glass out of Tuesday's Lexus Melbourne Cup and stood him down for the remainder of the Spring Racing Carnival. The Yasuo Tomomichi-trained galloper had been cleared following an MRI in Japan on 26 August, but an independent panel reviewing his compulsory CT scan at the University of Melbourne Equine Centre on 27 October advised he was at heightened risk of injury. A PET scan on Thursday afternoon was reviewed overnight alongside the CT images and the panel maintained its view. Future History will take his place in the field, with Jamie Melham to ride.

### 2. Breeders' Cup opens at Keeneland with Future Stars Friday
Source: Thoroughbred Daily News (International), https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/today-is-the-day-breeders-cup-returns-to-keeneland-for-two-days-of-world-class-racing/
Interactions on X: 0
Horses: How's Al Today (), Great Barrier Reef (), Folsom Blues ()

The Breeders' Cup returns to Keeneland for two days, with the Grade 1 Juvenile Turf closing day one. How's Al Today (Munnings) is the 3-1 morning-line favourite and leading American hope for trainer Riley Mott, having won twice at Kentucky Downs by a combined 8 1/2 lengths, including the Pepsi Kentucky Downs Juvenile Mile for a 94 Beyer Speed Figure. The $200,000 Keeneland September graduate races for Al Gold's Gold Square. Europeans have won the last five renewals; Aidan O'Brien has four entered, with Great Barrier Reef possibly withdrawn due to a stone bruise, while Joseph O'Brien saddles 7-2 second favourite Folsom Blues.

### 3. Magnitude and Paladin retired to Ashford Stud
Source: Thoroughbred Daily News (International), https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/magnitude-and-paladin-retired-plan-to-take-up-stud-duty-at-ashford-stud/
Interactions on X: 0
Horses: Magnitude (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/magnitude-USA-2022), Paladin (), Forever Young (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/forever-young-AUS-2014), Golden Tempo ()

Coolmore America has announced that Dubai World Cup winner Magnitude (Not This Time) and undefeated dual Graded stakes winner Paladin (Gun Runner) have been retired and will stand at Ashford Stud for the 2027 breeding season. Magnitude, raced by Winchell Thoroughbreds and trained by Steve Asmussen, was scratched from Saturday's Breeders' Cup Classic on veterinary advice; he beat Forever Young gate-to-wire in the $12 million Dubai World Cup and won the Stephen Foster Stakes. Paladin, trained by Chad Brown, retires unbeaten in three starts after winning the Remsen and the Risen Star, the latter from subsequent Kentucky Derby winner Golden Tempo, before a non-displaced condylar fracture in his right front ankle ended his campaign. He cost $1.9 million as a Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select yearling.

### 4. Tom Bellamy back riding ten weeks after Worcester fall
Source: Racing Post (International), https://www.racingpost.com/news/people/jockeys/i-certainly-wont-be-more-cautious-ill-just-get-on-with-it-tom-bellamy-raring-to-go-after-injury-nightmare-av2vl9E8wPWb/
Interactions on X: 75
Horses: Emerald Tir (), Gatineau Park (), Dance In The Mist (), White Noise ()

Jump jockey Tom Bellamy has returned to the saddle less than ten weeks after a fall at Worcester on 23 August left him with 11 broken ribs, a fractured sternum and scapula, and collapsed and punctured lungs. He spent more than three weeks in hospital across two stays, the second after developing an infection, and rehabilitated at Oaksey House. Bellamy resumed at Stratford with three rides, on Emerald Tir, Gatineau Park and Dance In The Mist, and said he would not be more cautious. His Cheltenham Festival winner White Noise was not declared for Saturday's Listed Mares' Hurdle at Wetherby because the ground is too quick.

### 5. Defiantly among five awaiting Melbourne Cup re-inspection
Source: Racing.com (Australia), https://www.racing.com/news/2026/10/29/news-contenders-five-horses-still-need-melbourne-cup-tick-of-approval
Interactions on X: 16
Horses: Defiantly (), Vauban (), Enfjaar (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/enfjaar-IRE-2020), Wine Dark Sea (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/wine-dark-sea-JPN-2023), Litzdeel (), Saint George (), Stinger Glass (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/stinger-glass-JPN-2021), Jennivamoose (), The Euphrates (), Kings Valley (), Knight's Choice (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/knights-choice-AUS-2019), Middle Earth (), Future History (), Soulcombe ()

Five horses were not passed as suitable to accept for the $10.2 million Lexus Melbourne Cup after Thursday's first round of mandatory veterinary inspections. Defiantly, equal first in the order of entry at the time, presented without a right hind shoe and with a change in gait, and will be re-examined on Saturday morning after being re-shod, as will Enfjaar and Wine Dark Sea; Vauban and Litzdeel were due for re-inspection on Friday. Of 36 horses examined, 29 were passed, among them Knight's Choice, Middle Earth, Future History and Soulcombe. Saint George was withdrawn by stewards on veterinary advice, Jennivamoose was withdrawn by connections after passing, and The Euphrates and Kings Valley did not present. Final acceptances close at 4.30pm Saturday.

### 6. Bookmaker loses $500,000 on Capalaba same-race multi
Source: Racenet (Australia), https://www.racenet.com.au/news/racing-confidential-bookmaker-stung-in-500000-samerace-multi-bloodbath-at-capalaba-greyhounds-20261029
Interactions on X: 31

A major bookmaker lost $500,000 when a same-race multi landed at odds of 2750/1 at the Capalaba greyhounds on Wednesday, according to Racenet. The bet was struck on a six-dog straight-track race. The report quoted the reaction: "If you're going to do half a million you don't expect it to be on a six dog greyhound race up the straight on a Wednesday." The full article text was not available at the time of writing.

---

## Week ending Thursday 29 October 2026 (weekly edition): Cosmic Crusader Ends Peters' Half-Century Cox Plate Wait
URL: https://www.newgate.farm/news/291026-week

The week belonged to Bob Peters, whose gelding Cosmic Crusader landed the Cox Plate after 50 years of trying. Melbourne Cup acceptances have trimmed the field to 39, Three Chimneys has set its 2027 roster, and Sydney's Golden Eagle is run as a Group 1 for the first time on Saturday.

### 1. Cosmic Crusader lands Cox Plate for Bob Peters
Source: ANZ Bloodstock News (Australia), https://www.anzbloodstocknews.com/cosmic-crusader-crowns-remarkable-rise-with-cox-plate-triumph/
Interactions on X: 0
Horses: Cosmic Crusader (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/cosmic-crusader-NZ-2020)

Bob Peters' six-year-old gelding Cosmic Crusader (Maurice) stormed to victory in Saturday's Cox Plate (Gr 1, 2040m). The octogenarian racing and breeding figure broke down in tears after finally landing a race he had pursued for half a century. The win caps a durable spring campaign for the gelding.

### 2. Gun Runner moves to private fee for 2027
Source: Thoroughbred Daily News (International), https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/gun-runner-anchors-three-chimneys-farm-roster-moved-to-private-fee-for-2027/
Interactions on X: 72
Horses: Gun Runner (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/gun-runner-USA-2013), Always a Runner (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/always-a-runner-USA-2023), Leading Change (), Further Ado (), My Gun's Loaded (), Gun Pilot (), Newgate (), Ottinho (), Funtastic (), Volatile (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/volatile-AUS-2021)

Gun Runner will again head the Three Chimneys Farm roster in 2027, standing at a private fee after two seasons at US$250,000. Currently third on the 2026 leading sires list, he sold a record 25 seven-figure yearlings at public auction this year and added four new Grade 1 winners in Always a Runner, Leading Change, Further Ado and My Gun's Loaded, taking him to 16 Grade 1 winners from his first six crops. Gun Pilot stands at $12,500 and Newgate at $10,000 with their first weanlings to sell in Lexington next week, newly retired Ottinho is $7,500, Funtastic is $5,000, and Volatile's fee will be announced after the Breeders' Cup.

### 3. Santana licence suspended ahead of Breeders' Cup
Source: Thoroughbred Daily News (International), https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/report-jockey-ricardo-santana-arrested-on-domestic-violence-charges-in-louisville/
Interactions on X: 270
Horses: Foie Gras (), Doncho (), Hymn (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/hymn-AUS-1992)

Ricardo Santana, Jr., who had been booked on three mounts at Saturday's Breeders' Cup, was arrested by Louisville Metro Police late Monday night and charged with strangulation in the first degree and assault in the fourth degree. The Kentucky Horse Racing & Gaming Corporation suspended his licence on Tuesday pending the disposition of the criminal charges, with the Breeders' Cup saying replacement riders will be identified by connections and conveyed to the stewards. Santana had been due to ride Foie Gras in the Filly & Mare Sprint, Doncho in the Turf Sprint and Hymn in the Sprint; trainer Ron Moquett had already taken him off Hymn.

### 4. British racing counts the cost of the budget
Source: Racing Post (International), https://www.racingpost.com/news/industry/racing-industry/budget-2026-what-has-changed-how-racing-could-be-affected-and-why-the-consequences-have-been-described-as-devastating-aKGvy8I3vxAg/
Interactions on X: 9

The Racing Post has set out what the UK budget has done to bookmakers, how the industry has reacted and what it means for racing. The consequences have been described as devastating.

### 5. Thirty-nine left in Melbourne Cup after third acceptances
Source: races.com.au (Australia), https://www.races.com.au/2026/10/26/melbourne-cup-2026-third-acceptances-aeliana-birdman-out-as-final-39-remain-in-hunt/
Interactions on X: 0
Horses: Aeliana (), Birdman (), Cosmic Crusader (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/cosmic-crusader-NZ-2020), Trustyourinstinct (), Half Yours (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/half-yours-AUS-2020), Point Of Law (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/point-of-law-GB-2023)

Thirty-nine horses remain in contention for the 166th running of the Group 1 $10.2 million Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on Tuesday 3 November, with 15 withdrawn at Monday's third acceptances. Chris Waller's Aeliana and Birdman were not paid up after finishing third and second respectively in Saturday's Cox Plate behind Cosmic Crusader; Waller said a Melbourne Cup start was "very unlikely" for Aeliana, who is instead likely to be aimed at the Group 1 Champions Stakes (2000m), while Birdman looks headed for a spell. Aeliana's withdrawal allowed James McDonald to commit to Joseph O'Brien's Trustyourinstinct, one of five international raiders O'Brien retains. Last year's winner Half Yours was not declared after being sent to the paddock following his fall in the Caulfield Cup, and Geelong Cup winner Point Of Law remains the $7 market leader with Ladbrokes.

### 6. Golden Eagle run as a Group 1 for the first time
Source: Racing NSW (Australia), https://www.racingnsw.com.au/news/latest-racing-news/first-group-1-edition-of-sydneys-golden-eagle-soars-at-royal-randwick/
Interactions on X: 0
Horses: Sheza Alibi (), Beiwacht (), Autumn Boy (), Skyhook (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/skyhook-AUS-2022), Jimmysstar (), Headwall (), Ninja (), Perisher ()

The $10 million Asahi Super Dry Golden Eagle is run as a Group 1 for the first time at Royal Randwick on Saturday, the eighth running of the race, with 10 per cent of each runner's prizemoney donated to charity. Sheza Alibi is a $1.90 TAB fixed odds favourite in the field of 16, ahead of Beiwacht ($7), Autumn Boy ($9) and Skyhook ($11). The $3 million Russell Balding Stakes has drawn 15 runners and two emergencies, with Jimmysstar, Headwall and Ninja heading the market and all backing up from The Everest. The Group 3 $750,000 Sydney Gold Cup has 14 runners and is headed at $3.90 by Perisher.

---

## Thursday 29 October 2026: Saint George out of Melbourne Cup after failed scan
URL: https://www.newgate.farm/news/291026

Melbourne Cup week takes shape with one casualty and one new jockey booking, as Saint George fails a PET scan and Jamie Melham picks up a mount still waiting on a start. Overseas, Three Chimneys has released its 2027 fees with Gun Runner moving to private, and British racing is counting the cost of this week's budget.

### 1. Saint George ruled out of Melbourne Cup
Source: Racenet (Australia), https://www.racenet.com.au/news/ciaron-maher-stayer-saint-george-out-of-melbourne-cup-20261029
Interactions on X: 2
Horses: Saint George ()

The Ciaron Maher-trained stayer Saint George has been ruled out of the 2026 Melbourne Cup after failing his PET scan. Racenet reported the news on Thursday.

### 2. Gun Runner to private fee on 2027 Three Chimneys roster
Source: Thoroughbred Daily News (International), https://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/gun-runner-anchors-three-chimneys-farm-roster-moved-to-private-fee-for-2027/
Interactions on X: 72
Horses: Gun Runner (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/gun-runner-USA-2013), Always a Runner (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/always-a-runner-USA-2023), Leading Change (), Further Ado (), My Gun's Loaded (), Ottinho (), Volatile (https://www.horsepedigrees.com/volatile-AUS-2021), Gun Pilot (), Newgate (), Funtastic (), T O Elvis (), Foie Gras ()

Gun Runner will again head the Three Chimneys Farm roster in 2027, standing at a private fee after two seasons at US$250,000. Currently third on the 2026 leading sires list, he sold a record 25 seven-figure yearlings at public auction this year and added four new Grade 1 winners in Always a Runner, Leading Change, Further Ado and My Gun's Loaded, taking him to 16 Grade 1 winners from his first six crops. Gun Pilot stands at $12,500 and Newgate at $10,000 with their first weanlings to sell in Lexington next week, newly retired Ottinho is $7,500, Funtastic is $5,000, and Volatile's fee will be announced after the Breeders' Cup.

### 3. Racing weighs up consequences of UK budget
Source: Racing Post (International), https://www.racingpost.com/news/industry/racing-industry/budget-2026-what-has-changed-how-racing-could-be-affected-and-why-the-consequences-have-been-described-as-devastating-aKGvy8I3vxAg/
Interactions on X: 9

The Racing Post has set out what the UK budget has done to bookmakers, how the industry has reacted and what it means for racing. The consequences have been described as devastating.

### 4. Ocala racetrack site secured in Marion County
Source: Paulick Report (International), https://paulickreport.com/news/the-biz/ftboa-gilligan-racing-secure-florida-racetrack-site-in-ocala
Interactions on X: 126

The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' and Owners' Association and Gilligan Racing have secured 300 acres in Marion County to bring a racing and entertainment destination to Ocala.

### 5. Moody unconcerned by drop in trip for Sheza Alibi
Source: Racing.com (Australia), https://www.racing.com/news/2026/10/29/news-contenders-sheza-alibi-set-for-golden-eagle-blitz
Interactions on X: 14
Horses: Sheza Alibi (), Land Legend (), Beiwacht ()

Peter Moody says he is unfazed by Sheza Alibi coming back in distance for Saturday's $10 million Golden Eagle, after she finished second to Land Legend in the Might And Power on debut over 2000m. The mare breezed over three furlongs on Tuesday and has drawn barrier six of 16, which Moody expects to put her midfield. He said she would need luck in running but should be too good for her rivals if every runner gets its chance, and hoped Beiwacht would not be allowed to dictate an even tempo in front.

### 6. Melham lands Future History ride, start still uncertain
Source: Racenet (Australia), https://www.racenet.com.au/news/jamie-melham-secures-melbourne-cup-ride-on-future-history-but-start-not-guaranteed-20261028
Interactions on X: 11
Horses: Future History ()

Reigning Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Jamie Melham has secured the ride on Future History in this year's race. She now faces an anxious wait, with the horse not guaranteed a place in the final field.