Tim Rowe

If Monday’s first set of major two-year-old barrier trials at Randwick are any guide, Ole Kirk is set to make a major mark with his first crop on the track.

Lynward Park Stud principal Troy van Heemst, whose family is synonymous with racing in Western Australia, has stepped up as the new president of the state’s peak thoroughbred breeders’ body.

For a small commercial breeding operation such as Fernrigg Farm it’s difficult to take time off at this time of year, even for a couple of days. But Hunter Valley-based Rae-Louise Kelly isn’t missing Wanaruah’s race in Melbourne on Saturday.

In an announcement months in the making, Andy Makiv has been named the new managing director of Godolphin Australia. The Straight's Tim Rowe sat down with Makiv to discuss his journey to leading the Australian branch of one of the world’s largest thoroughbred operations.

A famed thoroughbred stud located in the Kentucky Bluegrass is back on the market and is expected to attract interest from international buyers, including investors with links to Australia.

Prominent owner-breeders Debbie and Paul Kepitis and trainer Chris Waller are mourning the shock loss of their star four-year-old middle-distance gelding Riff Rocket who suffered a fatal bout of colic.

After the untimely death of Zed, a stallion intrinsically linked to Australia’s most famous race, Grangewilliam studmaster Mark Corcoran hopes there’s still another chapter to come in the storied career of the hardy New Zealand sire.