Graeme Hinton's four-month stint as Racing NSW's acting chief executive presents an early opportunity to mend strained relations with breeders by engaging directly with the Hunter Valley's influential thoroughbred industry, writes Tim Rowe.
More than $66 million was turned over at the National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast as breeders focussed on elite mares and matings ahead of the 2026 breeding season.
Legarto’s $2.8 million sale to Yulong capped a solid Magic Millions race fillies and mares session, with the Kiwi Group 1 star set to spearhead the growing broodmare band at newly acquired Hunter Valley property Segenhoe Stud.
Basil Nolan will be succeeded by Antony Thompson as president of Thoroughbred Breeders Australia after the long-serving chair decided to end his tenure at the body’s annual general meeting this week.
The opening hours of the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale will provide an immediate test of breeder confidence, with high-profile mares headed by Legarto to be auctioned in the first two hours of selling on Tuesday.
In this week's Rowe On Monday, the Coolmore Stud Stakes looms as a spring target for The Next Episode, Magic Millions intent on developing night racing concept and a Frankel filly ensures Coolmore makes an immediate impact in Japan.
The ripple effect of Yulong’s $30 million-plus acquisition of Segenhoe Stud is reshaping the Hunter Valley broodmare landscape, with prominent breeders John Camilleri and Sheikh Khalifa Al Maktoum among those relocating elite mares to Coolmore as the region adjusts to a new era at the historic farm.
A Home Affairs half-sister to Group 1 winner Madame Pommery stole the show at the Magic Millions National Weanling Sale, but it was the depth of the market which had managing director Barry Bowditch pleased.
Home Affairs and Stay Inside have made eye-catching starts to their stud careers, fuelling comparison to highly influential star stallions of the past.
The demand for quality foals is expected to underpin trade at Magic Millions National Weanling Sale, but the sales company believes vendors will adjust to what is a realistic market.
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