In today's Straight Shorts, Newgate has purchased the top Lot at the New Zealand Bloodstock National Weanling Sale, Mulberry Racing named as Everest slotholder, Damian Lane honoured in Western Australia and the ACT has a betting tax issue.
Newgate syndicate snaps up pinhook Per Incanto colt
Little Avondale stallion Per Incanto’s outstanding season carried on in the Karaka sale ring on Thursday, where his weanling colt fetched a sale-topping $190,000 in the opening hour of the New Zealand Bloodstock National Weanling Sale.
The sale-topping colt, who is out of Listed-winning juvenile London Express, was offered by Seaton Park and was bought by Australian bloodstock agent James Mitchell, who signed for his purchase in the name of Newgate Farm’s Jim Carey.
“We’ve put together a syndicate to buy a few colts to be traded at yearling sales next season, and I thought this was the nicest colt here and my pick of the sale,” Mitchell said.
“He’s by a stallion I love, Per Incanto, who’s just going from strength to strength, and he’s out of a running mare. Being a November foal, he’s only going to continue to develop.”
The colt will be sent to Newgate Farm to grow out before being reoffered at either the Inglis Premier or Easter yearling sales.
“I see him as a real Hong Kong type of horse. He’ll have a lot of appeal with that market,” Mitchell said.
“Per Incanto has sired a lot of winners there, and being out of a Shamexpress mare, he’s a reverse of the cross that produced Ka Ying Rising.”
The colt’s $190,000 purchase price was the second-highest paid at a weanling sale at Karaka in the past 15 years.
The second highest-priced lot to sell on Thursday was a colt by Super Seth who was bought for $130,000 by Kaha Nui Farm.
Mulberry Racing in three-year deal for Everest slot
Mulberry Racing has secured a slot in the $20 million Everest for the next three years.
Founded by Sydney businessman Mike Gregg in partnership with trainer Brad Widdup, Mulberry Racing purchased the slot after a Racing NSW expression of interest process.
The successful bid outlined promotional initiatives for the Everest that Racing NSW believes can help the race reach a new audience.
Mulberry Racing will replace embattled casino operator The Star as a slotholder as it expands its footprint in the NSW racing industry.
It has purchased a dedicated equine property near Sydney and is investing in software and data to support the growing operation.
“At Mulberry Racing, data drives every decision we make,” racing manager Lachlan Sheridan said.
“From day one, we've used this approach to build a strong stable across Australia and the United States - one that we believe has the quality and depth to win The Everest.”
Lane among quartet to be inducted into WA Hall of Fame
Top jockey Damian Lane will be inducted into his home state’s Western Australian Racing Hall of Fame.
The well-travelled 42-time Group 1-winning jockey, who grew up in Bunbury, will be inducted alongside legendary jockey and thoroughbred trainer Reg Treffone, champion stallion and 1971 Caulfield Guineas winner Beau Sovereign and renowned Chairman of Stewards Jack Marks.
“This year’s inductees have each achieved great success in their fields and reflect the qualities that make our racing industry special – talent, commitment and integrity,” Racing Wagering Western Australia chief executive Ian Edwards said.
“Their impact reaches far beyond the racetrack and they have continued to build on what is a rich history of horseracing in our state.”
The WA Hall of Fame ceremony will be held in Perth on August 23.
ACT smacked on BOT
The ACT Government has confirmed revenue from its 25 per cent Betting Operations Tax would be $5.8 million short of what it initially budgeted.
The ACT established what is effectively a 25 per cent Point Of Consumption Tax, the highest in the country, in 2022, but the expected additional revenue from the tax hike has not materialised as turnover has collapsed.
Last financial year tax returns fell $10.4 million short of budget at $21.7 million and this financial year it will be $22 million, as opposed to the $27.8 million forecast.
”As a relatively new tax, BOT revenue has experienced strong growth from a low base. As the market for online betting has matured, growth has slowed, and this is reflected in the updated estimates,” the Budget said.
While BOT returns rose only $300,000 this year, it is budgeted to rise by $1.7 million in 2025/26. It is also predicted to rise by many times its current rate over the forward estimates.
Beautiful debut for Tagaloa filly
Teine Aulelei became the third winner for Yulong’s Blue Diamond-winning stallion Tagaloa, blitzing her rivals on debut at Bendigo.
The Luke Oliver-trained filly showed a sharp turn of foot in the 1000-metre maiden to prevail by nearly three lengths on the heavy track under jockey Billy Egan.
A $50,000 purchase for her trainer at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale, Teine Aulelei was bred by Yulong and is a half-sister to English stakes winner Lady Hamana from the family of French Group 1 winner Sobetsu.
⚜ Cracking debut from Teine Aulelei - a sharp 2YO filly by #Tagaloa out of the Shamardal mare, Lake Hamana.
— Yulong Investments (@YulongInvest) June 26, 2025
Bred and sold by Yulong, she let down strongly to score impressively at @_BendigoJC for @LOliverRacing.
Picked up from @inglis_sales Premier by her trainer - she looks… pic.twitter.com/by3RTjHlBk
Her dam, also called Lady Hamana, was one of the first horses bought in the UK by Yulong’s Zhang Yuesheng.
Teine Aulelei, which in Samoan means beautiful girl, features Sportsbet’s Public Policy Manager Kerri Hereward among her ownership.
Tagaloa’s other winners include Listed victrix Spicy Lu, while he has already had three stakes placegetters. He stands for $22,000 in 2025.
Golden Slipper nominations close on July 1
A deadline is looming for 2026 Golden Slipper entries.
Nominations for the world’s richest two-year-old race will close on July 1 at 3pm (AEST).
Owners and trainers can use a dedicated Australian Turf Club online platform to lodge entries.
The ATC received 2094 nominations for this year’s race, won by Snitzel filly Marhoona for trainer Michael Freedman and Emirates Park.
Carrying a purse of $5 million, the 2026 Golden Slipper will be at Rosehill on March 21.
Aussie mares produce first-crop Equinox foals
Group 1-winning Australian mares Mystic Journey and Youngstar have both produced colts to Japanese champion Equinox this season.
The Japanese Stud Book is usually updated at the end of the local breeding season, and it shows that Mystic Journey, the Tasmanian-trained filly who won an Australian Guineas and the All-Star Mile, foaled a colt to the two-time Japanese Horse of The Year on February 2.
Youngstar, who first foal is a colt by Kizuna named Eri King who won a Group 3 and was fifth in this year’s Japanese Derby, foaled an Equinox colt on February 12.
Yankee Rose, the dual Australian Group 1 winner and dam of champion mare, the ill-fated Liberty Island, foaled a filly by Equinox on February 15.
Meanwhile, Yankee Rose’s yearling colt by Saturnalia is being offered for sale at next month’s JRHA Select Sale, which will also feature 25 first-crop foals by Equinox.
Funstar’s foal colt by Suave Richard will also be offered at that sale as will Golden Slipper winner Fireburn’s first foal by Kizuna.
