In today's Straight Shorts, a 10 per cent share in Coleman has sold for $405,000, record World Pool turnover on Randwick and Dubai offering, Atishu set for racing farewell and Alligator Blood's comeback has been shelved.
Share in Coleman sells online for $405,000
A share in Golden Slipper placegetter Coleman has sold for $405,000 in the latest Inglis Digital online auction.
The 10 per cent equity in the son of Pierata puts the colt’s worth at more than $4 million.
That value will increase significantly if Coleman can improve on his Group 1 placings in the Golden Slipper and ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes in 2024.
Jessica Owers
Coleman has figured in a stable switch since the Melbourne spring carnival, leaving the in-form Matt Laurie yard to join champion trainer Chris Waller’s team.
The three-year-old stepped out in a Warwick Farm barrier trial on Monday in preparation for a potential Queensland winter carnival campaign.
Doncaster Mile, Dubai World Cup meetings provide record turnover for World Pool
Co-mingling outlet World Pool has announced a record turnover for a single day’s wagering.
Across 13 races in Australia and Dubai on Saturday, World Pool held more than $100 million.
It bettered the previous turnover of $90.2 million on 12 races that took in meetings covering the Caulfield Cup in Melbourne, the King Charles III Stakes in Sydney and British Champions Day in the UK.
The latest World Pool offering included six races from day one of The Championships and seven from Meydan.
The race that set the highest turnover on the day was the Dubai Turf, where Japan’s Soul Rush defeated Hong Kong hero Romantic Warrior.
It accounted for $11.2 million of investments in World Pool bet types, edging the Dubai World Cup ($10.8 million).
The Doncaster Mile, won by Stefi Magnetica, saw $8.5 millon staked.
Atishu to bow out in Queen of the Turf Stakes
Multiple Group 1 winner Atishu will bid to end her racing career in style in the Queen of the Turf Stakes.
Successful in the 2023 Queen of the Turf and runner-up last year, the daughter of Savabeel will be trying to add a fourth Group 1 win to her record before she is offered through Magic Millions’ Gold Coast National Broodmare Sale next month.
Atishu is one of the highest-profile horses raced by New Zealand syndictor Go Racing.
Jessica Owers
“It will be a day of mixed emotions with this being her swansong,” Go Racing general manager Matt Allnutt told the NZ News Desk.
“It brings the curtain down on what has been a fantastic career.
“There have been a lot of friendships formed (within her syndicate) and we have all really enjoyed the ride.”
The Queen of the Turf holds fond memories of the connections of the Chris Waller-trained mare.
Atishu will be reunited with 2023 winning rider Nash Rawiller at Randwick on Saturday.
Alligator Blood retired
Comeback plans for Alligator Blood have been aborted, sending the seven-time Group 1 winner back into retirement.
In training with Chris Waller, Alligator Blood was close to a racing return after contesting a barrier trial - his second for the leading stable - last week.
But when heat was detected in his leg on Wednesday morning, Waller advised Alligator Blood’s owners that retirement was the best option.
Alligator Blood had been off the scene since finishing third in the Champions Mile during the 2023 Melbourne Cup carnival when trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.
That came after he figured in the same placing when on the wrong end of a three-way finish in Romantic Warrior’s Cox Plate.
A rising nine-year-old by Vinery Stud resident All Too Hard, Alligator Blood retires with 16 wins and $9.2 million in stakes.
National Thoroughbred Week to provide insight into racing
Australia and New Zealand are set to launch National Thoroughbred Week, an
initiative designed to bring the public closer to the thoroughbred racing industry through real, hands-on experiences.
Launching the pilot from November 20 to 24, the five-day event will see racing stables, stud farms and aftercare facilities open their doors nationwide.
The concept is aimed at delivering a firsthand look at the daily care, dedication, and passion behind thoroughbred racing.
At a time when public perception of racing is more scrutinised than ever, National Thoroughbred Week will offer a unique opportunity for those outside of the industry to learn about the workings of the industry.
The initiative aligns with Together for Racing International (TfRI), a movement designed to share best practices across racing nations to promote equine welfare, community engagement and sustainable industry growth.
Organisers are hoping the open week will be as successful as National Racehorse Week in the UK, which has made significant strides in how the industry engages with the public.
“National Thoroughbred Week gives us all the chance to connect with the public outside the traditional racing audience,” Thoroughbred Breeders Australia president Basil Nolan.
“It supports the broader work Aushorse and TBA are doing to promote the breeding industry and ensure people understand the scale, professionalism and care that underpin it.
“Opening our gates and having honest, direct conversations with the public is one of the most effective ways to build long-term trust and interest.
“We’re pleased the industry will be working together to make that happen on a national level.”
A Farnan winner for John Moore
Farnan secured his eighth Australian winner from his first crop and retired champion trainer John Moore a win as an owner after Grand Eagle’s victory at Hawkesbury on Wednesday.
Racing in Moore’s white and maroon colours and ridden by Nash Rawiller, Grand Eagle saluted at his third start for Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou over 1200 metres in a metropolitan class two-year-old contest.
“He's always shown a lot of talent. He jumps well, puts himself in a spot, and it's probably been his undoing a little bit because just through his own tenacity, he's been leaving himself a bit empty late and doing a few things wrong too and still is, but he'll be all right as he goes along,” said Rawiller.
Grand Eagle and @nashhot combine to take out the first at Hawkesbury! @RARacing_ pic.twitter.com/pwvqZ4bB26
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 9, 2025
“I loved him today. He got to show his turn of foot after I shut him straight down early. He's ready to go on with the job now, I reckon.”
John’s son George Moore purchased the colt, who is a half-brother to stakes winner Chilled, for $300,000 at last year’s Inglis Classic Sale.
Kia Ora’s Farnan joins Vinery Stud’s Ole Kirk on eight Australian winners.
