Straight Up – Neasham and Archibald plus Rosehill and the ATC
In this edition:
- Keeping up with Annabel – The ambition driving Australia’s biggest training partnership
- ‘Long and laborious’ – Minns expects protracted negotiations on Rosehill should ATC vote pass
- Straight Talk Podcast – Henry Plumptre on Joliestar and Cambridge Stud’s ambitions plus Godolphin’s big weekend and Rosehill latest
- Straight Shorts – Thursday March 13 – Haggas weighs up Sydney options, Purton injury latest, Sportsbet CEO says Tom Waterhouse an ‘unfair target’
When it comes to building, nurturing and maintaining connections, the racing industry can learn a lot from Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald
They are partners in business and life who share an ambition to make one of Australia’s most respected thoroughbred stables even more formidable, especially in Group 1 races.
Few trainers have hit the ground running like Neasham. From the outside, leaving the security of an assistant trainer’s role with the Ciaron Maher stable during a global pandemic took courage.
That was in 2020. Her first runner was a winner and Neasham was on her way. Before the end of that season, she converted self-belief into Group 1 success with horses like Rosehill Guineas winner Mo’unga and her imported star Zaaki.
Neasham has continued to set a frantic pace ever since. And, as Matt Stewart revealed in a special interview with the couple, since Archibald came on board as an official co-trainer at the start of 2024/25, the stable has gone to another level.
Together, they will be front and centre as Group 1 racing heads to Rosehill on Saturday with in-form stable star Amelia’s Jewel one of the main chances in the $1 million Coolmore Classic
There is a chemistry that has a love for the horse as a common bond and is a key to their success.
As the relationship between Neasham and Archibald thrives on and off the track, a continuing disconnect between the Australian Turf Club (ATC) board and its members will overshadow racing at the western Sydney racecourse.
In the same way Neasham and Archibald are trying to fast-track their stable to greater heights, the ATC is also in a hurry to sell off Rosehill.
Peter McGauran admitted as much when doing the media rounds on Thursday as the ATC chairman tried to provide context around a $5 billion deal involving the NSW government.
But NSW Premier Chris Minns says there will be no government acquisition of Rosehill until ATC members have voted on the proposal and the process is likely to be “long and laborious”.
As much as McGauran is adamant the sale must happen to secure the club’s long-term future, the industry in general, led by influential figures such as Gai Waterhouse, is still not “buying” the idea.
Minns’ comments followed the government’s 253-word response to recommendations out of a Select Committee hearing into the unsolicited sale proposal.
Champion trainer Chris Waller appeared at last year’s inquiry to voice his disapproval at the proposed sale but his focus this weekend will be on his quest for the 175th Group 1 win of his career.
Waller trained Joliestar to win the Newmarket Handicap in Melbourne last week and the mare’s immediate future is one of the topics on this week’s Straight Talk podcast as Cambridge Stud’s Henry Plumptre joined Bren O’Brien and Tim Rowe.
Watch below or subscribe or listen on You Tube, Apple, Spotify or Podbean.
ICYMI this week:
- Prized mares declared off limits as auction houses begin chase for top-class breeding prospects
- Micro opportunity – $3.2 million Gold Coast filly to be syndicated for $650 a share in Japan
- ‘It doesn’t actually make thoroughbred breeding business sense’ – the Super Seth gamble paying off for Waikato
- Run The Numbers – First-season or proven sire, which has the better two-year-old stats?
- Rowe On Monday – Costa focused on Dubai for now, China new home for Australian sires and Antique a rare gem
- The big four – What does another major wagering player do for the Australian market?
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A heads up, the three editions of the Straight Up newsletter sent each week are now be split into the three different areas we cover.
Friday’s Straight Up will put the focus on the racing industry, Thursday’s edition will feature analysis and news from the wagering industry, while Tuesday’s edition will cover news and features regarding breeding and bloodstock.
This will be complemented by a new daily newsletter, which will provide up-to-date coverage of all the relevant news in all three areas.
Enjoy your Group 1 racing weekend!
Regards
Warwick Barr
Senior Editor
The Straight
