Featured

Total 228 Posts

‘We get replaced all the time’ – The brutal reality of the jockey-owner relationship

The bond between an owner and a jockey can break in a moment and previous success is no guarantee of loyalty in a game built on strong opinions. In light of the decision to dump Declan Bates from Pride Of Jenni, Matt Stewart takes a look back at some of the biggest bust-ups.

Who will be the next chief executive of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing?

New Zealand racing’s governing body is about to advertise for a replacement for departing CEO Bruce Sharrock. It shapes as a crucial decision in the next step of the Entain-fuelled revival of the thoroughbred code. Bren O’Brien examines the leading candidates.

Preparation over pedigree - How an Australian-bred son of Extreme Choice won a Melbourne Cup

Knight’s Choice’s breeding never gave an inkling he could be a Melbourne Cup winner. But that never bothered his co-trainer Sheila Laxon, who always believed you need a horse with speed to win Australia’s greatest staying race.

Zoustar in rare company after Starlust’s Breeders’ Cup success

Zoustar has become just the fifth Australian-bred sire to produce a winner of a Breeders’ Cup race, after the victory of Starlust in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Del Mar.

A Coolmore for Coolmore as Switzerland makes a stallion statement

Switzerland minted his future as one of Australia’s most valuable stallions with an emphatic win in the Coolmore Stud Stakes as Chris Waller and James McDonald nabbed a Flemington Group 1 double, while it was a South Australian-flavoured Victoria Derby.

‘The rituals are gone’ – Bruce McAvaney laments the Melbourne Cup’s lost lustre

Broadcasting legend Bruce McAvaney still believes the Melbourne Cup is racing’s greatest prize, but believes it no longer stops the nation. Matt Stewart spoke to McAvaney and trainer Richard Freedman about how the Cup has changed.

Fool's Gold? Two more New South Wales races handed black-type status

The Golden Gift for two-year-olds and The Warra at Kembla Grange appear to have been handed Group 3 status with immediate effect for the first time, but the latest changes to the New South Wales Pattern are unlikely to be recognised by international authorities.
You've successfully subscribed to The Straight
Great! Next, complete checkout for full access to The Straight
Welcome back! You've successfully signed in.
Unable to sign you in. Please try again.
Success! Your account is fully activated, you now have access to all content.
Error! Stripe checkout failed.
Success! Your billing info is updated.
Error! Billing info update failed.
 Become a member