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With Anthony and Sam Freedman having followed in the footsteps of Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr and taken out a satellite operation in Sydney, Matt Stewart examines the motivations behind the shift from state to national operations.

Ricky Surace recently inked a deal for unbeaten colt Private Harry to run in B2B Thoroughbreds’ slot for the $3 million Magic Millions Sunlight on the Gold Coast in January. It signals a change in direction for the Southern Highlands breeder’s thoroughbred portfolio.

Racing Victoria estimates it will cost $5 million annually to run official barrier trials instead of jumpouts as senior jockeys prepare to strike because of what they say amounts to unpaid labour.

Forty-two yearlings fetched more than $1 million at auctions across Australasia in 2024 with stables training partners Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott and their Sydney rival Chris Waller preferred destinations.

Australia’s state-based Principal Racing Authorities are searching for ways to cut costs and lift wagering revenues after recording $77.6 million in collective losses in the past financial year.

The prospect of long-awaited reforms to gambling advertising being centre stage in a 2025 federal election campaign has become very real after the Labor government kicked the issue into the next sitting of parliament.

Te Akau has already made a major mark on Australian racing in the 18 months since setting up base at Cranbourne. But David Ellis’ Australian plan is far from realised, writes Matt Stewart.