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In a worrying sign for Australia’s racing authorities, one of the country’s highest turnover punters is switching more of his focus - and his investment - to overseas markets.

Four-time champion stallion Snitzel has died after the rising 23-year-old’s health deteriorated in recent weeks. Arrowfield’s John Messara believes the versatile stallion will leave a lasting legacy.

Neck-deep in rising floodwaters to save his broodmares and newly weaned foals, Craig Ruttley feared the worst. But the principal of Glenthorne Park Thoroughbreds says he is one of the lucky ones among the devastation left by last month’s floods in the mid-north coast of NSW.

The art of pinhooking is not for the faint hearted, but while increasing costs have made margins for investors even finer, there was still profit to be had in returning horses to the Australasian market in 2025.

The average price of a race filly through public auction in Australia has increased 55.4 per cent in just two years with total investment in mares and fillies bought ‘straight off the track’ now surpassing live auction trade of mares-in-foal. Run The Numbers breaks down this trend.

Amid the many tributes following Robbie Laing’s sudden death at age 66, one theme ran strong. As Matt Stewart writes, the five-time Group 1-winning trainer, former jockey, farrier, breaker and racing historian was a natural horseman who forged his own unique path.

In this special edition of Straight Talk, hosts Bren O'Brien and Tim Rowe dive into the multifaceted world of horse racing from the perspective of professional punters, Nick Heathcote and John Walter.