Latest news with #AustralianRacing
The Australian
28-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Australian
‘This isn't a novelty or aberration': Female jockeys set up for success in Queensland
Don't think it's just a one-off. A female jockey will soon create history by winning the Brisbane riding premiership for the first time, but expectations are that it could soon be the rule rather than the exception. As great mates Angela Jones and apprentice Emily Lang have been battling it out for the title, Brisbane Racing Club chairman Richard Morrison has been making plans to cater for the continuation of a trend that is reshaping Australian racing. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet IQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! As part of its broader refurbishment plans at Eagle Farm, Morrison confirmed the BRC is already planning to significantly expand the female jockeys' room to accommodate the growing number of women riding at the top level. 'It's something we're proud to support. We're not just responding to what's happening now, we're preparing for what racing will look like in the future,' Morrison said. 'The growth in female participation is real, it's sustained, and it's only going in one direction.' • 'Monumental for racing': PVL in talks for global racing channel Morrison, who was elected BRC chairman earlier this year when he replaced long-serving Neville Bell, feels there is a growing wave of female jockeys who are taking racing by storm. 'It's the first time a female rider will win the senior title, but it won't be the last,' Morrison said. 'This isn't a novelty or an aberration. 'It's a reflection of a changing industry and the incredible talent we're seeing from female riders across the board. 'Gone are the days where women were only given rides on outsiders as some kind of token gesture. Brisbane Racing Club chairman Richard Morrison (left) with BRC chief executive Karl deKroo. Picture: Liam Kidston 'Today, they have the trust of punters and the backing of the leading stables. They're riding the favourites and winning regularly. 'It's not just about the top two. 'Look at the apprentice ranks, there are 21 female apprentices and just eight males currently licensed to ride at provincial meetings in Queensland. 'Across the state, there are more registered female trackwork riders than male and the number of stablehands is similarly skewed. 'Thoroughbred racing across Australia would grind to a halt without the contribution of women.' • Rosehill, politics, the haters and his future: V'landys reveals all COBALT MYSTERY Peter Hulbert, 79, has been training for 48 years without any of his horses ever registering a positive swab ... until a recent cobalt case. It is surely one of the cleanest records of any trainer in Australia who has trained over several decades or more. And Hulbert, who trains with son Will, said he is gobsmacked at how former import Dillian tested above the legal threshold for cobalt. 'I've got absolutely no idea,' Peter Hulbert said. 'I will be looking through the (horse) feed and investigating how this could have happened. 'I had to go before stewards on Thursday and that was the first time in 48 years I have been called upon before stewards for a positive swab.' Dillian has now been disqualified by stewards from its win in a race at Eagle Farm in April and a $5000 fine imposed on its trainers.
News.com.au
26-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Turf Talk: Shayne O'Cass keen on $19 value pick at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday
Shayne O'Cass and Ray Thomas debate all the key chances at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday in this week's edition of Turf Talk. Shayno is keen on the chances of $19 pop Useapin in the 3yo Benchmark 72 (1100m), while Ray thinks Bjorn Baker can keep racking up the winners with Puntin ($4.20) in the 3&4yo Benchmark 72 (1400m). â– â– â– â– â– Ray Thomas: The final Group 1 race of the season, the Tatt's Tiara at Eagle Farm tomorrow, is wide open. I've gone for Tashi – she deserves a big race win. I'll put you on the spot, Shayno – a Tiara tip and also your Group 1 highlight of the season? Shayne O'Cass: Floozie for me RT. Aeliana winning the Derby was mine. I wonder if she's the next Verry Elleegant? You? The Derby goes to the filly! 🤩 Aeliana destroys them in the G1 Australian Derby, and just how good is she?! @cwallerracing | @LaneDamian | @StarTbreds | @aus_turf_club | @WorldPool — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 5, 2025 O'Cass: We'll find out. I have no doubt the 'best' Adelaide River just wins but he's got to bring those amazing trials to race-day. ðŸ�… Mickey's Medal gets more gold, storming home to win at Rosehill for @ANeashamRacing! @NockBraith gets a treble halfway through the card! ðŸ'Œ — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 14, 2025 • O'Cass: Pajanti has been crying out for a race like this – at home, fully fit now, and ready to win. I think she can beat Weeping Woman. Keeping the faith with Testator Silens RT, we're all entitled to one bad one. Thomas: I don't know why the Stayer's Cup and McKell Cup are on the same day, Shayno. Can you explain it? Anyway, I've gone for Hopeful in the Stayer's Cup as he seems to be working his way back into form. O'Cass: Madness. Also, to be a true Stayers Cup, it has to be 3200m! Why are there so few of them around. They can be so exciting; mid-race moves, tearaway leaders, all the things that we almost never see in so many of these 'conventionally run' races. Thomas: Bjorn Baker has a chance to train 100 city wins this season and he can keep his stable's momentum going with Puntin (race 3). Puntin wins on debut! 🤩 @RachelK11 @BBakerRacing — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 15, 2024 O'Cass: That is a remarkable achievement isn't it RT; 100 in the city. I was with Pretty Powerful first-up – in light of what happened, I'll stick rock solid. Thomas: On the subject of 'centuries', the Australian cricket team's top six batsmen are really struggling. I'm worried about the Ashes this summer. Back on subject – what's your best for Saturday.
News.com.au
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
2025 Australian Racing Hall Of Fame inductees include John Tapp, Zac Purton, Peter Moody and Mahogany
Peter Moody revealed this was the highlight of his celebrated training career, international superstar jockey Zac Purton felt humbled, and acclaimed race-caller John Tapp admitted to being deeply touched. These three titans of the turf were genuinely moved when each were told they will be awarded Australian Racing Hall Fame honours at a special ceremony in Brisbane on August 31. Champions Mahogany and Hydrogen will also be inducted alongside the greats of Australian racing like Phar Lap, Tulloch, Bernborough, Carbine, Kingston Town, Peter Pan, Makybe Diva and Black Caviar. Moody has achieved so much in the sport including training the greatest sprinter of them all, the unbeatable Black Caviar, but admitted he was taken aback to learn he would be joining training legends like Tommy Smith, Bart Cummings, Colin Hayes, Gai Waterhouse and Chris Waller in the Hall of Fame. 'It's an absolute honour when you look at the trainers who have come before me and no doubt those who will follow,'' Moody said. 'To be inducted into the Hall of Fame, to be recognised in this way is probably the highlight of my career, to be quite honest.'' Moody came from the tiny Queensland outback town of Wyandra and as a teenager, he got a job as a stablehand with Tommy Smith at Randwick. He took out a trainer's licence in 1998 and prepared his first winner that year with Ebony Way at Eagle Farm. Nearly three decades later, Moody has trained the winners of almost 3000 races including 60 at Group 1 level. He's trained many outstanding racehorses including Typhoon Tracy, Dissident, Incentivise and the freakish Black Caviar, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013. Believe it or not, it’s been 10 years since Black Caviar won her first TJ Smith Stakes. We caught up trainer, Peter Moody to take a look back at some of her incredible moments and to see how she is enjoying retirement #LoveTheHorse @moodyracingpgm — Australian Turf Club (@aus_turf_club) April 8, 2021 • Black Caviar, undefeated winner of 25 races including 15 at Group 1 level, took out two TJ Smith Stakes, three Lightning Stakes, two VRC Champions Sprints and most famously of all, her win in the 2012 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot. Purton grew up in Coffs Harbour and became apprenticed to Trevor Hardy when he was just 14 years old. He rode his first winner at Armidale in 2000. From those humble beginnings, Purton has emerged as one of Australia's greatest ever jockeys, with nearly 2800 winners so far including 47 at Group 1 level. Purton was twice runner-up in the Sydney jockey's premiership before moving to Hong Kong in 2007 where he is now recognised as one of the world's best jockeys. He has ridden more winners in Hong Kong than any other jockey and is about to claim an eighth Hong Kong jockeys premiership. But he has remained proudly Australian and his outstanding career deserved Hall of Fame honours alongside the greatest jockeys in Australian racing history including his father-in-law, Jim Cassidy. Zac Purton marches towards an 8th Hong Kong Jockey Championship Title ðŸ'¥ — Hong Kong Racing North America (@HKRacingUS) May 12, 2025 'It means a lot to me to be recognised by my peers, it is very humbling,'' Purton said. 'I've been away from Australia for so long but I have been 'flying the Aussie flag' in Hong Kong. 'Most of the world's leading jockeys and trainers aspire to be successful in Hong Kong so being able to prove myself on the world stage was important to me. 'It would have been easier to stay in Australia but I felt it was more of a challenge for me take on the world, so to speak.'' Tapp was working as a clerk on the Department of Main Roads, a state government department now known as the RTA (Roads and Traffic Authority), before he gained a race-calling role as understudy to Ken Howard in 1965. It wasn't long before Tapp took over as number one caller and he became a household name until retiring from race-calling in 1998 to take over as host of the Sky Racing home service. Tapp eventually stepped down from his roles at Sky in 2015 but remains as busy as ever with his website and podcasts. 'Fancy receiving an honour of this magnitude for being given the privilege of sharing my love of racing with Australian race fans for such a long time,'' Tapp said. 'I am very privileged and I regard it as a great compliment to the Australian race calling profession. I'm deeply touched.''
