Articles by: Noah Strang

Brisbane-based training partnership O’Dea Hoysted Racing will be dissolved at the end of the 2023/24 racing season. Steve O’Dea, who founded the firm, is leaving the training business to focus on his breedstock business. Hoysted will take over as sole trainer.

Group 1 winner Espiona has been retired and will be sold on July 31. The daughter of Extreme Choice is expected to fetch a big price. The standalone auction will be conducted online by premier auctioneers Magic Millions.

Victoria-based trainer Darren Weir has been issued another ban from racehorse training by the VRT. The tribunal has charged him with animal cruelty, relating to the use of jiggers on three horses back in 2018.

Ascot-based Russell Stewart is confident that his horse Stylish Lord will live up to the betting odds and win the $100,000 Listed Aquanita Stakes (2000m) on Saturday at Belmont Racecourse. The gelding comes into the race as the second favourite to win.

Huge favourite Bella Nipotina ($2.00) won the $700,000 Group 1 Tattersalls Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm Racecourse in Brisbane on Saturday. It was a solid day overall for Bella Nipotina’s stablemate Semana ($10) who finished runner-up in the race.

Peter and Paul Snowden have decided to go their separate ways. According to a statement released on Thursday, Paul is leaving the training group on July 31. Snowden Racing operations will be “business as usual” after Paul Snowden’s departure.

Veteran jockey Craig Robertson has called it quits on his horse racing career. After more than 40 years in the business, the Queensland-based jockey has announced his retirement. He had racked up almost 1500 wins in his lengthy career.

One of Australia and New Zealand's top horses, Mr. Brightside is set to take an extended break and skip the upcoming Group 2 PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield Racecourse on August. Mr. Brightside has won the last two editions of that race.

This Saturday’s Civic Stakes at the Royal Randwick Racecourse have been called off due to heavy and consistent rainfall in Randwick. Race stewards have determined the track is not suitable to race. It’s unclear whether races will be rescheduled.

Australia’s Asfoora emerged victorious in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes on Tuesday. The big win was her first ever Group 1 victory. Asfoora is the sixth Australian-trained horse to win the King Charles III Stakes.