As we head into the Christmas season, and New Years racing season, hopefully we will see the tracks firm up in the best way possible after a challenging season over the winter and spring period which saw a number of meetings abandoned in NZ with tracks like Awapuni and Hastings still out of commission. Ellerslie will host a few big days, including the Boxing Day and New Year meetings in January before we head towards Karaka Millions night in Auckland.

The Melbourne Cup Carnival provided another wonderful spectacle of racing in Australia with some star performances by the finest equine competitors down under, none better than the wonder mare VIA SISTINA, who produced a tough win in the Cox Plate and Champions Stakes at Flemington. Racing in this part of the world is the best thoroughbred racing has to offer and we should celebrate these special moments with immense pride as fans of the sport

MUFHASA CLASSIC (1600m) TRENTHAM 6/12

NORTHERLY STAKES (1400m) ASCOT 6/12

THE INGHAM (1600m) RANDWICK 13/12

THE GOLD RUSH (1400m) ASCOT 13/12

ZABEEL CLASSIC (2000m) ELLERSLIE 26/12

☆☆☆☆☆☆

TAB TELEGRAPH (1200m) TRENTHAM 3/1

THORNDON MILE (1600m) TRENTHAM 17/1

SISTEMA RAILWAY (1200m) ELLERSLIE 24/1

KARAKA MILLIONS 2YO (1200m) ELLERSLIE 24/1

KARAKA MILLIONS 3YO (1500m) ELLERSLIE 24/1

AOTEOROA CLASSIC 4YO (2000m) ELLERSLIE 24/1

WELLINGTON CUP (3200m) TRENTHAM 31/1

After the deeds of the great WINX, it was difficult to know when we may see another genuine champion emerge in Australasia, however trainer Chris Waller was fortunate enough to take over the handling of the imported mare VIA SISTINA after Yulong purchased the mare from the UK for future breeding purposes. And boy, did they land themselves a good one. After amassing a string of Group 1 races in season 2023/24, the mare by FASTNET ROCK destroyed a quality Cox Plate field by eight lengths in the 2024 version of the race, smashing WINX’s track record in the process.

Returning in 2025, VIA took out the WINX Stakes fresh up in the spring, followed by a couple of mediocre performances well below her high standards, although she still ran strong races with third placings to MR BRIGHTSIDE in the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) and another behind SIR DELIUS in the G1 Turnbull Stakes. Regardless, Waller wasn’t too concerned leading into her G1 Cox Plate defense and was happy to back off the workload on the eight-year-old mare. Jumping as short favourite, VIA was doing it tough on the Moonee Valley tight, turning circuit as they rounded the bend and looked likely to weaken after jockey JMac gave her a clip to push her forward three wide.

However, champions are champions for a reason, and as TREASURETHE MOMENT took the lead VIA SISTINA pushed on hard as stablemate BUCKAROO looked to overhaul her late. At one stage she appeared no chance to hold on after hitting the lead with 150m to go but then dug deep within her soul to fight back and hold on by a nose with delirious scenes at Moonee Valley in the last race held there in the current configuration.

The mare will likely retire prior to another tough campaign to ensure her incredible record is kept intact and any future foals she produces will hit top dollar at the sales. VIA SISTINA went forward to claim the G1 Champions Stakes (2000m) at Flemington two weeks later and did it with consummate ease, striding freely to the line in wet conditions. the amazing mare has established herself as the probably the greatest racehorse since the mighty WINX strode the Australian turf some six years earler. her Group 1 record currently stands at 20 starts for 12 wins, 4 seconds and 3x third placings, and a lofty sum of just on $20M in earnings. May her legacy last long.

RACE RECORD - 32: 15-5-5

STAKE EARNINGS - AU$19,994,707

FLEMINGTON - PRIDE OF JENNI, OBSERVER, WARNIE, GETTA GOOD FEELING/ TAURANGA - BOURBON PROOF $10.10, PERFECTMANZ $20, GLAMOUR TYCOON, KITTY FLASH, WAR PRINCESS / RANDWICK - WOOTTON VERNI, AUTUMN GLOW, JIMMYSSTAR, SONOFDEC $21.80, ROTOGILLA

ELLERSLIE - AFFIRMATIVE ACTION, SHE'S A DEALER, MISS FLADGATE, GOLDEN WINGS/ FLEMINGTON- BURMA STAR $12.30, LITZDEEL, PALLATON/ RANDWICK - GRINGOTTS, OSIPENKO / WOODVILLE - NOT SO UNUSUAL

PUKEKOHE - SMART LOVE / RICCARTON - WELL WRITTEN / PLATINUM ATTACK, CAPTURED BY LOVE / ROSEHILL - REVENGEANCE, THE BUDGIESMUGLA / FLEMINGTON - GRAND LARCENY $14.20 / VIA SISTINA, WHISKY ON THE HILL $7.40 / SABAJ

TAURANGA - MARY SHAN, CRACKERCOL / RICCARTON - ROSSO, AIRPARK HUSTLER / NEWCASTLE - ASTERIX $13.40, GREEN SPACES / CAULFIELD - SKIPPERS CANYON, SHEZA ALIBI, JIMMYSSTAR / DOOMBEN - CASPERNOVA $9.50, EPIC PROPORTIONS $5.30

ROTORUA - L’AIGLE NOIR / WAIPUK - THRILLING, FLEETING GLIMPSE, WINCHESTER / WHANGANUI - LUCULLAN, COOPER / PUKEKOHE - QALI AL FARRASHA, ARDALIO / CRANBOURNE - JIGSAW, SAVAJ / KEMBLA GRANGE - GRINGOTTS, CATCH THE GLORY, SPYWIRE $15 / ELLERSLIE - INCANDESCENT, RISE COMPANIONS / CAULFIELD - AVIATRESS, RUSKA ROMA $8, DIFFERENT GRAVY, BLACK RUN / ROSEHILL - MAJOR BEEL $23, LYLES, ROTOGILLA

CROMWELL - SHOCKUS, ESPERMENTO / OTAKI - FREDDIE TIME, FOSSE, KINNAIRD

We were fortunate enough to be along for the ride with the up-and-coming steeplechaser JESKO this past winter, and what an outstanding ride it was. The son of ATLANTE emerged as an unlikely jumping talent winning on the flat over 2200m in a Jumpers Highweight racing at Waverley in April, before star jumps jockey and trainer Shaun Fannin and his wife Hazel (formerly jockey Hazel Schofer) decided he would be set for a strong chasing campaign in New Zealand. Few expected this type of domination by the young gun not seen since WEST COAST swept all before in previous years as the last great chaser.

With Shaun in the Saddle, JESKO won a restricted Open chase over 3800m at Wanganui in May, jumping well and showing some genuine fight. The Micro share syndicate group, THE FRAC CLUB then bought into the horse along with stablemate FORTY-EIGHT which allowed many small investors and passionate jumping fans to grab a piece of the action. JESKO would then go on to claim the Manawatu Steeplechase (4000m) at Trentham with a dominant display before taking out the Wellington Steeplechase (4900m) a week later in very wet, trying conditions.

After a 2nd on the flat, the team travelled south to Christchurch and claimed the famed Koral Steeples (4250m) at Riccarton with an easy effort after leading for the majority of the contest, but unfortunately had his head done in by a front runner when finishing 2nd to CAPTAINS RUN in the Grand National (5600m) despite delivering a gutsy performance. After a short spell, JESKO finished his incredible SEASON 2025 jumping campaign with victory in the Great NZ Steeplechase, formerly the Great Northern (6200m) held at Te Aroha.

As only a seven-year-old, JESKO will no doubt be set for another strong jumping season next year and the gelding only missed winning one feature Chase this year, which was an amazing effort, so expect more of the same, although the weights will increase with each added victory. Still, it was a great experience for all involved and travelling to Wellington and Christchurch to see our horse compete was nothing short of magical. Bring on next jumping season!

RACE RECORD - 27: 9-6-2

STAKE EARINGS - NZ$355,350

The ALMANZOR mare ZORMELLA returned from a spell after an interesting three-year-old campaign that saw the James/Wellwood-trained galloper produce some stunning displays of power and by a chance of fate, even run in the $3.5M NZB KIWI on Champions Day in March, proving a thrill for her large ownership group as part of the FRAC CLUB NZ.

Starting out with a fair 6th on debut at Tauranga, the filly really hit her straps in her next run at Pukekohe when she powered up to stride free at the 200m and defeat a number of young horses that would go on to win. After DEALT WITH was removed from the NZ Kiwi Slot race due to injury, the stable felt replacing him with ZORMELLA was the logical move despite her lack of experience. It was an incredible experience on Champions Day at Ellerslie, with a huge crowd turning out to watch the richest three-year-old race ever run in Australasia. Unfortunately, ZORMELLA was bumped out of the gates going back early, but did us proud up against the likes of DAMASK ROSE and EVAPORATE, with the big event all coming up to soon for her.

Back in class at Te Aroha on a beautiful warm day, the filly was backed into unbeatable on the market and just stormed away to win in fine fashion with a slick turn-of-foot. Tristan Moodley took the ride from regular jockey George Rooke, and rode her to perfection. Her goal was a group victory, however she was tripped up by a Soft 7 track in the Gr.2 Trelawney Stud Stakes (2100m) at Ellerslie, only going down by a short nose to KIWI SKYHAWK after trying so hard.

Resuming as a fresh-faced four-year-old, ZORMELLA once again stumbled over a wet Ellerslie surface and failed to find any traction, before drawing the outside gate in a BM75 contest at the Auckland course. From the rear, Rooke tried an inside rails run, which closed, before weaving through with an ultra strong finish. Back to her happy hunting ground of Pukekohe 3rd up, and ridden by Masa Hasazume, ZORMELLA came forward on the turn and looked likely to claim her first victory of the season before I'M LULU snatched it away on the line.

It seems, and not for the first time, the inquisitive mare tends to look around for other horses once getting ahead and the use of blinkers may be entirely beneficial to keep her head in the game and fully focused. Another win doesn't look far away, and it would be great to see her fire up from midfield with room to move. However, if the team want to make it to the $1M Aotearoa Classic for 4YOs on Karaka Millions night, a couple of dominant performances must be produced to make that strong field.

We need to remain positive with our girl, as she is a genuine talent and only requires a few things to fall her way to showcase her true class. Let's hope for all owners and the FRAC CLUB get to witness the absolute best of the mare and a winning performance shortly.

FB: Unfortunately, the trip away to Whanganui didn't add to her tally after drawing wide. An awkward spot meant Bruno Queiroz had ZORMELLA trapped out on a limb and cramped for room rounding the turn. It all appeared too much, as the mare had likely used up a fair amount of juice jockeying for position, but still managed to hold 4th place. Look forward to seeing her back in the North over Christmas and she just has to knock one off racing in good company. The $1M Aotearoa Classic on Karaka night was the goal, but that may be hard to achieve given the circumstances.

RACE RECORD - 9: 2-2-0

STAKES EARNINGS - NZ$169,345

We took the opportunity to twice visit the incredible operation at CAMBRIDGE STUD in recent months and view their wonderful stock of world class sires. We would certainly recommend visiting one of New Zealand’s great studs on any open day to soak up the experience and see how they perform. These amazing stallions are the backbone of our Bloodstock industry and continue to impress with their offspring.

CAMBRIDGE STUD currently has a stock of new sires for view and a couple of established stallions that have produced a number of fine winners. Former European champion 3YO ALMANZOR, a son of WOOTTON BASSETT standing at a fee of $30,000 is the current stalwart, offering up G1 winners MANZOICE, CIRCLE OF FIRE and GEZORA. Sire of Karaka Million 2YO winner DYNASTIC and unbeaten stakes winning two-year-old NUCLEOZOR, yearlings average NZ$160,000 and have sold for up to A$800,000. A shuttle sire, ALMANZOR is staying south this summer and will not venture back to the UK.

Established sire, EMBELLISH has had Stakes winners on both sides of the Tasman from his first crop. BOLD SOUL won the Gr.3 Chairman's Stakes, LUBERON won the Gr.3 Sweynesse Stakes and WHAT YOU WISH FOR won the Listed Kaimai Stakes. New stallion SWORD OF STATE was a bit of a Karaka Sales star in 2025, as his first crop went through the ring. First yearlings averaged over $200,000 at the major sales, with his first Australian runner TOTURE winning the Listed Debutant Stakes, due to run in the Karaka Millions.

The other new kid in the breeding barn is CHALDEAN, the only Gr.1 winning 2YO by FRANKEL at stud in the Southern Hemisphere. Four consecutive wins at two including the Gr.3 Acomb Stakes, Gr.2 Champagne Stakes and Gr.1 Dewhurst Stakes in the 2nd fastest time. Also winner of the Gr.1 2000 Guineas at three, completing the Dewhurst/Guineas double just like his famous father. A beautiful big chestnut, this lad is sure to excite a number of investors.

HELLO YOUMZAIN closes out the set, as champion NZ First Season Sire in 24/25. Sire of eight first crop two-year-old winners in Australasia including stakes winners PLATINUM DIAMOND and LUCY IN THE SKY. The operation overall now run by Brendan & Jo Lindsay invested big after the success of Sir Patrick Hogan with ZABEEL and SIR TRISTRAM. Today the property combines state-of-the-art facilities with the best of local and international bloodlines as they continue to build on the farm’s proud history of success. The HERITAGE CENTRE features interactive displays, photographs, trophies, and memorabilia that tell the story of Sir Patrick Hogan and Sir Tristram, and you won't be disappointed once visiting.

The 2025 Melbourne Cup provided another opportunity for a great stayer to stand up and etch their name in the history books of the greatest two-mile race in the world, with a home grown in HALF YOURS stepping up to prove victorious down the Flemington straight and claim the rare Caulfield, Melbourne Cup double for only the 13th time. It also allowed Jamie Melham to become only the second woman in the 165 year history to win the famed race after Michelle Payne broke down the barriers when winning on PRINCE OF PENZANCE a decade earlier in 2015. Melham is the first woman to ride the double.

HALF YOURS (St Jean) proved himself one of the shrewdest second-hand buys of the century as he added to a regal day for unsung sires by lifting the Caulfield Cup (2400m), bringing trainer Tony McEvoy his first victory in the race – made more special by achieving it in partnership with son Calvin. Starting from gate two, Melham had Half Yours well positioned in midfield as the Caulfield Cup unfolded at an even tempo. As the field bunched around the home turn, Melham eased Half Yours into the clear some eight horses wide, and the gelding responded majestically, claiming the lead from ADELAIDE RIVER inside the 200m, and finishing powerfully to score by 0.46 lengths.

After easing to start at $A9.00, the five-year-old gelding produced an explosive finish in the Flemington straight to charge to victory in the 3200m staying test by 2.75 lengths, with two-time winner Joseph O'Brien's Irish mare GOODIE TWO SHOES second at $A41. Ciaron Maher's MIDDLE EARTH took third a further 1.5 lengths away. Half Yours was the only Australian-bred horse in this year's capacity Cup field of 24, with seven nations represented. What suited the horse was the slow tempo, not ideal for the northern raiders used to a grinding test, but perfect for Melhams mount. She was able to settle her horse back and burst through a wide gap, sprinting to the line strongly without too many chasers.

Jamie Melham was suspended for a month in the very next face after causing interference to the mount ridden by Blake Shinn, who stumbled and fell, forcing the ace jockey to the ground and breaking his leg in the process. Sadly, the relatively unknown sire of HALF YOURS, ST JEAN recently died in a freak paddock accident, but leaves behind a Melbourne Cup winner.

The spring standout performer made a dramatic entrance rather than a subtle one, as the impressive three-year-old WELL WRITTEN burst onto the scene. She left such an instant impression, the powerful racing and breeding operation Yulong secured a 50 per cent stake in exciting filly, who will continue to race under the guidance of Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh. Purchased for $80,000 at a New Zealand Bloodstock online yearling sale by trainer Stephen Marsh and his friend, and seemingly even better judge, Dylan Johnson, Well Written was sold to a large group of owners, who in turn sold half their shares to global racing giant.

This followed the WRITTEN TYCOON filly’s dominant Gr.2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) victory, which followed her runaway maiden win, marking her as one of the most promising three-year-olds in New Zealand. The filly blew apart a quality field in the Soliloquy, that included LOLLAPALOOZA and TAJANA, before doing a demolition job on them in the Gr.1 NZ 1000 Guineas at Riccarton. Jockey Matt Cartwright counted to ten before pressing the go button, but he needed have worried as she cruised past her rivals with ease

The Cambridge trainer has two obvious Ellerslie goals for the new glamour girl: the $1.5 million NZB Karaka Million Three-Year-Old on January 24 and the $4m NZB Kiwi on March 7. By then Well Written could have raced in, and quite possibly won, nearly $6m worth of races at home. Needless to say, we may all be getting a bit ahead of ourselves, but there is no doubt the filly is the best we've seen in some time, with astute judges claiming her trackwork at Cambridge has been some of the fastest ever witnessed there. Watch this space.

RACE RECORD - 3: 3-0-0

STAKES EARNINGS - $462,795

We decided to take a stab with a new two-year-old who was originally purchased by the TAB for racing, then onsold to the MyRacehorse Australian syndicate company for $180,000. The juvenile gelding, named INCANDESCENT is by the powerful sire PER INCANTO from a SNITZEL mare in SAINT KATARINA. It is a fine pedigree with the gelding built in a powerful frame.

MyRacehorse placed the gelding with the astute training team of Roger James and Robert Wellwood at Cambridge, with the ultimate goal of qualifying for the 2YO Karaka Millions feature on January 24th. Whether they can achieve that goal is difficult to say at this stage, although the early prognosis is highly promising. INCANDESCENT competed in one barrier trial at Taupo and jumped out of the gates at a high rate on knots, and despite appearing quite green in the running, was able to keep pace when challenged to finish a close second.

MyRacehorse microshares are now avaliable for New Zealander’s to purchase for as low as $55 for a one off payment. You get to enjoy all the same ownership privileges as any other Thoroughbred owner for a fraction of the cost. MyRacehorse achieved success in NZ last year with WILLYDOIT victorious in the Gr.1 NZ Derby, and more recent the 3YO APOCALYPTIC who has performed brilliantly for Michael Freedman alongside Golden Slipper winner and stablemate, MARHOONA. INCANDESCENT debuted at Ellerslie in late November.

FB: INCANDESCENT made a flying start to his career when racing away at Ellerslie over 1100m on debut. After a slow beginning, Masa allowed him to get on the right leg after being off stride, before hitting the gas down the middle of the track and made up a substantial deficit the final 250m. Roger James seemed to believe 1400-1600m might be more his go as a three-year-old, however he now has to rethink his plans and a shot at Karaka glory in January is certainly on the cards after such an impressive performance first up. Looks a really talented horse and we can’t wait to see his progression in the next two months.

RACE RECORD - 1: 1-0-0

STAKES EARNINGS - $17,250

The fresh new crop of 2025/26 two-year-olds are currently strutting their stuff, with a number in line for the 2YO Karaka Millions Classic on January 24. While it is always difficult for inexperienced competitors to face significant racing challenges for the first time, several have demonstrated their potential as quality juveniles. The Te Akau trained OUT OF THE BLUE trialled up nicely before winning in debut over 800m at Riccarton. The gelding by TIVACI out of the fine racemare CORNFLOWER BLUE, would go on to prove victorious once more over the same trip in Christchurch steered by Opie Bosson. This wise team have a slick horse with a fair bit of speed who can only get gain further experience with another run prior to Karaka night.

The Australian juvenile TORTURE, trained by the Hayes in Melbourne looks likely to make the trip across the Tasman for the $1M Karaka feature, and these lads have been successful in recent years with hit and run missions to New Zealand. The filly, out of Cambridge Studs new sire in SWORD OF STATE cruised up three wide to score on debut in the Listed Debutant Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield. How good these Sword Of State youngsters are we will soon see, however the first season sire accounted for some high priced yearling at the 2025 Karaka Sales going for $250,000 to Lindsay Park and Dean Hawthorne Bloodstock.

Johno Benner has developed a promising juvenile, DE ARMAS, whom the trainer asserts is the finest horse he has ever prepared. This ARDROSSAN filly won easily by 4.8L on debut at Otaki over 800m, before trialling up with an impressive 6L margin victory at Foxton. His first big test came in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m), where she was afforded a soft run before amping up the pace from the turn and winning nicely. Unfortunately, the Tony Pike trained HARVEY WALLBANGER missed the jump and was a clear last before screaming home from the rear to end up in 2nd place. The HOME AFFAIRS gelding won convincingly on debut at Ellerslie over 1100m and has shown he still needs time to learn more ringcraft. Nevertheless, the gelding look a seriously talented horse who will make a fine three-year-old.

Our own INCANDESCENT now comes into the frame after a stunning performance on debut, blazing past a few well bred juveniles to win at Ellerslie. The way the PER INCANTO gelding finished off, it looks like a strong 3yo campaign is in the offering and MyRacehorse will be thrilled with the result. Jumps up the pecking order for the Karaka Millions with even the trainer surprised with how well he performed and the style in which he won. If they go hard out in front and with another run under the belt, this boy is right in line to win. Just keep in mind, the PER INCANTO horses typically love the wet, so he could be an even stronger boy and hold a serious advantage with some give in the track.

PUBLISHED NOV 2 (Edited) - CREDIT: ABC (Daniel Miles)

What happens when the race that stops the nation also stops you from seeing the horses that don’t finish? One minute, ANTHONY VAN DYCK is rounding the turn, preparing to thunder down the famous Flemington straight. The next, he’s gone.

It’s Tuesday, November 3, 2020, and the Melbourne Cup is being held in eerie silence - the COVID-19 pandemic keeping the crowds at home, glued to screens. Jockey Hugh Bowman, his pastel pink silks almost white in the spring sun, urges Anthony Van Dyck for a final effort. But a muted groan echoes through the near-empty grandstand as the galloper stumbles.  A beat passes. The blue-blooded stallion rears, slows, then comes to a sweat-soaked stop. It’s a moment that lives only in the memories of the select few permitted trackside that day. That’s because the official race replay shows something else entirely. Just before Anthony Van Dyck stumbles, the replay cuts to an isolated 12-second shot of eventual winner TWILIGHT PAYMENT, ears pinned back, surging for the post.

By the time the shot zooms back out for the final 200 metres, Anthony Van Dyck is gone. In those 12 seconds, the English Derby winner broke down and fell back through the pack, out of frame. His fetlock was fractured. Bowman dismounted and removed his saddle as the rest of the field galloped on. Anthony Van Dyck was loaded into the horse ambulance and euthanased soon after. What the industry wants you to remember is the isolated image of a free-wheeling equine athlete at full stride. But this is what was erased.

Anthony Van Dyck was the sixth horse to die after competing in the Melbourne Cup in a seven-year stretch. But he was the first to be edited from the replay entirely. Yet the industry generates $9.5 billion a year and employs about 75,000 people - a number that more than doubles when volunteers are counted. In the 2022-23 season, more than $26.3 billion was wagered on thoroughbred racing alone, down slightly from a record $29.1 billion the previous racing season. Size and money, however, have not shielded racing from scrutiny.

At the same time, the industry has begun moving swiftly to protect its image, systematically removing any footage that could provide activists with ammunition. In Victoria and New Zealand, the edits are swift and precise. Often, the only giveaway is the race skipping forward almost imperceptibly: a few hundred metres vanish with no audio cuts.

In New South Wales, things aren’t as cut and dry. Three-year-old TYREEK was put down after crashing through the home-straight running rail at Rosehill on August 30. The replay vanished from the Racing NSW website, but snippets of the incident remain on social media. Recent examples in Queensland remain unedited. The race in which The INDIGO FALCON was fatally injured at Murray Bridge in South Australia also remains online. Tasmania takes a hardline approach. FREIBURG’S death in Hobart has been completely removed from the replay. GIDDY UP GRUNT — who died in a trial at Lark Hill, south of Perth in Western Australia — also had his final moments erased.

Viewers have no way of knowing if a race has been edited, and unedited replays carry no warning about what they’re about to see. At Warrnambool, apprentice jockey Tom Prebble’s mount PULVERISER fell at the 700-metre mark of a race. Pulveriser received a minor cut to his near fore elbow, but Prebble was flown to hospital with significant spinal cord injuries. He’s unlikely to ride again. The replay was edited, the fall removed, and the stewards’ footage pulled from public view.

If the public saw more falls, pressure would force the industry to act when a rider is at fault. If they show the falls, the public will probably be a little bit outraged and it will probably force the people in racing to say, hey, we’re gonna stop this. Harsher penalties for jockeys who cause falls should be the solution. Current suspensions for careless riding typically result in about a month-long ban.

Young Kiwi rider Bailey Rogerson was not at fault in an accident at Rotorua recently, with French jockey Corentin Berge, who had only started riding in New Zealand, suspended by stewards for four weeks for allowing his horse to move out and check Rogerson's mount with 400m to run. It left her in an induced coma and seriously ill with a fractured skull and possibly a broken bone in her neck. Obviously, the up-and-coming jockeys aiming to cement their spot in this tough market want to do the best for trainers and owners to increase their profile and lift career prospects - but at what cost?

Some of Tyreek’s 20 owners have already told their syndicate head they won’t return to racing. None received any communication from Racing NSW after the incident. A stewards investigation found jockey Tommy Sherry, who won the race aboard Grand Prairie, was responsible for the fall. He was handed a month-long suspension for careless riding. The replay was subsequently removed from the Racing NSW site and Sherry still received his full winners cut.

Whether an industry should be able to edit its own record is not a legal question. No laws are being broken. It is a matter of ethics and social licence - the unwritten agreement by which the public permits a practice to continue. But withholding information about what went wrong invites scrutiny. It creates a vacuum, allowing activists to get in, holding sports accountable, holding multi-million and billion-dollar industries accountable. Anti-racing groups archive and distribute the deleted footage across social media - turning the incidents racing wants hidden into rallying points.

Between 2013 and 2020, six horses died either during or after running in the Melbourne Cup. Four died as a result of injuries sustained during the race itself: VEREMA (2013), RED CADEAUX (2015), THE CLIFFSOFMOHER (2018) and ANTHONY VAN DYCK (2020). All were internationals. For the first three, the fatal moment remains in the replay. Anthony Van Dyck was different. His was the first replay to be edited. All Melbourne Cup runners have to undergo a CT scan before being allowed to race, in addition to two pre-race inspections by an industry-approved vet. Those scans prompted this year’s pre-race cup favourite, SIR DELIUS, to be scratched just weeks out from the race after it was deemed the horse was at “heightened risk of injury”.

Thoroughbred racing was once the sporting lifeblood of the nation. These days, it surges into the nation’s public consciousness during the spring and autumn carnivals only, its cultural dominance diminished to punchy periods when football, rugby and cricket pause for breath. Carnival crowds are increasing, with last month’s The Everest meeting setting new records for wagering and attendance. But we should be worried about racing’s future. About the sport, the horses we love, and the people involved. It's been five years since a fatality was entered in the cup’s record books. If it happens again, those in the grandstand will know. Those watching after the fact may not. The 12-second cut will be waiting.

Owen Larsen, a small-time breeder on a property at Newstead, Hamilton was searching for a stallion bred for speed, when he first saw PAG-ASA (by Kaerou Star) in Sydney and he was fairly impressed. Soon after viewing the pedigree and race performance sheet, Owen was convinced with what he saw and purchased the horse, shipping him straight to Dave O’Sullivan’s Matamata stables where he went into full work. After a few unsatisfactory performances in New Zealand, a medical examination revealed that he was not in the ideal physical condition to continue racing. Consequently, he was retired to stud, where he was eventually bred with the broodmare, IMITATION (Oakville), who turned out to be the dam of the future champion horse BONECRUSHER.

It was an unusual turn of events that led to the acquisition of the seemingly unfashionable Pag Asa colt by owner Peter Mitchell in 1982, made after consulting with a self-styled breeding expert during the annual yearling sales. An old joker named Harold Hampton who was a postmaster used to go around the sales with his odd theories on how you could find a good future racehorse. His pedigree had no value to most onlookers, but Peter purchased the first one that year and called him SUPERBRAT. He ran a couple of times and didn’t do much, but Mitchell stuck with the bloodlines, and next time to the sales he bought BONECRUSHER and sent him to trainer Frank Ritchie, who was just starting on his own and battling away with his strapper son, 16 year old Shaun Ritchie in tow.

Mitchell purchased Bonecrusher for a handy $3200 from the Waikato Yearling sales and he first hit the track in August of 1984 where he won three of his first five starts as a juvenile, including one at Group Three level at Ellerslie before embarking on an ill-fated three start campaign in Australia. Brought home after three lacklustre runs, Bonecrusher commenced his three-year-old campaign with four consecutive placings including finishing third behind RANDOM CHANCE and FIELD DANCER in the 1985 Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton. Bonecrusher won his next seven starts straight including the Gr.1 Bayer Classic (1600m), the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) before defeating the older horses in the New Gr.1 Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie.

In the spring of 1986, Bonecrusher achieved his greatest triumph by winning the Cox Plate over the Dave and Paul O'Sullivan-trained (Our) WAVERLEY STAR, a race that has been hailed as, 'the race of the century.' The two great horses went to war from the 600m mark with Bonecrusher prevailing in a colossal head-to-head dual as the renowned racecaller Bill Collins delivered one of the most memorable and dramatic calls in racing history...

“And Bonecrusher races into equine immortality"

Although he lacked the brilliance of Black Caviar or the dominance of Winx, his courage endeared him to many. Even when it appeared he could not win, he prevailed. In the Cox Plate, Our Waverley Star settled wide, in mid-field, while the chestnut, Bonecrusher was towards the back of the field. At the 800 metres mark, Bonecrusher (ridden by Gary Stewart) powered out swiftly around the field to be immediately shadowed by the slick Our Waverley Star (ridden by Lance O'Sullivan). Quickly, the two horses cleared out from the rest of the field. Race caller Bill Collins questioned the two horses breakneck tactics,

Here come the New Zealanders...have they gone too early?"

OUR WAVERLEY STAR built up a length lead, which was soon countered by Bonecrusher. As they entered wide into the short home straight at the Moonee Valley, Bonecrusher had a slender lead. In an instant Our Waverley Star gathered him in again and it seemed he would pull away. But Big Red fought back hard down the straight to gather in his nemesis stride by stride, winning by a neck at the post. The huge crowd erupted and it is still considered one of the single greatest thoroughbred races ever witnessed down under, and rightly so. Mitchell then shouted dozens of family and friends, and funnily enough even local reporters to dinner out at Melbourne's finest Chinese restaurant, the Flower Drum as the victorious team celebrated long into the night.

A tilt at the Japan Cup in 1986 almost ended in tragedy as the horse contracted a mystery virus in Tokyo, thankfully aided in recovery by the JRA vets. Both trainer Frank Ritchie and jockey Gary Stewart firmly believe that Bonecrusher would have emerged victorious in the Cup, considering his exceptional performance during track work. The Australian Cup was the race, not the Cox Plate, which trainer Frank Ritchie said undid Bonecrusher in 1987. Rider Gary Stewart described it as the roughest race he'd ridden in, and Big Red came back to scale with a chunk out of his leg after running 2nd in a torid battle with At Talaq. Stewart observed that there was "plenty spent to beat him", a claim interpreted by the Aussie press to mean payoffs to riders by bookies, two of whom were reported to be on the breadline after massive payouts on the result.

All up, Bonecrusher raced 44 times for 18 wins, 5 second places, and 12 third places. His races ranged from 880m to 2400m. He won 9 Group One races, 3 Group 2 races, and 2 Group 3 races, and earned prize money of NZ$674,225 and AU$1,679,495. He was retired after finishing 3rd in the Gr.3 Starway Stakes in December 1989 at the age of seven, considered one of New Zealand's greatest ever gallopers. BONECRUSHER is buried next to the Ellerslie parade ring where his statue attracts numerous visitors who are all eager to pay tribute to the mighty, BIG RED.

RACE RECORD - 44: 18-5-12

EARNINGS - NZ$674,225 & A$1,679,495

Finally, we would like to wish all our members and friends a wonderful and safe Christmas and New Year. It’s been an interesting year of racing, and we’ve worked hard to try and deliver the best information available for our people. We’d like to thank each and every person thats offered us support and hopefully we can catch up with you over the Christmas racing period at Ellerslie or elsewhere. We will continue to work throughout this busy racing period with the same level of commitment and look to provide new and exciting content so all of our members can stay up to date with our latest selections. Please feel free to place a small donation to keep us rolling along. Take care and happy punting.