Top Filly Acquired by Team Valor International

The Equus Champion 2-year-old filly of last season, in a transaction that will be finalised after the New Year when export blood tests have been cleared, has been sold to Team Valor International, following protracted negotiations lasting nearly a month. The purchase was spearheaded by Team Valor CEO Barry Irwin in..

READ MORE

Legendary New Zealand Jockey retires

Opie Bosson, one of New Zealand’s most celebrated jockeys, has announced his retirement from professional riding at age 44. With 99 Group One victories, including the Australian Derby and Caulfield Cup aboard Mongolian Khan, Bosson’s illustrious 30-year career cemented his place in the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame in 2023. He also earned the ONZM for his contributions to thoroughbred racing and became a fan favorite, immortalized by the Boys Get Paid chant at Ellerslie’s Karaka Millions meeting. Reflecting on his career, Bosson cited his association with champion mare Imperatriz as a personal highlight, crediting her for inspiring his continued dedication to the sport.

READ MORE

Suspension and Fine for Richard Fourie

INQUIRY – JOCKEY R FOURIE

Jockey R Fourie was charged with a contravention of Rule 58.10.2 (read with Guideline M in Appendix E on the use of the crop), the particulars being that he misused his crop by striking EIGHT ON EIGHTEEN more than twelve times (13 times), which was not warranted when considering the circumstances of the race, in Race 7, Hollywoodbets Cape Guineas (Grade 1), on 14 December 2024.

The National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa held an Inquiry in this regard on Tuesday, 24 December 2024. Due to Jockey R Fourie not attending the Inquiry, the Inquiry Board entered a plea of not guilty on his behalf, and after deliberation, he was found guilty of the charge.

READ MORE

Zac Purton Equals Record with Six-Timer at Happy Valley

Zac Purton etched his name deeper into Hong Kong racing history with a scintillating six-win performance at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, December 26. The Australian jockey’s dominant display brought his career tally to 1,797 wins, leaving him just 16 shy of Douglas Whyte’s all-time record of 1,813 victories.

Purton’s six-timer equaled Brett Prebble’s longstanding record of six wins from 10 rides at Happy Valley, set in June 2010. Victories aboard Super Charizzard, Noisy Boy, Northern Fire Ball, View Of The World, The Azure, and Aurora Lady capped a night of clinical riding and tactical brilliance.

READ MORE

Santa Anita opens with highest attendance in Years

Santa Anita Park’s 90th season opening proved historic, boasting the largest opening day crowd in eight years and achieving a 17.4% increase in all-sources mutuel handle compared to 2023. Over $21.4 million was wagered globally, marking the third-highest opening day handle in the track’s storied history and the fourth time in seven years the handle surpassed $20 million.

READ MORE