Like an absorbing novel, or a long-running TV drama, the dynastic plotlines woven through the story of Saturday’s Spring Stakes (Gr 3, 1600m) winner Genzano (Maurice) are as numerous as they are exquisite. She’s the first stakes-winner bred by brother and sister Alastair and Annie Fraser, of the Hunter Valley’s renowned St Aubins Stud line,... Read More

If there was a bigger winner in Melbourne Cup week than James McDonald, Chris Waller or Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai), it may have been Zoustar (Northern Meteor). Widden’s flagbearer had a stakes-winner on all four days. It started with the second-most important race of Australia’s greatest racing week, the Coolmore Stud Stakes (Gr... Read More

Bill Andrews and Ian Lidstone are old mates. And that’s a good thing. Because a few years ago, Brisbane lawyer and breeder Andrews had had enough of this Fastnet Rock mare of his and put her in an online sale. Lidstone, a Gippsland-based importer and hobby breeder, noticed her. He didn’t know her origins, but... Read More

The big guns from Hong Kong may have lifted the Cox Plate with Romantic Warrior on Saturday, but a couple of hours earlier it was the little guys who reigned supreme when Skybird (Exosphere) made it three from three in Moonee Valley’s Group 2 Fillies’ Classic. The three-year-old hails from the Ballarat stable of Mitch... Read More

As we all know, racing and breeding are realms of patience and waiting. For instance, you acquire a stallion, breed some stock, then stand around waiting, anxiously watching races, crossing fingers and hoping for those first winners to start trickling in, please. And then there’s Alabama Express (Redoute’s Choice). As the name suggests, he doesn’t... Read More