Month: December 2024

Champion jockey Opie Bosson has announced his retirement. Photo: Nicole Troost Opie Bosson, one of the greatest jockeys New Zealand has produced, has today announced his retirement from riding. Bosson, 44, leaves behind an incredible legacy in the sport, winning 99 Group One races in a glittering career which saw him inducted into the New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame in 2023 and immortalised in the memorable “There’s only one Opie Bosson” Boys Get Paid chant at the annual Karaka Millions meeting at Ellerslie. He was named an Officer of…

Tavi Time winning the Summer Cup. Photo: Bradleyphotos.com.au Talented five-year-old Tavi Time edged out Osipenko in a thrilling finish to the Group 3 Summer Cup (2000m) at Randwick on Boxing Day. The Kris Lees-trained son of Tavistock was ridden by Jay Ford and carried a somewhat luxury weight of 53kgs after lumping big weights in handicaps at his past two outings, having previously run well when fourth in the $3 million Big Dance (1600m). Coming from midfield, Tavi Time had to wait to clear rivals heels and wore down fellow…

Snazzytavi (outside) narrowly defeated La Crique to take out the Group 1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) on Boxing Day. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) This year’s phenomenal rise of Snazzytavi was fittingly capped off in the Group 1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) on Boxing Day, but another star mare didn’t let her away with an easy victory in the Ellerslie feature. Snazzytavi, owned by race sponsors Brendan and Jo Lindsay, has been carefully handled by trainers Graham Richardson and Rogan Norvall, having just her 15th start on Thursday. The mare’s eight victories…

Eventual winner Yaldi (outside) and Midnight Edition fight out the Group 2 Shaw’s Wire Ropes Auckland Guineas (1400m) at Ellerslie. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) In a blockbuster edition of the Group 2 Auckland Guineas (1400m), outsider Midnight Edition and favoured runner Yaldi went to the line as one, with the latter securing the Boxing Day feature in a protest. Yaldi had been an impressive juvenile, winning on debut before placing at stakes level in Australia. The imposing galloper had done little racing in his three-year-old season, making his first…

Hitabell (inside) finding in the closing stages to defeat Sethito (outside) in the Group 2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images) A brilliant front-running ride by Courtney Barnes and a never say die attitude from her mount Hitabell provided trainer Stephen Marsh with a Boxing Day double as the trio combined to claim the Group 2 Eight Carat Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie. Marsh, who had produced Provence to win the Westbury Stud Royal Descent Stakes (1400m), had given Hitabell a short freshen up after the…

Darwin trainer Chris Nash has four runners capable of making a huge impression when the Darwin Turf Club hosts its final meeting of the year at Fannie Bay on Saturday. After nine seconds this season, Top End trainer Chris Nash hopes to add to his tally of three wins on Saturday. The former Palmerston Sprint winning trainer has four decent hopes as the Darwin Turf Club prepares for its final meeting of the year at Fannie Bay. Son Of Bielski and Seven Secrets front over 1600m at 0-70 level, the…

Zac Purton celebrates a six-timer. Photo: HKJC Zac Purton continued a relentless quest for Hong Kong racing history with a record-equalling six-timer at Happy Valley on Wednesday night, closing to within just 16 wins of Douglas Whyte’s towering mark. Purton took his Hong Kong career tally to 1797 wins – and ever closer to Whyte’s colossal haul of 1813 – with victories on Super Charizzard, Noisy Boy, Northern Fire Ball, View Of The World, The Azure and Aurora Lady. His haul matched Australian compatriot Brett Prebble’s record of six winners…

What Eagle Farm Races Where Eagle Farm Racecourse – 230 Lancaster Rd, Ascot QLD 4007 When Saturday, December 28, 2024 First Race 12:13pm AEST Visit Dabble A bumper 10-race meeting is scheduled for Eagle Farm on Saturday as preparations for the Magic Millions Carnival continue to ramp up. The Group 3 Vo Rogue Plate (1300m) for three-year-olds takes top billing and is ably supported with big fields throughout the undercard, including the Listed Nudgee Stakes (1200m). A summer scorcher is forecast with a top of 35 degrees expected, with track…

What Moonee Valley Races Where Moonee Valley Racecourse – Gate 2 Feehan Ave, Moonee Ponds VIC 3039 When Saturday, December 28, 2024 First Race 12:15pm AEDT Visit Dabble A rare Saturday afternoon meeting at Moonee Valley awaits punters, where a bumper 10-race meeting is set down for decision. A near-perfect day for racing is forecast for Melbourne, with a top of 23 degrees and a chance of a shower or two set to provide A1 conditions. The rail sticks to its true position, with the first at Moonee Valley set…