Drama at the Perth Cup

2020 European Horse of the Year Ghaiyyath (IRE) got his first Group I winner in Australia last spring in Victoria Derby hero Observer and had his second overnight when Opera Ballo took the G1 Jebel Hatta (1m1f), while the other G1 on the card at Meydan also had a winner of serious interest for a different reason.

A late, great sire and a deceased Group One-winning dam combined with an $850,000 colt that topped the opening day of the Book 1 session of Karaka 2026 on Sunday.

The 2021 European Horse of the Year, St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) is on the board with his first Australian stakes-winner after hot favourite Aristopolos kept his unbeaten record intact with an impressive win in the Listed Kevin Sharkie Elwick Stakes (1100m) at Hobart on Sunday.

Darling View Thoroughbred’s G2 winning Snitzel son Splintex continues to be popular with leading WA breeders and the young stallion has a big draft of 25 yearlings to tempt buyers at the upcoming Perth Magic Millions.

NZB’s historic 100th National Yearling Sale kicked off with a solid first day of trade with increases across the average and median reflecting a healthy middle market.

All eyes were turned to Sha Tin on Sunday where the world’s best horse Ka Ying Rising (NZ) made it 17 straight wins in the Group I Centenary Sprint Cup (1200m), while evergreen superstar Romantic Warrior (IRE) dropped back to a mile to win the Group I Stewards’ Cup (1600m).

Elen Nicholas has ridden the highs and lows of racing with Knights Realm, and Saturday proved to be the pinnacle of their journey.

Here is the full list of 51 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.

Bloodstock agent Kevin ‘Millie’ Walls was a key player on back-to-back big lots at Karaka on Sunday, securing a colt for $675,000 before being underbidder on a $600,000 colt that was the very next yearling through the ring.

There are few more genuine racehorses in training in the west than the bonny mare Jaz Session.