Castelvecchio - New Winner

Otaki horseman Johno Benner has a good association with the Karaka Millions, and he could have another serious contender on his hands for January’s showpiece.

Rich Hill Stud principal John Thompson is no stranger to success on Australia’s biggest stage, but even he watched in awe as the filly he co-bred in Aeliana stormed away with Saturday’s $2 million Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m).

The racing and breeding world was shocked earlier this week by the passing of champion sire Wootton Bassett (GB), whose talented son West of Swindon picked the right race in which to break his maiden when scoring a bold front running victory in the $300,000 Group II MVRC Stutt Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on Friday night.

The Group III Somerville Stakes (7f) was run at Newmarket overnight with the Godolphin blue carried by exciting Night of Thunder colt Distant Storm, who they purchased for a sale-topping €1.9million at the Arqana May Breeze Up Sale earlier this year.

Chris Waller and James McDonald kicked off the Flemington Melbourne Cup Carnival with a dazzling  victory in the Group III VRC Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) for progressive Castelvecchio filly Aeliana.

The $1million Group I ATC Golden Rose (1400m) this Saturday offers the winner far more than prizemoney and assuming it’s a colt he is given a golden ticket to a commercial stud career, so let’s take a look at this year’s contenders, who would you want on your stallion roster in 2026?

Richard Johnston has bred some very good horses under his Bylong Park banner including triple Group I winner Think It Over and an Anders three year-old he bred and races was an eye-catching debut winner at Hawkesbury on Thursday.

Geisel Park won’t be the only WA breeder on board when the first locally-conceived 2yo crop of its Group 1 sire Manhattan Rain get mobile this season.

Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.

Denise Martin’s Star Thoroughbreds had much racetrack excitement and financial reward from Group I winning mare Invincibella and the familiar purple and white stars were carried to victory at Randwick on Saturday in the Group III ATC Reginald Allen Stakes (1400m) by a three year-old Castelvecchio filly that is closely related to the $3million earner.