Latest news with #MelbourneCupCarnival
NZ Herald
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Australian radio host Jade Robran leaves show after learning of uncle Barrie Robran's death
North Adelaide Football Club legend Barrie Robran has died aged 77. Photo / The Advertiser 'Jade unfortunately has had to go home, there has been some unexpected and very tragic news, there's been a death in her family,' Tom said. 'Hope you're okay, Jade, if you're driving home listening right now. 'Jade, we love you, we hope you're okay with the rest of the family. 'Hopefully she'll be back tomorrow. That's very, very sad news.' He continued to host the show solo. It's not yet known how Barrie died, with his family yet to release a statement. Barrie, who won the Magarey Medal three times during his career, has a statue at Adelaide Oval in his honour. Jade Robran co-hosts FIVEAA's Winter Breakfast show with Tom Rehn. Photo / Jade is yet to comment. The radio host and journalist, who also occasionally presents segments on Channel 7's Sunrise, has been a roving reporter for FIVEAA since February last year. She has worked on TV for more than a decade, having presented the AFL Grand Final, Melbourne Cup Carnival and Australian Open over the years. She is married to 2001 Big Brother winner turned AFL sports agent Ben Williams, with whom she shares two sons. The pair, who wed in 2008, suffered a scare this time last year when Williams was involved in a near-fatal motorcycle accident. Taking to Instagram in June on the first anniversary of the incident, Jade said her husband 'shouldn't have survived' the crash in South Australia's Flinders Range. 'It's been 365 days since me and the boys got a call to say Ben had been in a motorcycle accident (that he shouldn't have survived but did),' Jade wrote. 'The following six months was a bit … 'But, we all got through it (you're a strong, determined bugger big guy) and in a crazy way, we are all better for it and stronger as a unit.'
Irish Daily Mirror
11-07-2025
- Automotive
- Irish Daily Mirror
One of World's richest races offers huge prize money even for last placed horse
One of the globe's most prestigious horse racing events is dishing out big bucks, with even the last-placed horse set to receive a hefty sum. Australia's iconic Lexus Melbourne Cup, known as the 'race that stops the nation', is a major draw for top horses from Europe, Japan, and beyond, with last year's event featuring entrants from leading trainers Willie Mullins, Brian Ellison, and Harry Eustace. In the lead-up to the 2025 event, the Victoria Racing Club has revealed a whopping £4.8 million in total prize money will be up for grabs in the 2m handicap. The boost is designed to acknowledge every starter in the maximum 24-horse field, with each horse finishing 13th to 24th set to pocket £48,000. Additionally, winners of the Geelong Cup and Moonee Valley Gold Cup will secure a guaranteed start. Victoria Racing Club CEO Kylie Rogers commented: "The Lexus Melbourne Cup is unrivalled for its history, status and reach and the VRC is proud to be able to now reward every local and international participant in the great race.", reports the Mirror. "It reflects the significant effort required to prepare and qualify for the Lexus Melbourne Cup and goes hand-in-hand with a decision to add additional qualifying opportunities through the Geelong Cup and Moonee Valley Gold Cup. "Cup Week adds more value to the economy and the racing eco-system than any other racing carnival in the country, contributing around 10 per cent of the annual wagering turnover across the state. "We thank Racing Victoria for its support to lift minimum prizemoney across the week, which will continue to attract the best horses, jockeys and trainers from Australia and across the world. "In line with the club's significant improvement in its financial position this year together with a forecast to increase again in season 2025-2026, the VRC has made a considered decision to increase its returns to participants. "Planning for the 2025 Melbourne Cup Carnival is in full swing, and this is just one of a number of exciting announcements that build momentum towards the world's greatest racing event."
Sydney Morning Herald
12-06-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘Self-interest is king': V'Landys weighs in on Flemington-Caulfield ‘powerhouse' as members have their say
Wilson would act as temporary chairman before handing over to Kanga after 12 months, according to sources familiar with the discussion but not willing to speak publicly about a private gathering. Such a decision would have to be put to a members' vote. The VRC has close to 35,000 members, while the MRC has 15,500. VRC members asked by this masthead about the merger talks on a social media forum on Thursday were divided in their views. 'Once the clubs are settled with their executives and fiscal performance, this definitely should be assessed as it 'could' bring about significant efficiencies, more cohesive business, sponsorship and operating strategies plus benefits to all members,' John Anderson wrote on the VRC Members Melbourne Facebook page. Mike Birnbaum said he would back a super club if it had three membership options: one for Caulfield, one for Flemington, and a combined ticket for Caulfield and Flemington. The MRC is offering an early bird membership for the coming season of $340, while VRC membership for this past financial year was $590. Jo Anne, who did not give her surname, was opposed to a merger. 'I'm a Caulfield local and member of both clubs, own horses, etc ... culturally they are very different clubs and I'd hate the VRC culture to come across to the MRC so I'd vote against it,' she wrote. Another member of both clubs, Glenn, who did not want to use his surname, told this masthead that he would support a race club 'marriage' if it was less than the cost of two memberships. 'My only concern would be that carnival days could become overcrowded,' he said. But the VRC released a statement on Thursday saying it was not 'pursuing or engaging in club merger activity and has no reason, financial or otherwise to do so at this time'. 'The VRC remains committed to working alongside Racing Victoria and the broader industry for the betterment of Victorian racing,' the club said. 'The VRC is focused squarely on strengthening the VRC – growing the club, backing its members and partners, and building on the success of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, with many exciting club wide announcements in the pipeline.' The VRC has lost $70 million across the past four years but is predicting a return to profitability next year. Loading Racing Victoria CEO Aaron Morrison said there was no proposal for a Flemington-Caulfield merger on the table. 'The focus of the clubs and Racing Victoria is on driving greater efficiencies in the face of a challenging consumer and wagering environment,' Morrison said. 'There are a number of ways that efficiencies can be achieved and Racing Victoria is actively involved in exploring those with clubs, including opportunities for shared services models.' Kanga released a statement on Thursday night, saying 'discussions around club mergers have occurred for many years and are nothing new'. 'I assure you that before anything was to even be considered, the MRC would need to be clear that any proposal was looked at in detail and in the best interests of members and the industry,' he said. But Kanga's focus has been drawn inward this week after the MRC board's decision on Monday night to remove chief executive Tom Reilly from office, and appoint Tanya Fullarton as chief operating officer. The MRC board appointed Kanga as honorary executive chair this week. Mergers are not new in Australian racing.
The Age
12-06-2025
- Business
- The Age
‘Self-interest is king': V'Landys weighs in on Flemington-Caulfield ‘powerhouse' as members have their say
Wilson would act as temporary chairman before handing over to Kanga after 12 months, according to sources familiar with the discussion but not willing to speak publicly about a private gathering. Such a decision would have to be put to a members' vote. The VRC has close to 35,000 members, while the MRC has 15,500. VRC members asked by this masthead about the merger talks on a social media forum on Thursday were divided in their views. 'Once the clubs are settled with their executives and fiscal performance, this definitely should be assessed as it 'could' bring about significant efficiencies, more cohesive business, sponsorship and operating strategies plus benefits to all members,' John Anderson wrote on the VRC Members Melbourne Facebook page. Mike Birnbaum said he would back a super club if it had three membership options: one for Caulfield, one for Flemington, and a combined ticket for Caulfield and Flemington. The MRC is offering an early bird membership for the coming season of $340, while VRC membership for this past financial year was $590. Jo Anne, who did not give her surname, was opposed to a merger. 'I'm a Caulfield local and member of both clubs, own horses, etc ... culturally they are very different clubs and I'd hate the VRC culture to come across to the MRC so I'd vote against it,' she wrote. Another member of both clubs, Glenn, who did not want to use his surname, told this masthead that he would support a race club 'marriage' if it was less than the cost of two memberships. 'My only concern would be that carnival days could become overcrowded,' he said. But the VRC released a statement on Thursday saying it was not 'pursuing or engaging in club merger activity and has no reason, financial or otherwise to do so at this time'. 'The VRC remains committed to working alongside Racing Victoria and the broader industry for the betterment of Victorian racing,' the club said. 'The VRC is focused squarely on strengthening the VRC – growing the club, backing its members and partners, and building on the success of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, with many exciting club wide announcements in the pipeline.' The VRC has lost $70 million across the past four years but is predicting a return to profitability next year. Loading Racing Victoria CEO Aaron Morrison said there was no proposal for a Flemington-Caulfield merger on the table. 'The focus of the clubs and Racing Victoria is on driving greater efficiencies in the face of a challenging consumer and wagering environment,' Morrison said. 'There are a number of ways that efficiencies can be achieved and Racing Victoria is actively involved in exploring those with clubs, including opportunities for shared services models.' Kanga released a statement on Thursday night, saying 'discussions around club mergers have occurred for many years and are nothing new'. 'I assure you that before anything was to even be considered, the MRC would need to be clear that any proposal was looked at in detail and in the best interests of members and the industry,' he said. But Kanga's focus has been drawn inward this week after the MRC board's decision on Monday night to remove chief executive Tom Reilly from office, and appoint Tanya Fullarton as chief operating officer. The MRC board appointed Kanga as honorary executive chair this week. Mergers are not new in Australian racing.
Herald Sun
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Herald Sun
'Her best is good enough to beat anyone': Newitt eyes Group 1 glory with Pride Of Jenni
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Jockey Craig Newitt has personal and professional motivations to toast Group 1 success on Saturday in the Doomben Cup aboard favourite Pride Of Jenni. Personally, Newitt, one of the hardest working riders in Victoria, is hungry to build on an enviable Group 1 tally while professionally, he wants to get Pride Of Jenni back to where she belongs. Newitt crammed 33 Group 1 wins in a decade from 2006 but has gone without since he partnered boom colt-turned-stallion Extreme Choice to victory in the 2016 Moir Stakes. The 40-year-old father of five has the best chance in a long time to end the drought in Brisbane. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! 'This is what we do it for,' Newitt said. 'To try and find these sort of horses, she did it at her peak without me riding her but they never lose their ability, she's a little bit older now, but I still firmly believe she can (still) win Group 1 races. 'It's been nearly nine years since my last Group 1, hopefully she can deliver one on Saturday.' Pride Of Jenni is a $3.50 favourite in all-in markets to win the Doomben Cup from Antino ($4), Buckaroo ($6) and Fawkner Park ($8). Newitt has piloted Pride Of Jenni to victory in two of three starts since her comeback in March after being retired last spring following a setback. • Gilbert Gardiner's horses to follow, forgive from Flemington on Saturday His big race experience and craft on leaders like Pride Of Jenni central to the new association. Jockey Declan Bates rode Pride Of Jenni exclusively since she burst onto the scene in the 2023 Melbourne Cup Carnival with successive Group 1 wins in the Empire Rose and Champions Mile. Ben Melham replaced Bates for the Champion Mile last year and pulled up the mare after she bled. Newitt had ridden Pride Of Jenni once previously when they almost pinched the 2023 Group 2 Stocks Stakes won by the fast-finishing short-priced favourite Amelia's Jewel. • Big Bets Review: Classy import Sir Delius burns bookies 'I haven't had the big success on her yet, hopefully that's next Saturday,' Newitt said. Pride Of Jenni won the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) but found the two-week back-up into the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) beyond her. She returned after a five-week freshen to win the Listed Anniversary Vase (1600m) with 61kg. Newitt will head to Cranbourne on Monday to gallop Pride Of Jenni. 'I'll give her a final gallop Monday morning and she'll be on the plane Tuesday,' Newitt said. 'I worked her last week, she's going well, so full steam ahead. 'We know she's got the ability … it's a matter of getting her there in the right frame of mind and in A-1 condition – if that's right at the start line I'm sure she'll make it an exciting race. 'She's a champion mare in her own right, she's just got to turn up and deliver her best and her best is good enough to beat anyone.' Originally published as 'Her best is good enough to beat anyone': Jockey Craig Newitt eyes Group 1 glory with Pride Of Jenni
