Latest news with #owners
News.com.au
a day ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
How a tip from legendary trainer TJ Smith led to Denise Martin creating Star Thoroughbreds
Denise Martin of Star Thoroughbreds has never forgotten a piece of advice she was given by the legendary Tommy Smith when starting her syndication business more than 30 years ago. 'TJ was a great mentor of mine and on day one or day two, he said to me there is only one thing you need to remember and that is: 'Tell the people for a fraction of the cost you can have 100 per cent of the thrill','' Martin recalled. Some three decades later, Star Thoroughbreds is one of the nation's most successful syndicators and Martin, who has been responsible for bringing hundreds of owners into the sport, still holds true Smith's sage advice. • 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. 'It doesn't matter where you win a race, the elation for the owners is something you can't describe,'' Martin said. 'It is often said if you could bottle that elation it would be worth a fortune. Racing unites families and friends, it unites common interest groups – it unites people.'' Martin's Star Thoroughbreds and their famous racing silks of purple, white stars and cap have had another hugely successful season and will be represented by Vanessi ($15) in the TAB Handicap (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. The Chris Waller -trained Vanessi, a filly by Broadsiding's sire Too Darn Hot, resumed with a solid third to Livin' Thing at the midweeks and meets that horse 3kg better at the weights. 'Vanessi is a really nice filly and she ran well first-up,'' Martin said. 'We hope she's in for a good campaign.'' Martin purchased Vanessi for $150,000 at the 2023 Magic Millions Yearling Sale and the filly was named after the lead female character in the musical, 'Kiss Me Kate' which includes the song, 'Too Darn Hot'. Some of Vanessi's owners are also in the Star Thoroughbred syndicate that races the outstanding Aeliana, runaway winner by more than five lengths of Group 1 ATC Australian Derby earlier this year. Martin has raced many topliners in her syndication business over the years but understandably rates Aeliana's Derby as one of her career highlights. 'I remember Greg Radley (Sky Thoroughbred Central's race-day host) interviewing me and asking what was my biggest win, Golden Slipper or the Derby,'' Martin said. 'My answer at the time was 'dead heat' and I still feel that way. You don't in your wildest dreams think you are going to win a Golden Slipper with a colt like we did with Sebring (2008). 'But you never expect to win the Derby at Randwick with a filly, either. 'When they got to the corner in the Derby she ran up to the leaders I thought 'what are you doing, Damian (Lane)?' 'I had a good chat with Damian after the race and he said Aeliana just took herself there, she was amazing.'' Aeliana, which means 'sun' or 'shining light' in Ancient Roman, is back in training ahead for the spring carnival. 'It is likely she will resume in the Winx Stakes and then possibly go to Melbourne,'' Martin sad. Martin is also hopeful Olentia can find her best form for what is likely to be her final race start in the Group 1 $700,000 Tattersall's Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm. Olentia ($18) is among four Tiara entries for Waller alongside stablemates Firestorm ($4.20 favourite), Konasana ($26) and Gumdrops ($34). If Waller can win the final Group 1 race of the season, it will be a record-extending 20th major for the champion trainer. Martin has the superbly-named Chrysaor lining up in the Listed $160,000 Tattersall's Mile (1600m). The four-year-old gelding is out of the Choisir mare, New Wings, who was the inspiration behind the sprinter's name because in Greek mythology, Chrysaor is the brother of the 'winged horse' Pegasus. 'Chrysaor's feet have caused him issues at times during his career,'' Martin said. 'But as a Group 2 winner he can be a difficult horse to place but we know he has ability.'' MULBERRY TAKES OVER EVERTEST SLOT Mulberry Racing has secured a slot in the $20m TAB Everest for a three-year term. After an expression of interest process for the vacant slot previously held by The Star, Racing NSW determined Mulberry Racing 'submitted the most compelling offer that also included promotional initiatives for The TAB Everest to reach new audiences'. Mulberry Racing was founded two years ago by businessman Mike Gregg in partnership with trainer Brad Widdup and has been consistently expanding its footprint in the NSW racing industry including purchasing a dedicated equine property near Sydney. 'At Mulberry Racing, data drives every decision we make. From day one, we've used this approach to build a strong stable across Australia and the United States – one that we believe has the quality and depth to win The Everest,' said Lachlan Sheridan, racing manager of Mulberry Racing. Racing NSW chief operating officer Graeme Hinton said: 'We are excited to welcome Mulberry Racing as our newest slot-holder in The TAB Everest. In particular, the opportunity to target a new demographic is what The TAB Everest is all about.' WATERHOUSE-BOTT STAKES CLAIM FOR RECORD Trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott need just one more Group or Listed win for a career-best season at stakes level. The trainers have prepared 35 stakes wins so far in 2024-25, equalling their previous best feature race haul achieved last season. Waterhouse and Bott have a number of chances to post a new stable record including with Elamaz and Townsend in the Listed $200,000 WJ McKell Cup (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens. They also have big race chances at Eagle Farm including last start Sydney winners Duke Of Arrakis and Sir Lucan. Duke Of Arrakis, a well-bred two-year-old by Written Tycoon who is lining up in the Listed $160,000 Tattersall's Stakes (1400m), scored an impressive debut at Kensington earlier this month, easily defeating two subsequent winners, three-year-olds Cold Brew and Stardeel. 'I thought it was a really nice win by Duke Of Arrakis first-up where he beat a couple of older, more seasoned horses,'' Bott said. 'He will be even better suited going out to 1400m.'' Sir Lucan returned to form taking out the Winter Cup last start and is chasing another stakes success in the Group 3 $200,000 Tattersall's Cup (2400m). 'I feel Sir Lucan has taken confidence from his Rosehill win and can carry that form through,'' Bott said. 'He's a versatile horse and he's in good shape.'' Bott is also convinced Pulchritudinous and Osmose will be hard to beat in the Listed $200,000 Tatterall's Gold Crown (2100m). 'Pulchritudinous was excellent winning at Doomben (Pam O'Neill Stakes) then she wasn't suited in a slowly run race last start,'' Bott said. 'But she is up to her right distance range now, 'Osmose was disappointing last week, we have no real excuses for her but she has come through the race well and we are happy to back up with her.'' The Waterhouse and Bott-trained The Novelist also rates as an each way chance in the Group 3 $200,000 WJ Healy Stakes (1200m).
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
After the collusion ruling, NFL has already made some changes
The NFL was caught with its hand in the collusion cookie jar, as to the issue of fully-guaranteed contracts for players. And even though the arbitrator erroneously accepted the NFL's position that it was eating no collusion cookies, the NFL apparently has learned from the experience. The historical collusion/coordination extends beyond players. For years, it has been believed that owners collude regarding coaching pay, keeping the salaries down in the absence of a union or a salary cap. Apparently, they were coordinating/colluding elsewhere. Advertisement Per multiple sources, the NFL has shared on an annual basis salary data for every non-player position — from head coach to G.M. to area scouts to dietician to assistant athletic trainer. The league broke the information down by listing the high, the low, the median, and the average for every job in every NFL team. This year, that ended. And the official position is that the information is no longer being provided for legal reasons. It's smart. Previously, it was dumb. Compiling and providing salary data among 32 independent businesses is per se coordination/collusion. And the league has been susceptible to an antitrust claim (or class action) from non-player employees impacted by the effort to limit competition for employee services. Of course, the unavailability of the spreadsheet doesn't mean the practice of coordination/collusion has ended. The league is simply making it harder to prove it by eliminating what would be clear and obvious evidence of collusion.
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Race 1 CHESTER HANDICAP
Race 1 CHESTER HANDICAP Class 5 - 1200M - C Course: HV Cloudy Going: g/f Finish Time: 1:09:53 Sectional Time: 23.97 22.83 22.73
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Trainer Melody Cunningham to delay One Long Day return after terrible Caulfield draw
Ballarat trainer Melody Cunningham might have to wait a little longer to start working towards her hometown dream with stable star One Long Day. One Long Day was a revelation in Melbourne racing over the summer months, progressing from two provincial wins in the winter to saluting in Saturday class at Flemington in January. Cunningham has pencilled in the $500,000 Ballarat Cup at the end of the spring carnival as One Long Day's major goal. 'We'll see where he goes but the long term plan is that we'd like to see him get to the Ballarat Cup,' Cunningham said. 'That's our aim. 'We'll just place him where he fits in and if he goes all right in this prep, he can have a little freshen up and, if his rating is high enough, we can get him into the Ballarat Cup.' Caulfield before the infamous barrier draw computer intervened. One Long Day drew barrier 18 for the $130,000 race, prompting Cunningham to assess her options. 'I'll have to talk to the owners but I'll probably say he won't run from barrier 18,' she said. Cunningham said she had limited options with One Long Day with races in which the gelding would carry a hefty weight the possible opportunities to start the rising five-year-old's preparation. 'There's not a lot around for him,' Cunningham said. 'I found that race on Saturday then there's one next week at Sandown but he'd have to carry a bit of weight in that too.' She said One Long Day was in terrific condition for his upcoming preparation and had improved mentally in recent months. 'He went to the water walker when he came back for a month and did really well there,' Cunningham said. 'He had a nice trial since and I'm really happy with him going into wherever he does race. 'He's still a big kid and everything is still a joke to him but his racing manners are getting better each time he goes to the races.'
News.com.au
5 days ago
- Sport
- News.com.au
Vets advised owners to put down Dandruff but brave galloper continues to thrive for trainer Toby Lake
Dandruff didn't win at Wagga on Sunday, but the Bendigo galloper ticked off a major milestone for a horse that wasn't expected to live long, let alone race as a six-year-old. The Toby Lake -trained Dandruff broke through the $100,000 prizemoney threshold with his third placing in a 2000m race at Wagga, something the stable never thought would happen. Luck deserted Dandruff as a young horse when multiple infections racked his facial structure, requiring surgeries just to save his life. Racing wasn't a thought as vets initially thought their efforts to keep Dandruff alive would fail. 'He should be dead, this horse,' Lake said. 'He's had two sinus operations, and he's got a big chunk of bone missing out of his face. 'It was all infected and he had a bone infection as well. 'He also had a bit of bone sticking out. 'After a couple of operations, the vet advised the owners to put him down.' Thankfully Lake and Dandruff's owners didn't immediately take veterinary advice. Instead, they decided to let the gelding relax in a paddock while they worked out what to do with the son of Written Tycoon. However, Mother Nature had a surprise in store for Lake a few months later. • Richard Callander: Yes, the Brits do racing well … but not as well as us 'Anyway, we just went back to nature, and he went out into the paddock with some young horses for about six months and we just forgot about him,' Lake said. 'We went out to the farm when the six months was done, and he trotted up to us in the paddock and his face had healed. 'It had all healed over. Sometimes time just heals everything. 'We brought him back into work and he's been a great money-spinner ever since.' Dandruff showed staying ability in his first few starts before achieving what was thought impossible a year earlier when he posted his maiden win in emphatic fashion at Swan Hill in April last year. "Dandruff is head & shoulders above its opposition." Poetry from Adam O to start the day 🎙ï¸� @TLakeRacing @chookahope — (@Racing) April 9, 2024 While not being a world beater, Dandruff posted a second win at Swan Hill last year and victories at Ararat and Albury this year. 'He's just been an honest old horse and a few more of them would be great for any stable,' Lake said. 'He's earned everything he's got. 'He's tough and he's brave.' Lake said Dandruff has attracted his own following as he travels from his Bendigo base to tracks in Victoria and southern New South Wales. There's a great story behind all of them, but this horse has been amazing. 'He's got a little bit of a cult following on the country circuit,' Lake said. 'Every time we're at the races, everyone is asking about him. 'He's just a ripper that old horse.' — (@Racing) March 27, 2025 Punters can expect to see Dandruff on a wet track in the coming weeks. 'We've been waiting for wet ground and now the rain has come, there's plenty of options for him,' Lake said. 'He doesn't take much work between runs, but we're sort of weather-dependent with him.'
