Jimmy one of many stars at Warwick Farm
His Spring Carnival program might be a little different this year, but there will be a similar starting point for Jimmysstar (NZ) (Per Incanto).
Ciaron Maher's explosive gelding will have his first trial of the campaign over 900 metres at Warwick Farm on Tuesday morning.
The son of Per Incanto first appeared at the trials last season on August 7, the first of two hitouts before resuming in the Gr.3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) before progressing to the A$20 million Gr.1 The Everest (1200m).
Whether the seven-year-old gets to the world's richest sprint again this year remains to be seen, with his 2026 preparation to launch in the Gr.1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 29.
Jimmysstar campaigned right through until Gr.1 Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) on May 30 last preparation and Maher's national assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said a longer option shaped as a more suitable first-up target this year.
"He only had a short break and has been in work, so he looks spot on," Turnbull said.
"Coming back off that break with residual at 14 (hundred metres) being an older horse could really be the right recipe.
"If he's on song, which he should be and the trial will tell us a little bit more as well, then it looks like a nice kick-off point for him."
Jimmysstar shares the $8 third line in Memsie Stakes betting, behind glamour mare Sheza Alibi (Saxon Warrior) ($2) and Angel Capital (Harry Angel) ($6).
The Memsie Stakes will help determine a spring pathway for Jimmysstar with the A$5 million Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1600m) on the same day as The Everest October 17 - a possible target.
He is one of a number of stars who will be in action at Warwick Farm with Gr.1 Golden Slipper (1200m) winner Guest House (Home Affairs), Gr.1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) winner Attica (Lonhro) and classy filly Chayan (I Am Invincible), who was recently bought by Coolmore for A$5.6 million, among his rivals in Trial No 3.
Stablemates Tempted (Street Boss) and Another Wil (Street Boss) will step out in the 900m trial prior, which also includes Marhoona (Snitzel) and Birdman (Free Eagle), while Light Infantry Man (Fast Company) and Gringotts (NZ) (Per Incanto) are up against Chris Waller stars Aeliana (NZ) (Castelvecchio), Beiwacht (Bivouac), Buckaroo (Fastnet Rock), Campione D'Italia (Snitzel) and Fireball (Snitzel) in the opening trial, over 1000m. – RAS Newswire
Jaarffi returning for another season
New Zealand’s weight-for-age ranks have been thinned with several retirements, but one top performer that will be returning this season is Cambridge Stud’s Group One-winning mare Jaarffi (NZ) (Iffraaj).
A perennial bridesmaid at the highest level, the now seven-year-old daughter of Iffraaj broke through for an elusive elite-level victory in the Gr.1 Otaki Maori WFA Classic (1600m) at Ellerslie in February, and owner-breeders Sir Brendan and Lady Jo Lindsay are eager for more.
The couple had been weighing up sending their million-dollar earner to stud after attaining her Group One win, however, their private trainer Lance Noble said they ultimately decided to give her one more year on the track before retiring her to their iconic thoroughbred nursery.
“Jaarffi has come back into work this season, which I am thrilled about,” Noble said. “There was talk about sending her to stud, but she is going to have another season.
“She has been such a slow-maturing horse, we haven’t over-raced her. She never raced at two and she only had a couple of starts at three. For a seven-year-old mare she is comparatively lightly raced.
“It is very hard to get genuine weight-for-age Group One horses. They (Group One weight-for-age races) are not stacked with runners most of the time and once you are at that level you seem to be able to hold that level.
“There have been a few retirements and hopefully she can get back to that top level.
“Brendan and Jo love racing and they love the big days, and she is a horse that can take us there.”
Jaarffi will bypass the early spring features and follow a similar blueprint to last season.
“Because it is such a long season, we tend to miss those early triple crown races and we will target the Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders’ (Gr.2, 1400m) in November and kick on from there into those miles and Zabeel Classic (Gr.1, 2000m),” Noble said. “She is a weight-for-age horse, so she will follow a similar plan to last season.”
While glad to have Jaarffi return to work, Noble is also upbeat about the prospects of his young team, particularly three-year-olds Liguria (NZ) (Snitzel) and State Of Valour (NZ) (Sword Of State), the latter pleasing in his star-studded trial at Ruakaka on Saturday.
While still a maiden, the son of Sword Of State had a pleasing two-year-old season, placing in the Gr.1 Sistema Stakes (1200m) at Ellerslie in March, and Noble is happy with the way he is building into his three-old preparation.
State Of Valour was given a quiet hit-out over 850m at the Waipa trials in the middle of last month before heading north to Ruakaka last Saturday where he trialled over 1050m, with his heat including the likes of Group One winners Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto) and First Five (NZ) (Almanzor), Group One performer Hezashocka (NZ) (Shocking), and Group Three winner Wolfgang (NZ) (Puccini).
The Cambridge Stud gelding led the trial for much of the journey, and was kept honest by Wolfgang on his flank, with Crocetti on their outside three-wide. Down the home straight, the trio continued to travel comfortably, and in the final 200m Crocetti began to open up and scored by 1-3/4 lengths over State Of Valour.
“He had a quiet trial a couple of weeks ago at Te Awamutu and then had the opportunity to go to Ruakaka, which was nice to go on a good track, and he went well,” Noble said. “There were a few in that heat not really trying but I was very happy with what he showed.
“All being well, he will go back to Ruakaka on the 15th (August) for the Cambridge Stud Northland Breeder’s Stakes (Gr.3, 1200m) and that will map out where we go from there.”
Stablemate Liguria had a similarly impressive juvenile season, winning the Gr.3 Colin Jillings 2YO Classic (1200m) and runner-up in the Sistema Stakes, and Noble has been pleased with the way she has returned.
“Liguria has been back in work for just over a month and she is coming up nicely,” he said.
Noble said he also has some exciting two-year-olds to work with this season.
“We have got a really nice bunch of two-year-olds that are just going through the education phase,” he said. “We have some really well-bred stock that the stud topped up at the sales this year, we bought some nice horses.
“I think we have got a bit of depth in the two-year-old category, and overall, I am really looking forward to the new season.” - Joshua Smith
Weanling buy an inspired purchase
Rewards from a relatively modest outlay for a Shinko King weanling more than a decade ago continue to flow for prominent breeder and owner Daniel Nakhle.
In 2005, he outlaid $8,500 to secure Irish Colleen (NZ), who won on seven occasions including success in the Gr.2 Concorde Handicap (1200m), with her granddaughter Shalabiya (NZ) (Brazen Beau) the latest success story for the family.
Trained by Danny Walker and Aaron Tata, the Brazen Beau filly romped to an impressive debut victory at Ruakaka on Saturday to put her in line for a crack at stakes company.
“We bought Irish Colleen at the Fayette Park dispersal sale, and she’s been a wonderful broodmare and racehorse,” Nakhle said.
She has produced the multiple Group Three winner Crosshaven (Smart Missile), who was sold to Lindsay Park at Karaka for $80,000 with Nakhle remaining in the ownership group, and likewise Killarney (NZ) (O’Reilly).
He was a $115,000 graduate and was a multiple winner for Roger James and Robert Wellwood before claiming the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge Stakes (1600m) from John and Karen Parsons’ stable.
Shalabiya is out of Irish Colleen’s daughter Gracehill (NZ), who is by O’Reilly, and was successful twice from a handful of starts for James.
She is also the dam of stablemate Crocetti (NZ) (Zacinto), Nakhle’s Gr.1 Railway (1200m) and Gr.1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) winner.
A Proisir filly out of Gracehill failed to meet her $400,000 reserve at Karaka earlier this year and will also be raced by Nakhle.
“I was always a bit 50-50 about selling her and she has broken in well and she’ll be going to Roger and Robert,” he said.
“She’s sitting in our paddock at the moment and we’ll give her a bit of time being a November foal.”
Both Gracehill and Irish Colleen are in foal to Super Seth with future breeding plans for the pair yet to be decided.
“With Gracehill, a bit of that will be based on Shalabiya in the next couple of weeks, we are looking at Proisir certainly but haven’t made a firm decision at this point,” Nakhle said.
He was referring to how Shalabiya fares in her next start in a return trip to Ruakaka for the Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m).
“That’s the plan all going well, she pulled up well after her first run and fingers crossed that’s where she’ll head,” Nakhle said.
“Irish Colleen had a Proisir colt last year and he’ll go to the NZB Sale in January, we’ll see how she foals this time.
“She’s in absolutely magnificent order, but she does put a lot into her foals and she may be deserving of a year off. She’s been a very kind mare and the last thing we want to do it push her too far.” - Paul Vettise
Joshua Smith
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing
NZ Stallion Awards
The Centaine Award
Sire whose NZ-conceived progeny have the highest earnings worldwide.
The Dewar Stallion Trophy
Sire whose progeny have the highest combined earnings in Australia and New Zealand.
The Grosvenor Award
Leading Sires by earnings in New Zealand.
NZ BRED WINNERS
MAGNITUDE (NZ) 2017 by Alamosa out of Hippie by One Cool Cat (USA); Breeder: W J Gleeson; NZ; Race: Perak TC Class 5B H. 1000; Sale: 2020 Gavelhouse June Sale V: Bill Gleeson $1100 P: Godelyn Rufin
RICH N POWERFUL (MY) Sicilian Dream (NZ) 2018 by Dream Ahead (USA) out of Taormina by Red Ransom (USA); Breeder: Pencarrow Thoroughbreds Ltd; Waikato; NZ; Race: Perak TC Class 5A H. 1000; Sale: 2023 Gavelhouse April Sale V: Pencarrow Stud $8000 P: Chin Ooi
WILSING (MY) Mallow (NZ) 2020 by Telperion (AUS) out of Monolith Miss (AUS) by Rock of Gibraltar (IRE); Breeder: G Harvey; Auckland; NZ; Race: Perak TC Class 4A H. 1100
ONEMOREFORTHEROAD (MY) Gemilang (NZ) 2018 by Proisir (AUS) out of Galigo by High Chaparral (IRE); Breeder: Miss M & Miss V Liesaputra; NZ; Race: Perak TC Class 5A H. 1800
THUNDER HERO (NZ) 2019 by Belardo (IRE) out of Sororia by Iffraaj (GB); Breeder: Ms T Ferguson; Auckland; NZ; Race: Perak TC Class 5B H. 1400; Sale: 2021 National Yearling Sale - Book 2 V: Haunui Farm $48000 P: Brookby Stables
ENGINE START (NZ) 2018 by Highly Recommended (AUS) out of Melrose Gardens by Marju (IRE); Breeder: J D Corcoran; Central; NZ; Race: Selangor TC Class 5B H. 1400
SIRIUS (NZ) 2018 by Tivaci (AUS) out of May Rain (AUS) by Written Tycoon (AUS); Breeder: Z Man; NZ; Race: Selangor TC Class 5B H. 1400; Sale: 2020 Gavelhouse June Sale V: Dike Teng $2000 P: Robert Manning
SHIMI GO (MY) Ready To Drink (NZ) 2018 by Burgundy out of Corsage by Volksraad (GB); Breeder: M W Boyd; D C Ellis; J A Elstob; K W Fenton-Ellis MNZM, G M Southworth, Mrs J & M W Walker; Waikato; NZ; Race: Selangor TC Class 2 H. 1100; Sale: 2020 National Yearling Sale – Book 1 V: Phoenix Park $60000 P: John Foote Bloodstock
Global NZ-bred winners
2026-07-25 / 2026-08-01
AUSTRALIA
Ace High : Angland Lass (NZ)(Markova by Makfi) 2022;
30 Jul 2026, 1st Bendigo JC Grogans Machinery Maiden P. 1300m
Ace High : Stage 'n' Screen (NZ)(Inthespotlight by O'Reilly) 2021;
01 Aug 2026, 1st VRC Horses' Birthday H. 1410m
Sold by Kiltannon Stables Ltd at Ready to Run Sale for $200000
Admire Mars : Highstrung (NZ)(Overreactive by Redoute's Choice) 2022;
26 Jul 2026, 1st Alice Springs TC Leadership on Larapinta Maiden P. 1100m
Sold by Wentwood Grange at National Yearling Sale for $180000
Almanzor : Gemtiki (NZ)(Justagem by Stravinsky) 2021;
26 Jul 2026, 1st Muswellbrook RC Empireguard Maiden P. 1750m
Sold by Cambridge Stud at National Online Yearling Sale for $6350
Almanzor : The Victorious (NZ)(Purnima by Dubai Destination) 2022;
31 Jul 2026, 1st Geelong RC Ladbrokes Maiden P. 2400m
Sold by Pertab Racing at Ready to Run Sale for $100000
Sold by Curraghmore at National Yearling Sale for $110000
Almanzor : Not Usual Dragon (NZ)(Summalucky by Zabeel) 2020;
29 Jul 2026, 1st BRC Mekka Raceday Maiden H. 1000m
Almanzor : Bismarck (NZ)(Patrimonium by Green Desert) 2021;
27 Jul 2026, 1st Ballarat TC Smith and Sons Ballarat H. 2200m
Sold by Haunui Farm at National Yearling Sale for $100000
Almanzor : Manzobeel (NZ)(Pipi Beel by Savabeel) 2022;
27 Jul 2026, 1st Albury RC Team Thoroughbred NSW Maiden H. 1500m
Sold by Landsdowne Park Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $70000
Almanzor : Touchdown (NZ)(Shamardal Luck by Shamardal) 2021;
01 Aug 2026, 1st VRC 2026 Melbourne Cup Carnival on Sale 1620m
Almanzor : Foire de Trone (NZ)(City Fair by Zamindar) 2021;
29 Jul 2026, 1st MRC Sportsbet H. 2400m
Belardo : Carbonados (NZ)(Humoresque by Iffraaj) 2020;
01 Aug 2026, 1st ATC NSW Jockeys Association H. 1300m
Sold by Haunui Farm at National Yearling Sale for $30000
Contributer : Hard Questions (NZ)(Curraghmore Girl by Duke Of Marmalade) 2018;
31 Jul 2026, 1st Carnarvon RC Sea Harvest Fishing Co H. 1400m
Sold by Valachi Downs at National Yearling Sale for $20000
Ghibellines : First Chorus (NZ)(Broadway Miss by O'Reilly) 2021;
25 Jul 2026, 1st MRC Tobin Brothers Celeb Lives H. 1600m
Harry Angel : Tellez (NZ)(Azeema by Fastnet Rock) 2020;
01 Aug 2026, 1st Darwin TC Cleanaway H. 1000m
Hello Youmzain : Attractiveness (NZ)(Hot in High Heels by High Chaparral) 2022;
01 Aug 2026, 1st ATC Midway H. 1400m
Sold by Blandford Lodge at National Yearling Sale for $120000
Kermadec : Bitterblue (NZ)(Bonnie Tyler by Darci Brahma) 2019;
25 Jul 2026, 1st Julia Creek TC Woods Welding Works H. 1100m
Sold by Wentwood Grange at National Yearling Sale for $130000
Maurice : Cosmic Crusader (NZ)(Cosmic Storm by Street Sense) 2020;
25 Jul 2026, 1st MRC Bletchingly S.Gr.31200m
Mongolian Khan : Zambezi Khan (NZ)(Zafiki by Makfi) 2020;
29 Jul 2026, 1st BRC Ladbrokes H. 1800m
Niagara : Moana Gold (NZ)(Platinum Diva by Foxwedge) 2021;
31 Jul 2026, 1st Port Macquarie RC Kennards Hire H. 1509m
Sold by Leanach Lodge Ltd at National Weanling Sale for $14000
Sold by Pertab Racing at Ready to Run Sale for $40000
Ocean Park : Loud (NZ)(Music by Pins) 2019;
01 Aug 2026, 1st Gilgandra JC Hair and Beauty for You H. 1100m
Ocean Park : Ocean Tsunami (NZ)(Pastrana by Fastnet Rock) 2022;
31 Jul 2026, 1st Scone RC NSW Country Rugby Union Cockatoos H. 1700m
Sold by Waikato Stud Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $60000
Proisir : Glide (NZ)(Respect by Savabeel) 2023;
26 Jul 2026, 1st Wodonga TC Jack Maher Classic 1200m
Sold by Haunui Farm at National Weanling Sale for $110000
Proisir : Leovanni (NZ)(Amparo by Colombia) 2021;
25 Jul 2026, 1st ATC TAB Highway P. 1800m
Sold by Kilgravin Lodge at Ready to Run Sale for $210000
Proisir : Tapildoodledo (NZ)(Mrs Tappy by One Cool Cat) 2019;
25 Jul 2026, 1st BRC Drinkwise H. 2200m
Ribchester : Miss Highfalutin (NZ)(Bronte Walk by Redoute's Choice) 2021;
25 Jul 2026, 1st Longreach JC Century Batteries at Pro Tyres H. 1200m
Sold by Lilywhites Lodge at Ready to Run Sale for $80000
Sacred Falls : Sacramental (NZ)(Pinzaara by Pins) 2020;
28 Jul 2026, 1st Swan Hill JC Manangatang Cup Raceday H. 1300m
Sold by Phoenix Park at Ready to Run Sale for $65000
Satono Aladdin : Satono Jasmine (NZ)(High Spin by High Chaparral) 2022;
25 Jul 2026, 1st ATC B&K Group Australia H. 1800m
Shocking : He's Electric (NZ)(Evaline by Van Nistelrooy) 2021;
01 Aug 2026, 1st Hamilton RC Jockeys Celebration Day Maiden P. 2200m
Sold by Rich Hill Stud at National Yearling Sale for $100000
So You Think : Here I Come (NZ)(O'reilly Rose by O'Reilly) 2021;
25 Jul 2026, 1st Middlemount RC Isaac Regional Council QTIS Maiden P. 1200m
Sold by Beltana at National Yearling Sale for $100000
Tarzino : Elle Hudson (NZ)(Elle Grace by Shinko King) 2020;
29 Jul 2026, 1st ATC Nutrien Ag Solutions H. 2400m
Tavistock : Villaden (NZ)(Romantic Time by Fastnet Rock) 2018;
25 Jul 2026, 1st Bundaberg RC Bundaberg Cup 1380m
Sold by Cambridge Stud at National Yearling Sale for $220000
The Autumn Sun : Livalittle (NZ)(Hayley Grace by Thorn Park) 2021;
25 Jul 2026, 1st BRC XXXX H. 1600m
Time Test : Kandinsky (NZ)(Goldilicious by Helmet) 2022;
30 Jul 2026, 1st Bendigo JC Sheahan Plumbing Maiden P. 1400m
Sold by Curraghmore at National Weanling and Broodmare Sale for $10000
Sold by Little Avondale Stud at National Yearling Sale for $10000
Tivaci : Uncle Barry (NZ)(Mary Gold by Ocean Park) 2021;
01 Aug 2026, 1st Roxby Downs DRC ATG Magiflex H. 1000m
Too Darn Hot : Taxonomy (NZ)(Phenetic by Zamindar) 2021;
25 Jul 2026, 1st Macquarie PRC Nutrien Warren H. 1400m
Turn Me Loose : Tempest Moon (NZ)(Nocturnal by Darci Brahma) 2020;
25 Jul 2026, 1st Murtoa RC Marma Cup 2050m
Vanbrugh : Ocean Bay (NZ)(Ysabella Brave by Deputy Governor) 2022;
30 Jul 2026, 1st Bendigo JC Clubarham H. 1300m
Vespa : Blue Toes (NZ)(Love Struck by Sacred Falls) 2021;
25 Jul 2026, 1st Mackay TC Penske Maiden H. 1200m
MALAYSIA
Darci Brahma : Laxon (NZ)(Southern Sunset by Polish Precedent) 2020;
25 Jul 2026, 1st Perak TC Class 5 H. 1100m
Derryn : Antipodean (NZ)(Pakapunch by Per Incanto) 2020;
26 Jul 2026, 1st Selangor TC Apprentices H. 1600m
Sold by Regal Farm at Ready to Run Sale for $23000
Iffraaj : Fast and Fearless (NZ)(Just a Dream by Volksraad) 2016;
25 Jul 2026, 1st Perak TC Class 5 H. 1100m
Sold by Haunui Farm at National Yearling Sale for $50000
Sold by Ohukia Lodge Ltd at Ready to Run Sale for $100000
Lonhro : Prince Lonhro (NZ)(Palace Gardens by More Than Ready) 2019;
26 Jul 2026, 1st Selangor TC Class 5 H. 1150m
Sold by Pencarrow Stud at National Yearling Sale for $80000
Power : Joey (NZ)(Lyla by Rip Van Winkle) 2017;
25 Jul 2026, 1st Perak TC Hoof Tap Trophy H. 1400m
Sold by Regal Farm at Ready to Run Sale for $25000
Sold by Cambridge Blue Agistment at National Yearling Sale for $11000
Raise the Flag : Hardpoint - Winning Point (Mal.) (NZ)(Holy Flame by I Am Invincible) 2021;
26 Jul 2026, 1st Selangor TC Derby Circle H. 1400m
Time Test : Stormrunner (NZ)(Oyster Island by Fastnet Rock) 2022;
25 Jul 2026, 1st Perak TC Class 4 H. 1200m
