Mr Brightside (NZ) (Bullbars) is racing for a piece of Australian racing history in Saturday’s Gr.1 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) as the ‘’peaking’’ nine-year-old makes an attempt at a fourth straight victory in the Group One race.

Co-trainer Ben Hayes said Mr Brightside’s first run from injury in 2026 in last month’s Gr.1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) had the horse in great condition for Saturday’s test against the likes of track stars Sheza Alibi (Saxon Warrior) and Sir Delius (Frankel).

‘’The run has really bought him on,’’ Hayes enthused of the Memsie performance.

‘’He’s really improved in the coat. He was nine months off the scene and while he got well beaten, it was still a very good performance.

‘’He ran second (in the Memsie) the year before and came out and won the Makybe Diva quite easily.

‘’It’s a hot field but we could not be happier with him. I think he just peaks (for this race) every year. A run really switches him on and so he’ll have a perfect coat by the Makybe Diva.

‘’He seems great. He’s sound and he’s a very happy horse.’’

Mr Brightside’s second placing in the Memsie saw him became just the fifth horse in Australasian racing history to pass the A$19 million mark for prizemoney earned.

Australasia’s highest prize money earners

1. Winx ($26.45m)
2. Bella Nipotina ($22.75m)
3. Nature Strip ($20.76m)
4. Via Sistina ($19.40m)
5. Mr Brightside ($19.01m)

Hayes said it was easy to talk enthusiastically about the 10-time Group One winner Mr Brightside, who has also been placed at the elite level another 13 times.

‘’He’s probably the most consistent horse in Australia,’’ he said.

‘’We’re so proud. Every time he goes around, we’re proud of him. He’s nine and he’s running against the best in Australia.

‘’Not many horses races until they are nine, but Lindsay Park has had quite a few nine-year-olds perform well such as Fields Of Omagh won a Cox Plate (2006) at nine.’’

It will be somewhat of a different looking Mr Brightside this Saturday as his regular rider Craig Williams has opted to ride the Cox Plate favourite Sir Delius first-up in the race.

‘’Craig unfortunately has jumped off but we’ve got a good jockey in Blake Shinn,’’ Hayes said.

Williams has ridden Mr Brightside in his past 26 races since Zac Purton partnered the horse in his second Doncaster Handicap victory in 2023.

Consecutive feature race wins from past greats

Manikato (5): Won the race now known as the William Reid Stakes five times from 1979 to 1983. He also won four Futurity Stakes from 1979 but did not win them in consecutive years.
Winx (4): Won four Cox Plates from 2015 to 2018
Winx (4): Won four George Ryder Stakes from 2016 to 2019
Winx (4): Won four Chipping Norton Stakes from 2016 to 2019
Lord (4): Won four Memsie Stakes from 1958 to 1961
Tie The Knot (4): Won four Chipping Norton Stakes from 1999 to 2002
Romantic Warrior (4): Won four Hong Kong Cups from 2022 to 2025
Romantic Warrior (4): Won four Queen Elizabeth II Cups from 2023 to 2026
Zipping (4): Won four Sandown Classics from 2007 to 2010
- racing.com

Purton lauds Ka Ying Rising as an all-time great

Champion jockey Zac Purton believes New Zealand-bred superstar Ka Ying Rising (NZ) (Shamexpress) is closing in on the exalted company of Frankel (Galileo), Secretariat (Bold Ruler), Winx (Street Cry) and Black Caviar (Bel Esprit) after another extraordinary performance at Sha Tin on Sunday.

The David Hayes-trained sprinter extended his winning sequence to 21 when demolishing his rivals in the Gr.3 HKSAR Chief Executive’s Cup (1200m), carrying 135lb and stopping the clock at 1:06.11.

Ka Ying Rising lowered his own Sha Tin 1200m track record by almost a second as he powered clear to win by seven and three-quarter lengths, providing the perfect launching pad towards his defence of The Everest (1200m) at Randwick next month.

Purton doubts the six-year-old could smash the clock by much further but scarily believes there is improvement to come.

“I'd be foolish to think he is going to run any faster than that, but from a fitness perspective, it was his first run for the season,” Purton said.

“I'd like to think from a fitness point of view he's going to improve, but is he going to run any faster? I don't know, can he?

“I did ease him down a little bit again. Maybe he'll run 1:05 one day.

“But yesterday's track was lightning fast. They were running fast times all day. It was firm, it was the way he liked it and I just let him do his thing.”

Purton was keen for Ka Ying Rising to have a more searching first-up assignment than 12 months ago, when the gelding subsequently travelled to Sydney and won The Everest despite his rider believing he was short of his peak.

“We didn't see him at his best down there last year, so we feel like we still have a little bit of a point to prove,” Purton said.

“We wanted to make sure he did a little bit more in this run this year because when he got down to Sydney for the trial last year and in quarantine, he cheated a little bit on us and got away from us a little bit.

“So we'll just screw him down a little bit more this time.”

Ka Ying Rising has now won 22 of his 24 starts, with Purton aboard throughout his remarkable sequence of 21 consecutive victories.

The multiple Hong Kong champion jockey has partnered numerous outstanding horses, headed by two-time Hong Kong Horse of the Year Beauty Generation, but has no hesitation placing Ka Ying Rising above them all.

“He's clearly the best horse that I've ever ridden, and he's possibly going to go down as one of those horses that gets talked about for a century, in the likes of Frankel and Secretariat, Winx and Black Caviar,” Purton said.

“Certainly, if he's not at that level, he's getting very close to that level.

“He's the type of horse that everyone sets their alarm to get out of bed to watch, or if it's during the day, they stop their day to tune in.”

Purton said Ka Ying Rising’s ability to sustain his exceptional speed sets him apart.

“He's an amazing horse to ride. He feels like he just glides across the ground and the incredible thing about him is, he just doesn't seem to get tired,” he said.

“When I ask him to quicken, he just takes off again and he can sustain that right through the line.

“I've never ridden another horse that's able to do what he does. Even Beauty Generation, when I was riding him and he used to get out in front and run them into the ground, he would still get tired in the last furlong.

“This guy, he doesn't seem to get tired.”

While Hayes has floated the possibility of testing Ka Ying Rising over a mile, Purton is adamant his future should remain in the sprinting ranks.

“Maybe he's got the stamina to run a mile, but I don't ever want to run him at a mile,” he said.

“In my opinion, we'll just keep him to the sprints and that way we're not going to bottom him out and we can hopefully get a little bit longer out of him.”

Bred in New Zealand by Fraser and Erin Auret's Grandmoral Lodge, Ka Ying Rising is by Shamexpress out of the Per Incanto mare Missy Moo. - NZ Racing Desk

Epsom next for Well Written

Stephen Marsh believes Well Written (Written Tycoon) is only getting started after the New Zealand Horse of the Year made a winning return at Ellerslie on Saturday.

The four-year-old showed her class and determination to reel in Alabama Lass (Alabama Express) in the straight before drawing clear to score by nearly two lengths in the Gr.1 Proisir Plate (1400m).

“It was pretty awesome,” Marsh told Sport Nation’s Scotty & Izzy.

“It was a great feeling to have her back at the races and obviously a better feeling seeing her salute and stay unbeaten. It was a real thrill for the whole team.”

Well Written’s class came to the fore late in the race, with Marsh admitting there was a stage when he wondered whether Alabama Lass had established a winning advantage.

“I thought, geez, we might struggle to peg her back,” he said.

“But I love the way she went from looking like she was either going to be beaten by a neck or get up by a neck, to winning by nearly two lengths.”

Marsh took further encouragement from the fact Well Written was resuming after two trials, to defeat Alabama Lass and Well Written’s stablemates Media World (Written Tycoon) (3^rd) and Tardelli (I An Invincible) (4^th), with that trio all having the benefit of running in the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m).

“The second, third and fourth horses have all had runs this time in,” he said.

“We’re a four-year-old, we’re not the fully furnished product, we’re fresh-up after two trials, so just natural fitness, match fitness, all of the above.

“I think she’s got certainly a fair bit of improvement in her.”

The Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick is now the next major target for Well Written, followed three weeks later by the A$10 million Gr.1 Golden Eagle (1500m) at the same venue.

Marsh intends to keep Well Written in New Zealand until Epsom week before travelling to Sydney.

“This week’s all about just getting her over the run, which she seems to have done brilliantly anyway,” he said.

“She won’t do much this week, just keeping her happy and making sure everything’s perfect.”

Marsh plans to give Well Written time to settle into her new surroundings following the Epsom before building towards the Golden Eagle.

The Cambridge trainer was also delighted with his stable’s overall performance in the Proisir Plate.

“I was very proud of our runners, having three in the Group One running first, third and fourth is terrific,” Marsh said. – Trackside.co.nz

Further honours for versatile Almanzor

High-profile Cambridge Stud resident Almanzor enjoyed a memorable weekend, both on and off the track.

The internationally successful sire son of Wootton Bassett was a major player at Ellerslie where his daughters Pounce (NZ) and Asturia (NZ) played starring roles on Saturday, while his son First Five (NZ) was honoured at the New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing Awards the following evening.

The David Greene-trained First Five was named Champion Sprinter-miler courtesy of his Group One victories in the Telegraph (1200m) and the BCD Group Sprint (1400m).

Homebred Pounce drew attention to her future prospects of higher honours when the Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott-prepared filly trounced her rivals in the Gr.3 Sunline Vase (1200m) in the hands of champion jockey Craig Grylls.

She was sold through Cambridge Stud’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale with Wexford Stables signing the ticket at $110,000 for the first foal of Caminata (NZ) (Darci Brahma).

“As time has gone by, we’ve learned what works best for Almanzor and he loves mares with Danehill and Zabeel in the pedigrees especially,” said Cambridge Stud’s Head of Sales and Nominations Scott Calder.

“Pounce is out of a Darci Brahma mare who combines both of those bloodlines, so it’s nice when a plan comes together.”

A brother to Pounce will be offered at the 2027 yearling sale, while the farm has retained a two-year-old half-sister to Pounce by Embellish named Alta Via (NZ), with the dam due to shortly foal to Almanzor.

Caminata was a two-time winner in Cambridge Stud’s colours when trained by Tony Pike, who also prepared her sister Summer’s Day to claim the Listed Tauranga Classic (1400m).

Te Akau Racing’s Asturia impressively beat a competitive age group line-up over 1400m on debut for trainers Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson, with Grylls also in the saddle.

“This crop of just turned three-year-olds is from the first year Almanzor stood at the increased fee of $50,000 off the back of the early results he had,” Calder said.

“We were always hoping it would be a crop that showed a lot of promise and Pounce now looks among the best spring three-year-olds, and Asturia is also a filly that looks well up to gaining black type.”

Bred by Monovale Holdings, she was sold through Landsdowne Park’s draft at Karaka with Te Akau chief David Elllis securing her for $135,000.

She is a daughter of the Zabeel mare Kay’s Legacy, who is a half-sister to Almanzor’s son and Listed Heatherlie Stakes (1700m) winner Rise At Dawn (NZ).

First Five aside, Almanzor has also sired Australian Group One winners Manzoice (VRC Derby, 2500m) and Circle Of Fire (Sydney Cup, 3200m), while Gezora has claimed top-flight victories in the French Oaks (2100m) and Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (2200m). - Paul Vettise

🎥 Did you see?

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

Hong Kong (06 September)

GOOD FORTUNE (NZ) 2019 by Darci Brahma out of Lion Blanc (AUS) by Reset (AUS)
Breeder: Llanhennock Trust; Waikato; NZ
Race: HKJC Glenealy H. 1200m.
Sale: 2021 National Yearling Sale - Book 1 V: Wentwood Grange $50000 P: RL Noble
2021 Ready to Run Sale V: Ohukia Lodge Ltd $80000 P: Bridle B/stock

KA YING RISING (NZ) 2020 by Shamexpress out of Missy Moo by Per Incanto (USA)
Breeder: Grandmoral Lodge Racing; Central; NZ
Race: HKJC HKSAR Chief Executive's CupGr.31200m.

Global NZ-bred winners

2026-08-29 / 2026-09-05

AUSTRALIA
Ace High : Blind Raise (NZ)(Away Cruising by Darci Brahma) 2023;
05 Sep 2026, 1st MVRC Mitchell McKenzie S.L1300m
Sold by The Oaks Stud at National Yearling Sale for $70000

Ace High : Manapouri (NZ)(Long Lake by Distorted Humor) 2020;
05 Sep 2026, 1st Mendooran TC M Coe Transport Maiden P. 1200m

Almanzor : Mr Miller (NZ)(Miss Miller by Pins) 2022;
29 Aug 2026, 1st ATC Bankstown Sports H. 1500m

Ardrossan : Pure Alpha (NZ)(Bridgewater by Written Tycoon) 2020;
29 Aug 2026, 1st BRC Ladbrokes P. 1600m

Churchill : Star of Winston (NZ)(Estrella Especiale by Starcraft) 2022;
29 Aug 2026, 1st Clarence River JC Retired Jockeys and Trainers Reunion Today Maiden H. 1206m
Sold by Curraghmore at National Yearling Sale for $130000

Contributer : Mongolian Spring (NZ)(Ostreidae by Pierro) 2022;
29 Aug 2026, 1st Clarence River JC Bizzy Brahmans Alan Abrahams Remembrance H. 1181m
Sold by Mapperley Stud Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $65000
Sold by Regal Farm at Ready to Run Sale for $160000

Contributer : Leonchroi (NZ)(Miss Lioness by Johar) 2021;
02 Sep 2026, 1st MVRC Sportsbet H. 2400m

Contributer : Ostrica (NZ)(Ostreidae by Pierro) 2021;
05 Sep 2026, 1st Mildura RC Mildura Gateway Maiden P. 1408m
Sold by Mapperley Stud Ltd at Ready to Run Sale for $55000

Ghaiyyath : Winsilence (NZ)(Ninkasi by Darci Brahma) 2022;
31 Aug 2026, 1st Corowa RC Campbells Wines, Rutherglen Maiden P. 900m

Hello Youmzain : Hello Veneta (NZ)(Via Veneto by Lawman) 2022;
03 Sep 2026, 1st Northam RC Vale Max Trenorden H. 1300m
Sold by Cambridge Stud at National Yearling Sale for $40000

Hello Youmzain : Crudo (NZ)(Diamond Dream by Fastnet Rock) 2022;
04 Sep 2026, 1st Birdsville Rc RFDS QTIS Maiden P. 1200m
Sold by Landsdowne Park Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $260000

Hello Youmzain : Beautiful You (NZ)(Uncovered Beauty by Per Incanto) 2023;
04 Sep 2026, 1st Canberra RC Redbank North Maiden P. 1400m

Highly Recommended : Tikemyson (NZ)(Wilma Rudolf by Stravinsky) 2019;
29 Aug 2026, 1st Warracknabeal TC Sheep Hills Cup 2000m

Iffraaj : Bellsprout (NZ)(Pipi Beel by Savabeel) 2018;
02 Sep 2026, 1st Devonport RC Stables at Spreyton H. 1350m
Sold by Monovale Farm at National Yearling Sale for $60000

King of Comedy : Bold Jester (NZ)(Press Week by Hinchinbrook) 2022;
01 Sep 2026, 1st Wodonga TC Da Signs Maiden P. 1300m
Sold by Wentwood Grange at National Yearling Sale for $25000

King of Comedy : Midnight Maggie (NZ)(Canyon Yodeler by Swiss Yodeler) 2022;
05 Sep 2026, 1st Emerald JC Farm & Construction Products & Goldacres H. 1000m

Niagara : Fancify (NZ)(Laced Up by Keeninsky) 2019;
29 Aug 2026, 1st MRC Evergreen Turf H. 1400m

Ocean Park : Oceanella (NZ)(Sacred Charm by Fastnet Rock) 2021;
29 Aug 2026, 1st Warracknabeal TC Emmetts Thank You John Jess Maiden P. 1200m

Ocean Park : Moana Nui (NZ)(Enduja by Encosta de Lago) 2019;
05 Sep 2026, 1st GCTC Village Roadshow Theme Parks Maiden P. 2224m
Sold by Cheltenham Stables at Ready to Run Sale for $25000

Per Incanto : Captain Redbeard (NZ)(Fortune's Choice by Redoute's Choice) 2022;
03 Sep 2026, 1st Warrnambool RC Mark Kirchner Food Services Maiden P. 1400m

Per Incanto : Evaporate (NZ)(Savanna by Animal Kingdom) 2021;
05 Sep 2026, 1st MVRC So You Think S. 1500m

Reliable Man : Princess Painton (NZ)(Lady Painton by Tavistock) 2021;
05 Sep 2026, 1st SAJC Fotobase Group H. 2250m

Sacred Falls : Sacramental (NZ)(Pinzaara by Pins) 2020;
31 Aug 2026, 1st Ballarat TC Manhari H. 1400m
Sold by Phoenix Park at Ready to Run Sale for $65000

Savabeel : Love Symbol (NZ)(Lovetessa by O'Reilly) 2021;
31 Aug 2026, 1st Ballarat TC Blue Pyrenees Estate H. 1200m

Savabeel : Tsarine (NZ)(Champagne Tastes by Darci Brahma) 2021;
04 Sep 2026, 1st MRC (Mornington) Devilbend Golf Club H. 1200m

Savabeel : Raetihi (NZ)(Lego by O'Reilly) 2019;
05 Sep 2026, 1st Birdsville Rc Birdsville Cup 1600m
Sold by Ohukia Lodge Ltd at Ready to Run Sale for $155000

Shamexpress : Retourne (NZ)(Rita Moreno by King's Chapel) 2020;
29 Aug 2026, 1st SAJC Sportsbet H. 2500m

So You Think : Queen of Light (NZ)(Aurora Lights by Darci Brahma) 2021;
29 Aug 2026, 1st Springsure JC Dooleys Tavern and Motel QTIS Maiden P. 1100m
Sold by The Oaks Stud at National Yearling Sale for $375000

Southern Lights : Star Minerva (NZ)(Star Astraia by Swiss Ace) 2022;
29 Aug 2026, 1st Illawarra TC Beer Carpenter Racing Maiden P. 1200m

Super Seth : Dirty Look (NZ)(Pearly Whites by Sharkbite) 2022;
02 Sep 2026, 1st MVRC Sportsbet H. 1200m

The Autumn Sun : Livalittle (NZ)(Hayley Grace by Thorn Park) 2021;
29 Aug 2026, 1st BRC Century Pools H. 1600m

Time Test : Fast Tempo (NZ)(Cordal by Tavistock) 2021;
05 Sep 2026, 1st SAJC Sportsbet H. 1550m
Sold by HGT Bloodstock Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $25000

Tivaci : Kirikan (NZ)(Jammu by Savabeel) 2020;
29 Aug 2026, 1st Cairns JC CSF Industries P. 1250m
Sold by Waikato Stud Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $135000

Tivaci : Hamner Springs (NZ)(Save the Stars by Savabeel) 2021;
30 Aug 2026, 1st Strathalbyn RC Holdfast Insurance H. 1600m

Turn Me Loose : Mr Trafficanti (NZ)(Traffic by Lonhro) 2018;
29 Aug 2026, 1st SAJC Superior Logistics Australia H. 1800m

Turn Me Loose : Bailed (NZ)(Angel del Dinero by My Halo) 2022;
02 Sep 2026, 1st Devonport RC Meridian Horse Transport Maiden P. 1880m

Turn Me Loose : Two Sigma (NZ)(Too Fast for Love by So You Think) 2021;
01 Sep 2026, 1st Wodonga TC Border Carpets H. 1590m

Vanbrugh : Ocean Bay (NZ)(Ysabella Brave by Deputy Governor) 2022;
05 Sep 2026, 1st MVRC Ladbrokes H. 1600m

MALAYSIA
Belardo : Victory Roll - Winning Money (Mal.) (NZ)(Invisible Coin by Redoute's Choice) 2020;
30 Aug 2026, 1st Selangor TC Class 3/4 H. 1700m
Sold by Haunui Farm at National Yearling Sale for $115000

Ocean Park : Storm Park - Banker's Honor (Mal.) (NZ)(Cool Storm by One Cool Cat) 2021;
30 Aug 2026, 1st Selangor TC Merdeka Cup 1800m
Sold by Waikato Stud Ltd at National Yearling Sale for $140000

Rubick : Red Dragonfly (NZ)(Unfazed by Zabeel) 2020;
30 Aug 2026, 1st Selangor TC Class 4 H. 1275m
Sold by Carlaw Park at National Yearling Sale for $80000

Sweynesse : Silver Star (NZ)(Callista by Shinko King) 2020;
30 Aug 2026, 1st Selangor TC Class 5 H. 1400m
Sold by Ascot Farm at Ready to Run Sale for $75000

PHILIPPINES
American Pharoah : Usir (NZ)(Away Cruising by Darci Brahma) 2021;
30 Aug 2026, 1st Philippine JC Class 2 H. 1400m
Sold by The Oaks Stud at National Yearling Sale for $70000