Tara Talks Racing on Breednet

The Sydney Autumn carnival is done, the last Group One taken by Beiwacht in the All Aged Stakes. We delve into him, and the other four Darley Group One winning three-year-old colts with two now retired and one gelded. And what of the two-year-olds going forward? How good are they? Which ones might be the right ones to stick with? History would suggest it’s often not the winners. Have we even seen next season’s 3YO star? We come up with our favourite races and performances of the carnival, and look at the South Australian Group Ones this season.

The Championships Day 2 threw up two performances that were in rare air. Tara reflects on how Autumn Glow had already over-achieved on her pedigree, and Clocker is in awe of the C Williams ride on Sir Delius. So, is there a place for him on Australian stud rosters? And then there’s Tempted. It’s a golden period – enjoy!

We’re joined by Henry Field from Newgate Farm – with Campione D’Italia winning his first Group One race in the Inglis Sires and Extreme Choice dominating the Easter Yearling Sale it was the perfect time. A great chat covering the yearling sales with an eye to a future stallion, managing a sub-fertile champion stallion, the tried horse market, playing the long game with elite broodmares and quite a bit more There’s also Henry’s first impression of Extreme Choice after buying into him sight unseen as a promising two-year-old – fair to say he looks at him with rosier glasses these days! We also have a look at the other big races last weekend and what we think of this week. Is Autumn Glow maybe beatable at the 2000m? and by what? The quality, or otherwise of the Oaks and the Queen Of The Turf Stakes – a race chock full of class.

This week we’re talking Inglis Easter, Championships Day 1 and have found a horse named from a great movie that can win on debut this Saturday. Can Blue Door write the next chapter in the decades long Singo and Gai on again off again story? We think she might. Also Sheza Alibi will need to be good to win… Sunline good!

What did we make of the Slipper Day – always one of the year’s great days and it certainly didn’t disappoint this year. Which was the best run in the Slipper? Were there hard luck stories or did the sectionals suggest otherwise? Autumn Boy, Aeliana and Autumn Glow’s were brilliant wins with the focus now on where they’re heading. We’ve got an opinion or two there. Tara found one at 100 to one which ran out of its skin and into the placings. Some regular podcast listeners might have had a little joy there too. She did give it a big wrap a couple of weeks back. And of course we look forward to another week of Group One racing and Inglis Easter kicks off.

Golden Slipper week! It’s been one of the great days of racing in Australia for generations and nothing has changed. Every week during the Slipper build up has seemed to bring a new hope to the fore and kick one to kerb. Time for us to have our go at finding the winner, and sorting the ones that can from the ones that can’t after a barrier draw that threw plenty of curve balls. We also reminisce on some of our favourites from years past and have a look at a Rosehill race card for the ages this weekend stacked with class and excitement. There's some William Reid and last week's racing stuff in there too.

The Golden Slipper picture is taking shape after two of the major lead up races on the weekend but is the late comer about to throw himself into the final reckoning? Can Frankel sire a Golden Slipper winner? We delve into where we think the juveniles are at now we are right at the pointy end. The richest race on the weekend was in New Zealand, and nearly a boilover - there was blood in a nostril. We take a look at those NZ majors with Australian trips in the plan for some of the winners. In the Australian Group Ones we saw two outstanding auction purchases produce stunning results in Caballus and the “pedigree fluke” Sheza Alibi. And of course there’s all the love for Tom Kitten. There’s a lot covered this week. Even a bit of Milton Show action!

Another week where we remain fascinated but confused by the Golden Slipper picture. A new contender has emerged though so long as everything goes right. We have a think on the future after the weekend’s racing. Can Aeliana build a post-Autumn Glow picket fence or can Sir Delius spoil her party? And this weekend’s races: A fascinating Randwick Guineas. The two major Slipper lead ups. Has the handicapper thrown a bone to the Tentyris opposition in the Newmarket? – Tara’s got a roughie. And why you need to do the form in the All Star Mile. We also have a look at the final stats on the 2025 covering season from Studbook, and the Milton Show is imminent. A lot of territory covered.

Two-year-olds - after Streisand’s win in the Blue Diamond, are we any clearer on the Golden Slipper picture? Is a late bloomer set to seize the moment off the trials? Who’s the value chance under the radar. We unpack the week of racing. There was a boy that‘s become a man, blue hens, high quality races, some maybe not so. And into the future – one of the races of the carnival coming up and is there only two chances in the Derby this far out?

Could the Autumn be setting up any better? It’s going to be vintage. There’s Autumn Glow, Tentyris, Joliestar - just stunning starts on Saturday, but there was so much more going on behind so we have our crack at making sense of it. Tara’s forgiving a couple, Clocker not so much. We also talk value sires that keep delivering, bad knees, Blue Diamond, and other important 2YO matters etc.

Big on the babies again with four very interesting 2YO races including the $2mil Inglis Millennium, was it up to par? and the Blue Diamond Previews – were they likewise? We discuss. We also discuss the argument that Godolphin have yet to hit the jackpot with a homebred stallion but have they ever had a better bunch of colts? Plus other random matters that interest us from Observer to Nature Strip. And we touch on a mighty interesting weekend coming up.

Feb 2: The 2YO’s, where are we at? The weekend changed the picture markedly and the next week promises to do the same so what are we thinking for now? Who are the players? Who are the dark horses? Who can we kick to the kerb? And we’re excited – it’s the year of the horse and this autumn is looking mighty interesting. We skim that surface on trials and this week's noms.

An end of year Christmas quickie to take a look at the two-year-olds now things are heating up and heading in to the Magic Millions. And we ponder the horses we're most looking forward to in 2026 without saying the words Autumn Glow!

The Flemington spring is done for another year and what a week. The Cup, The Oaks, Champions Day – who’d we think were the champs? Who do we want to be with into Autumn. We ponder where things sit between NSW and Vic with the two-year-olds at this early stage. The stakes racing conundrum… again! And looking forward – G1 racing again this weekend, a bit of Perth and the sales are upon us. NZ Ready To Run this week and the Magic Millions catalogue is out for January.

Another brilliant Derby Day alongside the Golden Eagle. Tentyris shows who’s best, a filly and gelding second and third. The Derby goes to the best horse. The disappointing three-year-olds of the spring. Pride Of Jenni – when the good one turns up she’s stunning but that version isn’t always around. And of course the amazing Autumn Glow. Then on to the Melbourne Cup of course. Our favourite Cup horses and moments from the past and who we reckon can and can ‘t win this year along with our final tips. Whether you choose to back them or mark them down with the scratchings is entirely up to you.

Of course we delve into the Cox Plate – Via, Bucky, how bad was Aeliana? But there’s plenty more to discuss. Who do we think was the best performance on the day? and it’s not the Cox Plate. The Spring Champion in Sydney with a couple of rising stars, on a day where the late, great Lonhro starred. And there’s Derby Day coming up. The Coolmore 3YO’s have had their final hitouts. The Derby horses have shown their hands. In Sydney it’s the Golden Eagle. Probably Autumn Glow’s toughest test. Can the international raiders bring her down? Or a local? We love our weekly chat. Hope you do too.

Coming off what has become just about the best day’s racing of the year we delve into the wash up. Ka Ying Rising of course. The two best performances from exciting horses outside of that. What did we make of the King Charles and Caulfield Cup. Is the Golden Eagle now a two horse race? Do Godolphin have the three best three-year-olds? And Tara’s going early on the Melbourne Cup.

This week we’re joined by Newhaven Park Stud’s John Kelly, breeder of Epsom winner and unbeaten superstar Autumn Glow. The story of her dam, the South African champion Via Africa, some reminiscing about the champions that have called Newhaven home throughout its remarkable history and the enjoyment of horses and searching for the next good one – “an addiction cured only by death”. And we deal with the other majors from a fabulous weekend, two-year-old racing starts, how’s the Cox Plate looking and a bit of Everest. We hope you enjoy.

Our guest Darren Beadman. One of the truly great people in racing. A legendary rider who has worked with Godolphin and now a key part of the Chris Waller stable so has the perfect insight into 3YO stunner Beiwacht. But that’s just scratching the surface, big races last week, big races this week, the future of riders, thoughts on current stars. We just loved it. Hope you do too.

A ramble on the week that was and the week that will be, you’ve got to keep your wits about you this week. Group Ones, Non-Group Ones, two-year-old trials, is Sir Delius too good a horse to win a Cup? And Birdman. The mighty Birdman.

Our guest is Colleen Bamford, breeder and part-owner of Australia’s newest Melbourne Cup hope Revelare. This is a fantastic chat with a passionate lady. Colleen and her husband also shared in the ownership of Cup winner Americain who saw out his days at their property. We also delve into the racing. Mr B’s Makybe Diva win, Aeliana mighty, where do we think the 3YO’s sit after a pivotal day of 3YO racing? And our favourite OTT showjumper is back in play.

Our guest this week is Nathan Bennett of Bennet Racing after Baraqiel’s G1 Moir Stakes win. The story behind a horse that started his career as a five-year-old and has won a Group 1 as a seven-year-old but there’s plenty more to the Bennett Racing story which involves a lot of success and a lot of very happy people. And as always we have our take on the important stuff in racing and breeding. We also reveal Tara’s new favourite song and Clocker clinging to his Metrop hope.

We’re joined by Dr Richard McClenahan from Mullaglass Stud in the Hunter Valley. He bred Hellbent off an $11,000 fee to a second season sire called I Am Invincible and now he’s bred Raging Force by second season Cosmic Force at a fee of $16,500. A great chat on the thinking behind growing success. Plus a bit of racing, a bit of breeding, and Tara gets antsy on the prizemoney.

We ramble about our tours through stud land, new stallions, old marvels and hopes ahead. The big races we've just seen and the ones coming up. And we tip! Both stallions and racehorses. Exactly what everybody needs to hear!

The Victorian industry has a lot to be bullish about at the moment so Tara headed south and is fresh back from a tour of southern NSW farms and on to Victoria's best.

Winter is finishing, spring is here and so is season 3 of our podcast! The excitement of spring racing and the breeding season is imminent – trials, jumpouts, spring hopefuls, new stallions, stud tours, naughty show jumpers. We’ve eased into it nicely. We hope you enjoy.

We’re joined this week by Shaemus Mills, successful bloodstock agent and renowned for buying fillies at the top end of the market – one of those is last weekend’s G1 Sangster winner Charm Stone. He takes us through his thoughts and strategies at yearling level and mating level. Also home bred Group One winners, a bit of Kentucky Derby and the Champion 2YO debate. Enjoy.

Gilgai Farm’s Kelly Skillecorn is back with us. Since we first spoke in January they’ve bred G1 winner Nepotism and shot the lights out at the yearling sales. It’s another great chat - An unremarkable horse, failed vets, pinhooks, golf courses, Ole Kirk and mating plans. Plus we ponder the Champion 2YO, last week’s racing, weanling sales and service fees. Enjoy.

We’re joined by Jim Clarke – bloodstock agent and key player in the success that is Bjorn Baker. We talk Arapaho, Stefi Magnetica, O’ Ole, yearling sales, mentorship, Ridgmont, loads more – it really is a great chat. And of course we do our take on the big races from Day 2 of The Championships, plus a bit of what’s ahead. Enjoy.

This episode we take the look at the Easter Yearling Sale. The big bangers, the buyers, the sellers, Snitzel, deal with the critics of expensive horses. And the Championships - where everybody can be a big winner regardless of budget. You could have bought 7 Everest winners for less than a million dollars! We also have a go at some tips for this weekend. Tara's got a roughie.

A quick midweek catch up after the big racing finally finished! The good, the bad, sire tables, Newgate, Yulong, sale updates, Easter, The Championships and a sick horse. Plenty covered in 20 odd minutes.

John O’Shea is our guest fresh of the Schwarz plan coming together, a Group One winner and stud career assured. He talks Linebacker, Doncasters, jockeys, memories, breeding theories and his Melbourne Cup hopeful appearing at the trials this week. And we get into the wonderful day that was Golden Slipper Day. The big runs, the future, pedigrees, high priced yearlings flying, the odd surprise, the joy of Private Harry and “The Ferret” on Sunday!

This week our guest is Matthew Ennis from Stallion Match and G1Goldmine, and managing owner of Golden Slipper contender Skyhook. He tells us the story of Skyhook from being too expensive, to taking ownership, why he is late to the party, the chances of a stud deal and quite a lot more in a fascinating chat. We also look back at the big ones from last week – Lady Shenandoah, Jenni, Vauban and co, and look forward to this week. One of the great days. Possibly still the greatest for us older folk!

After a weekend of over 30 stakes races we’ve trimmed it back to the interesting stuff. Who fired their best shot. Were the losers disappointing? Are some looking ready for stud sooner than later? The Slipper confusion. Kiwi millions and Kiwi raiders. 1st and 2nd season sires covering themselves in glory. And Tom. We love Tom. And our listeners!

Loving this week - Stallions, Fees, Sales, Races, Studbook. We get into it all. And we thank our listeners. That’s a thing apparently in podcast land, and we’re totally on board!

We’re joined by Adam Cook, stud manager at Kingstar Farm who bred Blue Diamond winner Devil Night and sold him for $1.4million. But they also bred another Extreme Choice star in Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside. How do they work with a fertility challenged stallion? What mares suit him? What’s in the future? Adam took some time out from a surfing holiday for a great chat. We also delve into last week’s huge racing. Beiwacht, was that his best? and Bivouac his sire is proving the market doubters wrong. Broadsiding and his chasers, the hits and the misses in the Melbourne Group One's.

Tara’s in New Zealand fresh off a visit to the iconic Cambridge Stud. We chat about our memories of the farm in Sir Patrick Hogan’s day and Tara talks about it now under Brendan and Jo Lindsay’s vision, both respectful and ambitious. We also have a crack at some Group One winners! Group 2 even!

What a great week of racing we’ve had, and a better week coming up. We dive into it all. What did we learn from the 2YO’s after the weekend? Thoughts on the resuming big race candidates, how are the budding stallions placed after Group 1 racing, gun colts resuming, stunning trials, bubbles popped, sales talk, and who’s on who’s team – Team Via, Team Ceolwulf or Team FannyG!

We cover a lot of territory in a great chat with our guest James Moss from Tricolours Racing – he's building a great record of turning bargains into stakes winners and enjoying seeing his horses do the talking. We look through the 2YO results and peruse the autumn carnival trials – who are our picks for a big carnival. It’s such an interesting time of year. We also have a crack at finding some winners this weekend. Always a little fraught but we do try.

A great chat with Grahame Begg about the latest instalment of his family's remarkable mare. Has Tara's highlight of 2025 already happened? In January! The Karaka sales and racing. 2YO's - Blue Diamond, Inglis Millennium prospects. Schwarz - is this his time to shine? And a bit more.

A fantastic chat with guest Kelly Skillecorn from Gilgai Farm with tales of O’ Ole, Ole Kirk, a broodmare that was tipped never to carry a foal, a tiny yearling spirited from the sales after being laughed at but with the last laugh, wacky matings, an Easter bonanza for vendors, a couple of top colts and the hunt for 40 Black Caviar relations. We also cover some more Magic Millions, a very good day for Blue Point, sire table movements, Wodeton’s amazing figures on debut, Inglis Easter with a bit of history, and the debut of our new favourite show jumper.

The sale topping bred for speed filly is heading to Japan where more than sprinting is required. The state of the market - we look at how the top, middle and lower tiers are faring. Sire profitability. A resurgent Snitzel. What's ahead for the big selling mares. The Digital sale effect. And we're 99% sure we've found the winners of the Magic Millions on Friday. And a bit more in amongst it.

We look through the lead ups in search of the Magic Millions winners. Dissect some historical factors. Did we see the strongest 2YO race of the year so far at Randwick on Dec 28? Our 2024 highlights and what we're most looking forward to in 2025.

We talk to Scott Darby from Darby Racing. The syndicator who’s bought a Golden Slipper winner for $20k, turned $250k yearling Ozzmosis into a multimillion dollar stallion and was at it again this week, winning the $2mil Ingham with a $160k online buy and the $500k Inglis Nursery with a $30k yearling. And nailed the quinella! He’s doing success his way so let's listen. 

Mel Copelin joins us from Torryburn Stud, breeders of Voyage Bubble & Home Affairs. Mel tells us the story of her gentle giant Voyage Bubble and the far from textbook career of his dam. Also is Ka Ying Rising the best in the world? well bought stakes winning mares and the 2YO's are hotting up in to the Magic Millions.

Welcome to Tom Moore from Coolmore joining us to talk about bargain Justify fillies and the world of yearling x-rays at the sales among a range of things in a great chat. Plus a look at the week's racing - what do we make of the 2YO's?

Poorly placed races moving, more poorly placed races coming, deserving Group One winners, some not so much, a promising two year-old guide and an early look at the yearling sales.

Champions Day – Via Sistina, Mr B, Sunshine In Paris, riding tactics, unconventional creatures, more of the stakes racing circus, brilliant starts for first season sires, Wootton Bassett names, Yulong’s excellent spring,  women in racing, some unraced 2YO’s to blackbook and the new crop of first season horses with the MM 2025 catalogue imminent.

The Melbourne Cup, a great Australian result. Could you have found the winner? We go back to 1903 for guidance. The Oaks wash up. We talk about Storm Boy's future, go through some key stats for Champions Day and 2YO racing on Saturday - more black type that isn't black type, a frustration for 1st season sires.

Derby Day – the heroes, the fails, the future. Sydney’s massive impact on the Melbourne spring. Looking forward to the Oaks and our Melbourne Cup thoughts, horse by horse, fast! Tara going only on the vibe. Be quick, we’ll be deleting it if the tips are no good.