THE RIDE OF ROBBIE’S LIFE
A CUP WIN TO REMEMBER
BRILLIANT MR BRIGHTSIDE THE HORSE THAT CONTINUES TO SHINE
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CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE
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CEO’S MESSAGE
8 A FAIRYTALE RIDE
Robbie Dolan’s victory in the 2024 Melbourne Cup captured the hearts of Australians.
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IRISH EYES ARE SMILING
From established Group 1-winning riders like John Allen and Declan Bates to emerging talents like Tom Madden, Irish jockeys are making a significant impact on the Australian racing scene.
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MR BRIGHTSIDE: FROM UNDERDOG TO UNSTOPPABLE
Mr Brightside has captured the hearts of fans and played a key role in shaping trainers Ben, Will, and JD Hayes into the successes they are today. His legacy continues to grow.
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MAGNIFICENT RACING IN MARCH
We preview Australia’s top thoroughbreds competing for glory in the Howden Australian Guineas, Yulong Newmarket Handicap, All-Star Mile, and TAB Australian Cup.
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A FEAST FOR THE SENSES
This March, Flemington is where thrilling racing meets world-class flavour as it partners with the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival.
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SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING EXCITINGLY NEW
Autumn racing at Flemington brings the best thoroughbreds back to the track, and we uncover the stories behind the iconic races, highlighting the horses, trainers, and moments that define the season.
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YULONG’S WINNING FORMULA
Yulong Investments’ success at the 2024 Melbourne Cup Carnival confirmed their reputation as a dominant force in Australian racing through strategic breeding, purchasing, and racing.
As autumn settles in, Mick Ryan and his team ensure Flemington’s gardens stay vibrant, maintaining one of the country’s most stunning landscapes throughout the changing seasons.
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A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD
The 2024 Melbourne Cup Carnival showcased a wide range of victories, with 21 stables claiming wins. It celebrated both racing powerhouses and the emerging talents shaping the future of the sport.
A FULL-CIRCLE MOMENT
Milliner Kathryn Lee claimed the 2024 Lillian Frank AM MBE Millinery Award with her standout ‘It Girl’ hat, winning a $5,000 cash prize from a prize pool exceeding $37,000, along with an editorial feature in Vogue Australia.
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ROY HIGGINS’ LASTING LEGACY
Roy Higgins, one of Australia’s greatest jockeys, left a lasting legacy through the Roy Higgins Quality on Australian Cup Day, offering a golden ticket to the Lexus Melbourne Cup for the winning horse and connections. 40 AUTUMN ARRIVES IN FLEMINGTON’S GARDENS
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SHAPING THE FUTURE
Victoria Cananzi won the 2024 Fashions on the Field Emerging Designer Award with her elegant silk backless dress, earning a $48,000 prize package, including an experience with Vogue Japan.
Publisher: Jo King
Editor: Celia Purdey
VRC Managing Editor: Adele Pace
COVER PHOTOGRAPH
Robbie Dolan, a Melbourne Cup winning jockey has achieved a life-long dream and is now part of Melbourne Cup history.
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Reflecting on a Melbourne Cup Carnival that has been widely recognised as one of the best in recent times, I want to extend my sincere gratitude to all who joined us – our members, local and international guests, and the wider racing community on course and around Australia and internationally.
The atmosphere throughout the week was exceptional, with thrilling racing, unforgettable stories, great fashion and entertainment and a vibrancy across the course. The Lexus Melbourne Cup once again delivered a special story, with a fairytale result that will be remembered for years to come. Seeing the joy of connections, the passion of the crowd, and the sense of history being made is what makes Cup Week so special. Some of the stories from across the week are captured in this edition of Inside Headquarters.
Another highlight of the week was seeing Champions Day continue to go from strength to strength. Now in its third year, the 90 minutes of world-class racing – featuring three, three million dollar Group 1 races over the iconic distances of 1200m, 1600m, and 2000m – has solidified its reputation as one of the premier racing programs globally.
The record engagement from young racegoers was very pleasing with 45% of attendees across the four days of Cup Week being under the age of 35, demonstrating the continued evolution of the Carnival as a signature sporting, social and cultural event.
Our broadcast and content reach across a
record number of global platforms was at an all-time high, with the Nine Network’s global feeds delivering world-class coverage, widely recognised as some of the best in the industry.
The Flemington Racing Spectacular has commenced with the Black Caviar Lightning, providing an opportunity to honour one of Australian racing’s all-time greats. This year’s race held added significance as the first running since Black Caviar’s passing, and we paid tribute to her with a special display of her trophies in the Club Stand Lobby and The Atrium. The Black Caviar Lightning was won by Skybird, giving trainer Mitch Freedman his second Group 1 win. We hope to see Skybird replicate that performance in the 153rd Yulong Newmarket Handicap on Super Saturday.
The March race days are set to be some of the strongest in recent memory. Super Saturday returns to its full strength with the addition of the All-Star Mile as a Group 1 race, bringing the tally to four Group 1s across three feature race days: Howden Australian Guineas Day, Super Saturday, featuring the All-Star Mile and the Yulong Newmarket Handicap, and TAB Australian Cup Day. We are already seeing strong interest in the autumn, with some of spring’s biggest names preparing for a return to Flemington. Mr Brightside will return in pursuit of his second All-Star Mile, and you can read about his journey and just how much he means to the Hayes brothers in this edition.
This autumn, a new wave of rising stars will take center stage. Among them is Another Wil, fresh off a stunning victory in the Group 1 C.F. Orr Stakes, and Switzerland, the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes champion from Penfolds Victoria Derby Day, both setting their sights on one of Flemington’s prestigious Group 1 features.
Trainer Clinton McDonald has another emerging talent in Angel Capital, who is gearing up for a shot at the Group 1 Howden Australian Guineas. Meanwhile, the Chris Waller trained Atishu, winner of the Group 1 TAB Empire Rose Stakes will target the 163rd Group 1 TAB Australian Cup.
With elite competition and high stakes, this Autumn promises thrilling clashes and unforgettable moments on the track.
The VRC is pleased to announce two new Life Memberships, recognising outstanding contributions to our club and the racing industry. Rick Jamieson, founder of Harry the Hirer and breeder of Black Caviar, and Joe McGrath, long-time supporter and ambassador of the Melbourne Cup Tour, were honoured on Black Caviar Lightning race day for their dedication and significant contributions. These acknowledgments reflect our deep appreciation for those who have helped shape our club and have left an enduring legacy.
We are also delighted to introduce a new member initiative – a commemorative medallion program celebrating milestones of VRC membership. Designed to honour our rich history while embracing the future as we move to digital membership access and engagement on course, these beautifully crafted medallions will be available for members marking 10, 20, 30 and 40 years with the ultimate recognition being a VRC Life Membership Medallion for fifty years of consecutive full membership with the club. It was wonderful to see members who had collected their medallions wearing them proudly at the Black Caviar Lightning race day. I also want to take this opportunity to extend my sincere thanks to all who attended the Annual General Meeting in December. We appreciated seeing such strong interest and engagement on the day.
Kylie Rogers and I were pleased to share insights and updates from the 2023/24 racing season and financial year and to cover the strategic plans we have in place and our trajectory to being in a strong financial position.
Thank you for your ongoing support, and I look forward to being with you at Flemington for what promises to be an exciting remainder of the racing season.
Neil Wilson Chairman Victoria Racing Club
The 2024 Melbourne Cup Carnival was a remarkable showcase of everything that makes Flemington special, and at the heart of it all was you – our valued members. Your passion and support continue to shape this club, and seeing so many of you trackside, sharing in the excitement, was a true highlight. From world-class racing to vibrant social experiences, last year’s Carnival was a celebration of everything we love about the sport.
Cup Week delivered some truly special moments. Goldrush Guru’s win in the 171st Victoria Derby was memorable, with Jamie Melham and Andrew Gluyas continuing a legacy 16 years in the making. The Lexus Melbourne Cup was full of surprises, with Knight’s Choice and Robbie Dolan stopping the nation in a photo finish.
It was fantastic to see trainers Michael Hickmott, Liam Howley, and Dominic Sutton secure their first Carnival wins, while Treasurethe Moment’s Crown Oaks triumph was another highlight for trainer Matt Laurie. James McDonald reinforced his reputation as the best of the best, setting a new Carnival record of 11 wins, while Ciaron Maher claimed his first JB Cummings Award as champion trainer.
Flemington welcomed 285,675 racegoers – an 8% increase on the previous year –highlighting the ongoing strength of this great event. The Lexus Melbourne Cup captivated the nation, while the 62nd edition of Fashions on the Field saw over 1,000 entrants from across Australia and beyond competing for a record prize pool of $370,000. More than 250 live performances added to the energy
of the week, with global artists such as Anastacia and Ronan Keating entertaining racegoers. New initiatives, including the Lexus Melbourne Cup Eve event and the Living Legends showcase, brought fresh experiences to members and guests alike.
Beyond the racing, the Carnival also reinforced the impact the VRC and its community can make together. The Pin & Win campaign raised a record-breaking $687,000 for Ronald McDonald House Charities Victoria & Tasmania. The club also proudly supported the Good Friday Appeal and the RSL Poppy Appeal, using its platform for more than just racing.
With the Carnival behind us, the focus shifted to refining a three-year plan that will guide the evolution of Flemington. At its core is a commitment to celebrating the horse and sharing the special connection between human and horse. The vision, endorsed by the Board, includes exploring opportunities such as public stables, a Pony Club, permanent restaurants, music venues, and communitydriven initiatives. Member input will be invaluable as these ideas take shape, and the club looks forward to sharing more details and gathering feedback in the months ahead.
Internally, structural changes have been made to ensure the right team and culture are in place to drive this strategy forward. Change is never easy, but it’s essential for growth, and there is strong momentum building for the future.
The summer season of racing saw the successful introduction of the Summer Soirée, an exclusive new member offering that was warmly received. Enhancements to the front lawn – including additional outdoor seating, pools, food trucks, and live entertainment –helped create a fantastic atmosphere. The Member Advisory Council will continue to play a key role in refining and enhancing these experiences based on feedback.
Now, attention turns to the Flemington Racing Spectacular. Black Caviar Lightning Race Day set the stage for an outstanding series of Group 1 contests, with Skybird a deserved winner of the Black Caviar Lightning. Across March, Flemington will host four of Australia’s most prestigious and unique races:
the $1 million Howden Australian Guineas, the $1.5 million Yulong Newmarket Handicap, the $2.5 million All-Star Mile, and the $2.5 million TAB Australian Cup.
The club is pleased to welcome international guests to TAB Australian Cup Day, strengthening ties with reciprocal clubs. With four races named in recognition of global connections, Flemington looks forward to hosting Ed Arkell (Goodwood), Nick Smith (Ascot), and William Derby (York). Inspiring the next generation of racegoers is a priority, and offering free entry to racegoers under 17 throughout the Racing Spectacular ensures more families can enjoy the excitement of Flemington.
Off the track, a new partnership with the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival introduces ‘Feast by MFWF’ on the front lawn, featuring a selection of offerings from Lee Ho Fook, San Telmo, MoVida, and Tipo 00 – set against world-class racing, family fun, and live entertainment.
The VRC also continues its partnership with The Royal Children’s Hospital Good Friday Appeal, with racegoers able to support this vital cause by purchasing a raffle ticket on any March race day.
For members, there’s plenty to look forward to this autumn beyond race days.
From the Long Lunch and Hop and Vine Tour, to A Taste of Maison Mumm and an exclusive MCG Match Day experience, we are proud to offer you a fantastic lineup of events.
Planning is already well underway for the 2025 Melbourne Cup Carnival, with a clear vision and an unwavering commitment to making Flemington the best it can be – for members, the industry, and the broader community. Thank you for your continued support of the VRC, and we look forward to seeing you trackside soon.
Kylie Rogers Chief Executive Officer Victoria Racing
Club
A FAIRYTALE RIDE
The 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup delivered a storyline that felt like it was lifted from the pages of a fairytale. Robbie Dolan, an Irish jockey who had struggled to make a mark in his early career, defied all odds when he guided the long-priced outsider Knight’s Choice to a thrilling victory. In a sport known for its unpredictability, Dolan’s Cup win reminds of the rare, magical moments that can happen when dreams meet opportunity on the racetrack.
BY MICHAEL LYNCH
Robbie Dolan and Knight’s Choice secured a thrilling victory in a nail-biting photo finish. (Racing Photos/Brett Holburt)
Fairytales are just that, aren’t they?
Tall stories where heroes and heroines battle adversity and danger before their courage and strength of character shines through, allowing them to triumph against the odds and live happily ever after.
Of course they never happen in real life, do they?
Normally that’s right. But just occasionally something so strange and wondrous, unusual and unpredicted happens that leaves everyone surprised, baffled but delighted that it has taken place: something uplifting that changes the mood and provides a feel good vibe so rare that it cannot be manufactured.
Such was the result of the 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup, an extraordinary, emotional rollercoaster of a race that provided a story line that, had a scriptwriter come up with such a plot, they would have been dismissed for being absurd.
Who would have suggested that one of the longest-priced winners in the history of the race would come from the clouds to score in a driving finish?
Who would have imagined that the winner weaving his way through the field would be partnered by a rider who had barely competed in Victoria, let alone at Flemington, and who had never ridden in the Cup before?
A rider who, eight years earlier, had left his native Ireland and come to Australia with a backpack and a heart full of hopes and dreams, desperate to carve out a career for himself in a country where he could find fresh opportunity denied in his homeland.
No wonder the Cup win of Robbie Dolan and Knight’s Choice, an unconsidered gelding trained by Sheila Laxon and John Symons, captured the imagination of the nation and then the world.
The Lexus Melbourne Cup is Australia’s greatest race, a social and cultural phenomenon that transcends sport and the racing ‘bubble’.
The 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup dominated the news cycle, spawned days of coverage and feel good narratives about
the young Irishman, his retired jockey father Bobby (who had travelled to Australia to see his son land his greatest triumph), his fiancé Christine and their young daughter Maisie, a survivor as tough as her father who had also beaten the odds to live having been born 13 weeks premature.
Suddenly everyone knew about Dolan’s happenstance meeting with the trainers on a cruise ship a couple of years earlier when, unable to get rides in the Carnival, they heard him singing, something Dolan was briefly considering as a possible career
Eight years after arriving from Ireland to chase his dreams, Dolan has now claimed one of Australian racing’s biggest prizes.
The way he scythed through the field ... was most reminiscent of the extraordinary last to first victory of Kiwi and Jimmy Cassidy in the 1983 race.
alternative given his talents were good enough to see him reach the quarter finals of the national talent competition The Voice.
He and Laxon, herself a history maker when she became the first female trainer to saddle Ethereal to win the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup double in 2001, struck up a friendship.
Dolan continues to pinch himself about the way his life has changed and juggle the offers that are coming his way while still focusing on his career in the saddle.
The whirlwind began straight after he had passed the winning post, even though he was fearful of the outcome.
“I thought I had won on the line, but I have thought I have won many times before and I hadn’t, so I was afraid to say anything or celebrate in case I was wrong.”
His wildest dreams were realised in an instant, and a grin spread across his face as he shared with post-race interviewer Billy Slater that he’d studied replays of the last 40 Melbourne Cups to gain insight into the best tactics to employ.
The way he scythed through the field – some 900 metres from home he was almost 20 lengths off the lead with only five runners behind him – was most reminiscent of the extraordinary last to first victory of Kiwi and Jimmy Cassidy in the 1983 race.
After the interviews and congratulations died down, Dolan enjoyed the first of many “amazing” post-Cup experiences the following day when he took to the stage at Crown Palladium at the VRC’s Crown Oaks lunch with his fellow Irishman and superstar singer Ronan Keating, of Boyzone fame.
“Pinch me – I think I’m dreaming,” an elated Dolan exclaimed after the race.
But first and foremost Dolan is a jockey and he demonstrated his professionalism when he travelled straight back to Brisbane to ride on Crown Oaks Day, 48 hours after his Cup win, at provincial Queensland track Ipswich. He had several rides and managed to steer home the last winner, Victory Command in a $28,000 Class One handicap.
Singing has been Dolan’s escape from the daily grind of race riding, trackwork and barrier trials, but even when he was in the doldrums and had briefly contemplated switching careers he knew that his love of horses and competition would always prevail.
To say he was bred for the job is an understatement.
His father was a jockey and worked for the powerful Irish stable of Dermot Weld (the first European trainer to win the Melbourne Cup when he sent Vintage Crop from The Curragh to triumph in 1993). His grandfather Peader Matthews won Classic races in Ireland in the 1960s while his brother Barry is a trainer in the United States.
Yet Dolan wasn’t a horse-obsessed youngster, only getting into racing in his teenage years when he was apprenticed to
Curragh trainer Adrian Keatley.
Despite his pedigree, Dolan struggled to make an impact. He rode a handful of winners in five years before making the momentous decision to leave home.
“I had about five winners in 100 rides in the time I was there. I wanted a change and decided to come over to Australia.
“I was 20 when I left Ireland. I didn’t have any connections, I just came over with the intention of maybe staying for 12 months, getting a few rides and seeing what happened.”
Even then his course wasn’t smooth.
“I initially came to Melbourne, where I struggled to get a (rider’s) license. The system they have there only allows them to take in a certain number of apprentices, and I missed the deadline, so I ended up going to Sydney.
“I was apprenticed to Mark Newnham (now in Hong Kong) and we had plenty of success together.
“I was lucky enough to win two Group 1s in Sydney and I won the champion apprentices title twice. I had done a lot already with what I wanted to do with my career.”
But like so many leading apprentices
Dolan found the transition to senior ranks difficult. The rides dried up and success proved more elusive.
“It is very tough. You no longer have the claim and it’s very difficult.
“I just decided to make the move up to Brisbane for a change. I had found it tough for a little while to consistently get good rides in town. And mentally I wanted a change as well. Brisbane is very easygoing and it suited my lifestyle.
“I just ride for everyone. You ride work, I have a manager that chases rides for me, I could work a bit harder, I know I could, but I think if you are riding well and riding winners, your riding will probably get you rides as well.”
The most important things in his life now are Christine, who he met in Australia, and daughter Maisie, who spent weeks in hospital after such an early delivery.
“She was born at 26 weeks, I think. It was worrying but she’s fine now, she’s good, she’s pretty tough.
“You have to be happy in yourself. You can be successful and still miserable, you have to do what you want to do and makes your family happy, and that’s all that really matters in life.”
Just a day after his Cup triumph, Dolan took to the stage at the VRC’s Crown Oaks lunch, singing alongside fellow Irishman and music superstar Ronan Keating.
IRISH EYES ARE SMILING
From Group 1-winning riders like John Allen and Declan Bates to rising stars like Tom Madden, Irish jockeys are leaving a lasting mark on the Australian racing scene. Their stories highlight the determination and adaptability needed to succeed far from home.
BY MICHAEL LYNCH
John Allen (pictured here winning the Inglis Bracelet on Crown Oaks Day) first made his name in jumps racing, but transitioned to the flat and has won multiple Group 1s, including the Cox Plate and the Victoria Derby. (Pat Scala/Racing Photos)
For decades, Australia’s riding ranks have been bolstered by overseas talent, with New Zealand producing champions like Larry and Jimmy Cassidy, Shane Dye, and Greg Childs.
Ireland, however, has now emerged as a major exporter of jockeys as well as horses, with several prominent Irish riders now plying their trade along Australia’s eastern seaboard.
Champion apprentices Tom Sherry and Louise Day are based in NSW, while Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Robbie Dolan and Irish classic winner Martin Harley are in Queensland. In Victoria, the Irish contingent is even stronger, with Group 1-winning jockeys John Allen and Declan Bates, leading jumps rider Tom Ryan, and the recently arrived Tom Madden, who is determined to establish himself as the next name off the production line.
Jumps racing has provided a common link for all four.
Ryan has won nearly every major jumps race in Victoria except Warrnambool’s famous Grand Annual. Allen originally came to ride over obstacles, while Bates began his career in Ireland as a successful National Hunt jockey before transitioning to flat racing. Madden also has a rich connection to the jumps scene – his father, Niall (known as “Boots Madden”), and older brother, also Niall (nicknamed “Slippers Madden”), were accomplished jumps riders. Unsurprisingly, Tom is affectionately known as “Socks Madden” within the racing community.
Chasing opportunity
What drew them all to Australia was the opportunity to build successful careers in a larger racing industry.
“It was a lack of opportunity, really,” said Ryan, who arrived in 2011. “I was champion conditional jockey over jumps (equivalent to champion apprentice on the flat) when the Irish economy took a big hit during the global financial crisis in 2008.
Declan Bates says being part of Pride Of Jenni’s career was ‘almost life-changing’. (Morgan Hancock/Racing Photos)
“I had no job, so I just came. I knew a couple of people here at the time, and one of them, Nathan Dunn, set me up with a job with Russell Cameron at Flemington. I also met Steve Pateman at the tennis, and he asked if I was going to ride. I was in two minds, but he said, ‘No, no, you’ll be right.’
“Steve got me schooling for a few people, and the rest is history.”
Ryan still rides over obstacles but also works for the Hayes stable, riding trackwork and liaising with owners.
“All the lads who’ve come here have a great work ethic, and they’re very good horsemen,” he said. “At home, especially riding over jumps, you become a horseman first before you become a jockey.
“We all see each other – it’s gas. At first, we’d go to birthday parties, then it was weddings, and now it’s christenings of kids ...
we’re all getting older together,” he added with a laugh.
New beginning
Bates arrived nine years ago after completing his flat apprenticeship in England, having moved there from Ireland. Feeling he was treading water professionally, he and his wife Jennifer came to Australia for the wedding of their friend Shane Jackson (another Irish jump jockey-turned-trainer) and initially planned to stay for just a year.
“We’re still here, so there are no plans to move on,” said Bates, now a father of two and one of the key partners of star mare Pride Of Jenni.
“You need a bit of luck, and I’ve had some,” he said. “I’ve come across a few nice horses along the way, which helped me get going. It’s been a great move.”
Bates rode his first Group 1 winner in the 2019 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes on Begood Toya Mother, but his association with Pride Of Jenni has brought him into the limelight.
“It was good timing to get on her at the right moment,” he explained. “She was a good horse early in her career, but as she matured as a six-year-old, she turned into a proper horse. Being part of her career was almost life-changing.”
Madden, meanwhile, arrived with no guarantees but credits the Jacksons for helping him settle.
“I have no family here. Shane and Lauren Jackson are good friends of my family back home, so they kept in touch,” he said.
“Shane was working for Lindsey Smith at the time and got me my first couple of rides. Then I was able to branch out to other Warrnambool trainers,” said Madden, now
Tom Madden (pictured here winning at Flemington on Major Share in January) had to adapt to Australia’s different tracks and riding techniques. (Brett Holburt/Racing Photos)
working closely with Aaron Purcell, who is sponsoring him.
“It’s been good, and I’ve learned a lot. There are more opportunities at provincial meetings. My aim is to ride in town, but I want to get established first and build my reputation.”
A steep learning curve
Both Bates and Madden highlight the differences between race-riding techniques in Ireland and Australia.
“The tracks in Australia are half the size of those in Ireland,” said Madden. “There’s a big emphasis on speed here, especially at the start of a race, to be quick out of the barriers and get a position.
“Tracks are short and sharp, so you need to be a lot more switched on. It’s very tactical
– they often slow down in the middle part and sprint home. At home, the tracks are more galloping, with the emphasis on stamina.
“The best horse might win at home, but the fastest or best ride often wins here.”
Bates agreed: “A lot of it is about positioning and tactics. Riding on the flat in England tended to be a nice end-to-end gallop – probably less thinking involved.
“You need to be sharper and more on the ball here, although my English and jumping experience comes in handy too.”
The proven path
Allen, the most established of the group, moved to Australia in 2012 after competing in a jumps jockeys’ series.
“I was battling at the time and probably not going anywhere,” he recalled.
Allen first made his name riding jumpers like dual Grand Annual winner Regina Coeli for Ciaron Maher and Gotta Take Care for Darren Weir. He eventually transitioned to the flat, winning multiple Group 1s, including the Cox Plate on State Of Rest for Joseph O’Brien.
“I’ve married an Australian (Emma) and am pretty settled now,” he says. “It’s been a bit of a journey, but the longer you spend somewhere, the harder it is to go back.
“I won the South Australian Derby, but winning the Victoria Derby on Extra Brut (in 2018) was the most special. I had a few of my family over – it was a big day in Melbourne, and that was probably the biggest thrill.
“So much depends on opportunities and what you make of them. Like everything, it’s getting more competitive. You have to improve and can’t rest on your laurels.”
Leading jumps jockey Tom Ryan has won nearly every major jumps race in Victoria, and also works for the Hayes stable. (Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
MR BRIGHTSIDE: FROM UNDERDOG TO UNSTOPPABLE
From a slow starter to one of Australian racing’s most exciting champions, Mr Brightside has captured the hearts of fans. For trainers Ben, Will, and JD Hayes, he arrived at the perfect time, shaping them into the trainers they are today. Now, as he prepares for an international campaign, his legacy continues to grow.
BY MICHAEL SHARKIE
Trainer JD Hayes, pictured with Mr Brightside, said the horse has put the Hayes name back in the spotlight.
Looking back at the incredible rise to stardom of his stable champion
Mr Brightside, there are more than a few occasions when trainer JD Hayes wondered if the horse would make it at all.
Bought from obscurity off a handy fifth placing in a 1400m maiden at Matamata in New Zealand, it is fair to say that it took a while for Mr Brightside to show his true colours.
“He didn’t exactly jump out of the blocks,” said JD.
“When he arrived, he was a bit of a bad mood on four legs. His gallops were pretty average, he took a patch or two out of a few different riders and spent more time on his back legs messing around than doing his work. He didn’t really want to play the game.”
Enter Scottish track rider Ross Wishart. Given the short straw one morning when assigned Mr Brightside for track work, Wishart managed to at least unlock a cooperative side of the young son of Bullbars.
Compliance turned into consistency, and ultimately to promise.
“His work wasn’t brilliant, but he showed he could gallop. We found what looked like a weak maiden at Bendigo to kick him off in and we thought ‘just go there and win. He didn’t,” said JD.
Beaten as favourite at his debut for Lindsay Park, Hayes, JD’s brother Ben wondered if Mr Brightside would ultimately turn out to be Mr Frustrating.
They need not have worried. Mr Brightside atoned for his Bendigo defeat with a five-length win at Geelong, then five more wins on end as he charged through the classes from maiden to Listed Seymour Cup (1600m) winner in just three months during a memorable romp in the spring of 2021.
“After Seymour, he was beaten a long neck in the Group 1 Cantala (Stakes, now VRC Champions Mile). I remember standing in the mounting yard on my own in that COVID year, I just burst into tears. I was so proud, and I kept thinking, what do we have here? How good is this horse?” said Ben.
Lindsay Park and the Hayes family are part of the fabric of Australian racing; a true dynasty that began in Adelaide in 1947 when Colin Hayes took out his trainer’s licence. From the visionary development of the original Lindsay Park stables and stud at Angaston in South Australia’s Barossa, to the emergence of David Hayes, the youngest-ever Australian Racing Hall of Fame inductee, to the incredible rise of the modern Lindsay Park at Euroa, the Hayes family story is a spectacular tale of risk and reward.
But when David Hayes returned to Hong Kong to train in 2020 and the keys to Lindsay Park handed over to sons Ben and JD earlier than some onlookers would have expected (who were later joined by brother, Will), many in the racing world wondered what the future held.
“There were a lot of doubters, that’s for sure. A lot of horses left, too, owners not wanting to take the risk. I suppose they didn’t think we were up to it,” said JD.
“It was tough, but you keep moving forward and you work hard. That’s what CS had done, that’s what Dad had done. In that context, Mr B could not have come along at a better time for us. He put our names back up in lights.”
Along with the super-tough metropolitan performer Gentleman Roy, Mr Brightside had the Hayes boys in the winner’s circle and on the racing pages every other week. It gave the young trainers a chance to sell themselves, to prove that they knew what they were doing, that they had listened and learned to those that came before them. Slowly, momentum started to build.
Mr Brightside’s longevity and consistency are a formula for success. (Vince Caliguiri/Getty Images)
This is a horse that has continued to stand up at the elite level over four seasons, a modern-day warrior, the sort of horse that racing fans fall in love with.
Craig Williams and Mr Brightside share a special bond, with the champion jockey guiding him to many Group 1 victories.
“He (Mr Brightside) has filled the farm back up. He turned heads around, horses came back, owners returned, they had faith in us,” said JD.
But Mr Brightside’s impact on Lindsay Park and the latest generation of the Hayes family isn’t confined to a one-preparation winning streak. This is a horse that has continued to stand up at the elite level over four seasons, a modern-day warrior, the sort of horse that racing fans fall in love with.
“He’s a genuine freak,” said JD.
“He’s got two things that so many good horses don’t have – longevity and consistency. He’s seen a lot of very good horses come and go; he’s seen them all off. People always compare him to Better Loosen Up. Blu was a brilliant horse but he
was only at his peak for two seasons. This horse (Mr Brightside) is coming into his fourth and hopefully is as good as ever.”
Considering his improbable rise to stardom, Mr Brightside has been a far greater gift to the Hayes brothers than just a catalyst for business.
“He’s made my brothers and I better trainers, one hundred percent he has,” said JD.
“We’re so lucky to have Dad to call on and we do ask him questions and get advice, but he lets us find our own way too. A horse like Mr Brightside teaches you to look for those little signs of ability – once you find that, you don’t know what you can unlock in a horse.
“If a horse is not showing much or if we feel like it’s holding back a little, we do
think of horses like Brightside and try things that we tried with him. It doesn’t always work and not many horses will do what he has, but it’s about getting the best out of every horse and giving them their chance to realise their potential.”
This year Mr Brightside returns as a battle-hardened seven-year-old for an important campaign that will take him overseas for the first time, with the Hong Kong Champions Mile in late April his target following a remarkable fourth appearance in the All-Star Mile at Flemington on Super Saturday.
“That’s the plan, all things going well. He’ll have an extra couple of weeks break after Hong Kong to get ready for the spring and a fifth crack at the VRC Champions Mile. Wouldn’t that be something?”
The Hayes brothers continue a legacy of excellence in Australian racing, with Mr Brightside playing a key role in their success.
MAGNIFICENT RACING IN MARCH
Australia’s finest thoroughbreds will compete for top honours in prestigious autumn Group 1 races, including the Howden Australian Guineas, the Yulong Newmarket Handicap, the newly elevated All-Star Mile, and the TAB Australian Cup. Experience the thrill firsthand as champions and rising stars battle it out at Flemington in these iconic events.
BY MICHAEL MANLEY
Skybird had an amazing win in the Black Caviar Lightning and is getting ready for the Newmarket. (Pat Scala/Racing Photos)
GROUP 1 HOWDEN AUSTRALIAN GUINEAS (1600m)
The Group 1 Australian Guineas, established in 1986, is one of Australia’s premier horse races. Notable winners include superstar geldings Mahogany and Apache Cat, as well as influential stallions like Flying Spur, Zabeel, and Reset. Zabeel, in particular, became one of Australasian racing’s most influential sires, producing champions such as Might And Power and Octagonal. The 40th running of this prestigious race promises to reveal yet another star in Australian racing. Keep an eye on three-year-olds showing promise in earlier spring races, particularly those with strong mile form. The race has a history of producing future champions – who will step up this year?
ANGEL CAPITAL
3YO Bay or Brown Colt – Harry Angel (IRE) – Bahamas (Teofilo (IRE))
Trainer: Clinton McDonald
Career: 7 starts: 4-0-0
Prizemoney: $600,750
Flemington form: Yet to start
Clinton McDonald has long believed Angel Capital was a star in the making, and his dominant first-up victory in the Autumn Stakes at Caulfield suggests that belief may be justified. The colt had little luck in last year’s Caulfield Guineas, his only start over 1600m and at Group 1 level. However, in the Autumn Stakes, his jockey patiently waited before sprinting over the top of his rivals, a performance that hints he is well-suited to the 1600-metre distance.
PRIVATE LIFE
3YO Bay Colt – Written Tycoon – Aliyana Tilde (Snitzel)
Trainer: Chris Waller
Career: 7 starts: 3-0-0
Prizemoney: $2,038,750
Flemington form: 1 starts: 0-0-0 – 5th 2024 G1 Darley Champions Sprint (1200m)
Since winning the prestigious Group 1 Caulfield Guineas, he has raced against older horses and continued to perform admirably. He finished fifth in the Darley Champions Sprint (1200m) behind Sunshine In Paris and resumed with a solid fourth-place finish in the Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield. Although he was beaten by 5 ½ lengths, the Orr Stakes was run 1.53 seconds faster than the Autumn Stakes (1400m), which was won by Angel Capital. He clocked 1.24 minutes for the 1400m, almost half a second faster than Angel Capital. His sole run over 1600 metres was his win in the Caulfield Guineas. Surprisingly, Chris Waller is still chasing his first Australian Guineas win.
SEPALS
3YO Bay or Brown Gelding – Calyx (GB) – What’s New (NZ) (Casino Prince)
Trainer: Cliff Brown
Career: 4 starts: 3-0-0 Prizemoney: $173,590 Flemington form: 1 starts: 1-0-0 – Won 2024 G3 C.S Hayes Stakes (1400m)
Cliff Brown has a third and a fourth to his credit in the Australian Guineas with Tarnpir Lane third in 1997 and Fubu who finished fourth in 2001 and he’s back with a big chance in 2025 after Sepals runaway win in the C.S Hayes Stakes (1400m) which he won by three and a quarter lengths in a manner suggesting he will be even better suited by 1600m. He’s had only four starts and he’s getting better with each start.
SAVAGLEE (NZ)
3YO Bay Colt – Savabeel – Glee (NZ) (O’Reilly (NZ))
Trainer: Pam Gerard
Career: 8 starts: 6-1-1
Prizemoney: $554,510
Flemington form: Yet to start
Savaglee has been the dominant three-year-old in New Zealand, and while his winning streak of four came to an end with a third-place finish in the Group 1 Waikato Sprint (1400m) at Waikato on February 8, he didn’t lose any admirers. In the 1400m event, he finished behind two well-credentialed Australian horses, Here to Shock and Bosustow, fighting on strongly for third. He is expected to be better suited over the 1600m distance, and his connections have had the Australian Guineas as his main target. In 2023, another Kiwi star, Legarto, claimed the Australian Guineas.
GROUP 1 ALL-STAR MILE (1600M)
The All-Star Mile, now elevated to Group 1 status, has quickly established itself as a key autumn fixture. This exciting 1600-metre weightfor-age race offers a $2.5 million prize pool and features a unique selection process, allowing horses to qualify through proven merit, strong recent form, or rising talent. Since its debut in 2019, when Mystic Journey claimed victory, the race has rotated between Melbourne’s major tracks, producing standout winners like Zaaki, Mr Brightside, and Pride of Jenni. Now calling Flemington home for the next three years, the All-Star Mile is rapidly forging its own legacy.
MR BRIGHTSIDE (NZ)
7YO Brown Gelding – Bullbars – Lilahjay (NZ) (Tavistock (NZ))
Trainers: Ben, JD & Will Hayes
Career: 41 starts: 18-10-3
Prizemoney: $16,528,402
Flemington form: 11 starts: 4-1-2 – Won 2024 G1 VRC Champions Mile (1600m)
Mr Brightside has become a fan favourite, consistently shining in top weight-for-age races. This year, he’ll make history as the first horse to contest four consecutive All-Star Miles. He won in 2023 at The Valley, finished second last year, and placed fourth in 2022 at Caulfield. He thrives over the Flemington mile, claiming back-to-back Crown Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) wins and last year’s VRC Champions Mile (1600m).
VIA SISTINA (IRE)
7YO Bay Mare – Fastnet Rock – Nigh (IRE) (Galileo (IRE))
Trainer: Chris Waller
Career: 21:10-4-3 Prizemoney: $8,584,489
Flemington form: 3 starts: 2-0-0 – Won 2024 G1 TAB Champions Stakes (2000m)
Via Sistina cemented her superstar status last spring with three consecutive Group 1 victories. She kicked off with the TAB Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington, delivered a dominant eight-length win in the Cox Plate (2040m), and capped it off with a commanding TAB Champions Stakes (2000m) triumph. She didn’t lose any admirers with her first-up third in the Apollo Stakes (1400m) behind her stablemate Fangirl at Randwick. If she lines up in the All-Star Mile, she’ll be the one to watch.
PRIDE OF JENNI
7YO Bay Mare – Pride Of Dubai – Sancerre (NZ) (O’Reilly (NZ))
Trainer: Ciaron Maher
Career: 35:8-9-3 Prizemoney: $10,034,490
Flemington form: 11 starts: 2-4-0 – Won 2023 G1 VRC Champions Mile (1600m)
The chances of last year’s All-Star Mile (1600m) winner defending her crown at Flemington seemed unlikely after owner Tony Ottobre announced her retirement following a last-place finish in the 2024 VRC Champions Mile (1600m). However, that changed in early February when it was revealed she was back in work at Ciaron Maher’s stables and nominated for the All-Star Mile. If she returns to her front-running best, her presence will add plenty of intrigue with her signature catch-me-if-you-can tactics.
ANOTHER WIL
5YO Chestnut Gelding – Street Boss (USA) – Arohanui (Bianconi (USA))
Trainer: Ciaron Maher
Career: 14 starts: 9-2-1
Prizemoney: $1,545,550
Flemington form: 2 starts: 2-0-0 – Won 2024 G2 The Damien Oliver (1400m)
Ciaron Maher has long believed that Another Wil belongs among the elite horses in Australia, and he’s well on his way to proving that. His preparation began with a memorable victory over Mr Brightside in the CF Orr Stakes (1400m), securing an automatic spot in the All-Star Mile. Another Wil also boasts a dominant performance at Flemington over 1600m, winning by four-and-a-half lengths in a Benchmark 84 on Howden Australian Guineas Day last year. He’s certainly an emerging star to watch.
FANGIRL
6YO Bay or Brown Mare – Sebring – Little Surfer Girl (Encosta De Lago)
Trainer: Chris Waller
Career: 30 starts: 10-5-5
Prizemoney: $8,928,565
Flemington form: 3 starts: 1-0-1 – 3rd 2024 G1 VRC Champions Mile (1600m)
Fangirl is the beloved star of Sydney racing, though she’s yet to replicate her impressive form in Melbourne, largely due to focusing on racing in her home state. She’s had three starts at Flemington over 1600m, which include a dominant win as a three-year-old, a fourth in the 2023 Champions Mile (1600m), and a third-place finish in the same race last year. She resumed from a spell with a brilliant win in the Apollo Stakes (1400m). That form is certainly strong enough for an All-Star Mile, and trainer Chris Waller has made it clear that he’s determined to win the prestigious race with her.
GROUP 1 YULONG NEWMARKET HANDICAP
(1200M)
The Group 1 Newmarket Handicap boasts a rich history dating back to 1874. As a handicap race, it has produced both legendary champions and stunning upsets, such as Roch ‘N’ Horse’s 100/1 triumph in 2022. Among its most celebrated winners are the unbeaten Black Caviar and the fan-favourite Takeover Target, while past greats like Century, Baguette, and the legendary Bernborough have cemented its place as one of Australia’s most thrilling sprint races. Attracting the quickest horses around, look out for last year’s contenders, and any horses who have been showing great speed and form.
SKYBIRD
4YO Bay Mare – Exosphere – Real Desire (Wanted)
Trainer: Mitch Freedman
Career: 15 starts: 5-1-2 Prizemoney: $1,275,125
Flemington form: 3 starts: 1-1-1 – Won 2025 G1 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m)
Skybird exploded into Newmarket calculations with her amazing win in the Black Caviar Lightning where she sat back and exploded home to give her trainer Mitch Freedman his second Group 1 win. That was meant to be the run which got her ready for the Newmarket.
SWITZERLAND
3YO Bay Colt – Snitzel – Ms Bad Behaviour (CAN) (Blame (USA))
Trainer: Chris Waller
Career: 8 starts: 5-0-0 Prizemoney: $1,868,025
Flemington form: 2 starts: 1-0-0 – Won 2024 G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m)
An exciting three-year-old colt, he dominated his rivals with ease to win the prestigious Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) in impressive fashion. With James McDonald in the saddle, he clocked a fast 1:08.03 for the 1200m, showcasing his exceptional speed. Three-year-olds have claimed four of the past six Newmarket Handicaps, including the last two editions. Notably, both Sunlight (2018) and In Secret (2022) completed the Coolmore Stud Stakes–Newmarket Handicap double, a feat he now aims to replicate.
GROWING EMPIRE
3YO Bay Colt – Zoustar – Miles Of Krishan (Snitzel)
Trainer: Ciaron Maher
Career: 9 starts: 4-2-2
Prizemoney: $2,939,650
Flemington form: 3 starts: 1-0-1 – 3rd 2024 G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m)
A brilliant three-year-old colt whose connections are eager to secure a Group 1 victory—an achievement well within his reach. He was narrowly edged out by Southport Tycoon in the G1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) and followed up with strong third-place finishes in both The Everest (1200m) and the Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) (dead-heat for third). Trainer Ciaron Maher expects him to take a significant step forward this campaign, building on his already impressive performances.
SUNSHINE IN PARIS
5YO Bay Mare – Invader – Zanaida (NZ) (Zabeel (NZ))
Trainers: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald Career: 13 starts: 6-3-1
Prizemoney: $4,957,025 Flemington form: 1 starts: 1-0-0 – Won 2024 G1 Darley Champions Sprint (1200m)
A lightly raced mare who elevated her game to new heights with a stunning victory in last spring’s Darley Champions Sprint (1200m). With James McDonald at his brilliant best, she weaved through the field to claim an impressive win, defeating top-class rivals, including Bella Nipotina. Remarkably, it was her first run down the Flemington straight – a track she clearly relished.
STRETAN ANGEL
4YO Bay Mare – Harry Angel (IRE) – Stretan (Bernadini (USA))
Trainer: Phillip Stokes Career: 14 starts: 2-5-1
Prizemoney: $922,620 Flemington form: 8 starts: 1-2-1 – 2nd 2025 G1 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m)
A straight track specialist, Stretan Angel has proven she can compete at Group 1 level, as shown by her solid performances in her last two starts. She finished 4th in the Darley Champions Sprint (1200m) behind Sunshine In Paris and resumed with a strong second in the Black Caviar Lightning (1000m), where she led briefly before being overtaken by Skybird.
GROUP 1 TAB AUSTRALIAN CUP (2000M)
The Group 1 Australian Cup, first run in 1863, has grown into one of Australia’s most prestigious weight-for-age races. Originally a longdistance handicap, it underwent several distance changes before shifting to weight-for-age conditions in 1979, dramatically increasing prize money and attracting elite competition. This transformation elevated the race’s status, producing an honour roll of champions, including Vo Rogue, Northerly, Makybe Diva, and Saintly. This classic 2000m race often brings together the best middle-distance horses. Key runners will be horses that have excelled in the past couple of months, particularly those with consistent form at the distance.
ATISHU (NZ)
7YO Brown Mare – Savabeel – Posy (NZ) (No Excuse Needed (GB))
Trainer: Chris Waller
Career: 48 starts: 11-8-8
Prizemoney: $5,638,320
Flemington form: 10 starts: 4-2-1 – 2nd 2024 G1 TAB Champions Stakes (2000m)
A proven Flemington performer, Atishu finished second to Via Sistina in the TAB Champions Stakes and third in last year’s TAB Australian Cup. A dual Group 1 winner at Flemington, as well as the Group 2 Blamey Stakes, she resumed with a strong seventh in the Apollo Stakes.
KNIGHT’S CHOICE
5YO Bay Gelding – Extreme Choice – Midnight Pearl (More Than Ready (USA))
Trainers: John Symons & Sheila Laxon
Career: 23 starts: 6-3-2
Prizemoney: $5,842,000
Flemington form: 2 starts: 1-0-0 – Won 2024 G1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m)
Shot to fame with a stunning 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup victory at the longest odds since the miracle win of Prince Of Penzance in 2015. The 2023 Winx Guineas winner started to show his prowess beyond a mile during the 2024 Brisbane winter carnival, placing in the Q22 (2200m) and the Tattersall’s Cup (2400m), before finishing fourth in the Caloundra Cup (2400m) on a heavy track. His win in the 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup over Japanese staying star Warp Speed was a surprise to some, but not to his trainers and loyal connections. His presence in the TAB Australian Cup adds intrigue, while he’ll also line up in the All-Star Mile.
BUCKAROO (GB)
6YO Bay Gelding – Fastnet Rock – Roheryn (IRE) (Galileo (IRE))
Trainer: Chris Waller
Career: 23 starts: 5-4-3
Prizemoney: $2,234,648
Flemington form: 3 starts: 0-1-0 – 2nd 2024 G1 TAB Turnbull Stakes (2000m)
Has flourished since being gelded, winning the Chelmsford and Underwood Stakes. He finished second to Via Sistina in the Turnbull Stakes and then second to Duke De Sessa in the Caulfield Cup, before finishing ninth in the Lexus Melbourne Cup. A major Australian Cup contender.
DUKE DE SESSA (IRE)
6YO Bay Gelding – Lope De Vega (IRE) – Dark Crusader (IRE) (Cape Cross (IRE))
Trainer: Ciaron Maher
Career: 26 starts: 6-2-5
Prizemoney: $3,393,059
Flemington form: 5 starts: 0-0-1 – 4th 2024 G1 TAB Turnbull Stakes (2000m)
Finally delivered on his promise last spring, winning the Caulfield Cup after a strong TAB Turnbull Stakes fourth. He kicked off this campaign with a big first-up win in the Group 3 JRA Plate where he carried 60 kilograms, proving he’s ready for another top-level season.
A FEAST FOR THE SENSES
This March, Flemington isn’t just the home of racing – it’s the home of flavour. Don’t miss your chance to be part of the experience!
BY CELIA PURDEY
Melbourne’s reputation as Australia’s food and wine capital is well earned. From world-class restaurants to hidden laneway bars, the city’s vibrant culinary scene is a defining part of its identity. The Melbourne Food & Wine Festival (MFWF), once again returns to Flemington, bringing the best of Melbourne’s dining culture trackside throughout March, adding an extra layer of indulgence to three premier race days.
MFWF will curate a bespoke food and drinks festival across the Howden Australian Guineas Day (1 March), Super Saturday (8 March), and TAB Australian Cup Day (29 March), transforming the iconic Makybe Diva statue) into a haven of flavour and festivity. Known as ‘FEAST’, this exciting new experience will blend the energy of world-class racing with the rich flavours of Melbourne’s most celebrated restaurants, winemakers, and producers.
Throughout the Flemington Racing Spectacular, members will be treated to an array of exclusive experiences designed to elevate their race day. Across all three race days, a series of Surprise & Delight moments and bespoke offerings will ensure an unforgettable atmosphere. From Happy Hour and vibrant pop-up activations to the indulgent Pamper Lounge and live fashion illustrators capturing race-day elegance, the Members Enclosure will be alive with excitement and luxury.
Imagine this: the thrill of the straight six on Super Saturday, a glass of Victorian sparkling in hand, and a dish crafted by one of Melbourne’s top chefs at your fingertips. Racegoers can enjoy menus designed by renowned restaurants, featuring reimagined racing classics and bold new creations.
Expect favourites like Le Ho Fook’s Wagyu Beef Dumplings and Movida’s Patatas Bravas, long communal dining tables under sweeping
shade sails, and a Festival Bar curated by the Everleigh Bottling Co showcasing the best local drops.
On TAB Australian Cup Day, a special Meet the Maker tasting experience showcases and sells some of Victoria’s finest produce. Sip special wine blends from Scion and Dalzotto, nibble on Chappy Chips and taste a selection of Cheeses from That’s Amore and more. Every bite and sip will reflect the exceptional quality that defines Melbourne’s culinary scene.
‘FEAST’ isn’t just about indulgence –it’s also about atmosphere. Beyond the track, there will be live music, and plenty of opportunities for families to immerse themselves in the festivities. Young racegoers can enjoy interactive experiences on the
Front Lawn, and Phar Lap Club and Junior members can take part in hands-on activities, including the unique Bike & Blend smoothie station, along with a variety of games, arts and crafts, pony rides, and more.
The Melbourne Food & Wine Festival’s presence at Flemington is a natural fit, uniting two of the city’s greatest passions in one spectacular setting. As the front lawns come alive with the sounds, smells, and tastes of Victoria’s finest, racegoers can revel in a true Melbourne moment – one where elite racing and exceptional dining come together in perfect harmony. Whether you’re a racing enthusiast, a dedicated foodie, or simply looking for a unique day out, this fusion of sport and gastronomy offers an experience unlike any other.
Expect favourites like Movida’s Patatas Bravas and Le Ho Fook’s Wagyu Beef Dumplings. Left: Frank Camorra of Movida. Right: Victor Liong of Lee Ho Fook.
SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING EXCITINGLY NEW
Autumn racing at Flemington. The season turns from summer towards mellow days, and the finest thoroughbreds in Australia return to the track.
BY ANDREW LEMON
Mystic Journey made history as the first-ever winner of the All-Star Mile in 2019.
Dubbed the ‘Racing Spectacular’, autumn racing at Flemington boasts a sequence of three top-quality meetings in the space of one month. The feature race of the first day in March is the Group 1 Howden Australian Guineas. A week later comes Super Saturday, with seven Group contests on the 10-race card. The headline acts are The All-Star Mile and the Yulong Newmarket Handicap up the famous Straight Six track. On the final Saturday in March, the big race is the historic TAB Australian Cup, Group 1, over 2000 metres.
What’s new? The rich All-Star Mile becomes a Group 1 race, and is set to remain an autumn fixture at Flemington. It is an exciting weight-for-age contest over 1600 metres. Proven merit, great recent form and precocious emerging talent offer three pathways for horses to secure a place in the field of 16 in this innovative race offering $2.5 million in prizemoney.
While other Flemington feature races in March boast tradition, the All-Star Mile is busily creating its own story. The concept was trialled here in autumn 2019 when Tasmanian filly Mystic Journey took home first prize. In the following years the race has rotated around three city courses, with Zaaki, Mr Brightside and Pride Of Jenni among the winners, brilliant racehorses all.
In contrast, this year sees the 40th running of what is now the Howden Australian Guineas. It is a classic set-weight 1600-metre contest for three-year-old colts, geldings and fillies. The Howden Australian Guineas may just be old enough to be deemed traditional, but it has always been a pointer to the future. The Guineas immediately gained a reputation as a stallion-maker. Its very first four winners all went on to brilliant careers at the stud: True Version, Military Plume, Flotilla and then the extraordinary Zabeel, who sired three Melbourne Cup winners. Later winners who
became top sires include Flying Spur, Al Maher, and the undefeated Reset. Colts have not always had it their own way in the Guineas. Prominent on the list of winners are those superstar geldings, Mahogany, Apache Cat and Alligator Blood. Fillies have also triumphed. The fifth running was taken by Triscay, who accumulated 12 Group races in her career before becoming a successful broodmare. Miss Finland, winner in 2007, uniquely combined this victory with the Golden Slipper and the VRC Oaks. And it was by taking the 2019 Guineas that Mystic Journey earned her place in that inaugural All-Star Mile.
While other Flemington feature races in March boast tradition, the All-Star Mile is busily creating its own story.
The Yulong Newmarket Handicap has a glorious history stretching back much further, to the colonial days of 1874, always up the Straight Six track – the sole exception being 2007 when Miss Andretti triumphed at Caulfield while Flemington’s track was
Zaaki’s triumph in the 2022 All-Star Mile paved the way for a successful spring campaign.
Autumn racing stretches back to the very origins of Flemington. The first races ever held here were over three consecutive days in March.
under reconstruction. As a handicap, the Newmarket has been won both by champions and by long-shots. The mare Roch ‘N’ Horse won at odds of 100/1 in 2022 but proved this was no fluke when she returned in November to beat the brilliant Nature Strip in the Group 1 VRC Sprint on weight-for-age terms.
Foremost among modern Newmarket Handicap champions are the unbeaten Black Caviar, and popular Takeover Target. Back in the 1970s we had Century and Baguette. Etched in history is the 1946 winner, Bernborough. He carried a huge weight, got shuffled back in an enormous field, yet somehow jockey Athol Mulley found a way through. They got up to win in the shadow of the post.
Wind the clock back further, and we have the origins of the TAB Australian Cup. It was first staged in 1863, just two years after the first Melbourne Cup: similar handicap conditions, only a longer race. For much of its 162-year history the Australian Cup was a marathon of more than 3600 metres. The current distance of 2000 metres dates to 1964.
The Australian Cup has been a weightfor-age continuously since 1987 when the New Zealander, Bonecrusher, stormed home. It has served up champions. In recent decades alone we can mention Vo Rogue, who won it twice, Better Loosen Up, Let’s Elope, Saintly, Octagonal, Northerly and of course Makybe Diva. But the names of
1926 Melbourne Cup champion Spearfelt claimed victory in the 1927 Australian Cup. (VRC Collection)
its ancient winners are just as significant to those who love their racing history: Melbourne Cup winners Nimblefoot, Malua, The Parisian and Spearfelt among them. Autumn racing stretches back to the very origins of Flemington. The first races ever held here were over three consecutive days in March, 185 years ago. It was a festival: the excited newspapers thought that half of the small town of Melbourne turned out. The mare Mountain Maid won the feature race, the Town Plate. In those days some horses ran three times in an afternoon. Iron horses.
Times change. Innovation and tradition are the Flemington story. Once again a spectacular Autumn awaits.
Bernborough’s 1946 Newmarket win was legendary – carrying a huge weight, he surged through a packed field to victory. (VRC Collection)
Roch ‘N’ Horse won the Newmarket Handicap in 2022 at odds of 100/1.
YULONG’S WINNING FORMULA
Yulong Investments’ meteoric rise in Australian racing reached new heights at the 2024 Melbourne Cup Carnival, where the bottle-green silks were synonymous with success. Demonstrating their diverse strategies in breeding, purchasing, and racing, Yulong delivered standout performances across Flemington’s four days, solidifying their reputation as a force in the industry.
BY MICHAEL MANLEY
(Images courtesy of Yulong)
Yulong’s facilities are state of the art, with a rich equestrian history.
Mr Yueshang Zhang’s love for horses began in his childhood in Inner Mongolia, where he first handled them. Initially working as a taxi driver before finding his way into coal mining, he later started his own successful business in the industry, which allowed him to branch into the thoroughbred world he holds dear.
In 2013, Mr Zhang attended the Melbourne Cup, and Fiorente’s victory in front of 104,000 spectators ignited his passion for Australian racing. The following year, he purchased a Victorian stud farm, marking the start of his expanding investments in the state. Since then, he has acquired five additional farms in Victoria and stands several stallions at Yulong Stud, including Written Tycoon, supported by potential top sires such as Lucky Vega, Grunt, Alabama Express, Pierata, Panthalassa, Diatonic, and Tagaloa.
Mr Zhang’s operation has grown into a global enterprise, with a stud farm in China and horses racing in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan.
“The vision for what he wants to achieve is incredible. Hopefully we will get bigger and better. It’s a good start and he’s put down a good foundation with his building blocks. We’re starting to see it bear fruit,” said Yulong’s Chief Operating Officer, Sam Fairgray.
Last year, Zhang appointed Godolphin’s Vin Cox as Yulong’s General Manager in Australia, and Fairgray said this was another key chapter in the farm’s evolution. “Vin has been a great asset for the farm. With the way it’s grown and its size now, it was the appointment we needed to help it along. We have horses in Japan, America, England, Ireland, and Hong Kong, so we are branching out.”
In 2013, Mr Zhang attended the Melbourne Cup, and Fiorente’s victory in front of 104,000 spectators ignited his passion for Australian racing.
Yulong horses receive
A key part of their business strategy is to acquire well-performed race mares, improve their records, and then add them to their broodmare band. Kimochi was one such example, and they have recently purchased Magic Time, who will remain with Grahame Begg.
“Our plan is to continue building our stallion roster and ensure our broodmare band remains of the highest quality,” Fairgray said.
Penfolds Victoria Derby Day set the stage for Yulong’s remarkable Carnival, beginning with a resounding success as their homebred three-year-old filly, Treasurethe Moment, who claimed victory in the Group 2 HKJC World Pool Wakeful Stakes (2000m). Adding to their impressive day, their potential stallion prospect, Growing Empire, delivered a strong performance to finish third in the Group 1
Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m).
On Lexus Melbourne Cup Day, the Group 3 Darley Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) was claimed by Tycoon Star, a standout by Yulong’s legendary stallion Written Tycoon. Initially purchased as a weanling, then sold as a yearling, Yulong retained a share in him, reaping the rewards of their foresight. The Schweppervescence Plate (1000m for 3YOs) also went their way, with Manolo Bling, sired by their stallion Grunt and bred on the Nagambie farm, taking the honours.
Crown Oaks Day brought further glory as Treasurethe Moment joined an elite group, becoming the 39th three-year-old filly to complete the Wakeful-Oaks double with an emphatic victory in the feature event.
TAB Champions Stakes Day added another chapter to their success story. Within The Law, a Yulong-bred and sold filly
Yulong provides the perfect environment for its equine residents.
by their stallion Lucky Vega, secured the Inglis Banner (1000m) with a commanding performance.
The crowning moment came when their superstar seven-year-old mare, Via Sistina, cemented her place as Australia’s best horse by winning the Group 1 TAB Champions Stakes (2000m), the perfect finale to a stellar Carnival for Yulong.
In total, Yulong secured six Group 1 victories in Melbourne over the spring. Their star mare Via Sistina claimed two of these before her TAB Champions Stakes triumph, including the TAB Turnbull Stakes (2000m) and the Cox Plate (2040m). They also celebrated success at the elite level with Deny Knowledge in the Might And Power Stakes (2000m) and later added the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield to their tally with Kimochi.
Reflecting on their remarkable achievements, Fairgray described Cup Week at Flemington as “a magic one”.
“You couldn’t have scripted it any better. Everything kept falling into place with a result every day for us. We just kept on enjoying the moments and appreciating the results,” Fairgray said.
“It was just an incredible week. For us to be there and witness it play out so successfully knowing how racing can play out it was magical. We sat back and enjoyed it.”
Fairgray remarked that the success Yulong experienced at Flemington was a fitting reward for their meticulous planning and a testament to Mr Zhang’s visionary leadership. He added that while they would continually strive for such results, achievements of this magnitude could not be expected every year.
You couldn’t have scripted it any better. Everything kept falling into place with a result every day for us. We just kept on enjoying the moments and appreciating the results.
“We’re all working hard. With the homebreds, we’ve reared them and given them the best opportunity to perform on the track,” Fairgray said. “Then there’s Via Sistina, who we bought, brought her out here, and gave to Chris Waller, who has improved her. He’s figured out how to get the best out of her, and now she’s one of the best horses in the world.”
Via Sistina is ranked the secondbest horse in the world and the world’s best mare, with a rating of 127 in the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities’ world rankings.
Her success highlights Yulong’s global reach and financial strength, as they purchased the Group 1-winning mare for $5.4 million from the United Kingdom in late 2023.
Fairgray attributed these impressive results to Mr Zhang’s vision and his patience in carefully developing his strategies.
“Mr Zhang has been building the blocks for us to be successful. You make sure you’re continually building and placing a strong foundation for the future, and that’s what we’ve done. I started working for him seven years ago, and I knew straight away he was in it for the long term. He just loves the horses and being on the farm, and he has an outstanding knowledge of horses and the industry worldwide. He knows everything that’s going on around the world. We’ve got a good foundation, and now we just want to keep improving. We’ve started to see the benefits of this approach. What transpired at Flemington was a great achievement and reward for the effort everyone puts in year-round here. In some ways, the perfect result was Treasurethe Moment’s Oaks win, as she is from the first crop of our stallion, Alabama Express. That’s the result of Mr Zhang’s program at the farm, as we’ve bred her and reared her. We own the stallion and the dam, so it was a special result.”
Another step in Yulong’s evolution, Fairgray explained, is racing and developing their own stallion in Australia, with faith placed in Zoustar’s son, the three-year-old colt Growing Empire.
Growing Empire, who was placed twice at Group 1 level during the spring, was set by Ciaron Maher for the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) and the Group 1 Yulong Newmarket Handicap (1200m).
“If we could get Growing Empire to win the Yulong Newmarket Handicap, that would be a special achievement and set him up as a stallion for us.”
Fairgray also mentioned that Via Sistina had returned to work and had bounced back well from her spring campaign.
Reflecting on Yulong’s success at Flemington, Fairgray said it was a dream come true.
“It was a magic week, but we’re remaining very level-headed. It would be great if it happened again. We enjoyed it, but we will keep our heads down and keep working hard so we can achieve results like that in the future. It makes us hungrier for more success.”
Yulong is poised to go from strength to strength, building on the success from 2024 Cup Week.
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AUTUMN ARRIVES IN FLEMINGTON’S GARDENS
As the leaves begin to turn and the crisp autumn weather settles in, the Flemington Racecourse gardens remain as vibrant as ever, thanks to the meticulous care and planning of Mick Ryan, Head of Grounds and Gardens, and his dedicated team. With a commitment to maintaining one of the most spectacular landscapes in the country, the team is hard at work keeping the racecourse in full bloom, even as the seasons shift.
BY CELIA PURDEY
At Flemington, the thrill of worldclass racing is matched only by the beauty of its iconic gardens. Each season brings a new chapter in the landscape’s evolution, and at the heart of it all is Head of Grounds and Gardens, Mick Ryan, whose passion and vision for the precinct is inspiring. With 16,500 roses already flourishing, Flemington boasts the largest public rose garden in the Southern Hemisphere – but Mick has his sights set even higher. His ambitious strategy will see that number grow to 20,000 roses by 2030, ensuring the racecourse remains a botanical masterpiece and maintains its mantle for years to come.
That vision requires meticulous planning. Right now, every rose bud left behind after a spectacular spring has been pruned, allowing the plants to rest before their next spectacular bloom. Mick’s team has precisely timed the rose cycle to ensure peak colour in time for Howden Australian Guineas Day and Super Saturday, just six to seven weeks away. With no colour currently in the beds, patience and expert care will soon deliver a dazzling transformation.
It’s not just the roses getting attention. More than 3,000 hydroponic plants have been replaced in preparation for the upcoming race days, swapping out the petunias of spring for the hardier and more vibrant calibrachoa. This process isn’t left to chance – Mick personally visits the nursery to hand-pick the best varieties, ensuring a balanced mix of colours that will last through to winter. As the cooler months arrive, these will be replaced with pansies, before the cycle begins again with a return to petunias for spring.
The past summer has been particularly challenging, with long stretches of dry heat and minimal rainfall placing extra demands on the team. The roses, in particular, require careful feeding, and with no natural rainfall to help, liquid fertiliser is applied twice a week, supported by extensive hand watering – a massive job but an essential one to keep the blooms at their best.
Beyond the main garden beds, the rose arbour continues to grow and improve,
although the weather has not always been kind. The eastern end of the course is more windswept, presenting additional challenges, but Mick’s team is working to strengthen plantings in these exposed areas. The iconic winning post will also undergo a refresh, ensuring it remains as stunning as the racing action in front of it.
With world-class racing set against a backdrop of evolving seasonal beauty, the Flemington gardens remain a source of pride for members and a highlight for all who visit. Next time you’re at the track, take a moment to wander the grounds, breathe in the fragrance of the roses, and appreciate the craftsmanship behind every bloom. The magic of Flemington’s gardens is only growing stronger.
Mick Ryan (pictured left) ensures Flemington is vibrant and in full bloom in preparation for autumn racing.
A LEVEL PLAYING FIELD
While racing powerhouses usually dominate headlines, the 2024 Melbourne Cup Carnival proved there’s room for all to shine, with victories shared across a spectrum of stories. With wins spanning 21 stables, the Carnival celebrated not just the giants of racing but also the grit and ambition of the sport’s emerging talents.
BY BRAD WATERS
Above: Garachico delivered a crucial win for Dominic Sutton’s career, marking a thrilling milestone in his ascent through the training ranks. Opposite page: L Jamie Melham and Ciaron Maher were emotional after Another Wil won on Penfolds Victoria Derby Day. R: James McDonald, who rode 11 winners across 2024 Cup Week.
November’s Melbourne Cup Carnival yet again served to propel Australian racing’s ecosystem to prominence on the world stage for one of the great weeks on the sporting calendar.
Racing’s ecosystem is like that of a rainforest.
Iconic stables as the Chris Waller or Ciaron Maher operations stand tallest, like trees that have stood for centuries throwing shadows across the ground or diverting rainfall under which smaller plants, or stables in racing’s case, can thrive enough to grow into powerful camps themselves.
Waller and Maher won 11 of the 37 races at the 2024 Melbourne Cup Carnival. Their haul was impressive as usual, but another 21 stables had their turn in the spotlight with triumphs during Australia’s greatest week of racing.
Few Melbourne Cup wins have been as unforgettable as Knight’s Choice’s triumph.
Punters did not see it coming, letting the gelding start at $91, but the Sunshine Coast-trained five-year-old narrowly prevailed over Japanese runner Warp Speed in one of the sport’s biggest shocks. Sheila Laxon had already won a Melbourne Cup with the wonderful mare Ethereal in 2001, but her husband and training partner John Symons had his greatest win after more than 40 years in the game.
A former painter in Seymour before taking up training, Symons trained super sprinter Bel Esprit, the sire of the late, great Black Caviar, but had never gone close to winning the Melbourne Cup.
Irish-born jockey Robbie Dolan completed the jubilant quartet, adding to Melbourne Cup folklore by steering Knight’s Choice to his win.
“I love it being done for the Australians,” Laxon said. “The Australian horse has done it and Robbie’s Australian now as well. It’s the People’s Cup and that’s what it’s all about.”
Lexus Melbourne Cup Day also provided groundbreaking wins for South Australian trainer Michael Hickmott and Kynetonbased Liam Howley, who also posted their first Melbourne Cup Carnival wins.
Howley had the services of star jockey James McDonald for his winner Opening Address while accomplished rider Joe Bowditch guided the Hickmott-trained Fancify to an all-the-way win.
Opening Address and Fancify were well in the betting, but young horseman Dominic Sutton completed an impressive training performance to win the Australian Heritage Cup with the $61 chance Garachico.
Sutton narrowly missed his maiden Group 1 win when second with Feroce in the Caulfield Guineas, but Garachico provided the English-born trainer with a vital win for his fledgling career.
“This is everything. It has been a sort of fast rise coming through the training ranks, and to be able to have this calibre of horses to bring to the races on days like (Melbourne Cup Day), it is just an unbelievable thrill,” Sutton said.
“You can’t ask for a bigger stage to do it on and to be competing against the biggest names as well is just a fantastic thrill for everyone.”
As for the autumn, Sutton will see Feroce line up in the Group 1 Howden Australian Guineas on 1 March.
Winning on the Melbourne Cup Carnival stage could propel trainers such as Sutton, Hickmott and Howley to bigger prizes. Howley won two Group 1 races when he trained privately for seven-time Melbourne Cup-winning owner Lloyd Williams before developing a strong team of his own.
The Melbourne Cup Carnival is situated about nine weeks before Australia’s first premier yearling sale of the year, the Magic Millions sale at the Gold Coast, which heralds the start of Australasia’s sales season. Therefore, it is vital for these stables to be successful in highprofile periods to attract the attention of prospective owners looking to invest in bloodstock.
Michael Hickmott was South Australia’s leading buyer at the Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale in January, spending $3.17 million on nine yearlings, including a $900,000 filly by The Autumn Sun, a $700,000 Frankel filly, and a $500,000 Snitzel colt.
Nearly all trainers start with small teams, many of the horses being tried gallopers from other stables, normally bought online in modern times.
Chris Waller and Ciaron Maher started with almost nothing and have worked to become two of the world’s great trainers,
showing the benefits of experience and solid groundings in their early years.
The art of training racehorses has been handed down through generations in a similar fashion to social cultures around the world over thousands of years. Trainers learn their craft from those against whom they later compete on the racetrack.
Sutton worked for Waller when he arrived in Australia, Howley learned from Melbourne Cup-winning trainers Lee Freedman and John Sadler on his path to opening his own stable and Hickmott learned his craft from his father John and older brother Robert, who won two Melbourne Cups for Lloyd Williams.
For jockeys, it is a bit different. They learn while competing against established champions such as James McDonald and Jamie Melham from the outset of their careers.
McDonald again set the bar impossibly high for his rivals with a record 11 wins during the 2024 Melbourne Cup Carnival, including four wins in the last five races on Stakes Day. The superstar’s haul could have been even bigger with McDonald posting another 10 minor placings.
Apprentices such Celine Gaudray and Jaylah Kennedy had a first-hand lesson in their craft riding against McDonald, even having the thrill of beating him home in their respective races. In December, Kennedy claimed her first stakes victory with a perfectly timed ride aboard Berkeley Square in the Listed Ballarat Cup, reuniting with trainer Dan O’Sullivan to secure their hometown feature.
McDonald, who was crowned the 2024 Longines World’s Best Jockey for the second time, showed the level that his rivals needed to reach to match him during Lexus Melbourne Cup week. The kids have the tough task of getting into McDonald’s hemisphere in carnivals to come.
Top: Michael Hickmott with Fancify after their win in the Group 3 The Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes during Cup Week. Above: Chris Waller is a powerhouse of Australian racing and no stranger to Flemington success.
SUPERSTAR HORSE OF THE YEAR AT TWO
Exceptional. With no exception...
RATED THE WORLD’S BEST HORSE
UNBEATEN JUVENILE AND CLASSIC WINNER
Multiple G1-winning superstars – each of them every bit as hot as Too Darn Hot. Their f irst yearlings must be seen.
VICTOR LUDORUM
PALACE PIER
Designer Victoria Cananzi with a model wearing her winning design at the 2024 Fashions on the Field.
SHAPING THE FUTURE
Whitehouse Institute of Design student Victoria Cananzi stole the spotlight in the 2024 Fashions on the Field Emerging Designer Award with her stunning silk, backless dress featuring a boned bodice – a design so elegant and polished it earned her the $48,000 prize package, including an immersive experience with Vogue Japan.
BY CELIA PURDEY
The 2024 Emerging Designer Award at the Melbourne Cup Carnival celebrated a new wave of talent in Australian fashion, with Victoria Cananzi firmly in the spotlight. Her winning creation, a silk yoryu and sheer organza backless dress with a meticulously structured boned bodice, captivated the judges with its delicate balance of innovation and timeless elegance.
Cananzi’s collection, Dulce, is an introspective exploration of womanhood, authenticity, and raw beauty. “The collection delves into the progression of authenticity and veracity in the expression of womanhood,” she explains. “Through elements of textural contrast and fluidity through drape, it explores the hyper fixation on feminine appearance rather than the charm in raw beauty and innovative simplicity. The objective is to evoke deep emotional resonance and to awaken a sense of familiarity in the true essence of what it means to be a woman.”
Her backless silk dress, the standout piece, embodies this ethos perfectly, blending structured and fluid elements to express both strength and softness. “My greatest challenge was achieving harmony between my structured boned bodice and the fluid elements within my backless dress design,” Cananzi reflects.
Drawing inspiration from the natural world, Cananzi translates organic forms and textures into her garments, seamlessly weaving them into classic yet innovative
designs. “The natural world inspires my thoughtful consideration in textural elements, organic forms, and my take on raw beauty. Reimagining traditional silhouettes challenges the fine line between classic organic drape and experimentation with structural forms,” she says.
The recognition from Vogue Australia marks a pivotal moment in her burgeoning career. “It feels surreal,” Cananzi says. “Acknowledgement from Vogue Australia feels like a leap in the right direction for my future within the fashion industry and a true honour that I’m beyond grateful to be a part of.”
Cananzi credits her studies at the Whitehouse Institute of Design for shaping her approach. “I’ve discovered that innovation isn’t always the boldest, brightest design feature,” she says. “Oftentimes, innovation prioritises a garment’s versatility and resonance with the ever-evolving landscape of day-to-day wearability. I ground my designs in classic silhouettes while exploring modern textures and techniques that push commercial womenswear.”
The designer was encouraged to enter the Emerging Designer Award by her mentors. “I entered the competition feeling a strong sense of warmth from a community that I knew understood my vision,” she said..
For aspiring designers, Cananzi has one piece of advice: “Stay true to you. The advice of your mentors and industry connections will push you to challenge ideas that only time and experience can gift you, however, it is important to listen to and trust the designer voice within. You guide this journey. Allow others to help you, but allow yourself to guide you.”
A FULL-CIRCLE MOMENT
Milliner Kathryn Lee triumphed in the 2024 prestigious Lillian Frank AM MBE Millinery Award, securing Australia’s top accolade for headwear design. Her standout creation, the ‘It Girl’ hat, earned her a $5,000 cash prize within a prize pool exceeding $37,000, along with an editorial feature in Vogue Australia.
BY CELIA PURDEY
Kathryn Lee and her model after winning the 2024 Lillian Frank AM MBE Millinery Award.
Kathryn Lee’s winning design was an homage to the 1960s, a decade she describes as having a “beautiful resurgence” in contemporary fashion. From the collections of luxury houses like Chanel and Celine to the racks of high-street shops, the bold aesthetics of the era inspired Lee’s ‘It Girl’ hat.
Her creative process centred on handdyed vintage viscose in a signature candy pink shade, complemented by intricate couture beading techniques. The addition of semi-precious stones – Malaysian jade, rose quartz, and moonstone – brought an organic quality to the design. “I was drawn to incorporating precious stones that aren’t perfect but more rustic in nature. They paired beautifully with the traditional glass and seed beads, elevating the design to another level,” she says.
Lee’s meticulous craftsmanship is evident in every detail, including the 35 hours of hand-beading required for the hat. Despite the labour-intensive nature of the task, she recalls the process fondly: “It was a labour of love, but the real challenge lay in working
with the semi-precious stones – their weight meant careful consideration of distribution, and knowing when to stop adding more was crucial.”
The ‘It Girl’ hat encapsulates a spirit of individuality, which Lee believes every woman deserves on race day. She describes the hat as having “a definite helmetlike quality, but with all the glamour and sophistication of the 1960s”, embodying the liberation and independence that defined the era. “The ‘It Girl’ is like wearing your own piece of armour, standing out in a bold and striking way,” she explains.
Winning the Lillian Frank Millinery Award holds a personal significance for Lee, who began her career at the Lillian Frank Toorak salon as a teenager. “This is a full-circle moment,” she shares. Professionally, the recognition offers a platform to expand her label and explore new opportunities. “The Vogue editorial feature is a pinnacle moment in my career, allowing me to share my story and modern vintage aesthetic with a wider audience.”
Lee also reflects on the evolving art of
millinery, noting a delicate balance between tradition and contemporary innovation. While millinery has simplified in step with fashion trends, she values the traditions preserved through racing fashion. “These traditions help preserve our beautiful craft from being diluted and lost,” she observes.
Her advice to aspiring milliners is equally rooted in authenticity and resilience. “Push yourself outside your comfort zone and don’t second-guess yourself – it’s such a waste of time.”
For those considering entering the competition, Lee emphasises confidence and originality: “Be authentic in your design. You’ll do your best work when it truly reflects who you are.”
Ultimately, Lee views millinery as a powerful tool for self-expression. “Millinery is an extension of your personality,” she says. “Whether it’s a simple headband or a showstopping piece of art, it says a lot about who you are. The wonderful thing is that this can change on any given day, depending on who you want to be and how you want to be perceived.”
ROY HIGGINS’ LASTING LEGACY
Roy Higgins, one of Australia’s greatest jockeys, left an indelible mark on the racing world. His legacy lives on through the Roy Higgins Quality on Australian Cup Day, a race that offers a coveted golden ticket into the Lexus Melbourne Cup for the victorious
Born in Koondrook, Victoria on 5 June 1938, Roy Higgins was raised in Deniliquin, NSW, where he took an apprenticeship in 1953 to local horse trainer Jim Watters. After establishing himself in the country he headed to Melbourne where he began a legendary career.
• Riding 2,312 winners, including 108 Group 1 winners.
• Winning the Melbourne Jockey’s Premiership 11 times, his first in the 1964/65 season.
• Winning the Melbourne Cup twice on Light Fingers (1965) and Red Handed (1967), two Cox Plates on Sir Dane (1974) and Gunsynd (1972), a Caulfield Cup on Big Philou (1969) and two Golden Slippers on Storm Queen (1966) and Tontonan (1973), as well as the Victoria Derby four times and the VRC Oaks five times.
• Becoming an inaugural inductee into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2001 and being made patron in 2006.
• Commentating on TV and radio following his retirement in 1984.
• Helping to establish Northern Lodge, Northern Melbourne institute of TAFE’s educational thoroughbred breeding property, where he was a respected mentor and advisor. He also formed the Roy Higgins and Wylie Dalziel Racing syndication company.
• Valued contributor and ambassador for the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour.
As well as the Roy Higgins Quality, Roy is remembered at Flemington with a bronze statue near the Hill Gate entrance.
Jockey Roy Higgins returns to scale with racehorse ‘Light Fingers’ after winning the 1965 Melbourne Cup. (Clive MacKinnon /Newspix)