Daily Racing News: Saffie Osborne makes history on Highwayman

Sun Goddess demolishes them in the Moyglare

Sun Goddess produced a breathtaking performance to destroy her rivals in the Group 1 Moyglare Stakes at the Curragh, Ireland.

The victory gave champion trainer Aidan O'Brien his 12th win in the race, with Sun Goddess stamping herself as another potential star from the Ballydoyle production line.

Scandinavia makes it five Group 1s in a row

Scandinavia continues to build an extraordinary staying record after adding the Group 1 Irish St Leger to his growing collection.

The star stayer has now won five consecutive Group 1s, ranging from 2800m to 4000m – the 2025 Goodwood Cup, 2025 St Leger, 2026 Gold Cup, 2026 Goodwood Cup and 2026 Irish St Leger.

Scandinavia is now unbeaten in his past eight starts.

Osborne makes history aboard Melbourne Cup-bound Highwayman

Saffie Osborne created British racing history at Doncaster, becoming the first female jockey to ride a British Classic winner when Highwayman powered to victory in the Group 1 St Leger (2900m).

The victory also stamped the Joseph O'Brien-trained three-year-old as a serious Melbourne Cup contender, with O'Brien chasing his third victory in Australia's greatest race.

"I'm in shock," an emotional Osborne said after the win. "I burst into tears."

Blinkers an option for Jimmysstar in Manikato

Jimmysstar wore blinkers to win his Cranbourne jumpout on Monday morning as Ciaron Maher considers a gear change for the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m).

"We popped some blinkers on him today, just to see," Maher said.

With Jimmysstar dropping back to 1200m for the Manikato, Maher believes it could be the right opportunity to race him in the blinkers.

Half Yours ready to improve sharply

Reigning Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours might have finished sixth behind Sheza Alibi in Saturday's Makybe Diva Stakes, but connections couldn't have been happier with his return.

Jockey Jamie Melham believes the gelding is already much further forward this preparation and expects significant improvement next start.

"Very happy, couldn't fault him," Melham said.

Tony and Calvin McEvoy were equally encouraged, particularly by the way Half Yours worked through the line.

The Next Episode back on track

Ciaron Maher believes The Next Episode is "definitely" among the leading contenders for the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes after a much-improved trial on Monday morning.

Maher had been disappointed with the colt's previous trial, but Mark Zahra reported a much better feel this time around.

The Next Episode is now back on track to resume in the Danehill Stakes at Flemington on October 3, with the Coolmore his major spring target.

Pride Of Jenni flies at Cranbourne

Star mare Pride Of Jenni was a big winner of the opening jumpout at Cranbourne on Monday morning as she builds towards her spring return.

She remains on track to resume in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes at Caulfield on September 27, where a potential clash with Mr Brightside awaits.

Mr Brightside cleared to continue spring campaign

There is good news for Mr Brightside, with the 10-time Group 1 winner given the all-clear following his disappointing Makybe Diva Stakes performance.

The nine-year-old pulled up lame in his right hind after finishing seventh behind Sheza Alibi, but subsequent examinations found no significant issue.

"It's all good news, the horse is absolutely fine, no problem at all and we will continue on with his prep," co-trainer Ben Hayes said.

Purton wastes no time in Hong Kong title defence

Zac Purton has made another flying start in Hong Kong, riding a double at Sha Tin on Sunday as he chases an extraordinary 10th jockeys' championship.

Purton has now ridden a double at each of the opening three meetings of the 2026/27 season as he targets a sixth consecutive premiership.

Seven internationals enter quarantine for Melbourne

The international picture for this year's Melbourne Spring Carnival is becoming clearer, with seven horses entering pre-export quarantine in the UK and Ireland.

Joseph O'Brien has Kizlyar, Omni Man, Small Fry and Starford, while Roger Varian's Enfjaar, Harry Charlton's Wine Dark Sea and Ciaron Maher's Point Of Law have also entered quarantine.

All seven hold nominations for both the $6 million Caulfield Cup and $10 million Melbourne Cup and have passed Racing Victoria's required veterinary protocols to this point.

Treasurethe Moment cleared after Makybe Diva flop

Treasurethe Moment has been fully vetted after finishing last in Saturday's Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes, with no issue detected.

The Yulong camp will continue to monitor the star mare and train on before making a decision on the next stage of her preparation, with her welfare the priority.

$10 million mare Barnavara sent for a spell

Yulong's Group 1-winning mare Barnavara will not race again during the Spring Carnival.

The $10 million import has been sent for a spell and will be reassessed ahead of a possible autumn campaign.

Sheza Alibi's spring path takes shape

Sheza Alibi has two potential routes to the Golden Eagle following her dominant Makybe Diva Stakes victory.

Trainer Peter Moody says the superstar mare could head to the Might And Power Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on October 10 before the Golden Eagle, or instead trial and head directly to the $10 million race.

At this stage, there are no plans for either the King Charles III Stakes or Cox Plate.

She's A Hustler chasing Caulfield Cup

She's A Hustler is being aimed at the Group 1 Caulfield Cup on October 17 following her fifth placing in the Makybe Diva Stakes.

Her next assignment will be the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington on October 3, before potentially stepping up to the 2400m of the Caulfield Cup.

Zac Lloyd lands Well Written ride for Epsom

Zac Lloyd has secured the ride on unbeaten New Zealand star Well Written for her Australian debut in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap at Randwick on October 3.

Lloyd replaces Matthew Cartwright, who has partnered the Stephen Marsh-trained mare to seven wins from seven starts, including the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas and Group 1 Proisir Plate.

Connections have opted for a leading Sydney-based jockey for the $1.5 million Epsom, giving this year's Golden Slipper-winning rider another major Group 1 opportunity.

Makybe Diva Stakes Day wrap

Trent Masenhelder and Nigel Carmody wrap up a massive Makybe Diva Stakes Day at Flemington, headlined by another brilliant performance from Sheza Alibi.