Held at Luminare in South Melbourne, the Aug. 1 Victorian Breeding Awards celebrated the breeders, farms, stallions, broodmares, and industry participants behind another successful and eventful year for Victoria's Thoroughbred sector.
Coolmore's burgeoning stallion Home Affairs produced a huge opening season as he conquered all in the first-season sires' category—and also finished narrowly runner-up in the 2-year-old table.
Ted Noffey, the 2025 Eclipse champion 2-year-old male, returned to Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher's barn at Saratoga Race Course Aug. 2 as he prepares for a fall campaign.
With the goal still to defend her title in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T), Shisospicy recorded her first breeze Aug. 2 after being sidelined with an illness in May.
Todd Pletcher is hoping history will repeat itself as he plans to use the Jim Dandy (G2) as a springboard to the Travers Stakes (G1) with Renegade. Second-place finisher Commandment is under consideration for the Travers or Pennsylvania Derby (G1).
Blue Bolt continued her unbeaten season with a victory in the Prix Rothschild (G1) at Deauville, Aug. 2, a second group 1 victory of the summer as she confirmed the Falmouth form by again defeating Precise.
Monty Roberts, the renowned "horse whisperer" who bought and sold a dual Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (G1) winner and became a friend of the late Queen, died Aug. 1 at his farm in California. He was 91.
Japan's premier yearling auction, the HBA Summer Yearling Sale, has cataloged 1,406 yearlings for its upcoming event Aug. 17-22 in Shizunai. Essential Quality and Dr. Schivel are among the American stallions represented.