Melbourne Cup

Over the last week Australasian studs have begun to release their stallion fees for 2020, including for a number of shuttle stallions from Europe. The skies, however, have been notably light on air traffic since the coronavirus pandemic sent many nations into lockdown, and that has included a vast reduction in flights carrying horses. The breeding side of the racing business has thankfully been able to carry on largely unaffected. Under strict sanitary rules, broodmares have still been able to be transported for covering, and there is some reassurance of...

The 2017 Melbourne Cup winner Rekindling (GB) (High Chaparral {Ire}) has returned from Australia to his former trainer Joseph O'Brien. Now six, the stallion was originally retired from racing last August and his owner Lloyd Williams announced at the time that he would stand at stud in Europe. Rekindling did not reappear in action until 16 months after his most famous victory, and he finished last of 15 runners in the G1 Australian Cup at Flemington in March 2019 when trained by Liam Howley. Now back at O'Brien's stable at...