Regal Zeus Puts On a Cup Day Clinic

What a day for the team behind Regal Zeus, whom delivered a dominant and utterly professional performance to claim the 2025 Bet365 Kilmore Cup in style.

From the moment the gates opened, Zeus showed his intentions.

He jumped cleanly, took control, and rolled straight to the lead.

With no interruptions, no pressure, and every stride taken on his terms, the result began to feel inevitable long before they turned for home.

Daniel Stackhouse rated him to perfection, allowing Zeus to build a strong yet economical rhythm.

His ears were pricked, his action smooth, and his confidence unmistakable as he handled the tight-turning Kilmore circuit like a greyhound — agile, balanced, and absolutely thriving.

By the time the field reached the 600m, the challengers were already in trouble.

Stackhouse shifted him to the better ground on the bend, asked for an effort at the top of the straight, and Zeus responded exactly as he does when he’s at his best:

he lengthened, he controlled, and he broke their hearts.

The final margin — four lengths — reflected just how dominant he was.

The post-race comments said it all:

• “Never in doubt.”
• “Bolts in.”
• “Complete control from start to finish.”

This victory marks another feature win for the son of Zoustar, whom earlier claimed the Golden Mile at Bendigo and continues to build an impressive résumé of high-level performances.

Despite an up-and-down preparation, trainer John Mardle produced Zeus in perfect order, proving once again what a tough, consistent, and reliable horse he is for his connections.

Another Cup in the bag. Another special chapter written.

Onwards and upwards with this genuine star of the stable.

You can watch Regal Zeus’ win at Kilmore here.

Regal Tycoon Breaks Through in Style

At Kyneton today, Regal Tycoon stormed home to score by 2.25 lengths in Race 4, confirming what we’ve always known: she’s a genuine class mare on the rise.

From the moment the gates opened, everything went perfectly to plan.

Jamie Mott jumped cleanly from barrier five and immediately positioned Regal Tycoon in the coveted “one-one” spot, just outside the leader Tapo.

Despite pre-race talk suggesting a hot early tempo, it never eventuated.

Tapo led comfortably, with Regal Tycoon travelling beautifully throughout.

Jamie allowed her to relax through the middle stages before asking for her effort on turning for home — and she delivered with a devastating kick.

She cruised past Tapo at the 200m and powered clear for a convincing win.

Regal Tycoon Breaks Through in Style

1. Perfect Tactical Ride
Jamie’s ride was superb. He anticipated the pattern early, took the initiative to find the ideal position, and controlled the race tempo from there. Regal Tycoon relaxed beautifully and responded powerfully when asked.

2. Race Shape Suited
The race ran almost a second slower than the earlier benchmark event — perfect for our mare. It allowed her to conserve energy and unleash her turn of foot late.

3. Second-Up Fitness Edge
She took good improvement from her first-up run at Bendigo, where she was narrowly beaten. That outing brought her to peak condition, and today she showed the benefit of that fitness.

Post-Race Reflections

Jamie Mott was glowing in his post-race comments:

“She went terrific first up, just missed, and she’d improved into today.

Today looked like a really nice race for her… when I was able to come back off the leader she switched off great and cruised through those middle stages.

Once we did that, I was confident she’d give me a kick — and she kicked really well.”

He added:

“She’s so consistent, she’s never run a bad race… and like her brother, I think she’ll keep improving each preparation.”

Trainer’s Notes

Today’s performance confirmed that she’s taken the next step and is capable of progressing through the grades with confidence.

What’s Next

Regal Tycoon has pulled up in terrific order and will likely head toward another benchmark race in the coming weeks, with placement to ensure she continues building on this excellent early spring form.

Summary

Regal Tycoon’s consistency, composure, and class were on full display, and her connections can look forward to an exciting campaign ahead.

A big congratulations once again to all owners — your patience and faith have been richly rewarded.

You can watch Regal Tycoon’s Win at Kyneton here.

Leads from Start to Finish in a Display of Pure Class

What a super win by Brave Star!

Isn’t it amazing what a little give in the ground and a better barrier can do?

Returning to his beloved heavy conditions at Mount Gambier, Brave Star reminded everyone of just how potent he can be when the cards fall his way.

From the moment the gates opened, Brave Star was switched on.

Caitlyn Jones gave him a perfect ride, allowing him to stride to the lead comfortably and set a steady tempo.

Once he found his rhythm in front, the race was as good as over.

Turning for home, Caitlyn had a lapful of horse, and when she asked him to go at the 200m, Brave Star surged clear with real authority.

He kicked away strongly under 62kg to win by a commanding three lengths – a performance that never looked in doubt.

It was a return to the form we saw last winter when Brave Star strung together multiple wins on rain-affected going.

This campaign has been plagued by firm tracks and wide barriers, but back on a genuinely heavy surface with a kinder draw, he showed exactly what he’s capable of.

His record on heavy tracks now stands at seven starts for five wins – a true specialist when the rain comes.

Post-race, stable representative Mattie Sanders echoed what many of us were thinking: the horse had simply been waiting for the right conditions.

“He’s been stiff this prep – bad barriers, firm tracks. But today, he got the wet ground he loves and showed what he can really do,” Mattie said.

Caitlyn Jones, who gets along with Brave Star beautifully, added,

“He just travelled so kindly. I felt like I was a passenger most of the way. When I asked him to extend, he gave me everything. There was still a lot left in the tank.”

Credit must also go to the team at home who had Brave Star looking immaculate in the yard.

Despite the colder conditions, he paraded with a glowing coat and was clearly thriving.

This victory was the product of patience, placement, and teamwork—and of course, a horse with plenty of natural ability.

With winter now in full swing, we’ll look to keep Brave Star in similar conditions and target the right races while the wet tracks hold.

There’s every reason to believe he can string together more wins this prep if things continue to fall into place.

Congratulations to all Brave Star owners on a terrific result. He’s back in business—and back doing what he does best.

You can watch Brave Star’s Win at Mount Gambier here.

Regal Azmon Stuns Morphettville with Explosive Group 3 Victory

On Saturday at Morphettville, Regal Azmon delivered a performance that will be talked about for a long time.

In the Group 3 Hahn Cummings Stakes, he defied a tough race shape, serious weight disadvantages, and pre-race market drift to unleash one of the most explosive finishes we’ve seen this season.

Settling at the rear of the field as the leaders controlled a steady mid-race tempo, Regal Azmon looked to have it all against him.

The early pace didn’t suit backmarkers, and with rivals like Aaron Bay enjoying massive weight swings in their favour, the form experts were siding elsewhere.

But we had a plan and  jockey Lachlan Neindorf stuck to it.

Neindorf rode with supreme confidence.

“He’s a bit of a quirky horse — he just wants to be left alone early. Once he gets that space, he can really launch,” he said. And launch he did. At the 400-metre mark, Regal Azmon was still near last and facing a wall of horses.

But once he peeled out into clear air, he let rip with a jaw-dropping turn of foot, storming past the field and swallowing them up in a matter of strides.

“From the clouds, if you don’t mind!” roared the race caller as Regal Azmon surged to the lead.

It was a performance that stunned punters and silenced doubters — the kind of win that leaves even seasoned professionals shaking their heads in admiration.

Trainer Phillip Stokes was understandably thrilled with the result, and proud of the journey the horse has taken.

“He’s gone to another level. He’s lightly raced for a rising eight-year-old, and has come back from a tendon injury better than ever,” he said.

“Huge thanks to Lee Everson for the rehab — this win is as much his as it is ours.”

The magnitude of the moment wasn’t lost on the team.

To win a race named in honour of the legendary Bart Cummings is a privilege in itself — but to do it in such dominant fashion made the achievement even sweeter.

Regal Azmon didn’t just win — he did it with style, character, and class.

There’s now talk of a freshen-up, with the Brisbane winter carnival under consideration.

Nothing is confirmed, but one thing is certain: Regal Azmon has stamped himself as a genuine stakes-class galloper with more to come.

A huge thank you goes to Phillip Stokes and his brilliant team, and to Lachlan Neindorf for a perfectly judged ride under pressure.

And to our loyal owners — thank you for your patience and trust. Wins like this are what make the journey so worthwhile.

This was special. This was Regal Azmon.

You can watch Regal Azmon’s Win at Morphettvile. 

Regal Azmon Unleashes Explosive Finish to Win at Morphettville

At Morphettville on Saturday, Regal Azmon stamped himself as a horse on the rise with a breathtaking win in the Croser Open Handicap over 1600m — showcasing the kind of will to win and explosive talent that every owner dreams of.

Jumping cleanly from the barriers, jockey Lachlan Neindorf allowed Regal Azmon to settle in the back third of the field, keeping him relaxed as the early speed proved genuine.

However, the pace noticeably slackened mid-race as leaders France’s Boy and Air Assault looked to stack the field.

Regal Azmon travelled beautifully in a one-off position, conserving energy for the sprint home.

With 600m to run, the move came from Surprise Coming — and Lachlan made the decisive call to use him as a “bunny,” following him into the race.

Swinging for home, congestion across the track presented a challenge.

Showing quick thinking and supreme confidence, Lachlan peeled Regal Azmon to the extreme outside — covering significant ground, but crucially finding clear running room.

Once balanced up, Regal Azmon began to unleash his trademark turn of foot.

Despite laying in slightly, he quickly started to eat into the leaders’ advantage.

At the 100m mark, he was still three lengths adrift and looked unlikely to feature in the finish.

But champions find a way.

Summoning an extraordinary late burst, Regal Azmon flew over the final strides to snatch victory right on the line — defeating a million-dollar Stakes winner in the process and sending a clear signal that even bigger targets are within reach.

It was a phenomenal performance and a testament to the skill of the training team led by Phil Stokes, and the trust placed in Regal Azmon by Lachlan Neindorf, who rode him like the best horse in the race.

Regal Azmon will now be aimed at a Group 3 assignment in two weeks’ time — a richly deserved opportunity given his current form and momentum.

You can watch Regal Azmon’s win at Morphettville