Thoroughbred Breeders Queensland Association

Standing at a fee of $7,700, the Group winning son of Better Than Ready, is an exciting addition to the Queensland breeding ranks. Alpine Edge is an exciting young stallion by leading Queensland sire Better Than Ready, out of emerging top producer Freezethemillions – dam also of Gr.1 winner Port Lockroy and exciting 2YO Mortal Halo. A multiple stakes winner with over $1.8M in earnings, Alpine Edge brings a powerful mix of precocity, consistency and class. He burst onto the scene as a brilliant early 2YO, winning the Listed Phelan Ready Stakes and the Gr.3 BJ McLachlan Stakes. He also finished an unlucky closing second in the $2M Magic Millions 2YO Classic. Alpine Edge continued to perform at top level through his 3, 4 and 5YO seasons, winning the QTIS Magic Millions and placing in multiple Group races. By Better Than Ready – Australia’s leading sire of 2YO winners in recent years – Alpine Edge inherits outstanding speed and commercial appeal. His Gr.1 producing dam adds another layer of sprinting quality, making him an ideal choice for breeders aiming to produce fast, early running types. After covering 110 mares in his first season at stud, Alpine Edge is better than ready for 2025. Contact Clear Mountain Fairview for details

He was far from ever winning a race on the track, but the thoroughbred now called “Pizza” has proven to be a supreme performer in retirement. The former galloper had one trial and two race starts towards the end of 2024, finishing last and ninth in a pair of maiden handicaps at the Gold Coast and Ipswich. Racing as “Supremeperformance,” he was transferred from the Trevor Lambourn stable to Chris and Corey Munce’s care, where he was retired in March. It was there that the gelding caught the eye of Sally Rodwell, who works as an assistant foreman at the Munce team’s spelling and pre-training facility at Beaudesert. Rodwell has been working for the Munces for just over a year, and instantly fell in love with the newcomer. “I really absolutely loved his nature - he's just so quiet and easy to do anything with, and no matter where he was, he's just always the quietest horse around,” Rodwell said. “Unfortunately, he is a bit slow and just didn't really show much, and he did have a little bit of an injury to his fetlocks, and it wasn’t worth pursuing with him. “He was retired, and came straight home to me.” Rodwell works out of the Munce family’s Ballycapall Thoroughbred Spellers and Pre-Trainers in the Scenic Rim region. She and the family currently have eight horses on their nearby home property, with the new addition thoroughly enjoying his time running around with the stock horses and quarter horses. It is Rodwell’s step-daughter Tillie who has formed the closest bond with the former racehorse, and also the one responsible for the “Pizza” name becoming a permanent fixture. “I used to call him Supreme Pizza at the track, and then it caught on with the track riders,” Rodwell explained. “And then when I came home, I told Tillie ‘this is what we’ve been calling him’ and she said ‘well, that's his name now, it's always Pizza.’ “I gave him one ride off the track, and I thought this horse is way too slow so I gave him to Tillie and she's done everything with him since. “She takes him to pony club, takes him mustering, takes him to campdrafts…she also took him hacking on the weekend and sporting - anything she wants to do, that horse just does. “She trots him around and she stops and he just stands there…he never puts a foot wrong, he's definitely a one-in-a-million pony. “People usually ask me if he's 25, and no-one believes me when I tell them how old he is.” With just a combined 14 years of life between them, nine-year-old Tillie and five-year-old Pizza have already enjoyed success as a pairing around South East Queensland. They recently competed at the Rathdowney Campdraft, placing 7th after making it around two pegs. The pair then scored the Highest Scoring Under 14 Rider at the Rathdowney and District Pony Club Campdraft, taking the win in both of their runs, taking home the Highest Cut Out award and being crowned Overall Age Champion (8–10 years). The recent Beaudesert Show also proved fruitful, with Tillie and Pizza taking home several ribbons across a range of hacking and sporting events. Sally said the future was looking bright for the dynamic duo. “We will look at just getting Tillie going and seeing where they go…at the moment, he's holding up quite well to what she's wanting to do, and we're hoping they'll have a very long future together,” Sally said. “Whether he can keep up the pace with her as they go, we’ll see. “But he's definitely showing that he'll stay with us forever, and then go between other kids when needed.” Sally is also constantly sending photos of Pizza to the Munces to keep them updated on his progress. She said the former galloper’s success story was a good example of how important the Queensland Off-The-Track (QOTT) Program is for retired racehorses. “Going through the QOTT program, it’s only the first time I've done it with Supremeperformance,” Sally said. “We've really enjoyed the lessons and all the goodies that come with it, and I think it's a really good initiative. “I've gotten a couple of retired horses from people that go on to just be some of the best horses you have. “I've just recently sold one up to the prison farm at Palen Creek here for the prisoners to go mustering on, and they absolutely love him. “There's so many different careers that they can go into…I don't think people realise how versatile they are.”

In an exceptional year for Queensland breeding, the Thoroughbred Breeders Queensland Association (TBQA) is proud to announce dual winners of the prestigious 2025 Broodmare of the Year title: Ready To Rule and Freezethemillions. The joint recognition reflects the remarkable achievements of both mares, each of whom produced Group 1 winners and contributed significantly to the state's growing influence on the national racing stage. Freezethemillions (by Freeze – Breeder: Yarramalong Park) Freezethemillions, the dam of Port Lockroy, whose commanding win in the Group 1 Railway Stakes at Ascot catapulted both horse and mare into national prominence. The 5YO entire, by Queensland stalwart Better Than Ready, is a product of Yarramalong Park, one of the state’s most respected and prolific breeding operations. His Railway Stakes triumph marked a milestone moment for the stud, showcasing its ability to produce high-class performers capable of succeeding at the elite level. Freezethemillions' influence has been significant as Port Lockroy’s impressive Group 1 victory comes on the back of this mare already having produced the multiple stakes winner, and now sire standing at stud, Alpine Edge, himself a winner of almost $2 million and a runner up in the prestigious Magic Millions 2YO Classic. Ready To Rule (by More Than Ready – Breeder: Daandine Stud) Sharing the title - back-to-back Broodmare of the Year honours have been awarded to Ready To Rule, whose 5YO entire Southport Tycoon built on an already impressive résumé with a victory in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley on 27 September 2024. Trained by Ciaron Maher, Southport Tycoon further demonstrated his class when placing third in the Group 3 Sydney Stakes at Randwick during the spring. The colt amassed over A$1.7 million in career earnings and has been rewarded for his achievements with a position on the prestigious Widden Stud stallion roster for 2025. Bred by Daandine Stud, also the breeder of Golden Slipper winner Capitalist, Ready To Rule is by More Than Ready and hails from an elite American family that includes stakes winner Grace And Power (her full sister), Group 1 Darley Classic winner Delectation, and Blue Diamond champion Artorius. Stud principal Jan Clark purchased Ready To Rule for $260,000 in 2015, and the mare has cemented herself as one of Queensland’s most valuable broodmares. ___ The decision to award dual honours was made in recognition of the extraordinary Group 1 achievements by both mares' progeny, each bred in Queensland and out of mares carrying significant commercial and pedigree merit. “These two mares exemplify the standard Queensland is producing - Group 1 results, nationally respected bloodlines, and success on the biggest stages,” said TBQA President, Basil Nolan. “To have two such deserving candidates in the same season is a testament to the depth and class of broodmares now being developed in this state.”

After extensive consultation and review, I’m pleased to say we’ve worked closely with Magic Millions CEO Barry Bowditch and his team, who have shown incredible support for our industry and a genuine commitment to listening to stakeholder feedback resulting in a refreshed format for the Magic Millions March Yearling Sale, starting in 2026. The sale will now take place on Thursday, 12 and Friday, 13 March, followed by the QTIS Jewel Raceday on Saturday, 14 March. This change is designed to better support buyer attendance and engagement across both the sale and raceday, making it a real showcase event for Queensland-bred talent. The catalogue will be composed of a minimum 300 QTIS-eligible yearlings and breedbacks will be included. This is vital for ensuring the sale keeps its identity as the premier platform for Queensland-bred horses and maintains that critical mass for both vendors and buyers. On top of that, the current discount entry into the Magic Millions Race Series for yearlings purchased at this sale will remain in place – another great incentive to invest in a Queensland-bred yearling.  I want to personally thank Barry for his ongoing commitment to the Queensland breeding industry. Our partnership with Magic Millions isn’t just valued – it’s essential for the strength and success of our industry. I’m confident these improvements will set the 2026 sale up to be one of the best yet.

Having never started in an official race on the track, Koko Story is instead proving that life off the track can be far more successful. The retired racehorse and rider Jamie Hewitt-Toms took out the 1.20m class in Monday afternoon’s Queensland Off-The-Track (QOTT) Program Showjumping Showcase at the Ekka. The pair had finished third in last year’s class, and Hewitt-Toms said they were determined to climb up the leaderboard for the 2025 edition. “It was pressure on myself to want to do something a little bit better than that, and I was just trying to go in with very low expectations, but it's good to finally get the win,” Hewitt-Toms said post-event. “I definitely didn't have any expectations coming into today - I just wanted to have a nice round but it was definitely great to be able to pull it off and Koko Story was great. “Any of those horses out there today that jumped over clear could have easily taken the win, they all deserved it and they're all really great horses, so it's just a bit of luck of the draw I think.” Of the field of 17, the top eight had progressed to a jump off at the Brisbane Showgrounds. Koko Story and Hewitt-Toms, who was herself battling sickness, claimed victory in the last run of the day to take home the $10,000 top prize. They finished ahead of last year’s winning rider Makaylah Fenwick on The Garret in second place, and Natalie Siiankoski and Curwood in third spot. Watch here Twenty-two-year-old Jamie and her mum Christine Hewitt, a former jockey, had bought the 18-year-old retired thoroughbred off Victorian event rider Robert Palm in 2023. Racing as Southern Pride, the chestnut gelding had just three trials at Doomben, the Gold Coast and Eagle Farm back in 2009 and 2010, finishing last in all three runs. Having now successfully transitioned to life as a showjumper with no hesitation, Hewitt-Toms has developed a strong bond with the horse they call “Woody” at their Gympie property. “He's very special to me, and my life revolves around him - every day I'm with Woody, and I always put him first and what he needs,” Hewitt-Toms said. “He is very laid back, very easy to do everything with, he never has any issues or anything hard to deal with, he's just a perfect horse. “The plans now are to have a couple of weeks off, and then we'll head down south and do Tamworth World Cup, and then decide what we're doing from there and if we want to keep going a little bit further.” Koko Story was also crowned the highest-placed Queensland-bred thoroughbred by the Thoroughbred Breeders Queensland Association for the second year running. On Sunday, the 105cm class of the QOTT Showjumping Showcase had been taken out by Hugh Buchanan and It’s Bandito, who claimed the $4,000 top prize. Monday also saw the Main Arena play host to the prestigious Thoroughbred and Standardbred Day. Over $25,000 was on offer across 18 ‘Led’ and ‘Under Saddle’ classes. The race day-style event saw the two versatile racing breeds compete for the sought-after Champion of their Breed, with horse handlers presenting their horses to the judges in formal race day attire. Harness trainer/driver Felicity Reinke swapped the track for the showring to compete with mare Pretty Good Reason and gelding Parcellaires in the Standardbred Led Classes. “It’s fantastic - these horses definitely deserve a chance after racing and it shows their versatility,” Reinke said. “I’ve been predominantly in the show world, but I’ve also taken some horses jumping, had some in the harness, had some campdrafting and they’ve gone very well. “The competition today, the horses were presented immaculately, so a credit to everyone that’s come today, and it just shows they’re not just for racing and can have a very good life after. “It was raining last year, and the weather is beautiful today, so I very much encourage people to bring their horses out and just have fun next year.” RQ Senior Animal Care Manager Kim Duffy said the QOTT Program was again proud to be sponsoring the two days of showjumping along with Thoroughbred and Standardbred Day. “We’ve seen an increased number of entries year-on-year, and this year is a record-breaking one for us with 214 entries for Thoroughbred and Standardbred Day,” Ms Duffy said. “It is a really good way to showcase the versatile racing breeds in a range of led and under saddle classes. “It’s just another avenue for them post-racing that’s not as traditional as some of the other pathways such as eventing and showjumping. “We have also seen increased entries in the showjumping competitions as well. “We are seeing a more diverse range of riders getting involved — not just professionals, but passionate amateurs, juniors, and even adult riders who are returning to riding. “When these horses are showcased at the Royal Queensland Show, they are no longer seen solely as retired racehorses. Instead, they're viewed as versatile athletes with second careers worth celebrating.” Click here for the full results from the QOTT Showjumping Showcase and Thoroughbred and Standardbred Day.