‘Love the town’: Birdsville’s only cop to bid farewell
After 10 years as the only cop overseeing a patch of Queensland as big as the UK, Senior Constable Stephan Pursell is preparing to farewell the outback.
horse racing, harness racing
From pony rides to Birdsville, where horses ‘just go’
It's a long way from Alan Lai's home in Hong Kong to Birdsville, but the young jockey has embraced his debut at "the Melbourne Cup of the outback".
The chips are never down in Bertalli’s outback kitchen
Bertalli's hot chip van is a favourite among many rural Australians and the family business serving up fresh salty spuds at country shows for 70 years.
‘Get off their high horses’: call to end jumps racing
Former Victorian racing minister Rob Hulls is turning up the heat on the Labor government to become the last Australian state to ban jumps racing.
Legendary racehorse Black Caviar dies
Australian horseracing is in mourning following the death of 15-time Group One winner and unbeaten mare Black Caviar.
Racing boss hits out at ‘cheats’ in racecourse fight
Racing NSW CEO Peter V'landys has attacked "cheats and undesirables" seeking to undermine him amid a battle over the future of Sydney's Rosehill racecourse.
Building ‘black hole’ link to scared horses, jockey ban
Horse racing at Queensland's biggest track is at a standstill after jockeys refused to ride, claiming a nearby construction site is spooking the animals.
Rosehill development plan a ‘hijack’: Gai Waterhouse
Champion racehorse trainer Gai Waterhouse says a controversial plan to offload Sydney's Rosehill racecourse is like putting Bondi Beach up for sale.
Rosehill owner bets big on $5b housing, metro plan
Turning a historic Sydney racetrack into homes for 55,000 people became a compelling opportunity once a $500 million metro station was put on the table.
Off and running, Cup racegoers flock to Flemington
Punters and fashionistas packed Flemington Racecourse for the Melbourne Cup while protesters were arrested and pepper sprayed.
Zahra pulls right rein to win Cup on Without A Fight
Mark Zahra has piloted Without A Fight to victory in the $8 million Melbourne Cup at Flemington ahead of the Chris Waller-trained pair Soulcombe and Sheraz.
Chris Waller’s Riff Rocket wins Victoria Derby
Short-priced favourite Riff Rocket has stormed home to win the Victoria Derby for champion trainer Chris Waller, beating Apulia in Australia's oldest classic.
Maher’s Gold Trip warning ahead of Vauban Cup showdown
Gold Trip has to defy almost 50 years of history to defend his Melbourne Cup title, but trainer Ciaron Maher is confident he can beat Irish favourite Vauban.
Mullins eyes more Irish Melbourne Cup success
Willie Mullins has a strong Melbourne Cup hand with favourite Vauban and well-backed stablemate Absurde in the running to win the $8 million feature.
Dettori tips Absurde for Cup, Oliver clears hurdle
Legendary jockey Frankie Dettori doesn't have a Melbourne Cup ride but will have his eyes on a familiar horse, tipping Absurde to claim the $8 million handicap.
Derby favourite Riff Rocket to lap up pressure: Waller
Master trainer Chris Waller is confident favourite Riff Rocket will bounce back in Saturday's $2 million Victoria Derby after a surprise last-start defeat.
Yeomans out to upstage big-name trainers on Derby Day
Lucy Yeomans heads to Flemington with a pair of Group 1 chances, including Victoria Derby hope Roguery, in her first season as co-trainer with Lloyd Kennewell.
Mark Zahra makes peace with massive Melbourne Cup call
Mark Zahra has come to terms with his tough decision to partner Without A Fight instead of trying to repeat 2022's Melbourne Cup success with Gold Trip.
Jockey great Oliver ready for Melbourne Cup finale
Damien Oliver is hoping a final fling aboard European import Alenquer will help him secure a fourth Melbourne Cup victory before his retirement.
Hong Kong’s Romantic Warrior wins $5 million Cox Plate
Romantic Warrior has won the $5 million Cox Plate at The Valley, beating Mr Brightside and Alligator Blood in Australasia's weight-for-age championship.
Zahra picks Without A Fight for Melbourne Cup
Mark Zahra will not ride last year's winner Gold Trip in the Melbourne Cup at Flemington next month, instead opting to partner Without A Fight.
Hong Kong’s Iron Man trainer seeks Cox Plate history
Hong Kong raider Romantic Warrior is primed to become the fourth northern hemisphere-trained winner of Australasia's premium weight-for-age race at The Valley.
Melbourne Cup champion Gold Trip set for Cox Plate
Co-trainer Ciaron Maher says Melbourne Cup champion Gold Trip has pulled up well after a third at Caulfield and is set to run in the $5 million Cox Plate.
Zahra punt pays off, Without A Fight wins Caulfield Cup
Without A Fight, ridden by Mark Zahra, has won the $5 million Caulfield Cup ahead of West Wind Blows, with pre-race favourite Gold Trip finishing third.
Without A Fight up for Melbourne Cup battle: Zahra
Without A Fight disappointed at last year's Melbourne Cup but shapes as a genuine contender for next month's race after a scintillating Caulfield Cup win.
Favourite Gold Trip faces stiff Caulfield Cup battle
Gold Trip is the Caulfield Cup favourite but Irish hoop John Allen is confident Duke De Sessa can challenge in Saturday's "wide open" 2400m test.
Joe Pride-trained sprinters set for Everest showdown
Trainer Joe Pride is confident stablemates Private Eye and Think About It are ready to give The Everest a shake.
Think About It continues winning run in The Everest
The Joe Pride-trained Think About It has beaten I Wish I Win and Private Eye to claim the $20 million The Everest at Randwick.
Ritual and predatory abuse: racing’s dark side revealed
A review into Victorian racing has revealed a dark side of the $4.7 billion industry, fraught with abuse and harassment including violence against children.
Three-time Melbourne Cup winner Damien Oliver to retire
Three-time Melbourne Cup winner Damien Oliver will retire at the end of the year, bringing an end to a dazzling career.
Top jockey charged by stewards over ‘white powder’ pics
Racing Victoria has charged top jockey Jamie Kah over pictures that appeared to show her and two others with a white powder.