The Flemington spring is done for another year and what a week. The Cup, The Oaks, Champions Day – who’d we think were the champs? Who do we want to be with into Autumn. We ponder where things sit between NSW and Vic with the two-year-olds at this early stage. The stakes racing conundrum… again! And looking forward – G1 racing again this weekend, a bit of Perth and the sales are upon us. NZ Ready To Run this week and the Magic Millions catalogue is out for January.

Another brilliant Derby Day alongside the Golden Eagle. Tentyris shows who’s best, a filly and gelding second and third. The Derby goes to the best horse. The disappointing three-year-olds of the spring. Pride Of Jenni – when the good one turns up she’s stunning but that version isn’t always around. And of course the amazing Autumn Glow. Then on to the Melbourne Cup of course. Our favourite Cup horses and moments from the past and who we reckon can and can ‘t win this year along with our final tips. Whether you choose to back them or mark them down with the scratchings is entirely up to you.

Of course we delve into the Cox Plate – Via, Bucky, how bad was Aeliana? But there’s plenty more to discuss. Who do we think was the best performance on the day? and it’s not the Cox Plate. The Spring Champion in Sydney with a couple of rising stars, on a day where the late, great Lonhro starred. And there’s Derby Day coming up. The Coolmore 3YO’s have had their final hitouts. The Derby horses have shown their hands. In Sydney it’s the Golden Eagle. Probably Autumn Glow’s toughest test. Can the international raiders bring her down? Or a local? We love our weekly chat. Hope you do too.

Coming off what has become just about the best day’s racing of the year we delve into the wash up. Ka Ying Rising of course. The two best performances from exciting horses outside of that. What did we make of the King Charles and Caulfield Cup. Is the Golden Eagle now a two horse race? Do Godolphin have the three best three-year-olds? And Tara’s going early on the Melbourne Cup.

This week we’re joined by Newhaven Park Stud’s John Kelly, breeder of Epsom winner and unbeaten superstar Autumn Glow. The story of her dam, the South African champion Via Africa, some reminiscing about the champions that have called Newhaven home throughout its remarkable history and the enjoyment of horses and searching for the next good one – “an addiction cured only by death”. And we deal with the other majors from a fabulous weekend, two-year-old racing starts, how’s the Cox Plate looking and a bit of Everest. We hope you enjoy.

Our guest Darren Beadman. One of the truly great people in racing. A legendary rider who has worked with Godolphin and now a key part of the Chris Waller stable so has the perfect insight into 3YO stunner Beiwacht. But that’s just scratching the surface, big races last week, big races this week, the future of riders, thoughts on current stars. We just loved it. Hope you do too.

A ramble on the week that was and the week that will be, you’ve got to keep your wits about you this week. Group Ones, Non-Group Ones, two-year-old trials, is Sir Delius too good a horse to win a Cup? And Birdman. The mighty Birdman.

Our guest is Colleen Bamford, breeder and part-owner of Australia’s newest Melbourne Cup hope Revelare. This is a fantastic chat with a passionate lady. Colleen and her husband also shared in the ownership of Cup winner Americain who saw out his days at their property. We also delve into the racing. Mr B’s Makybe Diva win, Aeliana mighty, where do we think the 3YO’s sit after a pivotal day of 3YO racing? And our favourite OTT showjumper is back in play.

Our guest this week is Nathan Bennett of Bennet Racing after Baraqiel’s G1 Moir Stakes win. The story behind a horse that started his career as a five-year-old and has won a Group 1 as a seven-year-old but there’s plenty more to the Bennett Racing story which involves a lot of success and a lot of very happy people. And as always we have our take on the important stuff in racing and breeding. We also reveal Tara’s new favourite song and Clocker clinging to his Metrop hope.

We’re joined by Dr Richard McClenahan from Mullaglass Stud in the Hunter Valley. He bred Hellbent off an $11,000 fee to a second season sire called I Am Invincible and now he’s bred Raging Force by second season Cosmic Force at a fee of $16,500. A great chat on the thinking behind growing success. Plus a bit of racing, a bit of breeding, and Tara gets antsy on the prizemoney.

We ramble about our tours through stud land, new stallions, old marvels and hopes ahead. The big races we've just seen and the ones coming up. And we tip! Both stallions and racehorses. Exactly what everybody needs to hear!

The Victorian industry has a lot to be bullish about at the moment so Tara headed south and is fresh back from a tour of southern NSW farms and on to Victoria's best.

Winter is finishing, spring is here and so is season 3 of our podcast! The excitement of spring racing and the breeding season is imminent – trials, jumpouts, spring hopefuls, new stallions, stud tours, naughty show jumpers. We’ve eased into it nicely. We hope you enjoy.

We’re joined this week by Shaemus Mills, successful bloodstock agent and renowned for buying fillies at the top end of the market – one of those is last weekend’s G1 Sangster winner Charm Stone. He takes us through his thoughts and strategies at yearling level and mating level. Also home bred Group One winners, a bit of Kentucky Derby and the Champion 2YO debate. Enjoy.

Gilgai Farm’s Kelly Skillecorn is back with us. Since we first spoke in January they’ve bred G1 winner Nepotism and shot the lights out at the yearling sales. It’s another great chat - An unremarkable horse, failed vets, pinhooks, golf courses, Ole Kirk and mating plans. Plus we ponder the Champion 2YO, last week’s racing, weanling sales and service fees. Enjoy.

We’re joined by Jim Clarke – bloodstock agent and key player in the success that is Bjorn Baker. We talk Arapaho, Stefi Magnetica, O’ Ole, yearling sales, mentorship, Ridgmont, loads more – it really is a great chat. And of course we do our take on the big races from Day 2 of The Championships, plus a bit of what’s ahead. Enjoy.

This episode we take the look at the Easter Yearling Sale. The big bangers, the buyers, the sellers, Snitzel, deal with the critics of expensive horses. And the Championships - where everybody can be a big winner regardless of budget. You could have bought 7 Everest winners for less than a million dollars! We also have a go at some tips for this weekend. Tara's got a roughie.

A quick midweek catch up after the big racing finally finished! The good, the bad, sire tables, Newgate, Yulong, sale updates, Easter, The Championships and a sick horse. Plenty covered in 20 odd minutes.

John O’Shea is our guest fresh of the Schwarz plan coming together, a Group One winner and stud career assured. He talks Linebacker, Doncasters, jockeys, memories, breeding theories and his Melbourne Cup hopeful appearing at the trials this week. And we get into the wonderful day that was Golden Slipper Day. The big runs, the future, pedigrees, high priced yearlings flying, the odd surprise, the joy of Private Harry and “The Ferret” on Sunday!

This week our guest is Matthew Ennis from Stallion Match and G1Goldmine, and managing owner of Golden Slipper contender Skyhook. He tells us the story of Skyhook from being too expensive, to taking ownership, why he is late to the party, the chances of a stud deal and quite a lot more in a fascinating chat. We also look back at the big ones from last week – Lady Shenandoah, Jenni, Vauban and co, and look forward to this week. One of the great days. Possibly still the greatest for us older folk!