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RON STUBBS RACING - APRIL 2026 NEWSLETTER

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BIANCO VILANO - WAGGA WAGGA GOLD CUP WINNER 2026 CUPS DOUBLE - ALBURY & WAGGA CUPS 2026

 

Bianco Vilano wins the Albury and Wagga Gold Cups, a feat only achieved four times in the long history of both Cups.

 

THE HOLY GRAIL

In a throw away line after the Wagga Cup win, I was quoted as saying “it is the Holy Grail”. Maybe an exaggeration, but for Southern District Racing Association (SDRA) trainers it is the pinnacle of racing in our area.

It is 28 years since an SDRA trained horse won the Cup and only four SDRA trained horses have won the Cup in the past 40 years. A Riverina boy, I have been going to Wagga races for over fifty years and to win the Wagga Cup is a dream come true. But it is all about Bianco Vilano, a beautiful animal and a special racehorse.

 

Bruce & Aisha McNamara enjoy the Wagga Cup celebrations.

I again extend my thanks to owners Bruce McNamara and Andrew Mackay for the opportunity to train such a special horse. Known as Oscar around the stable, he has provided tremendous excitement and many memorable moments throughout his career. Bred by Bruce and Andrew from their mare Cap Bianco.

Career Record:
43 starts | 9 wins | 7 seconds | 2 thirds
Prize Money: $723,100

JASON LYON - WHAT A RIDE - Sky Racing’s Ride of the Week

Jason Lyon produced a copybook ride in the Cup.

From barrier 10, after a short distance Jason had Bianco Vilano perfectly positioned midfield, one off the fence. Approaching the 1400m, when Bianco Vilano began to race keenly, Jason eased him back a couple of lengths.

Approaching the turn Jason eased him into the race and angled to the outside to get clear running. At about the 300 metre point Jason urged him along and went for home at the 200m point, with race caller Anthony Manton declaring: “and here comes Bianco Vilano, Bianco Vilano goes for home and races away at the 175.” It was all over from that point. What a ride.

Jason was a late engagement for the Cup ride after Tyler Schiller could not take the ride following a race fall two days earlier. It was particularly pleasing for me that Jason was able to record a win in this prestigious race. He rides a lot of track work for the stable and has ridden many winners for us in lesser races.

Jason displayed his class immediately after the race, sending his best wishes to Tyler, acknowledging he had missed out on the ride and wishing him well. Well done.

Special thanks to Craig Williams who graciously agreed to ride Bianco Vilano in a barrier trial at Caulfield nine days before the Cup. Not surprisingly, Craig displayed his remarkable horsemanship skills, giving Bianco Vilano the perfect Cup tune-up and providing a spot-on assessment of where Bianco Vilano was at.

SARGEANT STAN CONTINUES TO BUILD

Sargeant Stan continues to build on his resume, recording an impressive win at Wodonga on 20 April. From a wide barrier, guided by Jason Lyon, he took up a forward position and from that point always had the race on his terms, having the race won from the home turn.

He then went very well at the Wagga Carnival, running third, and handled the rise in class and drop in distance. I expect him to continue to develop into a handy horse over 1400 to 1600m, with some better races in mind.

Congratulations to Connections:
Mr S J Hetherton, Ms A Stevenson, Mr M White, Ms S J White, Mr B C Adamson, Mr P C Tobin, Dr G R Steed, Missy Mojo, Mr G H Habermann, Mr N J Groch, Mr S J Gray, Mr B N Edmunds, Mr B B Curphey, Mr B D Clarke, Mr D Martin, Mr S Pinner, Mr D Meredith, Mr D R Luhrs, Robust Punters Club, Mr B Barber

SAVAHAY - STORMS HOME

In a strong win at Albury on 23 April, Savahay showed that he will appreciate a longer distance, not surprising given his dam by Savabeel was effective at 1600m to 2000m at Listed and Group 3 level. Ridden by Jason Lyon, he was doing his best work approaching the line over the 1400m.

We then started him at the Wagga Carnival, again over 1400m, and although he finished sixth, he again indicated he will appreciate a longer distance, coming from near last and flying in the last 100m to finish on the heels of the placegetters. I can’t wait to get him out to 1600m or further.

Congratulations to connections on the Albury win.
Mrs P U Stubbs, Mr C B Tippet, Mr M A Rutledge, Mr B D Clarke

 

TESSARION - WAGGA GUINEAS 3RD

Tessarion again showed she is a filly with a lot of upside by finishing third in the Wagga Guineas on Wagga Cup Day. At her first attempt at 1600m she raced more keenly than I hoped and was in a forward position for the trip. She went to the front at the 300m and held on well to finish third. Connections have a lot to look forward to.

 

RETIREMENTS

We have called it a day on a couple of our horses who have been around the stable for a few years, Prophet’s Daughter and Magmetric.

Prophet’s Daughter - She had a lot of ability and tried hard, but had soundness issues throughout her career. The winner of four races, her most notable win was in the Queen Of The South on Wagga Cup Day last year. In an epic battle for the length of the straight with the accomplished Bon Holler, she fought it out to record her best win.

Magmetric - A horse with exceptional ability, which is why we persevered with him for so long after numerous soundness issues. Over three years he had 11 starts for 3 wins and 4 placings. After an impressive barrier trial win before his first start, he then debuted at Albury at $1.35 and won accordingly.

Thank you to connections for your patience and understanding. Both will be cared for in retirement.

 

ELLA BENT

Stable apprentice Ella continues to learn her craft and punch home winners. Her latest successes were at Hillston on 11 April on Launch Mode and at Deniliquin on 25 April on Fleet Destination.

 

CELEBRITY GUEST

Through the month we had Half Yours, winner of last year’s Caulfield and Melbourne Cups, stay overnight at the stables en route to Sydney for the All Aged Stakes. A bit of a buzz for staff. Maybe not quite as famous as Phar Lap’s four-day stay at Albury’s Sodens Hotel stables en route to the Melbourne Cup by train.

 

BREEDING TIDBITS

After Wordsmith became the eighth non-Group 1 winning racehorse to sire a Group 1 winner in Australia this season, Run The Numbers looked at how commonplace this pattern has been over the years.

Of the nineteen stallions since the start of the 2000/01 season who have produced more than 10 individual Group 1 winners in Australia, just four did not win a Group 1 race themselves. They are: I Am Invincible, Written Tycoon, Not A Single Doubt and Commands.

Full Story: The Straight, Bren O’Brien, Run The Numbers, 28 April 2026.

Magic Millions will conduct the last yearling sale of the year on the 1st and 2nd June, with 395 yearlings catalogued.

 

LIKELY STARTERS FOR MAY

The following horses are expected to race during May:

Bianco Vilano
Bridie’s Luck
Clinch The Deal
Rumours Abound
Sargeant Stan
Savahay
Shallow River
Sister Supero
Sparring
Unknown Pleasures
Yulongforme

 

Thank you to all our owners and supporters. We don’t always win, but we hope you enjoy the journey along the way. And a special thanks to our staff for their dedication to the horses and stable, and due to them we were able to produce another great result with the Wagga Cup win.

Regards,
Ron