Hey There

Baledon Retired

 

The great little stable warrior Baledon has been retired.

 

Owners Mr Tony DeSaxe and Mr Andrew Mackay decided that, at eight years of age and while still healthy and injury-free, the time was right to bring his racing career to a close.

 

Baledon was not blessed with exceptional natural ability, but he more than made up for it with honesty, toughness and consistency. He always gave his best and earned the admiration of his owners and stable staff alike.

 

He retires agonisingly $40 short of the $200,000 prizemoney milestone, having accumulated $199,960. His reliability is highlighted by an impressive 39% placings strike rate.

 

Career Statistics

 

36 starts – 6 wins, 6 seconds, 2 thirds

 

Total prizemoney: $199,960

 

Notable Performances

• 1st – Rosehill Highway, 27 August 2022

   

• 1st – Ted Ryder Cup, Wagga, 24 December 2024

   

• 1st – Canberra Federal, 19 April 2024

   

• 2nd – Albury Mile, Albury Cup Day, 21 March 2024

   

• 3rd – Country Championships Heat, Albury, 18 February 2024

   

Baledon has now joined a family in Ballarat who specialise in eventing, where he will be extremely well looked after.

 

Well done, Baledon and thank you Tony and Andrew for the opportunity to train a truly genuine racehorse.

 

Breeding Titbits

 

For those following the ongoing stoush between the states over the grading of Group and Listed races — and Racing Australia’s inability to resolve the impasse — the Asian Racing Federation ‘s decision to assume control of Australia’s race-status decisions will not have come as a great surprise.

 

Most online racing sites have covered this issue in detail. Adding further intrigue, a group of racing industry heavyweights and associations has formed the Australian Racing Industry Alliance, seeking appointment as an independent Australian Pattern Panel (see Racing Post Bloodstock ANZ News, 19 December 2025).

 

What does this mean for country trainers, owners and home breeders? In reality, very little. At our level of racing, we rarely — if ever — compete at Group level or operate at the elite end of the yearling sales market, which is where pattern ratings really matter.

 

And, truth be told, the average punter couldn’t care less whether the Melbourne Cup is a Group 1 internationally, or whether The Everest is recognised as a Group 1 at all. 

 

New Year Resolution

 

One of the biggest changes in the training of racehorses during my career has been communication.

 

When I stared my training career our only contact with owners was via land line. 

 

Since then, we have seen the introduction of mobile phones, emails, text messages and multiple social media platforms, with a huge increase in communication and information.

 

Unfortunately, our stable communication hasn’t been what it should be, with my New Years Resolution being; that is going to change.

 

We have introduced several new systems which will give you more regular and better-quality updates.

 

We intend to ensure that there is an update for every horse, every fortnight, as a minimum.

Upcoming Yearling Sales.

 

Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale

 

13–18 January 2026

 

1,221 lots

 

Inglis Classic Sale – Riverside Stables, Sydney

 

8–10 February 2026

 

798 lots

 

Leopardstown Races – Dublin, Ireland

 

My brother Peter, who lives in Europe, attended the Leopardstown Christmas Racing Festival on Monday and provided an interesting report.

 

Monday was the final day of four consecutive days of jumps racing. Leopardstown is a very spacious track, featuring multiple chutes and lanes that allow both steeplechase and hurdle races to be run efficiently.

 

There was a large crowd in attendance, and the amenities were excellent, including a large standing-room-only grandstand with numerous food and bar options. Around 60 bookmakers were set up in front of the grandstand, adding greatly to the atmosphere.

 

Standard race prize money averaged €25,000 (approximately AUD $44,000), while the feature event — a Grade 1 hurdle — carried prize money of €150,000 (approximately AUD $263,000).

Leading Irish trainer Willie Mullins dominated the carnival, training 11 winners across the four days, including the feature race on Monday. Mullins has around 200 horses in work and has campaigned successfully in Australia in recent years, particularly targeting staying races.

 

Likely Starters – December

 

Bridie’s Luck

 

Crepescule

 

Et Zou

 

Mer Char

 

Rumours Abound

 

Sargeant Stan

 

Sparring

 

Tap ’N’ Run

 

Tessarion

 

Ti Tree Lad

 

Happy New Year

 

From everyone at Ron Stubbs Racing, we wish you and your family a Happy and Winning New Year.

 

Thank you for your continued support throughout 2025. We hope 2026 proves to be a successful and rewarding year, both on and off the track.