Claim OwnershipStraight Talk - The Straight
Subscribed: 2Played: 0
Subscribe
© Copyright 2024 All rights reserved.
Description
A regular podcast from Bren O’Brien and Tim Rowe from The Straight, Australia’s most respected independent thoroughbred publication, covering off the biggest issues in the racing, breeding and wagering industries,
73 Episodes
Reverse
Hosts Bren O’Brien and Tim Rowe review Magic Millions 2026, where book one topped $200 million with an 86%+ clearance and a record breadth of buyers.
The week saw strong support for top sires like Snitzel and new interest in first-season stallions such as Anamoe, while vendors and buyers showed aligned confidence in values.
Highlights include the standout Anamoe lot, balanced vendor performance, and optimism heading into book two and upcoming sales in New Zealand and beyond.
Welcome to our special daily edition of Straight Talk with Bren O'Brien and Tim Rowe from The Straight, brought to you by our sponsors Inglis and Darley.
Bren O'Brien and Tim Rowe review day three of Magic Millions 2026, highlighting a strong sale with a roughly $146 million aggregate, an average near $280,000 and an 85%+ clearance rate.
They discuss rising market confidence, good vetting results, several million-dollar lots and interviews with Barry Boundage and breeder Daniel Arnum about standout sales.
The hosts preview the final super session, note broad buyer interest and a busy auction atmosphere ahead of the big race day on Saturday.
All that and more, right here on Straight Talk — brought to you by Inglis and Darley.
Welcome to our special daily edition of Straight Talk with Bren O'Brien and Tim Rowe from The Straight, brought to you by our sponsors Inglis and Darley.
Bren and Tim recap day two of Magic Millions on the Gold Coast which delivered strong trade and big-name buyers, with major players like Yulong, Coolmore and Newgate securing top lots. The sale posted a $93.5 million gross, a $290k average, a $200k median and an 83% clearance rate, while stallions like Schnitzel and Extreme Choice drew high demand.
While the top end remained buoyant, the sub-$200k segment showed some softness as syndicators and trainers target higher-priced yearlings. Overall momentum is building heading into day three, with depth across vendors and buyers keeping the market lively.
Tim speaks with Arrowfield's Paul Messara who sold a seven-figure colt by its late, great stallion Snitzel with Coolmore going to $1.5 million to buy the brother to the Group-winning colt Beadman.
Then we catch up with Lime Country's Jo Griffin, who sold an Anamoe filly for $800,000, after paying $340,000 for her as a weanling from the Widden Stud draft at the 2025 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale.
Finally we speak to Magic Millions, Barry Bowditch on his thoughts of the day.
All that and more, right here on Straight Talk — brought to you by Inglis and Darley.
Bren O'Brien and Tim Rowe recap day one of Magic Millions on the Gold Coast, describing a solid market with diverse buyers, a $40M trade and a 78% clearance rate.
The standout sale was a $2 million Frankel colt, alongside other seven-figure lots and strong competition for quality horses.
Breeder John Camilleri and Magic Millions' Barry Bowditch note confidence for the rest of the sale, upcoming high-profile lots including Snitzel colts, and continued daily coverage from the podcast as the event progresses.
In this special edition of Straight Talk Bren O'Brien and Tim Rowe preview the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale with an in-depth interview with Magic Millions boss Barry Bowditch.
They discuss buyer interest - including international players like Yulong — standout first‑season sires, top lots to watch, and the impact of recent Victorian bushfires on stud farms.
The episode also touches on broader industry stories, including racing governance reviews.
This week's Straight Talk breaks down a turbulent week in Australian racing: Racing NSW's move to place the ATC into administration and the ensuing legal battle, plus the Asian Racing Federation stepping in to control the black‑type pattern.
The episode also covers breeding news including Toronado's recovery, the Perth sale catalogue and 2026 sales outlook, and changes in wagering — PointsBet leadership shifts, global tote partnerships and broader industry consolidation.
Hosts Bren O’Brien and Tim Rowe review implications for the sport, industry stakeholders and what to watch in the months ahead.
Welcome to this week's edition of Straight Talk, sponsored by Inglis and Darley.
This episode covers the McGrath review response in Queensland - night racing proposals, the rejected point‑of‑consumption tax cut, board changes at Racing Queensland and a new Racing Australia chairman.
It also features updates on The Pattern and greyhound industry shifts.
We also hear from Hong Kong trainer Mark Newnham on his rapid rise in an extended interview.
We also discuss Bob Peters’ remarkable breeding record, the Aushorse Investor's Guide and catalogue season.
In wagering, Tim and Bren examine the tangled relationship between wagering, government funding and the future sustainability of Australian racing.
Bren O'Brien and Tim Rowe host interim ATC CEO Steve McMahon for a wide-ranging interview about the club’s financial position, plans for Rosehill, Canterbury and Warwick Farm, training and venue redevelopment, and how race clubs must find new revenue beyond wagering.
The McGrath Review is set to be released in Queensland. What does a race club look like when it's not actually running races? And what can Australia learn from Great Britain?
In Breeding and Bloodstock, Trilogy gets a Group 1 reward, Australian buyers are involved at Tatts and a key breeders group calls for politics to be put second in the pattern debate.
And in wagering, is the Tote on the way back? And the virtues or otherwise of same-race-same-game politics?
Welcome to this week's edition of Straight Talk with Brent O'Brien and Tim Rowe from The Straight, brought to you by our sponsors Inglis and Darley.
Today, the future of The Pattern is still a white-hot issue. What is at play in the ATC's meeting with Racing NSW? Is the VRC staging a financial turnaround and Racing Queensland's search for a chairman is underway.
We also have a detailed interview with experienced racing executive Charlotte Mills about leadership in racing.
In Breeding and Bloodstock, WA stallions get their chance to shine, an unfortunate end for a Melbourne Cup winning stallion, the economics of standing stallions and questions of fertility.
In wagering, no gambling ad reform in sight, WA backs a national tote, Entain's NZ commitment and does turnover cure all.
Welcome to this week's edition of Straight Talk with Bren O'Brien and Tim Rowe from The Straight, brought to you by our sponsors Inglis & Darley.
This episode covers unfolding turmoil in New South Wales racing, including the ATC’s $2.59 million deficit, its upcoming show cause talks with Racing NSW, the new reform group calling for governance change, and scrutiny on Peter V'landys.
We also run through state updates from WA, Tasmania and Victoria, major wagering developments — Entain's job cuts, PointsBet’s social-betting push, and a study estimating $135 million lost by the racing industry to illegal offshore betting — and end with breeding and bloodstock news featuring Shane Dye, Inglis and NZB catalogues, plus a tribute to John Jeffs.
Welcome to this week’s edition of Straight Talk with Bren O’Brien and Tim Rowe from the Straight, brought to you by our sponsors Inglis & Darley.
This episode covers the big week in Australasian bloodstock including NZB’s record Ready To Run Sale, the newly released Magic Millions catalogue, big results on Inglis Digital and questions over Resolute Racing’s next steps.
We also discuss Racing Victoria’s annual report and deficit as well as Racing South Australia's, while we look at Melbourne Cup turnover records, Chris Waller’s $40m season, wagering challenges at Sportsbet and Entain gets its federal court date.
Welcome to Straight Talk, with Bren O'Brien and Tim Rowe, brought to you by Darley and Inglis.
This episode recaps the Melbourne Cup and Derby Day from racing, breeding and wagering angles - highlighting Jamie Melham's courageous Cup ride and Tony and Calvin McEvoy’s milestone victory.
We also have a feature interview with Godolphin’s Jason Walsh on the blue army's standout spring.
We unpack Racing NSW’s annual report and wagering trends, discuss big bets and betting theatre.
Tim and Bren also cover breeding news including the death of Sejardan, new stallion moves and international sales.
Bren O’Brien and Tim Rowe unpack the week in racing, bloodstock, breeding and wagering.
Vin Cox’s return to bloodstock consultancy, the legacy of bloodstock great George Smith, the blockbuster $150 million stallion share and Fastnet Rock’s enduring influence take centre stage.
They also discuss Inglis Digital’s Melbourne Cup hopeful Half Yours with Mitch Bates.
There's a discussion of the rise of the racing blogger Stephen Power, plus challenges in WA racing.
Tim and Bren also canvas wagering concerns from third‑party accounts as well as development withs Entain and betr.
Welcome to this week's edition of Straight Talk with Bren O'Brien and Tim Rowe from the Straight, brought to you by our sponsors Inglis & Darley.
Today, Racing Victoria's reputation under fire via a HR nightmare, plus Sir Delius's withdrawal from two key spring features.
A change of ownership for one of Australia's biggest stables and one of racing's lkey transport companies. What to expect from Racing NSW's show cause hearing and what to make of the Cox Plate.
In breeding we farewell a legend in So You Think, with a special interview with Duncan Ramage. Progeny of Aussie mares remain popular in Japan and in wagering, Tabcorp's plans start to take shape.
Welcome to the latest edition of Straight Talk with Bren O'Brien and Tim Rowe, brought to you by Inglis and Darely.
This episode covers a turbulent Everest week: rumours around Ka Ying Rising, market moves and betting implications, plus a preview of Mazu's bid for a third Everest with insights from Chris Ward.
We also discuss John Kanga's sudden departure from the MRC and the ATC's response to Racing NSW's show cause questions, and Moonee Valley track queries.
There is also a deep conversation with Sebastian Hutch about the Inglis Ready-to-Run Sale and industry issues, track stallion and wagering developments, and highlights from the Ready 2 Race sale.
This week on Straight Talk, the countdown to The Everest takes centre stage. We unpack the drama of the slot process: the uncertainty, the timing, and dive into the intrigue behind the selections.
Tim and Bren look at SEN’s acquisition of TABtouch Radio marks a major shake-up — what does it mean for racing media landscape? We’ll also touch on ongoing governance questions at the ATC and the broader state of Australia’s racing clubs.
We pause to remember two key members of the racing media landscape — Warren Huntly and Hilton Donaldson.
We chat Ridgmont's decision to sell up its Hunter Valley farm, as well as the results of the Magic Millions Horses In Training Sale on the Gold Coast.
We also tackle the fallout from the ABC Four Corners investigation into wagering, explore Sky Racing’s betr broadcast rights, and discuss how Tabcorp’s evolving media strategy reflects a changing, mobile-first audience.
All that and more, right here on Straight Talk — brought to you by Inglis and Darley.
Hosts Bren O’Brien and Tim Rowe unpack a busy week across the Australasian racing landscape: the NSW Review of the Racing Act, board and executive reshuffles, Racing Queensland’s financial results, and compliance risks for clubs around alcohol and gambling.
In Breeding & Bloodstock. they speak with Inglis’ Harry Bailey and agent Shane McGrath about the upcoming two‑year‑old breeze‑up sales and ready‑to‑run success stories such as Rosberg. They also chat emerging stallions and the lead‑up to the Everest.
In wagering news they explain a US betting‑market shakeup from prediction markets, Entain’s withdrawal from its TAB New Zealand racing club project, and how much state governments collect from wagering taxes.
In this week's edition of Straight Talk, the breeding world reacts to the loss of Wootton Bassett, Tim and Bren look at the upside for The Autumn Sun and first season sires make their mark at the first trials.
We also have an extensive chat with Inglis James Price about the rise of racing in China and the importance of the Asian market.
In racing, what does Racing NSW’s show cause notice to the ATC really mean, while we also look at board and steward questions in Tassie.
In wagering, are we seeing the end of the grey market? And what does betr do with its 27 per cent stake in PointsBet.
Hosts Bren O'Brien and Tim Rowe discuss all of the biggest issues in racing, including executive changes at the Australian Turf Club, the Asian Pattern Committee’s rejection of Australian Group 1 upgrade bids and the frozen prize money of a horse tied to a jailed owner.
This episode also features an in-depth interview with Godolphin Australia MD Andy Makiv on Godolphin’s shift from private to public training models, stallion strategy and the foal crop outlook.
They also chat about the end of Galileo’s era, insights from the US sales, the impact of two-year-old trials on sire demand, and wagering issues including point of consumption tax, Mixi’s takeover of PointsBet, and impending media scrutiny of the wagering industry.
The Straight's Bren O'Brien and Tim Rowe unpack the latest in racing, breeding and wagering in a wide-ranging episode.
The bid to upgrade four Group 1 races in New South Wales is the latest of the broader controversy over Australia’s pattern system. They also discuss the ongoing debate about the mare weight allowance, and the MRC latest board announcements.
It also features an in-depth interview with trainer and Australian Trainers Association president Troy Corstens on training at scale, evolving commercial models and campaign planning.
The show also pays tribute to champion sire Fastnet Rock, examines an unresolved Deep Field insurance dispute and reviews a bumper Keeneland sale week.
It also reflects on wagering trends from the Backing the Punt conference — including live in-play trials and potential advertising reform.
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States