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Hello Youmzain: Progression Beyond his Third Season When assessed (above) back in February 2026, Hello Youmzain sat squarely in his difficult 3rd season. Eight months later, the picture has developed. The question is increasingly less about whether Hello Youmzain can produce stakes horses and more about the level his better progeny can ultimately reach. February to October 2026: A Story of Progression Measure February 2026 7 October 2026 Change Key observation Worldwide runners 207* 288 +81 / +39% Materially larger racing sample Individual winners 111* 155 +44 / +40% Winner numbers have grown broadly in line with runners Winners / runners 53.6%* 53.8% Essentially unchanged Efficiency has been maintained as the population expanded Worldwide earnings A$6.55m* More than $10m¹ >53% increase on the February figure Material earnings progression Individual stakes winners 8 18 +10 / +125% The most significant progression Individual Group winners 3 6 +3 / +100% Group-winning representation has doubled Additional stakes-placed horses 10 18 +8 / +80% Considerably greater depth below the stakes winners Total unique stakes performers 18 36 +18 / +100% Black-type representation has doubled Highest winning level Gr.2 Gr.2 NC Still awaiting a first Gr.1 winner Gr.1-placed progeny Misunderstood Misunderstood; Sweetest Thing +1 Gr.1 performance in both hemispheres Australian stakes winners 0 1 +1 Persian Wonder became his first Australian stakes winner Additional Australian black-type performers 0 4 +4 Beautiful You, Silken Salute, Naraghi and Azarax NZ sire position Leading First Season Sire 2024–25; leading interim second-season figures Champion Second Season Sire 2025–26 Confirmed progression Successive NZ first- and second-season sire titles Final NZ 2025–26 record Season incomplete 23 winners / 51 runners; 5 SW; NZ$1.41m — Strong completed second-season result NZ 3YO individual winners 17 interim² 21 final +4 Led NZ 3YO sires by individual winners Distance evidence Predominantly 1000–1600m Winning evidence to 1900m Broader Still principally a sprinter–miler; Hello Jo adds Listed 1800m evidence * Arion – Errors may be present Increasing Scale Without Losing Efficiency As at 7 October 2026, Hello Youmzain has sired 155 individual winners from 288 runners worldwide, representing a calculated winners-to-runners rate of 53.8%. Previously it was recorded he had 111 winners from 207 runners, or 53.6%. Hello Youmzain has added 81 runners and 44 individual winners while effectively maintaining the same winner conversion rate. More significantly, his black-type record has expanded from eight individual stakes winners to 18, including six individual Group winners, together with 18 additional stakes-placed horses. That gives him 36 individual stakes performers to date and a full mixed Black type page on Arion. The increase in scale has occurred without material deterioration in winner efficiency, while the growth in stakes and Group winners has outpaced the growth in the overall racing population. Stakes Winners and Performers At the elite end, Godspeed remains Hello Youmzain’s highest-level winner through her victory in the Gr.2 Prix de Sandringham (1600m). She has also placed at Gr.3 and Listed level and finished fourth in the Gr.1 Prix Rothschild. She is supported in Europe by Misunderstood, winner of the Gr.3 Prix des Chênes and third in the Gr.1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardère; Electrolyte, winner of the Gr.3 Prix Eclipse and runner-up in the Gr.2 Coventry Stakes; and Dostoievsky, whose 2026 Gr.3 Prix Texanita victory added another Group winner from his subsequent Northern Hemisphere crop. The Southern Hemisphere record has developed particularly strongly. Drops Of God progressed from stakes-placed company to win the Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes, while Persian Wonder became Hello Youmzain’s first Australian stakes winner with victory in the Gr.3 Ming Dynasty Handicap (1400m). The six individual Group winners are now: Godspeed — Gr.2 Prix de Sandringham Misunderstood — Gr.3 Prix des Chênes Electrolyte — Gr.3 Prix Eclipse Dostoievsky — Gr.3 Prix Texanita Drops Of God — Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes Persian Wonder — Gr.3 Ming Dynasty Handicap They are supported by Listed winners Platinum Diamond, Valasara, Hello Hayley, Dino, Extremely Zain, Victory Call, Back Of The Bus, Hello Jo, Lucy In The Sky, Perfect Chaos, Enchantment and Sweetest Thing who is also group one placed. Importantly, the depth below the stakes winners has also increased. Hello Youmzain has a further 18 individual stakes-placed performers. These include Beautiful You, Silken Salute, Bulgari, Kullazain, Jeudixx, Landman, Naraghi, Rosapenna, Azarax, Lady Youmzain, Miss Chiquita, Afentiko, Bermuda Longtail, Kozlovskha, Cool As Bling, Stimulative Trip, Phillyjean and Hello Avenue. The significance of this is increasingly not one standout horse, but the breadth of black-type performers emerging across different crops and jurisdictions. New Zealand: 2 Premierships Hello Youmzain’s position is clear in New Zealand. Having been crowned New Zealand’s Leading First Season Sire in 2024–25, he followed that by becoming Champion Second Season Sire in 2025–26. His completed 2025–26 New Zealand season produced: 51 runners 23 individual winners five stakes winners Importantly, He also led New Zealand three-year-old sires by number of individual winners, with 21 - an important progression from the interim position recorded earlier in 2026. The evidence increasingly supports a sire whose progeny can perform at two but, progress at three. Australia: Beginning to Convert In February, Hello Youmzain’s Australian record was primarily a winners-to-runners story, with good conversion but no Australian stakes winner. That position has now changed. Persian Wonder supplied his first Australian stakes winner with victory in the Gr.3 Ming Dynasty Handicap, having previously finished second in the Gr.3 TL Baillieu Handicap. He is supported by four additional Australian black-type performers: Beautiful You — third, Gr.2 Edward Manifold Stakes Silken Salute — second, Gr.3 Ken Russell Memorial Classic Naraghi — third, Gr.3 Auraria Stakes Azarax — third, Listed Canberra Guineas Australian representation remains considerably smaller than in New Zealand, but the record is beginning to move beyond simple winner efficiency into black-type performance. That is potentially important because greater Australian opportunity should provide a better test of where Hello Youmzain ultimately sits commercially within the Australasian stallion population. Crop and Age Profile: Continued Progression One of the more encouraging aspects of Hello Youmzain’s record remains the progression of his progeny with age. It remains too early to make strong conclusions about his progeny as mature older horses, but the evidence suggests that Hello Youmzain is not a early two-year-old sire by definition. Distance Profile: Sprinter – Miler with Reach (mare influenced) Hello Youmzain’s profile remains predominantly speed-oriented. The majority of his stakes success has occurred between 1000m and 1400m, consistent with his own race record. However, there is now meaningful evidence that his better progeny can extend beyond sprint distances. Godspeed and Misunderstood have demonstrated Group-class ability at 1600m, while Hello Hayley won the Listed Dunedin Guineas over 1600m. Other progeny including Dino, Naraghi, Rosapenna and Hello Avenue have also won at a mile. Perhaps most interestingly, Hello Jo has won the Listed Prix Maurice Caillault over 1800m and subsequently won over 1900m. The evidence therefore continues to support the description of Hello Youmzain as a sprinter–miler with reach, rather than a narrowly speed sire. However, there remains insufficient evidence to describe him as a genuine middle-distance influence. His pedigree dosage profile — DI 1.86, CD 0.38 — can provide some theoretical context for that range, although actual racetrack performance remains the more meaningful measure. Some Mare Lines That Have Worked Some interesting patterns have emerged, although the numbers remain too small to describe them as established nicks. O’Reilly remains noteworthy. Lucy In The Sky is out of an O’Reilly mare, as is Group-placed Bulgari, while O’Reilly also appears as the maternal grandsire of Landman. Thorn Park has produced an interesting early result through the dams of Platinum Diamond and Hello Hayley. And Per Incanto has left Enchantment and Beautiful You in Australia. I note maybe they are all just bloody good broodmare sires anyway (They are). However, perhaps the more important observation is Hello Youmzain’s apparent mating versatility. His better performers are emerging from mares by a wide range of broodmare sires including Storming Home, Dawn Approach, Orientate, Pivotal, Observatory, Royal Applause, Thorn Park, Acclamation, Galileo, Azamour, Medaglia d’Oro, Kingman, O’Reilly, Darci Brahma, Per Incanto and Sea The Stars. At this stage, that breadth is probably more meaningful than attempting to identify dominant sire nicks, Although I have strong views which are obvious if you bother to take a look!. Progression to Group 1? Hmm. Hello Youmzain’s position has changed materially through 2026. He increasingly looks like a sire whose early promise is being converted into repeatable black-type depth. The remaining question is therefore less about whether Hello Youmzain can consistently produce stakes horses (he clearly can) and more about what the upper limit of quality might be? He is still awaiting his first Group 1 winner - although Misunderstood and Sweetest Thing have placed at that level and several are nominated in Group 1 races going forward. So what changed? The discussion has moved from whether the early evidence would hold up, to how far the emerging depth will ultimately take him – That is ... if or when he will achieve a Group 1 winner. References Arion Pedigrees — worldwide sire statistics and progeny records Cambridge Stud — Hello Youmzain sire profile / Arion-derived statistics Breednet — progeny, stakes results and Australasian sales records LOVERACING.NZ / New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing — New Zealand sire standings and race results Racing Australia and Australian state/territory racing authorities — Australian black-type results Racing Post / France Galop / Deutscher Galopp — European Group and Listed results Pedigreequery — dosage and GSV pedigree data

An interesting scenario as the one above. A friend and I were offered a share in a horse for one start for 10k. It was racing in a 100k race with only 5 runners and one was a stayer, fresh up, so it looked like an unbeatable deal. If it ran 4th, we made money. I cannot remember how much, but it more than covered the cost. Everything was going to plan, but you wouldn't believe it but she broke down and did't finish the race. I should be able to remember the horse's name,but old age has caught up me, but i do know it was out a daughter of Show Gate, i believe it was Showella.

The top yearling sale got underway in Newmarket on Tuesday. https://www.tattersalls.com/sales/october-yearling-sale-book-1/4DCGI/Sale/OC126/Main/Lots/ Six lots went for more than a million guineas and Godolphin bought five of them. The showstopper went for a European record 4.6 million guineas. He’s by Night of Thunder out of My Astra - I think it’s her first foal but she is a half to My Prospero and My Oberon, both Group 1 winners. I suspect the colt will have a name with a nod to Midsummer Nights Dream - perhaps PUCK OFF or perhaps not. Godolphin also paid 3.8 million guineas for a colt by Wootton Bassett out of Loch Lein. The dam has thrown one by Frankel but he hasn’t been seen since finishing down the field in a handicap in April. The sale numbers for day one look impressive - 115 lots sold for a total of 407 million guineas compared with 129 million guineas on the equivalent day in 2025. Worth mentioning Coolmore were the underbidders on the top lots.

Given many of you will throw stones........shit for brains.

Sold for $55,000 to David Blumberg

If l bet "Top 10" my runner would finish 11th. My "win" bets generally run 2nd, "place" bets (with 3 divvies) generally finish 4th. What's the point

Just sat down to watch R3 at Woodville and Stephen Hunt was downplaying Blueprints trial, this is a very tough race with many chances Elegante being the most obvious but Blueprint looked to have a bit in reserve for what its worth....not sure what Hunt was watching

Lot of talk about THUNDER IN MOTION in Race 3 at Taupo this Friday

Why not get rid of the whip, both for the animals welfare and not to give those who want to ban horse racing a reason. A fair playing field. Just my opinion

With many top horses having already completed their final preps ahead of the Breeders' Cup, the latest National Thoroughbred Racing Association Top Thoroughbred Poll shows little movement despite a flurry of graded stakes action last week.View the full article

The Irish horse racing and betting sectors were among the winners in the Oct. 6 budget, with Horse Racing Ireland's funding due to increase while the rate of betting tax has been left unchanged. View the full article

My point is that if is a horse is beaten with no chance of getting a bigger stake for the owners then I don't want to see a situation where jockeys have to ride out with the whip because we now have top 10 bets . And IMO hitting a beaten horse with the whip is the bash . Again IMO I have no issue with jockeys easing up if in the above position , if a punter has a horse for top 8 but it runs 9th because a jockey eased up because the horse was gone then so be it . As for your last sentence , if that is the "bash", NO I am not , I have openly stated on this forum that the time has come for use of the whip behind the saddle to be banished , use of the whip only on the shoulder whilst maintaining both hands on the reins is my preferred option now . I watched a race out of Victoria last week where an odds on horse came around them on the corner from last , jogging , went up and past them by 4L without the jockey turning the whip , then 100m out the jockey precedes to give the horse 2 backhanders , I was furious , even my wife came into the lounge and asked what I was yelling at , absolutely disgusting behavior and it's the sort of thing that is going to cost the industry . Beaten horses should be looked after . Just my opinion .

Completely agree, there was nothing wrong with the trial and at the end of the day it's all it is a trial. Some people just like to cause drama for the sake of it. Impossible to beat.

Woodville R6 Meridivaci Here’s the value runner. His form is building nicely this preparation: He has since trialled locally at Woodville and appeared hard held when finishing fourth, suggesting there may still be improvement to come. Today’s setup looks strong: Race-fit Local trial experience Drawn well in barrier 6 Second-highest rating in the field Several key rivals resuming The Soft 7 is the main unknown, but if he reproduces his recent form, he should be right in the finish. Top 5 selections 1. Meridivaci Here’s the value runner. His form has progressed nicely this preparation: His latest fourth came over 1700m on the Awapuni Synthetic, where he finished 5.17L from the winner and recorded a 36.82 L600. He now drops back to 1400m, draws ideally in barrier six and arrives with race fitness on his side. Your observation that he appeared hard held when fourth in a local trial adds further interest, although that is a replay assessment rather than an officially recorded form fact. The switch to apprentice Tom Wigram changes the riding setup, but the claim helps offset the 58.5kg allocation. Verdict: The combination of improving form, fitness and a workable draw gives him a genuine winning chance. At around $11, he looks the value runner of the race. 2. Katsu The stablemate looks the principal danger. Her form of 225X contains two consecutive seconds before a fifth, and her rating of 54 is the highest in the field. From barrier two with 56.5kg, she should receive an economical run. The question is race fitness because she resumes, whereas Meridivaci has already had recent racing. Both are trained by Guy Lowry and Leah Zydenbos, whose profile identifies them as a Hastings partnership. Verdict: Strong historical form and the best barrier among the leading chances. If forward enough first-up, she can win. 3. Cricket A consistent mare returning with form of 6344X. She has repeatedly finished around the placings and gets an experienced rider in Kelly Myers. The concern is barrier 11, which may leave her covering ground or settling further back than ideal. Verdict: Honest profile and capable of figuring prominently, but the wide gate makes the task harder. 4. Sax Appeal The lightweight three-year-old appeals as an improver. Her form of 4367X includes a third and fourth, while 54kg gives her a meaningful weight advantage over the older males. Barrier eight is manageable, and Masa Hashizume takes the ride. The blinkers come off, which may help her relax, although the effect of that gear change cannot be known in advance. Verdict: Well weighted and capable of improving fresh. A genuine first-four chance. 5. Dolindo His 928X form contains a second placing, giving him enough exposed ability to remain under consideration. Lisa Allpress is a positive booking, but barrier ten creates a tactical challenge. He may need to work early or settle further back than ideal. Verdict: Has shown enough to feature but needs the right trip first-up from the wider draw. R8 Borrowed Time His first-up fifth at Waverley was much better than it initially appeared. On Heavy 8, he ran the fastest L600 of the race in 37.83, despite having to steady near the 800m. The return to the mile is a material positive: third over 1600m on Soft 6; third over 1600m on Soft 7; third over 1650m at Waverley; now second-up after a strong closing return. Our race-benchmark adjustment estimated his Waverley L600 at approximately 35.94 on a Soft 6-type benchmark, leaving him only around 0.15 seconds behind Topeka’s 35.79. That is a modelling estimate, not an official sectional conversion. The clear concern is barrier 11. If he gets too far back, the 375m Woodville straight may not give him enough time to recover the lost ground. Verdict: Capable of performing significantly above his market price. Strong inclusion in trifectas, first fours and a small each-way play. Top 5 selections 1. Topeka The horse to beat. Her 35.79 L600 over 1600m on Soft 6 is the strongest directly comparable sectional we identified. She finished second in that performance and remains favourably treated today with the apprentice claim, carrying approximately 50kg from barrier four. That gives her: established mile performance; proven Soft-track acceleration; an inside-to-middle draw; a major weight advantage; tactical versatility. Risk: She still has to convert her promise into a win, and a very slow tempo could make the race messy. Tipster verdict: best combination of speed, conditions, distance and weight. 2. Roccadonna Strong profile from the inside gate. She is the highest-rated runner among the leading mares at rating 51, carries 56.5kg and has barrier one. Her form line of 430X5 indicates previous competitiveness before resuming with a fifth. The inside draw should allow George Rooke to conserve ground and secure an economical position. In a large field on soft ground, that can be a significant advantage compared with runners forced to cover extra ground. Risk: Barrier one can become awkward if she settles midfield and the runners ahead begin weakening. Verdict: Clear winning chance and likely to receive one of the best runs. 3. Will Solid each-way credentials despite the draw. His form includes placings before the spell, and his 36.15 L600 on Soft 5 over 1300m shows genuine finishing speed. The main questions are whether he can reproduce that acceleration over 1600m and overcome barrier 12. He has the services of Kelly Myers, but at 58.5kg he gives substantial weight to Topeka and the mares. Risk: Wide draw, top weight and the step to 1600m could leave him with plenty to do. Verdict: Natural ability puts him in the top five, although his price may be short enough given the map. 4. Borrowed Time See Above 5. Time After Time Consistent mare who should appreciate the mile. Her recent form of 62254 is among the most reliable in the field. She is rated 54, has established 1600m experience and carries 56.5kg. The issue is barrier 14. She may need to work early, be restrained near the back, or cover additional ground. None of those options is ideal on a Soft 7 track. Her previously identified 38.64 L600 over 1600m on Heavy 10 was slower than Borrowed Time’s Heavy-track figure, although race shape and track differences limit a direct comparison. Verdict: Honest and capable, but the wide barrier prevents me from rating her higher.

Looked to trial well so did Jolliestar I thought .

Like every fixed odds market, it changes. I dont usually do the top 10, but in bigger fields and if odds right why not top 6 or 7? Get a few runners paying overs which shorten later, its a gamble. A few i know take SRM and multi up, young punters like chasing odds, why not.

Add up the market percentages and you will quickly discover that the majority of these markets are for those who are mathematically challenged. Place 10 is way off the map.

The late Jim Lambert told me, about 40 years ago, that he had seen a young Maori boy call the trials at Matamata. He was astounded at the boy's ability to remember colours at the trials. Incredible skills! I am sure you all know who I am referring to.

Because the punters want to see it (not whipping them, just not easing up) and the punters pay the bills. If everybody outside of the first 4 placegetters ease up, then form analysis becomes impossible

Jockey Edwin Gonzalez is scheduled to have grade 1 opportunities Oct. 31 at Keeneland, courtesy of trainer Saffie Joseph Jr.View the full article

Gainesway Stable and Andrew Rosen celebrated a grade 1 victory at Keeneland when Emphatic captured the Oct. 2 Alcibiades (G1). Now, they'll seek another top win when Luster represents them in the Oct. 10 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup (G1T).View the full article

Well-bred juveniles Damavand, Winchester Road, and Mystik Bayou are the latest BloodHorse Maiden Watch Hot Prospects after promising victories last week.View the full article

With many top horses having already completed their final preps ahead of the Breeders' Cup, the latest National Thoroughbred Racing Association Top Thoroughbred Poll shows little movement despite a flurry of graded stakes action last week.View the full article