I am excited to share that miRunners will be back in action at the 2025 yearling sales in Australia and New Zealand, starting at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale on the Gold Coast this January. These events mark the beginning of another thrilling year for our miRunners community.
As part of our commitment to bringing owners into every part of the journey, we are hosting our exclusive sales tour on Wednesday, 8th January. Led by our Head of Bloodstock, Mick Malone, and myself, this tour will give you an insider’s look at how we assess potential yearlings. We will walk you through the sale grounds, showcase some of our shortlisted lots from various stud farms, and give you a behind the scenes view of yearling preparation and the selection process. This is a unique experience, and spots are limited, so to secure yours, please email support@mirunners.com with the names of all attendees.
Additionally, we are organising a stable visit to Edmonds McLean Racing on Thursday 9th January at 8am, so you can visit Star Ambition and tour their impressive new training complex. It is a fantastic chance to connect with fellow owners and see Star Ambition up close as he gears up for his next preparation. To register for this visit, please email support@mirunners.com with the names of your guests, places are limited.
While it has been a quieter few months as our horses have been out spelling, six are now back in work or pre-training, and we are gearing up for a busy season at the races. I look forward to getting back trackside with our owners to cheer on our runners in the coming months.
On a more bittersweet note, we recently had to bid farewell to Divine Existence, who has been sold, and to our Farnan x Reprimand colt, who was rehomed to Kia Ora Stud after a difficult recovery from his head injury. I want to personally thank the owners of these horses. Racing can be a journey of highs and lows, and while we embrace the joy of winning, we also recognise the challenges. Please know that our team are on the journey with you every step of the way. I encourage and welcome you to reach out if you would like to have a chat or have any questions that you would like answered.
On a brighter note, I was happy to hear the latest update from Pauline and the team at North about Dusty Tycoon. Mick Malone and the whole team are thrilled with her progress and are looking forward to her foaling, which is expected later this month. We will keep you posted on any developments via the miRunners owners group on social media.
Looking ahead, Mick Malone and I will be inspecting yearlings from a wide range of farms to prepare for the Magic Millions and Inglis Sales in 2025. We are putting together a shortlist that will build on our stable’s current draft of promising racehorses. We are thrilled to be adding new faces to the miRunners family and offer more owners the chance to experience the thrill of racing with us.
Kind Regards
Mick
We are thrilled to announce the official names for two of our promising young racehorses: Rusty Tycoon and Val De Grise. Each name carries deep significance, reflecting both personal connections to the miRunners family.
Val De Grise
The name Val De Grise for our Dundeel x New York Lights filly was the winning entry in our recent naming competition, and it was a name with a special story behind it. Val De Grise, was submitted by miRunners owner and cherished community member, Val Burman, who recently passed away at the age of 96. This name captures both her personal history and the spirit she brought to our community.
In 2009, Val noted down this name in her diary, inspired by her own name – Val, which also translates to “strength” in Latin, Val’s hair was also going grey, symbolized by the French word Grise (pronounced griz). Val loved this name and had saved it for years, believing it would suit a very special horse. When our grey filly joined trainer Peter Moody, Val’s favourite trainer, she felt it was time to bring the name to life. With her health declining, her daughter Pam helped her submit Val De Grise as a fitting name for our beautiful filly.
Just before her passing, Val received a call from miRunners General Manager Mick Rees, who shared that her entry was voted as the most popular name, pending Racing Australia’s approval. We are honoured to celebrate her legacy and the lasting joy she found in our horses.
Vale Val Burman (1928 – 2024) – Val is dearly missed, Val’s warmth, passion, and enthusiasm for her horses will live on in Val De Grise.
Rusty Tycoon
Continuing a proud family legacy our Brutal x Sponsored gelding has also been officially named Rusty Tycoon, a tribute to miRunners’ history and the legacy of his “big sister,” Dusty Tycoon. Submitted by Tony Saint from Queensland, this name reflects a connection to Dusty, one of miRunners’ most beloved racehorses. Dusty’s racing career captured the hearts of many, winning multiple races under the guidance of trainer Rob Heathcote. Now, Rusty Tycoon, also trained by Heathcote, steps into the spotlight, continuing the journey that Dusty began.
Rusty Tycoon is set to follow in his sister’s footsteps, and with his popularity already growing among our owners, we look forward to a bright future ahead with him.
These names represent the heart and history of miRunners, and as both Rusty Tycoon and Val De Grise prepare for their racing careers, they carry with them the stories, connections, and cherished memories that make the miRunners family and stable truly special.
Our stable is coming to life again with a large contingent of miRunners horses returning from their spells and heading into training. Each of these horses have made progress in their time away, and the entire team is looking forward to seeing them take the next steps in their careers. Here is a rundown of the promising miRunners thoroughbreds back in action:
Rusty Tycoon (Brutal x Sponsored)
The Brutal x Sponsored gelding recently named Rusty Tycoon is back at Eagle Farm under the watchful eye of the Heathcote Racing team. He is developing nicely, and while he is still learning, he is keen and eager to get on with it. Watching him grow into a brute of a horse has been exciting for all involved. Rusty is back on track and showing all the right signs as he works through his education and gains fitness.
Bold Sovereign (Time To Reign x Guapa)
At Scone, recently named Bold Sovereign is putting in the early miles under the guidance of the team at Annabel Neasham Racing. This colt has already earned attention for his impressive build, with a strong forearm, shoulder, and powerful hindquarter. Currently focused on steady, slow work, Bold Sovereign will be stepping things up in another week or so. With a bit of luck, this preparation should see him make it to the trials once he heads back to Warwick Farm.
Star Ambition
Our exciting prospect Star Ambition has been back in the stables for four weeks now, with sights set on the 3 year old races at the Magic Millions Carnival this January. Recently gelded, Star Ambition has comeback bigger, stronger, and more focused than ever. He has already caught the attention of his trainers, and we are optimistic that he is on track to make a big impression come January.
Cardiologist
Cardiologist has returned to pre-training with a renewed focus, undergoing new drills and exercises to further his development. In his last preparation, he consistently placed third, showing that he is ready to take the next step. With continued progress, we are hopeful that Cardiologist will find the winner’s circle this preparation.
Farcited
After making it to the early 2 year old trials last time, Farcited has now arrived at Hawkesbury to commence pre-training. This preparation, we are aiming to see him make his way back to the trials and maybe even a race. His composition is incredible and he continually impresses every one with his rock star looks.
Val De Grise (Dundeel x New York Lights)
The stunning grey filly recently named Val De Grise is also back in pre-training near Pakenham, under the guidance of Peter Moody. She turned heads last preparation with how switched on she was and how quickly she is able to adapt to new situations, and we are looking forward to seeing her build on that foundation this time around.
The stable has recently seen two of our promising young colts in 2 year old Rusty Tycoon and 3 year old Star Ambition, undergo gelding procedures, a decision we believe will focus their energy on the track and pave the way for exciting racing careers. Here is a look at their recent progress and plans for the season ahead.
Rusty Tycoon, sired by Brutal out of Sponsored, continues to show promising development. He has been through his education at Washpool Lodge, where he built a solid foundation for his racing journey. Recently, Rusty underwent a spell at Kolora Lodge after his gelding and recovered smoothly, quickly returning under saddle within two weeks. His eagerness was evident as he got back to training with a keen spirit and a spring in his step. Now that he is back at Eagle Farm, Rusty is set to embark on his next preparation. We will be looking to possibly trial him this preparation to assess his progress and determine how far he can go.
After an impressive debut as a 2 year old, where he clinched a win at the Sunshine Coast and followed up with a strong second place finish at Eagle Farm, Star Ambition went out for a well deserved spell. Now, he is back, stronger and more focused, ready to tackle the upcoming season his trainer Toby Edmonds is thrilled with his condition, noting his increased strength and a noticeably more mature, business like attitude. After his initial pre-training, Star Ambition has started pace work, with eyes set on the prestigious Magic Millions Carnival. With his promising attitude and physical development, there are hopes he could find himself in one of the 3 year old races throughout the Magic Millions, which would be an incredible milestone for him and his owners.
Check out the miRunners trucker cap for only $25! Made with cool polyester and a breezy mesh backing, it’s perfect for any weather. Plus, the plastic snap back ensures a comfy fit. Grab yours today!
I am excited to share that miRunners will be back in action at the 2025 yearling sales in Australia and New Zealand, starting at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale on the Gold Coast this January. These events mark the beginning of another thrilling year for our miRunners community.
As part of our commitment to bringing owners into every part of the journey, we are hosting our exclusive sales tour on Wednesday, 8th January. Led by our Head of Bloodstock, Mick Malone, and myself, this tour will give you an insider’s look at how we assess potential yearlings. We will walk you through the sale grounds, showcase some of our shortlisted lots from various stud farms, and give you a behind the scenes view of yearling preparation and the selection process. This is a unique experience, and spots are limited, so to secure yours, please email support@mirunners.com with the names of all attendees.
Additionally, we are organising a stable visit to Edmonds McLean Racing on Thursday 9th January at 8am, so you can visit Star Ambition and tour their impressive new training complex. It is a fantastic chance to connect with fellow owners and see Star Ambition up close as he gears up for his next preparation. To register for this visit, please email support@mirunners.com with the names of your guests, places are limited.
While it has been a quieter few months as our horses have been out spelling, six are now back in work or pre-training, and we are gearing up for a busy season at the races. I look forward to getting back trackside with our owners to cheer on our runners in the coming months.
On a more bittersweet note, we recently had to bid farewell to Divine Existence, who has been sold, and to our Farnan x Reprimand colt, who was rehomed to Kia Ora Stud after a difficult recovery from his head injury. I want to personally thank the owners of these horses. Racing can be a journey of highs and lows, and while we embrace the joy of winning, we also recognise the challenges. Please know that our team are on the journey with you every step of the way. I encourage and welcome you to reach out if you would like to have a chat or have any questions that you would like answered.
On a brighter note, I was happy to hear the latest update from Pauline and the team at North about Dusty Tycoon. Mick Malone and the whole team are thrilled with her progress and are looking forward to her foaling, which is expected later this month. We will keep you posted on any developments via the miRunners owners group on social media.
Looking ahead, Mick Malone and I will be inspecting yearlings from a wide range of farms to prepare for the Magic Millions and Inglis Sales in 2025. We are putting together a shortlist that will build on our stable’s current draft of promising racehorses. We are thrilled to be adding new faces to the miRunners family and offer more owners the chance to experience the thrill of racing with us.
Kind Regards
Mick
We are thrilled to announce the official names for two of our promising young racehorses: Rusty Tycoon and Val De Grise. Each name carries deep significance, reflecting both personal connections to the miRunners family.
Val De Grise
The name Val De Grise for our Dundeel x New York Lights filly was the winning entry in our recent naming competition, and it was a name with a special story behind it. Val De Grise, was submitted by miRunners owner and cherished community member, Val Burman, who recently passed away at the age of 96. This name captures both her personal history and the spirit she brought to our community.
In 2009, Val noted down this name in her diary, inspired by her own name – Val, which also translates to “strength” in Latin, Val’s hair was also going grey, symbolized by the French word Grise (pronounced griz). Val loved this name and had saved it for years, believing it would suit a very special horse. When our grey filly joined trainer Peter Moody, Val’s favourite trainer, she felt it was time to bring the name to life. With her health declining, her daughter Pam helped her submit Val De Grise as a fitting name for our beautiful filly.
Just before her passing, Val received a call from miRunners General Manager Mick Rees, who shared that her entry was voted as the most popular name, pending Racing Australia’s approval. We are honoured to celebrate her legacy and the lasting joy she found in our horses.
Vale Val Burman (1928 – 2024) – Val is dearly missed, Val’s warmth, passion, and enthusiasm for her horses will live on in Val De Grise.
Rusty Tycoon
Continuing a proud family legacy our Brutal x Sponsored gelding has also been officially named Rusty Tycoon, a tribute to miRunners’ history and the legacy of his “big sister,” Dusty Tycoon. Submitted by Tony Saint from Queensland, this name reflects a connection to Dusty, one of miRunners’ most beloved racehorses. Dusty’s racing career captured the hearts of many, winning multiple races under the guidance of trainer Rob Heathcote. Now, Rusty Tycoon, also trained by Heathcote, steps into the spotlight, continuing the journey that Dusty began.
Rusty Tycoon is set to follow in his sister’s footsteps, and with his popularity already growing among our owners, we look forward to a bright future ahead with him.
These names represent the heart and history of miRunners, and as both Rusty Tycoon and Val De Grise prepare for their racing careers, they carry with them the stories, connections, and cherished memories that make the miRunners family and stable truly special.
Our stable is coming to life again with a large contingent of miRunners horses returning from their spells and heading into training. Each of these horses have made progress in their time away, and the entire team is looking forward to seeing them take the next steps in their careers. Here is a rundown of the promising miRunners thoroughbreds back in action:
Rusty Tycoon (Brutal x Sponsored)
The Brutal x Sponsored gelding recently named Rusty Tycoon is back at Eagle Farm under the watchful eye of the Heathcote Racing team. He is developing nicely, and while he is still learning, he is keen and eager to get on with it. Watching him grow into a brute of a horse has been exciting for all involved. Rusty is back on track and showing all the right signs as he works through his education and gains fitness.
Bold Sovereign (Time To Reign x Guapa)
At Scone, recently named Bold Sovereign is putting in the early miles under the guidance of the team at Annabel Neasham Racing. This colt has already earned attention for his impressive build, with a strong forearm, shoulder, and powerful hindquarter. Currently focused on steady, slow work, Bold Sovereign will be stepping things up in another week or so. With a bit of luck, this preparation should see him make it to the trials once he heads back to Warwick Farm.
Star Ambition
Our exciting prospect Star Ambition has been back in the stables for four weeks now, with sights set on the 3 year old races at the Magic Millions Carnival this January. Recently gelded, Star Ambition has comeback bigger, stronger, and more focused than ever. He has already caught the attention of his trainers, and we are optimistic that he is on track to make a big impression come January.
Cardiologist
Cardiologist has returned to pre-training with a renewed focus, undergoing new drills and exercises to further his development. In his last preparation, he consistently placed third, showing that he is ready to take the next step. With continued progress, we are hopeful that Cardiologist will find the winner’s circle this preparation.
Farcited
After making it to the early 2 year old trials last time, Farcited has now arrived at Hawkesbury to commence pre-training. This preparation, we are aiming to see him make his way back to the trials and maybe even a race. His composition is incredible and he continually impresses every one with his rock star looks.
Val De Grise (Dundeel x New York Lights)
The stunning grey filly recently named Val De Grise is also back in pre-training near Pakenham, under the guidance of Peter Moody. She turned heads last preparation with how switched on she was and how quickly she is able to adapt to new situations, and we are looking forward to seeing her build on that foundation this time around.
The stable has recently seen two of our promising young colts in 2 year old Rusty Tycoon and 3 year old Star Ambition, undergo gelding procedures, a decision we believe will focus their energy on the track and pave the way for exciting racing careers. Here is a look at their recent progress and plans for the season ahead.
Rusty Tycoon, sired by Brutal out of Sponsored, continues to show promising development. He has been through his education at Washpool Lodge, where he built a solid foundation for his racing journey. Recently, Rusty underwent a spell at Kolora Lodge after his gelding and recovered smoothly, quickly returning under saddle within two weeks. His eagerness was evident as he got back to training with a keen spirit and a spring in his step. Now that he is back at Eagle Farm, Rusty is set to embark on his next preparation. We will be looking to possibly trial him this preparation to assess his progress and determine how far he can go.
After an impressive debut as a 2 year old, where he clinched a win at the Sunshine Coast and followed up with a strong second place finish at Eagle Farm, Star Ambition went out for a well deserved spell. Now, he is back, stronger and more focused, ready to tackle the upcoming season his trainer Toby Edmonds is thrilled with his condition, noting his increased strength and a noticeably more mature, business like attitude. After his initial pre-training, Star Ambition has started pace work, with eyes set on the prestigious Magic Millions Carnival. With his promising attitude and physical development, there are hopes he could find himself in one of the 3 year old races throughout the Magic Millions, which would be an incredible milestone for him and his owners.
Check out the miRunners trucker cap for only $25! Made with cool polyester and a breezy mesh backing, it’s perfect for any weather. Plus, the plastic snap back ensures a comfy fit. Grab yours today!
