Wolfden takes a punt
Wolfden is set to enter the bookmaking space.
Due to launch in September, the brand led by professional punter Kingsley Bartholomew will enter an already competitive wagering space.
Wolfden is currently focused on content [which we enjoy] but has long rumoured to have been considering a wagering play.
The Den currently includes punters Matt Taylor, Dan O’Sullivan and Richard Irvine among other guests.
They have pitched themselves as a voice of the punters.
”Our community brings together Pro Punters and enthusiasts alike, fostering an environment where everyone unites with a shared mission: to outsmart the bookies!” their website reads.
Now they can walk the walk!
Whether it comes to prices, bet limits and taking on those who complain they can’t get enough on elsewhere, it’ll be interesting to see how Wolfden go about their business in a competitive space.
Wolfden had previously done commercial deals with a number of states – including with Racing Victoria – and previously had agreements with Ladbrokes, which included having a ‘’punters group’’ where for $20, you could win a slice of the pot if a profit is made [Kingsley and the Den boys made the bets]. It was a good concept.
Now they will use their brand and member base to try something different.
The Wolfden wagering service will launch using the licence of bookmaker Warren Woodcock and will utilise his team too.
Kingsley is one of Australia’s better known punters, spending up big on events like Call of the Card and reportedly turned over up to $1 million on a Saturday.
The relationship between Kingsley and Woodcock goes way back – he started working with Woodcock at the races when he was 17. The rest is history.
Betsy is told Kingsley will continue to punt, appear in the Den’s content but not be overly active in the new wagering offering.
‘Good riddance’: Kelly exit RQ row
We revealed last week that there is a sniff of unrest in Queensland as the temporary CEO Lachlan Murray faces an uncertain wait to find out whether he will get the gig fulltime.
Despite having the backing of a number of folk at Racing Queensland, there is a view that an interstater is being lined up to take the job fulltime.
Betsy has been told a handful of hopefuls are now considering a tilt, including at least three from down south [which given the cold and dark depths of Victoria’s winter, why wouldn’t you?]
Queensland Racing this week were in the news again after revelations from News Corp that Kim Kelly – the highly regarded boss of the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission – had suddenly quit.
His reason?
”I signed up to the model of a true independent QRIC and what is proposed and what the Government has agreed to is not what I signed up to,’’ he told Racenet, later adding: “A long career of regulating racing has given me a good understanding of what good regulation looks like and conversely what bad regulation looks like.’’
Indeed, if anyone knows how these operations should look, it is Kelly.
And if anyone should know the importance of public confidence in how racing operates, it is administrators, like RQ.
But incredibly – despite the fall-out from the Kelly interview and the blow of losing someone with his experience – word has reached the desk of Betsy that one board member was toasting his departure.
‘’Good riddance to him,’’ one board member was heard saying following Kelly’s resignation.
The strange Susie saga
It’s a saga worthy of a Johnny Cash song [who famously wrote A Boy Named Sue].
This story of course involves European star, A Boy Named Susie.
Betsy too heard whispers a number of prominent owners had been approached to gather any interest they may have to buy shares in the galloper, whispered to be valued at $6 million, who would have been set for this year’s Cox Plate at Flemington.
We were beaten to the punch by Racenet – and given the fall-out since – it’s one scoop we probably don’t mind losing out on.
The fury that followed the story was strange.
There were some very strong denials a deal had been done – and the horse’s European trainer even went as far as denying the horse was for sale.
“He’s not sold. I don’t know where that report came from. We still have him,’’ said trainer Donnacha O’Brien.
“It’s been a bit disappointing to see various news outlets report on the sale without checking sources or confirming with us.’’
Now, chuck that against this from prominent owner John O’Neill who was impressively transparent on Monday’s SEN Track show.
He confirmed that he had committed to buying a share in the horse and even confirmed what we were told [and Racenet later reported] that the price was ‘north of $5 million’.
O’Neill said the process was being run by Ciaron Maher’s Head of Bloodstock, Will Bourne, and confirmed there are several Australian stables willing to spend millions to attract a European star that could transcend Australia’s WFA scene, before a tilt at a race like the Melbourne Cup.
O’Neill also confirmed what was rumoured, that Maher’s team had won the race for the star.
‘’Will put a group of people together with the opportunity to buy the horse. Obviously, it was all subject to them approving that process, but there was definitely an opportunity to get in the horse,’’ O’Neill said.
Now here is the interesting part.
There was strong mail that the horse may have had issues with his veterinary checks – a position strongly denied in Australia – and which O’Neill said wasn’t true.
But the important CT scans – which could be problematic if he is sent towards a likely Melbourne Cup tilt – well, that’s another story altogether it seems.
‘’As per usual, he went through the full vetting scenarios and passed the vet beautifully. Everything was fine,’’ he said.
‘’So he passed the vet OK. Passed the vet, he was perfect. He’s a beautiful horse, I’ll tell you what, he’s a proper horse. And then post that they did the CT scan, and we decided not to proceed.’’
O’Neill later said they were disappointed to lose out on a horse that could have set the spring alight.
Good on O’Neill for providing context to a good yarn.
Papley looks at home
Winter is the perfect place to try a few things, and we’re all for some of the rotating guests that 7HorseRacing has trialled over some of the quieter months.
The latest addition is Sydney Swans star Tom Papley.
Tom Papley is far from the only Swan who loves his racing 🦢🤝🏇
Hope we’re providing some Saturday arvo solace, @sydneyswans 🫡 pic.twitter.com/jL1ZuzL7PN
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) July 18, 2026
The goal kicker is a mad racing fan and has long done his own racing media, from podcasts to work with SEN Track in Sydney.
Papley was a terrific fit for last Saturday’s racing for 7HorseRacing, tipped well and gave a cross promotion for our sport that is worth every cent.
If anything, considering some of the huge marketing budgets that exist in racing, 7HorseRacing would be well within its rights to ask for some help to get other sport stars who love their racing to work on air in a bid to attract more sports fans.
“I couldn’t believe how strong he was…they’re better athletes than us”
Tom Papley takes us through his favourite jockeys and reveals a special connection with Kerrin McEvoy 🤝@tompapley @kpmcevoy pic.twitter.com/7eDOL34WMe
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) July 19, 2026
Power plays
The dominos in Victorian racing are in a fascinating state at the moment. If one falls, then what?
Good on you, Nick
And finally, in a column that is seemingly over indexed with our competitors’ work, credit to Nick Noonan as per the tweet below. More honest takes and potentially unpopular opinions, the better.
Fabulous to hear @NickoNoonan pot Lady Moscato heavily out of the yard. Basically said it couldn’t win and she tailed out last as favourite.
Whether connections like it or not, this is bloody valuable information from the yard.
— Matt Welsh (@Matt__Welsh_) July 22, 2026
