Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Top Sydney trainer Joe Pride admits he likes the challenge of “using my imagination” after buying horses who look like they’ve still got a bit of maturing to do. But it is a proven formula for him, as he showed once again at Randwick on Saturday, with Ceolwulf (NZ) (Tavistock {NZ}) and Lekvarte (NZ) (Reliable Man {GB}) saluting in the respective G1 King Charles III S. and G3 Angst S.
Ceolwulf was purchased by Pride for $170,000 from Riversley Park Ltd at the 2022 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale, the two-time Group 1 winner now amassing $4,750,400 in total prizemoney from 14 starts, and he is still just a 4-year-old gelding.
His G1 Waikato Draft Sprint-winning sire, Tavistock (NZ), has sired 766 runners for 564 winners, with 51 coming at stakes level.
Tavistock (NZ) | Standing at Cambridge Stud, NZ
12 of those are Group 1 winners, including gelding Werther (NZ) who took out the Queen Elizabeth II Cup and Hong Kong Gold Cup, both at Group 1-level, in 2016 and 2017.
Shrewd purchase
Pride said his shrewd purchase of Ceolwulf was a no-brainer.
“He was just a really attractive-looking yearling. I only bought two horses out of that sale, and he was just a horse who caught my eye,” he told The Thoroughbred Report.
“He was a really handsome-looking colt. I’ve always liked the Tavistock horses, and Shamardal is a great broodmare sire, so it was a pretty easy one for me.
Ceolwulf (NZ) as a 2-year-old | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
“He breezed up well. The little things came together, and I was hoping he’d be in the can-afford basket.
“He fell in there.”
Ceolwulf is the first runner for his dam, Las Brisas (GB) Sharmardal (USA)), who was an £50,000 (AU$97,342) purchase by Cambridge Stud from Castlefarm Stud, Ireland, at the 2018 Tattersalls December Mares Sales.
Blistering turn of foot
And his win on Saturday was stunning, with jockey Chad Schofield summoning a blistering turn of foot down the middle of the straight from seventh position, going on to defeat three-time Group 1 winner Pride Of Jenni (Pride Of Dubai) by 0.72l.
It was Ceolwulf’s third salute from his past four starts, including the G1 Epsom which he won in similar fashion, also over a mile at Randwick on October 5.
Before his triumph in a Benchmark 100 over 1500 metres at Rosehill on August 31, he went eight starts without a victory, since claiming his maiden at start number two at Warwick Farm on August 30, 2023.
But Pride – who has achieved Group 1 victories with tried horses such as Vision And Power (Carnegie (Ire)), Sacred Choice (Choisir), Eduardo (Host (Chi)), Steps In Time (Danehill Dancer (Ire)) and Mariamia (Toronado (Ire)) – only enjoyed guiding Ceolwulf though the winless period as he matured, as he now enjoys a well-earned spell.
A well-earned spell
“He’s come a long way in a short time, and he’s getting a break now,” he said.
“But it was a very good win. Very pleasing.
“He hasn’t really got much tactical speed, but he’s got that big booming finish on him.
Joe Pride | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“He’s still a horse learning what it’s all about, but the raw ability is clearly there. And it’s something to build on as he gets a bit older.
“I do like my horses who look like they’re going to take a little while to mature. You don’t have to pay as much for them, and they just suit what I do.”
Pride said typically not pursuing potential 2-year-old stars for his medium-sized stable at Warwick Farm meant using all his creativity and nous as an elite trainer, going back to when he began his operation at Randwick in 2000.
Ceolwulf (NZ) stormed home in the G1 King Charles III S. on Saturday | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“I’m most likely going to miss the window if I’m going to buy an early type. I don’t want to push them too hard too early,” he said.
“So I buy horses where you have to use your imagination a little bit more, but it’s a formula that has worked for me in the past.”
“I buy horses where you have to use your imagination a little bit more, but it’s a formula that has worked for me in the past.” - Joe Pride
Future targets
Pride said the G1 Queen Elizabeth S. on April 12 next year would be the next target for Ceolwulf, with a 12-month target being the 2025 Cox Plate, the respected Sydney conditioner saying this year’s edition on Saturday would be too much of a short turnaround.
“Queen Elizabeth for the autumn is what we’re thinking. And then, all going well and he runs a strong 2000 metres there, we’d be mad not to aim up in the Cox Plate in the spring,” he said.
“Queen Elizabeth for the autumn is what we’re thinking. And then, all going well and he (Ceolwulf) runs a strong 2000 metres there, we’d be mad not to aim up in the Cox Plate in the spring.” - Joe Pride
“It feels like a long way away given we haven’t even seen this year’s Cox Plate. But (a lot of) things go into the planning process, and that would be the aim.
“See how we go in the autumn first.”
Lekvarte storms home
Pride compared Lekvarte’s G3 Angst S. victory also at Randwick on Saturday to Ceolwulf’s triumph.
The 6-year-old grey mare was last coming into the turn in the mile race worth $250,000, before showing a blistering turn of foot from 150 metres out to salute by 0.36l.
“It’s a pattern, so I fully expected to see her there. But she’s another one. Not much tactical speed, but a really good turn of foot,” Pride said.
Lekvarte is now a $15 winning chance in the Group 1 fillies and mares weight-for-age Empire Rose S. at Flemington on November 2.
“She just let go again on Saturday and reeled them in. She’s a very good mare and has won three times at that (G3) level now, so she’s going to be a good chance in the Empire Rose,” Pride said.
“She (Lekvarte) just let go again on Saturday and reeled them in. She’s a very good mare and has won three times at that (G3) level now, so she’s going to be a good chance in the Empire Rose.” - Joe Pride
“I’m looking forward to getting her down to Flemington in a couple weeks’ time.”
Lekvarte was a $210,000 purchase by BK Racing & Breeding/Andrew Williams Bloodstock (FBAA) from Westbury Stud at the 2020 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling Sale.
Lekvarte (NZ) flew home to win the G3 Angst S. on Saturday | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Her Group 1-winning Queen Elizabeth S. sire Reliable Man (GB) has sired 768 runners for 470 winners, with 27 of those at stakes level, including Group 1 victors Inspirational Girl (NZ), Miami Bound (NZ) and Miss Sentimental (NZ).
“(Lekvarte was) another Kiwi purchase which has just taken time. She’s got better with each preparation,” Pride said.
“She was an okay 3-year-old, but she’s certainly trained on to be a much better horse.
“(Lekvarte was) another Kiwi purchase which has just taken time. She’s got better with each preparation. She was an okay 3-year-old, but she’s certainly trained on to be a much better horse.” - Joe Pride
“In December of last year she won her first stakes race, and she’s won three of them now.”
Retirement for Think About It
Meanwhile, Pride did not hesitate when asked about the welfare reasons behind his decision to retire 2023 The Everest winner Think About It (So You Think {NZ}) on Saturday night, after suffering a scary fall in this year’s edition of the world’s richest sprint race.
Jockey Jason Collett was flung from the horse, but he avoided injury.
Reports emerged that the horse experienced an EIPH episode, but was able to walk back into the stables, with owners Proven Thoroughbreds later tweeting that the 6-year-old bay gelding suffered a significant pulmonary haemorrhage.
“Without question (trainers care for their horses),” Pride said.
“It’s tough, and no one wants to see that happen. But it does happen occasionally.
“All you can do is just do your best to care for them after it, and I’m happy to report that he’s in good order.
“He’s a very tough horse. It was just so good to see him on his feet on Saturday, and to walk off that track.”
“All you can do is just do your best to care for them after it, and I’m happy to report that he’s (Think About It) in good order. He’s a very tough horse. It was just so good to see him on his feet on Saturday, and to walk off that track.” - Joe Pride
Pride said he still wasn’t sure what retirement would look like for his champion sprinter, who earned $12,163,050 in total prizemoney, with 11 wins from 19 starts.
Two of those – the Kingsford Smith Cup and Stradbroke Handicap – were at G1 level.
“A few people have asked (about Think About It’s retirement). As soon as I have something we’ll certainly be announcing it,” Pride said.
