Trainer Joe Pride has spoken of his amazement at a “very special” gesture made by King Charles III after this weekend’s race at Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse.
The King and Queen Camilla were expected to attend this weekend’s Everest festival, having flown into Australia in recent days to visit Australia.
Speculation had arisen before the meeting that the King could arrive at Royal Randwick for this weekend’s Everest race and the $5 million Group One King Charles III Stakes on Saturday.
Unfortunately, the royal was unable to attend the race meeting, but it is understood Her Highness watched the day unfold on television, with Ceolwulf, who comes from the stable of champion trainer Pride, taking victory in the 1600m King Charles III Stakes.
It also came after one of Pride’s horses, Think About It, who had been running in the Group Three Sydney Stakes, collapsed mid-race.
Jockey Jason Collett had been ejected from the gelding as Think About It came around the final bend heading home. Collett quickly got to his feet and ran to the horse to provide comfort to the distressed animal as it lay on the ground.
Collett has since been hailed for his compassion and bravery after the race, and Think About It thankfully stood up before leaving the track. The 2023 Everest winner is understood to have suffered a lung haemorrhage, but following reports from Pride, Think About It appears to be “recovering well”.
The champion trainer has since stated that the six-year-old gelding will be retired.
After this weekend’s racing, King Charles reportedly wrote to New South Wales Racing president Dr Saranna Cooke.
According news corporationThe letter was written on official Buckingham Palace letterhead, and the King regretted not being able to attend the event, but congratulated everyone involved.
A champion jockey has spoken of his shock after King Charles III wrote a letter to New South Wales Racing following this weekend’s meeting.
Trainer Joe Pride (right) watched jockey Chad Schofield win the King Charles III Stakes aboard his horse Ceolwulf.
“I just wanted to write and say how pleased I was to see the tremendous success of the races that took place at Royal Randwick and Caulfield last Saturday,” the King said in the letter, according to News Corp.
“It was very sad that we couldn’t attend, but having watched the two main races on television, I could see that the best horses were present, which clearly produced a huge turnout, as well as excellent and extensive television coverage.
‘It was wonderful to see Australia’s top sprinters, who we so enjoy seeing when they come to Royal Ascot, out in force on the innovative TAB Everest.
‘And I was delighted to note that the King Charles III Stakes was so well supported with a field of thousands of the best.
“I would be very grateful if you would kindly pass on my sincere congratulations to all the winning connections on what appeared to be a superb day of racing.”
“Sincerely, Charles R.”
Ceolwulf, ridden by Chad Schofield, edged out Pride of Jenni during the King Charles III Stakes.
After the race, Pride spoke of how “grateful” he was to have found a horse like Ceolwulf, who has now won his two previous races, having won the TAB Epsom earlier this month.
However, speaking about the King’s letter, Pride said: “It is a very nice gesture for King Charles to take the time to write the letter and congratulate the connections of the horses that won on Everest Day,” Pride said.
“It was already a memorable day for my stable to win the King Charles III Stakes with Ceolwulf and to receive this royal recognition is very special.”
It was an emotional day for the champion trainer, who also saw his horse Lekvarte take the Group Three James Squire Angst Stakes earlier in the day.
Ceolwulf (pictured) was the second of Pride’s horses to win over the weekend, with Lekvarte winning the Group Three James Squire Angst Stakes.
It was an emotional day for Pride, whose horse Think About It also collapsed during the Sydney Stakes, but he reportedly appears to be recovering well.
But worrying scenes unfolded during the Sydney Stakes race after Think About It collapsed mid-race.
Fortunately, despite initial fears, Pride provided an update on the horse on Instagram, writing: “He had a bad bell in the Sydney Stakes but thankfully recovered well. We’ll be keeping a close eye on him in the coming days, but for now, we’re very grateful to bring him home. Thank you to everyone who has contacted us with messages and support.’
Pride also paid tribute to quick-thinking jockey Collett after the race, adding that despite enduring a “traumatic day” on the track, Think About It “doesn’t seem scarred” by the incident.
“It’s all about instinct when you get thrown around like that; your natural instinct is what it would be if you were in an accident, which is to control the person next to you,” he said, speaking of Collett’s actions.
‘That’s the level of respect that riders have for the horses they ride, and they have to trust them. Otherwise, they wouldn’t go out and do what they do at speed.”
‘Jason has been around horses his entire life. I wanted to console him. The vet re-examined the horse on Monday and the heart is fine. Saturday was a fairly traumatic day for him, but it doesn’t seem to have marked him.