Trainer Joe Pride has spoken of his surprise 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 due to attend the Everest festival this weekend after flying to visit Australia in recent days.
Ahead of the meeting, speculation had arisen that the King could reach Royal Randwick for this weekend’s Everest race and the $5 million Group One King Charles III Stakes race on Saturday.
Sadly, the royals were unable to attend the race meeting, but His Highness is understood to have watched the day unfold on television, with Ceolwulf, from the stable of champion trainer Pride, storming to victory in the 1600m King Charles III Stakes.
It also came after one of Pride’s horses, Think About It, who had competed in the Group Three Sydney Stakes, collapsed mid-race.
Jockey Jason Collett had been thrown from the gelding as Think About It rounded the final corner for home. Collett quickly got up and ran to the horse to comfort the distressed animal as it lay on the ground.
Collett has since been praised for his compassion and bravery after the race, with Think About It fortunately getting back to his feet before leaving the track. The 2023 Everest winner is said to have suffered a lung haemorrhage, but according to reports from Pride, Think About It appears to be ‘recovering well’.
The champion trainer has now indicated that the six-year-old gelding will retire.
After this weekend’s race, King Charles reportedly wrote a letter to Dr. Saranna Cooke, chairman of New South Wales Racing.
According to News CorpThe letter was written on official Buckingham Palace stationery, with the King expressing his regret at missing the event but congratulating everyone involved.
A champion jockey has spoken of his surprise after King Charles III wrote 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 what a huge success the race that took place at Royal Randwick and Caulfield last Saturday was,” the King said in the letter, according to News Corp.
“It was very sad that we couldn’t be there, but after watching the two main races on television I could see that the very best horses were on display, which obviously made for a huge turnout and also excellent wide television coverage.
“It was great to see the best Australian sprinters, who we look forward to seeing when they come to Royal Ascot, in action in the innovative TAB Everest.
‘And I was delighted to see the King Charles III Stakes so well supported with such a field of top milers.
‘I would be very grateful if you would kindly pass on my warmest congratulations to all the winning connections on what looked to be a wonderful day of racing.’
“Sincerely, Charles R.”
Ceolwulf, ridden by Chad Schofield, defeated Pride of Jenni in the King Charles III Stakes.
After the race, Pride had said how ‘grateful’ he was to have found a horse like Ceolwulf, who has now won his two previous races after winning the TAB Epsom earlier this month.
However, speaking about the King’s letter, Pride said: “This is a very kind gesture from 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 honor is very special.’
It was an emotional day for the champion trainer, who also saw his horse Lekvarte win the Group Three James Squire Angst Stakes earlier in the day.
Ceolwulf (pictured) was Pride’s second horse to win this 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 thankfully appears to be making a good recovery, according to reports
But worrying scenes occurred during the Sydney Stakes race after Think About It collapsed mid-race.
Fortunately, despite initial fears, Pride posted an update about the horse on Instagram, writing: ‘He had a bad bell in the Sydney Stakes but thankfully he has recovered well. We will be watching him closely over the next few days, but for now we are so grateful to be able to bring him home. Thank you to everyone who has reached out with messages and support.”
Pride also paid tribute to quick-thinking jockey Collett after the race, adding that despite a “traumatic day” at the track, Think About It “doesn’t seem to be scarred” by the incident.
‘It’s all instinctive stuff when you get pelted like that. Your natural instinct is what it would be if you were in an accident, which is to check the person next to you,” he said, speaking of Collett’s actions.
“That’s the respect the jockeys have for the horses they ride, and they have to trust them. Otherwise they wouldn’t be doing what they do so quickly.’
‘Jason has been around horses all his life. He wanted to comfort him. The vet looked at the horse again on Monday, the heart is good. Saturday was quite a traumatic day for him, but he doesn’t seem to have any scars from it.’