Trainer James Ponsonby saddles up Philipsburg at Randwick

Daily Telegraph

23-05-2025

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A $20,000 online purchase who won't go down in the annals of the all-time greats but has already earned more than $600,000 prizemoney just might be one of racing's best advertisements.
Meet Philipsburg, a perennial underdog, who can enhance his 'giant-killer'' reputation in the Civil Handicap (2400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Philipsburg is at $34 in latest TAB Fixed Odds betting which is usual for him because he's rarely in the market. In fact, he has started favourite only once in more than 50 races spanning nearly four years – and ran last!
But Hawkesbury-based trainer James Ponsonby has such faith in his stable 'star' he's using the Randwick race to test the gelding's for a possible Brisbane Cup start next month.
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'When you get a horse like Philipsburg that wins 10 races then he is the epitome of what I try to do,'' Ponsonby said.
'He has won on nearly all the Sydney tracks and every time he runs out, he always puts in a decent run.
'At the end of the day, if your horse is paying the bills for his owners then that is when you can really enjoy the sport and this horse has been doing that right through his career.''
Philipsburg is a rising eight-year-old but has never been in better form, winning three city races this season including on successive Saturdays at Doomben and Eagle Farm last month.
'Since his Brisbane wins, he has come back home and has already lost five benchmark points in two starts but neither of those runs were disappointing,'' Ponsonby said.
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'Gosford was an on-speed race and at his previous start at Hawkesbury they walked early then sprinted sharply in front.
'But in his Brisbane wins, there was a genuine tempo in both races and if he can get that at Randwick on Saturday, he will run well.
'If he can win or go close, then we would like to give him a shot at the two miles (a3200m) of the Brisbane Cup because he relaxes so well.''
Two of Philipsburg's part-owners are popular media identities Andrew Martin and John Stanley. Both men are keen supporters of the St George Illawarra NRL team and their friendship has spanned more than 30 years since the days they worked together at Sydney radio station 2UE.
It was Martin, the chief presenter of Sky Racing's race day coverage, who convinced his friend to buy a share in Philipsburg.
'I was told Philipsburg was being offered for sale online, I watched some of his trials and thought there was merit in them,'' Martin said.
'So, I decided to buy into the horse and I rang John Stanley to ask if he was interested. I told him he only had 45 minutes to think about it.''
Andrew Martin, chief presenter of Sky Racing's race-day coverage and part-owner of Philipsburg. Picture: Sky Racing
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Stanley, the host of 2GB's top-rating weekday 8pm to midnight show, had been involved in racehorse ownership with mixed success previously before but decided some years ago that he would get out of the sport altogether.
But that all changed when Stanley received that call from Martin five years ago.
'When Marto rang to ask if I was interested in buying into Philipsburg I had to make up my mind quickly,'' Stanley said.
'So, I thought about it, rang him back and said why not. To this day, Marto keeps reminding me about the phone call and keeps saying to me imagine if you hadn't returned my phone call.
'It's been quite an incredible ride with this horse.''
John Stanley, 2GB radio host. Picture: 2GB
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Martin and Stanley purchased a 10 per cent share for $2000 each and it's proven to be a very profitable investment with Philipsburg winning more than $620,000 prizemoney – and counting.
Both men can't be trackside on Saturday – Martin will be on-air at Sky Racing and Stanley has a pressing family commitment – but will make sure they are free to watch Philipsburg's race at 1.20pm.
'I have a secret office upstairs at Sky where I do all my preparatory work,'' Martin said.
'So, when Philipsburg is racing, I throw to the track, then go to the office and shut the door.
'When Philipsburg won at Eagle Farm the other day I had the door closed but when I came out, people were asking me if I was alright – they could hear me cheering and didn't know what was going on.''
Philipsburg's trainer James Ponsonby. Picture: Mark Evans / Getty Images
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Philipsburg will never be afforded a champion's rating but his gradual emergence to city Saturday class – and a possible Brisbane Cup start – has given his connections a memorable experience of racehorse ownership.
'In what is a wealthy man's sport generally, if you can find a horse, buy 10 per cent at $2000 and have a trainer like James Ponsonby who is very competitively priced with his fees, then it is very appealing to get involved,'' Martin said.
'My attitude has always been you work out how much the horse is going to cost you a month then I factor in to lose that amount. If I get anything back it is a bonus.
'If you are lucky enough to get a horse like Philipsburg that is competitive in Saturday races, then he is a once-in-a-lifetime horse for me.''
Originally published as Trainer James Ponsonby considering 2025 Brisbane Cup tilt with stable 'star' Philipsburg