2025 Golden Eagle: Aidan O'Brien keen to saddle up January

The Australian

2 days ago

Irish training genius Aidan O'Brien has designs on the $10 million Golden Eagle with classy filly January as the number of international runners swells to record numbers for the Sydney spring carnival.
January is the latest of an ever-increasing list of northern hemisphere-trained horses set to race in Sydney this spring including the world's best sprinter, Hong Kong champion Ka Ying Rising.
Ka Ying Rising will be in Sydney for the Group 1 $20 million The TAB Everest at Royal Randwick on October 18, there is a likelihood last year's Golden Eagle winner, England's Lake Forest will return for the Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes on Everest Day, and at least four overseas horses are being set for the Golden Eagle at the same track on November 1.
The Sydney spring carnival was once a barren wasteland for international competition until the introduction of The Everest in 2017.
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As the Sydney spring carnival has grown and included more big-money races like the Golden Eagle and King Charles III Stakes, international interest has soared.
Australian Turf Club's Head of Racing and Wagering, Nevesh Ramdhani, recently returned from an international equine recruiting mission in England, France and Japan, and said it was significant some of Europe's biggest trainers like O'Brien, William Haggas, Charlie Fellowes and Hugo Palmer were planning on sending horses to Sydney for the spring carnival.
'Sydney's spring carnival is at the front of mind for a lot of European trainers,'' Ramdhani said.
'If they have horses that like a little bit of 'cut' in the ground, Sydney is their first thought.
'The prizemoney is so good, there's the strength of our races, the hospitality is second-to-none, and the equine veterinary protocols we have here are more receptive and conducive for international horses.''
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O'Brien, the world's leading trainer, hasn't had a Sydney starter for six years but is considering sending brilliant three-year-old filly January, winner of the Listed Churchill Stakes in Ireland and a four-time Group 1 placegetter including her most recent starts in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket and Prix Rothschild at Deauville.
January will be recognised as a four-year-old by southern hemisphere time this spring making her eligible for the Golden Eagle.
'I spoke to Aidan O'Brien when I was at Goodwood and he told me he was very keen to have a Golden Eagle runner,'' Ramdhani said.
'January then ran very well at Deauville where she finished second and, in fact, should have won.
'Nothing has been confirmed yet but the O'Brien stable has made inquiries about the Golden Eagle.''
Luther, trained in England by Charlie Fellowes, is also likely to be aimed at the Golden Eagle after he won the Group 2 Hall of Fame Stakes at Saratoga earlier this month.
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Fellowes prepared Prince Of Arran to finish in the minor placings in three successive Melbourne Cups in 2018-19-20.
Japan's Panja Tower and England's Seagulls Eleven are confirmed Golden Eagle runners.
English maestro William Haggas hasn't locked in his Sydney spring team but is considering sending Lake Forest back down under for the King Charles III Stakes.
Haggas also has talented stayer Sam Hawkens as a likely St Leger runner and the trainer hasn't ruled out again targeting the Golden Eagle.
'We've got up to four international Golden Eagle runners now and we could get some more after the York carnival in England next week,'' Ramdhani said.