Latest news with #JamesPonsonby
News.com.au
11-07-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Sydney-based jockey Winona Costin considering move to Queensland
The lure of riding in the warmer climate of southeast Queensland could prove too hard to resist for Sydney-based jockey Winona Costin. While she has no immediate plans to relocate north, Costin hasn't ruled out following in the footsteps of fellow female jockey Cejay Graham, who has made a success of moving from Port Macquarie in NSW to Brisbane in 2023. Costin has six rides at Doomben on Saturday – all for different trainers – with her best chance being the James Ponsonby -trained Philipsburg ($15) in a Benchmark 78 over 2000m. But Costin's work won't finish at Doomben – she will then drive up the Warrego Highway for Saturday night racing at Toowoomba where she will ride Drunken Sailor and Sonny Fella for Ponsonby. On Sunday the Hawkesbury trainer will head home, stopping at Grafton to drop off Costin, who has been booked for two rides at the NSW provincial track. 'You never know,' Costin said about the possibility of shifting to Brisbane following a string of hit-and-run missions to southeast Queensland. 'If I get good enough traction then there's always a chance. I'm not a tree so I can move. 'It's always good in the warmer weather, too. 'Cejay has gone so well up there which is very inspiring. If I can get good traction up there when I fly in and fly out, you never know what the future holds.' The 30-year-old Costin can't wait to jump back on 70-race veteran Philipsburg, who won back-to-back contests at Doomben and Eagle Farm at Benchmark 80 and 90 level respectively in the space of seven days in April. She also rode the seven-year-old gelding in his last-start, a disappointing eighth out of 13 runners in the $250,000 Listed Ipswich Cup (2150m) on June 21. 'I've ridden him since he was young and he's definitely one of my favourite horses,' Costin said. 'He's got a lot of character – he's a funny old bugger – and he's in good order. 'He ran really well (in the Ipswich Cup) but the track was just playing a bit too on-pace for him. 'I was happy with the way he came home and he got a bit tightened on the corner as well.' fighting back from 12 months on the sidelines in 2017 after battling debilitating concussion symptoms. She was knocked out three times in a race or trial falls and went through a dark period when she struggled to speak, kept falling asleep and lost almost all her memory. 'Having a year off was definitely not on the cards but I'm glad I was able to ride again and be back to being 100 per cent right,' Costin told Racenet on Friday on her way to riding in Scone. 'I was always determined to come back, I wasn't going to take 'no' for an answer. 'The neurologist in Sydney wouldn't clear me so I had to fly to Melbourne to find one who would clear me. I'm thankful for that. 'It was hard. I can't even remember most of the year to be honest. I was very tired, I'd forget things a lot and I was very sensitive to light. But that's all in the past now.' And the future looks as bright as a warm winter's day in the Sunshine State for a jockey with fierce determination and a strong desire to win.
News.com.au
20-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Queensland specialist Philipsburg hunting Sunshine State hat-trick in Ipswich Cup
Hawkesbury trainer James Ponsonby will shoot for three straight wins in the Sunshine State on Saturday when his Queensland specialist Philipsburg lines up in the $250,000 Ipswich Cup (2150m). Ponsonby had initially aimed Philipsburg at last weekend's Group 2 Brisbane Cup (3200m) on Stradbroke day at Eagle Farm but changed tack after the seven-year-old gelding had an injury scare. 'He got banged up in the paddock and we thought we'd pull the plug because he had a little bit of inflammation,' Ponsonby said. 'It turned out to be nothing, which was good. He would've struggled to beat Campaldino (in the Brisbane Cup), the way it went. 'This (the Listed Ipswich Cup) looked like a fair race on paper in terms of weight conditions. 'He's well, although he hasn't had a lot of luck since he's been home in Sydney so I thought when in Rome, do as the Romans do – back up and try to get another one.' Regular rider Winona Costin has delivered with Philipsburg on two hit-and-run missions to Queensland this year, in a Benchmark 80 (2200m) at Doomben and then a Benchmark 90 (2212m) at Eagle Farm in the space of seven days in April. But in his last three races Philipsburg has struggled, finishing no better than fifth in three Benchmark 78 races at his home track Hawkesbury, Gosford and Randwick. Asked why Philipsburg loved the Sunshine State so much, Ponsonby said: 'It's the genuine tempo. 'In all fairness to him, he's no world beater but he tries very hard and when the weights suit him in terms of benchmarking, he's been able to run in races where he probably deserves more weight but because he's got average Sydney form, then he gets the weight relief. 'In Queensland he goes to sleep in those races where they run along and the genuine tempo helps offset the weight relief sometimes. 'He's just a genuine horse. The day he draws a right number, he'll more than likely get the job done. 'There's more than one reason why Australians want to flock to Queensland to live so you can't blame a Kiwi horse, can you?' Philipsburg ($34) is at long odds to win the Ipswich Cup, with bookmakers favouring Miss Joelene ($5.50), Diablo Bolt ($6), Osmose ($6.50) and Poetic Drama ($7). However, Ponsonby is quietly confident that with Costin in the saddle and carrying a lightweight 53kg, Philipsburg can cause an upset. 'It's a good, solid line-up. We're just going to need a bit of luck in running but if the tempo of the race is genuine then it gives him somewhat of a chance,' Ponsonby said. 'It's a good cup race, no doubt. He ran at Doomben so well, and Ipswich is similar in that it's an on-pace preferential racetrack, so I can't knock him. 'Going back and looking over the Ipswich Cup winners, they're invariably not always the best horse in the race but they're the horse that has the best luck in the race. 'He gets down in the weights to 53kg and Winona is going up to ride him so I can't ask for any more than that.' Caloundra Cup (2400m) on July 5.
News.com.au
02-06-2025
- General
- News.com.au
Kangaroo bounds onto track during Benchmark 58 race at Warren in New South Wales
A rogue kangaroo very nearly caused havoc in the first race at Warren in NSW today as it made a frenzied dash in front of the field shortly after the horses turned for home. What should have been a sedate start to the day in a 2400m Benchmark 58 almost ended in disaster when the mad marsupial bounded in front of the 11-horse field in the straight. Under jockey Shannen Llewellyn, the Connie Greig -trained Joshua railed strongly along the inside to hit the front in the straight before the race suffered a 'roo-d' interruption. Eagle-eyed observers first observed the kangaroo in the middle of the track as the horses approached the 1400m mark … and it wasn't long before Skippy joined the fray. With seemingly no thoughts of self-preservation, the kangaroo dashed in front of the field to safety as horses and jockeys somehow kept their cool. With crisis averted, the runners settled down to fight out the race, with the James Ponsonby -trained $30 roughie Will To Excel (Jake Pracey-Holmes) getting the better of Joshua to take the cash. WATCH: Kangaroo bounds onto track at Warren ðŸ'‡ It was a sedate start to the day at Warren on Monday in a Benchmark 58 for the country stayers … until a rogue kangaroo entered the fray. ðŸ'‡ — Racenet (@RacenetTweets) June 2, 2025 Watch the vision in the video above.
Daily Telegraph
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Telegraph
Trainer James Ponsonby saddles up Philipsburg at Randwick
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. 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. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! '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. • 'What else am I going to do?': My Last Hooray no last hurrah for Cleary '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 • James launches late Oaks bid with She's A Dealer 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 • Randwick predicted to go ahead despite dire forecast 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 • 'We've lost everything': Local trainers hit hard by Taree floods 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
News.com.au
22-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Trainer James Ponsonby considering 2025 Brisbane Cup tilt with stable ‘star' Philipsburg
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. '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. Two wins in a row to Philipsburg, who's enjoying his time in Queensland! ðŸ'� @James_Ponsonby_ | @Costin_Winona | @BrisRacingClub — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 19, 2025 ' 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.'' • James launches late Oaks bid with She's A Dealer 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.'' • Randwick predicted to go ahead despite dire forecast 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.'' • 'We've lost everything': Local trainers hit hard by Taree floods 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.''
