Latest news with #PrivateHarry
News.com.au
a day ago
- Business
- News.com.au
‘The boy has become a man': Private Harry thrills trainer Nathan Doyle following his return from spell
'The boy has become a man!' This was trainer Nathan Doyle 's initial observation when unbeaten sprint sensation Private Harry returned to his Newcastle stables after a two-month spell. 'Private Harry has really strengthened up and looks terrific,'' Doyle enthused on Tuesday morning. 'We are just starting him off with some slow work and we will build up from there but he's come back into the stables in great order.'' Sean Driver of Kurrinda Bloodstock, who purchased Private Harry as a yearling for $115,000 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, is almost incredulous at the physical development the brilliant three-year-old has made during his spell. • 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! 'Private Harry has probably put on 60kg and looks absolutely outstanding,'' Driver said. 'He had a five-week spell and then spent three weeks at Limitless Lodge where he did some dressage work. He has really made that physical development you would expect of a young horse.'' Private Harry made a meteoric rise to racing's elite level with his five wins in an unbeaten debut race preparation that began in November last year with an easy win in fast time in a Newcastle 900m maiden. Doyle's dynamic sprinter then scored at Hawkesbury and Rosehill before his first big test in The Sunlight at Sunshine Coast in January. ðŸ'½ï¸�: PRIVATE HARRY'S BACK … BIGGER AND STRONGER Get a closer look at gun sprinter Private Harry as he returns to @NathanDoyle015 's Newcastle stables to begin a preparation that will culminate in the $20 million The Everest. ðŸ'‡ — Racenet (@RacenetTweets) June 2, 2025 • Private Harry was up against the likes of 2024 Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot but he really made a statement with a commanding win in The Sunlight by more than two lengths. Doyle then kept Private Harry fresh and the colt had more than two months between runs before he lined up in the Group 1 The Galaxy at Rosehill where he defeated Front Page and Uncommon James. 'It's hard to win a race anywhere let alone five straight,'' Doyle said. Private Harry then became the first horse to secure a start in The Everest after racing and breeding juggernaut Yulong purchased a 50 per cent stake in the crack colt. The deal also included Private Harry being selected to race in Yulong's slot in The Everest. We're just wild about Harry!!! ðŸ˜� Private Harry gives @ndoyleracing and @AshMorgan6 their first G1 success in The Galaxy, and remains unbeaten! ðŸ'° @KBloodstockNSW | @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 22, 2025 The Shorts and the Premiere Stakes to prepare for the $20 million The Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick on October 18. 'Private Harry will stay in our colours for The Shorts and the Premiere in spring,'' Doyle said. 'Then Yulong and ourselves will create a hybrid set of silks for The Everest but the horse will be back in our colours after that. 'If Private Harry is fit and healthy, and all things being equal, we are hoping to go to Royal Ascot next year where he will wear Yulong's colours over there.''
News.com.au
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
‘I gave it up, I didn't want to ride again': Jockey Ashley Morgan completes a comeback for the ages
When Ashley Morgan was riding at racing outposts like Mendooran, Binnaway and Goondiwindi seven years ago, winning the world's richest turf race, the $20 million The Everest, was only a pipe dream. 'I was riding at the picnics and it felt like Sydney racing was a millions miles away, it seemed so far out of reach it might as well have been on the moon,'' Morgan said. 'But I'm glad it happened that way. I had to start at the bottom and work my way up. 'So, it means a lot more to me when I look back on where I have come from. I appreciate it a lot more and I don't take it for granted.'' But from those humble beginnings, winning The Everest could become reality for Morgan in the spring when he rides brilliant unbeaten sprinter Private Harry in the rich Royal Randwick race – but more about that later. At the two-day Scone Cup Carnival which starts on Friday, Morgan goes back to where it all began. Morgan has five rides at the Friday meeting, most notably race favourite Know Thyself in the Listed $200,000 Scone Cup (1600). Then at the Scone Saturday stand-alone meeting, he has a full book of 10 rides including Captain Amelia in the Group 3 $250,000 Dark Jewel Classic (1400m). His mounts in Saturday's other four stakes races, all Listed $200,000 events, are Fullalove (Woodlands Stakes, 1100m), Satin Stiletto (Denise's Joy Stake s, 1100m), Caballus (Ortensia Stakes, 1100m) and Givemethebeatboys (Luskin Star Stakes, 1300m). Morgan's comeback story began unofficially at the Scone Cup meeting in 2018, albeit when he started work that day as a strapper. But two months later, he returned to the saddle, travelling all over NSW and even to Queensland, to compete at the picnics and country non-TAB race meetings. • 'I don't think it's something we should let pass': Kelly backs Rosehill sale Seven years later, Morgan is now rated among the nation's finest riders and is leading the NSW jockey premiership, a title he won last year. 'My target at the start of the season was to ride 100 winners, 10 in town and a stakes race,' Morgan said. 'But I've already ridden close to 100 winners, I've won three stakes races and my first Group 1, I've ridden 14 city winners and three $1 million-plus races. 'This has been an amazing season and it has surpassed all my expectations.'' Morgan has been exposed to the bright lights of racing's big league when riding the highly-fancied Private Harry to win both the $3 million The Sunlight and Group 1 $1 million The Galaxy this year – and handled the experience with ease. We're just wild about Harry!!! ðŸ˜� Private Harry gives @ndoyleracing and @AshMorgan6 their first G1 success in The Galaxy, and remains unbeaten! ðŸ'° @KBloodstockNSW | @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 22, 2025 'I felt really comfortable in those situations, I've thrived off it really,'' he said. 'At the Magic Millions, I don't think it was pressure I was feeling, I was just really focused. 'It's been good I have been able to win those big races on 'Harry' (Private Harry) and on other horses, too. I felt I've handled those big race situations well. 'You want to be under that pressure, to be involved in those big races and taking it for what it is.'' Morgan's comeback story is remarkable. The Welsh-born jockey began his riding career in England and rode 71 winners including a Listed stakes success before he 'retired' from the sport, frustrated by a lack of opportunities and ongoing weight issues. 'I just felt it was never going to happen for me in racing,'' Morgan said. 'So, I gave it up – I didn't want to ride again.'' Morgan ended up working in real estate for 12 months before moving to London and joining a recruitment agency. He returned home to Wales for Christmas in 2017 where he had a 'light-bulb moment'. • High definition deal: Sky Racing, Foxtel renew partnership 'My granddad is mad about the races and we were watching them together when I thought I wouldn't mind getting back into this and having a go,'' he said. In was early 2018, Morgan, who was tipping the scales at 68kg at that time, left Wales and travelled to America chasing his dream. He rode trackwork there for a few months before deciding to try his luck in Australia. Morgan had to start his riding career from scratch, getting to know Australian racing via the picnic and non-TAB circuit. 'When I was riding at places like Mendooran, Binnaway and Goondiwindi, I really enjoyed it,'' he said. 'I didn't mind the travel and I was just excited to be back riding again. 'My weight was always a problem when I was in England, I lived in the sauna, but I've found it much easier to manage in Australia because I'm riding a lot more. 'I knew it was going to be a process but I always thought I could get to a decent level here.'' Morgan has made an inexorable rise through the riding ranks and in the 2024-25 season, he has made a seamless transition from competing primarily on the provincial and country circuit to being a regular at metropolitan meetings. The next phase of the jockey's career is to ride permanently in Sydney. 'I've purchased a house in Newcastle but I've been in Sydney a lot lately,'' he said. 'I might have to look at living in Sydney because I want to be there for trial mornings and if a trainer wants me to ride trackwork, I want to be there the next day rather than having to organise my week around it. 'I think that is probably the next logical step, I am lending that way to making the move.'' But Morgan will always make sure he is available when required to ride Private Harry, the Newcastle sprint sensation and $6 second favourite for The Everest in October. Private Harry takes out the Inaugural running of the TAB Sunlight! ðŸ'� @mmsnippets @SCTurfClub @ndoyleracing @AshMorgan6 — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 4, 2025 Private Harry was the first horse selected for The Everest after racing and breeding giant Yulong, who own an Everest slot, purchased a 50 per cent share of the sprinter earlier this year. Unbeaten after five starts, Private Harry made a quantum leap from a maiden success to a Group 1 The Galaxy triumph in his debut race campaign. 'I went to see Private Harry a couple of weeks ago and he looks amazing,'' Morgan said. 'He only had 10 days off after winning on the Sunshine Coast in January so he did very well to achieve what he has in basically his first preparation, and I was always confident he would improve massively from having a good spell. 'He's already a big, strong horse but it looks like he has put on some weight during his spell and he could not look any better. 'He is back in light work on the water walker and it won't be too long before he returns to the stables to get ready for the spring.'' It was only seven years ago when Morgan was riding on the dusty bush tracks of the NSW picnic circuit but at Scone's two-day Cup Carnival on Friday and Saturday his form has commanded rides in all the features races. Then in October, Morgan has a date with destiny when he rides at Royal Randwick in the world's richest turf race. 'The Everest has gone through my mind a few times already – I'm daring to dream,'' Morgan said. â– â– â– â– â– Morgan to continue Scone love affair Morgan can continue his breakout season with more feature race success on the Australian racetrack where he has ridden more winners than any other – Scone. NSW's premiership-leading rider has a busy two days at the Scone carnival with 15 rides including $2.60 TAB Fixed Odds favourite Know Thyself in the Listed $200,000 Scone Cup (1600m) on Friday. Know Thyself, trained by Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich, has won four races in succession including The Coast at Gosford last Saturday when ridden by Morgan. 'I thought Know Thyself was really good last Saturday,'' Morgan said. 'I always try to ride the horse rather than the race and the track but at Gosford I felt I had to ride the track the way it was playing. 'He's very 'push-button' so I got him out of the barriers, put him on speed and he was very tough under pressure in the straight.'' Know Thyself makes it four on the trot and wins The Coast! ðŸ'¥ @AshMorgan6 | @Paulmessara | @LGavranich — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 10, 2025 • Flying local Know Thyself sneaks into Scone Cup field It would be fitting if Morgan can win the Scone Cup because since resurrecting his riding career when he moved to Australia seven years ago, Morgan has ridden 650 winners including 54 on Scone racecourse. Morgan is enjoying a career-best season in 2024-25 where he leads the NSW jockey premiership with 89 wins, and has ridden four stakes winners including his first at Group 1 level on Private Harry in The Galaxy. The jockey has rides in all 10 races at the Scone Saturday stand-alone including Irish import Givemethebeatboys in the Listed $200,000 Luskin Star Stakes (1300m,). Givemethebeatboys, trained by Michael Freedman, was a Group 3 winner in Ireland and showed glimpses of that form when a close third to Mazu in the Hall Mark Stakes last start. Mazu makes it back-to-back TAB Hall Mark Stakes! ðŸ'� @PrideRacing | @jamieleekah07 | @aus_turf_club — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 19, 2025 'I have been through his form and he ran really well last start,'' Morgan said. 'His effort that day suggests he should be very competitive in a race like this. 'He has good European form, he's improving with racing, and I thought he was a very good ride in the race.'' Morgan is also partnering Bjorn Baker's talented sprinter Caballus who is resuming in the Listed $200,000 Ortensia Stakes (1100m). Caballus was considered a possible The Everest contender at the start of the season but he failed to fire during spring and has since been gelded. Caballus resumes a winner for his new connections! @BBakerRacing @Darby_Racing @JoshuaParr8 — SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) January 20, 2024 Morgan gets his first ride on Caballus at Scone but has been a keen observer of the sprinter's recent barrier trials. 'I thought his trials have been great this time in,'' Morgan said. 'They have been riding him quietly and he has been launching at the line. 'He has always shown glimpse of being a very good horse during his career and this is a nice race for him.''
Sydney Morning Herald
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
‘It's very exciting': TJ Smith winner Briasa books Everest slot
Briasa became the second horse into the $20 million The Everest (1200m) after the Hawkes training team announced on Saturday that the four-year-old had secured the slot held by Max Whitby, Steve McCann, Colin Madden and Neil Werrett. Nathan Doyle's unbeaten colt Private Harry was the first into the October 18 race at Randwick last month when Kurrinda Bloodstock struck a part-ownership deal with slot-holders Yulong Investments after winning the group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) on March 22. Briasa, a homebred son of Smart Missile for Ian and Anthony Johnson, pressed his claims for a spot when taking out the $3 million TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) on April 5 at Randwick for John, Michael and Wayne Hawkes. He was an $8 Sportsbet chance for the richest race on turf behind Hong Kong star Ka Ying Rising ($2) and Private Harry ($7). Regular jockey Tyler Schiller was thrilled to hear the news between races at Gosford. 'It's very exciting,' Schiller said. 'We were hoping [for a slot], because he's a very good, up-and-coming sprinter and on what he did last prep, he showed he's a group 1 sprinter. 'Weight for age should be fine. He's a big boy and hopefully a little spell just does him well. Really pleased with him and very happy to hear.' Big Dance plans Trainer Adrian Bott said Les Vampires was likely headed to the paddock before a preparation aimed at the $3 million Big Dance (1600m) in November after stamping his ticket with a commanding win in the Gosford Gold Cup (2100m) on Monday. A $2.90 favourite, Les Vampires led the $300,000 listed race under Winona Costin and was challenged approaching the home turn, only to kick clear late and win by one-and-a-third lengths from Etna Rosso.
The Age
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Age
‘It's very exciting': TJ Smith winner Briasa books Everest slot
Briasa became the second horse into the $20 million The Everest (1200m) after the Hawkes training team announced on Saturday that the four-year-old had secured the slot held by Max Whitby, Steve McCann, Colin Madden and Neil Werrett. Nathan Doyle's unbeaten colt Private Harry was the first into the October 18 race at Randwick last month when Kurrinda Bloodstock struck a part-ownership deal with slot-holders Yulong Investments after winning the group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) on March 22. Briasa, a homebred son of Smart Missile for Ian and Anthony Johnson, pressed his claims for a spot when taking out the $3 million TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) on April 5 at Randwick for John, Michael and Wayne Hawkes. He was an $8 Sportsbet chance for the richest race on turf behind Hong Kong star Ka Ying Rising ($2) and Private Harry ($7). Regular jockey Tyler Schiller was thrilled to hear the news between races at Gosford. 'It's very exciting,' Schiller said. 'We were hoping [for a slot], because he's a very good, up-and-coming sprinter and on what he did last prep, he showed he's a group 1 sprinter. 'Weight for age should be fine. He's a big boy and hopefully a little spell just does him well. Really pleased with him and very happy to hear.' Big Dance plans Trainer Adrian Bott said Les Vampires was likely headed to the paddock before a preparation aimed at the $3 million Big Dance (1600m) in November after stamping his ticket with a commanding win in the Gosford Gold Cup (2100m) on Monday. A $2.90 favourite, Les Vampires led the $300,000 listed race under Winona Costin and was challenged approaching the home turn, only to kick clear late and win by one-and-a-third lengths from Etna Rosso.
