Trainer Joe Pride recently expressed his surprise and gratitude for a thoughtful gesture made by King Charles III after the thrilling weekend of racing at Sydney’s Royal Randwick racecourse.
The King and Queen Camilla were expected to attend the prestigious Everest festival, having traveled to Australia for their visit.
Although there was much anticipation surrounding their attendance, they unfortunately could not make it to the event.
However, it’s understood that the King watched the races unfold on television, particularly the exciting moment when Ceolwulf, trained by Pride, claimed victory in the 1600m King Charles III Stakes.
A Day of Highs and Lows
The day was particularly emotional for Pride, who not only celebrated Ceolwulf’s win but also faced a distressing incident during the Group Three Sydney Stakes.
Think About It, another horse from Pride’s stable, collapsed mid-race, throwing jockey Jason Collett off.
Collett immediately rushed to comfort the horse, which was in distress on the ground.
Fortunately, Think About It managed to get back on his feet and exit the track.
After a thorough examination, it was determined that the horse suffered a pulmonary hemorrhage but is reportedly recovering well.
Pride announced that Think About It, a previous Everest winner, will be retired following this incident.
A Heartfelt Letter from the King
Following the weekend’s races, King Charles sent a letter to Dr. Saranna Cooke, the chairperson of New South Wales Racing, expressing his regret at missing the event.
Written on Buckingham Palace letterhead, the King congratulated everyone involved, stating, “I was pleased to see the tremendous success of the racing at Royal Randwick and Caulfield.
It was disappointing that we couldn’t be there, but I enjoyed watching the main races on television.”
He continued to commend the talent on display, noting the excitement of the TAB Everest and the quality of the King Charles III Stakes.
The King requested that his warmest congratulations be passed on to the winning connections, highlighting the day’s remarkable achievements.
Pride Reflects on the Day
After the race, Pride expressed his gratitude for discovering a talent like Ceolwulf, who has now won both of his races, including the TAB Epsom earlier this month.
Reflecting on the King’s letter, he remarked, “It was a lovely gesture for King Charles to take the time to congratulate the connections of the winners from Everest Day.
Winning the King Charles III Stakes was already a memorable achievement for my stable, and receiving this royal acknowledgment made it even more special.”
Acknowledging Compassion on the Track
The day was a rollercoaster of emotions for Pride, especially after witnessing Think About It’s collapse.
He later updated fans on social media, reassuring them that the horse had recovered well and thanking everyone for their support.
Pride praised jockey Collett for his quick thinking and compassion, emphasizing the strong bond between riders and their horses.
“When you get thrown off, your instinct is to check on the horse beside you,” he explained.
“Jockeys have a deep respect for their mounts, which allows them to compete at high speeds with confidence.”
With both highs and lows marking the day, Pride felt thankful for the support and recovery of Think About It, noting, “Saturday was traumatic, but he doesn’t seem to be scarred by it.”