PRIVATE EYE’s gallant third in the 2025 Stradbroke Handicap saw him crash through the $12 million barrier and in turn become Proven Thoroughbreds’ highest ever earner.
Making his first raceday appearance since December 14, the Joe Pride-trained veteran began like a gazelle in the $3 million contest and rider Nash Rawiller made the most of the fast getaway, crossing to find the rail.
For a moment it appeared as though PRIVATE EYE was going to find himself in the unfamiliar role of leading the field of 18 but he soon had the likes of ROBUSTO, FRONT PAGE and PUNCH LANE for company which generated a fierce speed.
Rawiller and PRIVATE EYE ended up settling in the box-seat (one pair back on the fence) while the favourite and eventual winner WAR MACHINE was poised from a midfield position with cover.
Soon after the capacity field turned for home, the pacemakers began to tire (before finishing at the tail of the field) and Rawiller had to bullock clear on PRIVATE EYE as WAR MACHINE commenced an uninterrupted run down the centre of the track.
PRIVATE EYE picked himself up and got within a half-length of WAR MACHINE at the 200m mark but the 4kg weight differential ultimately proved critical over a testing 1400m, with another lightweight runner YELLOW BRICK flashing late to grab second.
“As a horse so late in his career, that was one of his best runs ever,” Rawiller exclaimed post-race.
A warrior of a horse. Had plenty against him today and was up on a hot speed but fought on bravely like he always does. Thank you Spade ♠️ https://t.co/mMLBCu95bh
— PR🟢VEN Thoroughbreds (@ProvenTbreds) June 14, 2025
It was the second time in PRIVATE EYE’s illustrious career he was able to place in Queensland’s flagship race as the 57kg top weight, three years after finishing an unlucky runner-up to ALLIGATOR BLOOD.
Not only did he have the weight of history against him on Saturday (only two Stradbroke winners have carried more than 56kg in the last 40 years), the rising 8yo gelding was attempting to become the first horse to win first-up from a proper spell.
Though he fell short of winning, PRIVATE EYE’s performance only strengthened his reputation as one of the most durable gallopers of the modern era.
Saturday’s $270,000 cheque for third place elevated the son of AL MAHER’s career earnings to $12,217,185 which saw him usurp former stablemate and Everest champion THINK ABOUT IT as Proven Thoroughbreds’ top prizemoney earner.
The all-time Australasian prizemoney standings currently have PRIVATE EYE and THINK ABOUT IT ranked 10th and 12th respectively, alongside the likes of WINX, BELLA NIPOTINA, MR BRIGHTSIDE, REDZEL, NATURE STRIP and VERRY ELLEEGANT.
For a stable of Joe Pride’s size to have two horses in the top 12 all-time prizemoney earners, is a monumental achievement.
Pride is now keen to give PRIVATE EYE a short break before readying him for feature races early in the spring, namely the $1 million Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on August 23.