Leading syndicator Jamie Walter celebrated his first win at racing’s elite level when Sydney star Private Eye stormed home to win the $1.5 million Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick.
Walter’s highly successful black and green Proven Thoroughbreds colours were at the tail of the field when the big Epsom field turned for home but in an incredible burst from the back, Private Eye was able to win in a thriller.
The win was the eighth from just 13 starts for Private Eye and his prizemoney has now soared over $1.44 million.
Walter, not surprisingly, was buzzing with excitement following the thrilling victory.
“I watched the race from my study at home and probably caused a noise issue in the street,” Walter said. “I gave the horse a lot of encouragement over the final hundred or so!”
“To win my first Group 1 after so many years of trying is very satisfying. I bought my first horse as an owner about 40 years ago, but have been syndicating for about 20.”
Walter, who splits his horses now across three stables in two states, is the brother of Hall of Fame trainer, the late Guy Walter and it was his recommendation that led him to Joe Pride.
“When Guy passed away Joe pretty much took over his stable and we earlier had a lot of discussions about trainers and he (Guy) really rated Joe.
“Joe is a great horseman. He’s not hard on the horses and he’s very hands on. If you have a good horse there’s no one better at prolonging a career. He’s probably got 50 to 60 in work and he doesn’t want to get any bigger so he doesn’t lose that hands on style.”
The Private Eye story for Proven Thoroughbreds started at the 2019 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale where they secured the future star for $62,500.
The son of Al Maher was bred by Goodwood Farm and sold through the draft of Ambergate Farm.
“I knew Joe had the half brother (Royal Witness) and he wasn’t a bad little horse,” Walter noted. “This guy wasn’t that big, but he was a bit bigger than the brother and quite athletic.”
“He was bred by a good breeder in Kerrie Tibbey, by not a bad sire in Al Maher and this guy wasn’t one of his bulky types – he was leaner and a bit more attractive.
“The mare attracted me as well. Plus we’ve had some great success buying in Adelaide – I’ve had a number of stakes winners out of Adelaide from early on with Invinciano right through to Private Eye.”
The success capped a remarkable day for star rider Regan Bayliss – his second Group One of the day.
“It’s just unbelievable,” a beaming Bayliss said. “I’ve been in Sydney for 12 months now and it was a massive move for me.”
“I wouldn’t be here where I am today without Joe Pride. He’s the one who really backed me in Sydney from an early age.”
“The horse was set for the race. Joe knows how to set a big one to peak on the day.”
“Gee he’s going to be mighty hard to beat in the Golden Eagle.”
Private Eye, by Danehill’s Australian Guineas winning son Al Maher, is one of two winners for his dam, the Shamardal mare Confidential Queen.
Further back it’s the same family as champion sire Snitzel as well as Hinchinbrook, Rathlin and Arcaded.
PRIVATE EYE
Breeding: Al Maher-Confidential Queen (Shamardal)
Breeder: Goodwood Farm
Race: ATC Epsom Handicap G1 (1600m)
Sold for: $62,500
Sale: 2019 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale
Vendor: Ambergate Farm (As Agent for Goodwood Farm)
Buyer: Proven Thoroughbreds/Pride Racing
Earnings: $1,466,460
Owners: P Yates, J Allen, S Flegman, M Keatinge, B Playford, G Lester, P Davidson, D George, MS Ross, CP Hackett, PW Robertson, Mrs BP Davidson, Ms RL Laundy, Mrs SR Rowden, T Findlay, Proven Thoroughbreds, Martin Thoroughbred Racing, Sixth Sense Racing, City Tattersalls & Ms I Brazil
Trainer: Joseph Pride
>> Story courtesy of Magic Millions <<
Joe Pride continues…
On his reaction to the win: “I couldn’t help but give him a cheer in my lounge room. My old boss John Size was a statue when he watched races and I would think how does he do that. Everyone is different but I’ve always felt the day I can’t give them a cheer I will hand over the reins to someone else.”
On the horse: “I knew I had given him the right prep and I was confident in the horse. You need luck in these Epsoms, they are hard to win, but it all panned out beautifully and he has got an engine this horse, he’s a ripper. When he won first-up he signaled to me that day he had come back bigger and better than ever.”
“In his last two starts, it just hasn’t worked out for him but I knew in an Epsom, they are high pressure races and it would suit him. I put the blinkers on the other day and I wasn’t sure what to make of his run but Hugh got off him and said the horse went really well. It was a call I had to make and I decided to leave them on.”
On the owners: “It’s so good to get this big win for Jamie Walter, you would not meet a nicer person, he is just like his (late) brother Guy. Jamie is a gentleman this is my biggest win for him.”
On the future: “Kolding won the Queensland Guineas-Epsom Handicap-Golden Eagle treble two years ago. I am well aware of what Kolding did. We have won the Guineas and the Epsom and he will go straight to the Golden Eagle now. The Queensland winter carnival didn’t look overly strong this year. But Eduardo, Incentivise and Private Eye all won good races all came through the winter carnival.”
On what was a milestone day for Proven Thoroughbreds, you could be forgiven for overlooking Proven’s two other winners on Saturday – CONTEMPTUOUS (Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted) at Doomben and TORINDA (Joe Pride) at Newcastle.
“A Saturday treble is something we’ve only achieved twice before I think so to have our first Group 1 winner on the same day was quite extraordinary. When you are heading into a Group 1 with two winners already, you are entitled to think your luck might be running on short supply!” Jamie Walter said.
“But everything panned out perfectly and I’m delighted to have been able to share this experience with my son Tom who has been integral in the development of Proven Thoroughbreds.”