Chances are you're about to lose.
For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au
Joe Pride‘s gun galloper Ceolwulf was back to his brilliant best over the Randwick mile on Saturday successfully defending his title in the King Charles III Stakes 2025 results on The Everest Day.
In just his second turf triumph since claiming the $5 million feature last year, the five-year-old son of Tavistock claimed back-to-back victories in the Group 1 showdown, delivering a masterclass performance under Chad Schofield and reaffirming his status as a top-tier miler despite his $10 price.
“That was absolutely amazing,” Pride said.
“I watched it down there with my two daughters who never come to the racetrack, so it was really special.”
Pride pulled off a tactical masterstroke by applying blinkers for the first time, and it paid off in spectacular fashion as Ceolwulf surged to victory in race to become the first dual champion since three-time hero Winx (2016-18).
“It’s a relief,” Schofield admitted to Sky Thoroughbred Central post-race.
“I said it even today to the owners ‘if he runs to his best, he’ll win.’ Because I know how good he is, I’ve got so much belief in him.
“Just a masterstroke by Joe, just keeping that ace up his sleeve for the grand final today.
“The blinkers just brought out the best of him and god, he was good.”
Despite questions over his form heading into the race, the defending champion settled beautifully in the run and responded powerfully when asked, storming past rivals to win decisively atoning for his unplaced run when sixth last time out in the Epsom Handicap.
“12 months in the waiting really. 12 months ago, I thought here he is, the best horse I’ll ever train, and we spent another 12 months waiting to see that again,” Pride said.
“I think the blinkers had a fair bit to do with it today and I was really happy, Chad (Schofield) said to me the track is not as firm as it was on Epsom Day.
“I think that’s all he needs, just be able to get his toe into the ground and we’ve stuck with Chad and so happy for him to get the result there today.
“He just needed to find some room because he was full of running.”
It was the Lindsay Park veteran, Mr Brightside, fighting hard in the lead on the straight before Schofield asked and Ceolwulf responded charging up the inside to draw clear and beat Mr B by 1.77 lengths on the line.
“They actually went very slowly for the first two furlongs,” Schofield said.
“I actually said to Josh (Parr) on Pericles on my outside ‘go on Jenni, put some pace on.’
“I was just back, relaxed, off the bridle in a great rhythm. When I clicked him up around the 600m to get interested he just came straight underneath me and I thought we are on today.”
Mr Brightside, who was coming off his historic third straight Makybe Diva Stakes win at Flemington, was hampered by a bad gate and had plenty of excuses in the run but still managed to impress jockey Craig Williams with his brave second place effort.
“It’s a shame he was dealt a really hard barrier draw,” Williams said.
“He had a tough, difficult run. It shows the calibre of horse that he is that he still fought it out to run second.
“Another very brave performance from Mr B.”
Flashing home into third to complete the trifecta at big odds was the improving Darryn & Briar Weatherley trained Kiwi raider Pier at 50/1.
“Ran out of his skin. He is a good horse. I think up to 2000m it will really suit him,” jockey Ethan Brown said of Pier looking ahead.
Pride said there was still plenty to come for Ceolwulf who is now likely to head to Flemington during the Melbourne Cup Carnival for either the $3 million Champions Mile or Champions Stakes on November 8.
“This horse is a long way from being finished, there’s plenty of wins to come,” he said.
“He wins the races that count and gets beaten in a few that I guess don’t count as much.
“I’ll have a chat to Chad about him. I’d love to take him to Flemington, give him a look, so it will either be the mile or 2000m.”
Ceowulf is currently paying $11 to win the 2025 Champions Stakes through Ladbrokes.com.au while he has firmed into the $6 second favourite behind Mr Brightside ($4) in the all-in Champions Mile odds.
“He’s a great miler, three of his best wins have been here over a mile,” Schofield admitted.
“But I can’t keep forgetting the fact that he’s run second in the Derby over 2400m on a heavy track, so we know he’s got the stamina too.
“He’s just a great horse when he’s right and he’s got options.”
King Charles III Stakes 2025 Results
|
1st
3. Ceolwulf (4)
J: Chad Schofield 59kg
T: Joseph Pride |
||
|
2nd
1. Mr Brightside (12)
J: Craig Williams 59kg
T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
||
|
3rd
8. Pier (1)
J: Ethan Brown 59kg
T: Darryn & Briar Weatherley |
||
|
4th
6. Pericles (5)
J: Josh Parr 59kg
T: Bjorn Baker |
||
|
5th
5. Tom Kitten (7)
J: Ben Melham 59kg
T: Anthony & Sam Freedman |
||
|
6th
10. Fangirl (11)
J: James McDonald 57kg
T: Chris Waller |
||
|
7th
11. Pride Of Jenni (8)
J: Declan Bates 57kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
||
|
8th
7. Yellow Brick (10)
J: Jason Collett 59kg
T: Tony & Maddysen Sears |
||
|
9th
12. Within The Law (6)
J: Rachel King 48kg
T: Bjorn Baker |
||
|
10th
9. El Castello (9)
J: Adam Hyeronimus 58kg
T: Joseph Pride |
||
|
11th
2. Royal Patronage (3)
J: Tim Clark 59kg
T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott |
||
|
12th
4. Lake Forest (2)
J: Zac Purton 59kg
T: William Haggas |
WHAT ARE YOU PREPARED TO LOSE TODAY? SET A DEPOSIT LIMIT.
For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
