LIFE-CHANGING PRIVATE HARRY DEAL

PRIVATE Harry is not only the first horse confirmed for this year’s The Everest – but a Royal Ascot trip next year is also in the offing.

Kurrinda Bloodstock principal Sean Driver, in today confirming a life-changing sale of 50 per cent of Newcastle’s unbeaten three-year-old and Group 1 winner to Yulong Investments (which has one of the 12 The Everest slots), said negotiations took four days to finalise the deal.

Importantly, the colt’s trainer Nathan Doyle and jockey Ash Morgan will continue their association with the star colt.

“Under the agreement, all our syndicate owners retain their shares in Private Harry,” Driver said.

“We will meet on Monday or Tuesday to decide about running in next Saturday’s Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick.

“He will go to the paddock if he doesn’t run, with the $20m The Everest (1200m) – Australia’s richest race - there on October 18 his major mission.

“But there is also real interest in taking Private Harry to Royal Ascot in June next year.

“If he can win both The Everest and at Royal Ascot (Group 1 King Charles III Stakes, 1200m), his value would soar to $45m-$50m.”

Driver said three of Australia’s biggest stud farms had shown interest in buying into Private Harry.

The son of Harry Angel was a $115,000 purchase at the 2023 Inglis Classic yearling sale, and has already earned nearly $2m in prizemoney from his five victories; the latest in the $1m Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens last Saturday.

“Yulong’s Mr Zhang was really good to deal with, and everything felt right,” Driver said.

“Private Harry will race in our colours if he goes to the TJ Smith, but a special set of silks combining Kurrinda and Yulong will be designed for The Everest.”

Whilst the amount Yulong outlaid to buy 50 per cent of Private Harry has been reported as “around $15m”, Driver said it was north of that figure.

“Obviously Private Harry has been purchased to eventually stand at stud with Yulong when his racing career finishes.

“Being such a very valuable horse now, of course we will be doing our utmost to protect his record.”

. Private Harry is currently $4 second favorite for the $3m TJ Smith behind recent Group 1 VRC Newmarket winner Joliestar ($3.50), and shares second favoritism with Joliestar at $8 for The Everest.

Hong Kong champ Ka Ying Rising (Zac Purton), scheduled to race at Sha Tin tomorrow in the Group 2 Sprint Cup (1200m), is the $2.50 favorite for The Everest.

Story John Curtis, March 29, 2025

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