THIS LANCE CORPORAL RANKS AS A MIRACLE SURVIVOR

EVERY owner gets a huge “kick” when their horse wins his or hers first race.

But those involved with Private Harry’s kid brother Lance Corporal will be absolutely “over the moon” – and understandably so – if he can break through in the coming weeks.

He was purchased for $100,000 as a 2024 Inglis Classic yearling prior to “Harry” later that year launching his racing career and winning his first five starts, culminating with the Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens 12 months ago.

The now three-year-old Lance Corporal (actually a half-brother, by Anders, to his Group 1 winning former stablemate) is finally ready to make his debut – and it’s not understating the fact to say that it is a miracle he is even going to make it to the races at all.

Kurrinda Bloodstock boss Sean Driver today told the remarkable story of the young horse’s battle to overcome serious issues to belatedly begin his career.

Lance Corporal’s dramas ironically started when he trialled for the first time as a two-year-old at Rosehill two days before Christmas 2024.

He ran last of eight (beaten 10 lengths) to fellow Newcastle youngster Rivellino (who subsequently won his first three starts at Royal Randwick, including the $2m Inglis Millennium and Group 2 Skyline Stakes).

On the surface it was inauspicious to say the least, but definitely excusable.

“Lance Corporal choked down and also pulled up shin sore that day,” Driver explained.

“But that was virtually nothing compared with what was to lay ahead.

“After a break and going back to Newcastle trainer Nathan Doyle’s stables, Lance Corporal kicked out on the walker and severed an artery in his near hind leg.

“He lost a lot of blood being taken a relatively short to distance to Newcastle Equine Centre on the Broadmeadow racecourse site.

“Lance Corporal underwent surgery, but in the process picked up a staph infection (common germs that can enter the body through broken skin).

“I took him home to rehab at our property at Fordwich in the Hunter Valley, and we did everything possible to look after him.

“But after two months I realised he wasn’t trending in the right direction.

“We transported him to Scone Equine Hospital, but the infection had become so serious that a culture had to be grown in sync in an attempt to treat it.

“That was done by using a couple of hundred maggots to eat the infection out of the leg.

“Lance Corporal was at death’s door. We were one step away from having to make a decision.

“Thankfully, that last resort measure worked.”

Driver publicly particularly acknowledged the superb professionalism of Scone Equine Hospital and Lance Corporal’s owners who backed him all the way to save the gelding, to say nothing of the $24,000 it cost to get him back on deck.

“Lance Corporal was given plenty of time to recover before going back into work with Nathan, and he is now sound and very healthy,” Driver said.

LANCE CORPORAL THIS WEEK AT DOYLE'S STABLES

Doyle has given the gelding two trials; the first when second to unraced four-year-old Martindale Kid over 1000m at Wyong on March 5 and latest when successful over the same distance at Newcastle’s inner Beaumont track yesterday.

Doyle’s apprentice Shannen Llewellyn rode Lance Corporal in both trials.

“Nathan will decide when Lance Corporal debuts, but possibly it will be at Wyong on Easter Saturday (April 4) in an 1100m Super Maiden Handicap,” Driver said.

“Win, lose or draw it will be a very special day for everyone concerned.”

. HOOFNOTE: Lance Corporal’s stablemate Hidden Motive is an acceptor for both the open company Group 1 The Galaxy, and Listed Darby Munro Stakes (1200m) against his own age at Saturday’s Golden Slipper Stakes meeting at Rosehill Gardens.

Meanwhile, Private Harry galloped with James McDonald aboard at Rosehill yesterday and is progressing nicely with his new trainer Chris Waller.

All continuing to go well, he will trial at Warwick Farm on March 30.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, MARCH 18, 2026 - PICS SUPPLIED