UNBEATEN HARRY A DEFINITE THE EVEREST RUNNER

NEWCASTLE’S unbeaten star Private Harry will be in the $20m The Everest later this year – it’s just a matter of with which slot holder.

That was successful Hunter syndicator Kurrinda Bloodstock principal Sean Driver’s confident statement this morning in the aftermath of the brilliant three-year-old’s maiden Group 1 victory at his first attempt at a major in yesterday’s $1m The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens.

And bookmakers agree. Private Harry is now a $6 second favorite behind Hong Kong champ Ka Ying Rising ($2.50).  

Making it five wins from as many starts, Private Harry not only boosted his racetrack earnings to nearly $2m, but provided a trio of Group 1 firsts for Kurrinda, trainer Nathan Doyle and jockey Ash Morgan.

“It’s definitely our first Group 1 as a syndicator, and hopefully the first of many,” Driver said.

“I’ve got 32 missed calls on my phone since The Galaxy.

“Private Harry will definitely be running in The Everest (1200m) – Australia’s richest race – at Royal Randwick on October 18.

“It’s only a matter of deciding which slot holder we race with.”

Driver and his wife Genevieve run Kurrinda Bloodstock, named after a 670-acre stud property at Merriwa (which housed three stallions) previously owned by his late grandfather Ken Silverside.

Driver buys solely on type, and secured Private Harry – a son of freshman stallion Harry Angel and the fourth foal of three-times county winner Happy Pilgrim – for $115,000 at the 2023 Inglis Classic yearling sale.

Not frightened to take a punt on first season sires, Driver, who hand picks all the company’s horses to be syndicated, quickly took a shine to the colt when he saw him because he was very athletic and a standout, and said he wasn’t going home without him.

At the time he thought he may have paid “overs”, but at the same time determined the colt would have fetched something like $800,000 if he had been by a proven sire such as Snitzel.

Kurrinda’s first purchase was a $7000 Onemorenomore filly at the 2018 Scone yearling sale. Racing as One Pound, she won four races- at Dubbo (twice), Wellington and Coonabarabran.

Having been closely involved with his late grandfather’s racing interests – as a 16-year-old he was at Broadmeadow when Silverside’s Carael Boy dead-heated with the legendary Bart Cummings’ High Cee in the 2005 Group 3 Newcastle Gold Cup, Private Harry’s Group 1 was really something to savour.

“In the space of five or so weeks early in 2003 with Carael Boy, we chased the champion Lonhro home three times in Group races,” he recalled.

“Carael Boy ran third to Lonhro in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Randwick, third a fortnight later in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m there, and then a week ran fifth in the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Warwick Farm.”

Driver had a sobering warning to Private Harry’s rivals if he chases his sixth victory in the $3m Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday week on the opening day of The Championships.

“Private Harry has pulled up a treat, but he was only 85 per cent fit yesterday,” he said.

“He is a freakish horse, and I reckon has three to four lengths improvement.

“Provided he draws well in the TJ Smith, we will take that on, otherwise he will go to the paddock and get ready for The Everest in spring.”

Private Harry is currently sharing favoritism at $4.50 with last start Group 1 VRC Newmarket Handicap (1200m) winner Joliestar, with yesterday’s The Galaxy fourth Briasa next at $6.

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HOOFNOTE: There was an ironic side to Private Harry’s Galaxy triumph as Kurrinda Bloodstock also is closely associated with Goulburn trainer Matt Dale, who prepares runner-up Front Page ($12), who made the running but couldn’t hold off the dashing young Newcastle sprinter.

“We have 20 horses with Matt,” Driver said. “Front Page has twice won The Kosciuszko (2022-23) for country horses at Randwick, and now has been placed in the last two runnings of The Galaxy.

“Obviously from our viewpoint with Private Harry being a colt, a Group 1 was very important for his future stud career.

“Matt was of course disappointed Front Page didn’t win but delighted he ran so well, but was also pleased for us. He was kind enough to come and have a drink with us afterwards in the Winners’ Room.”

Story John Curtis, March 23, 2025