The brief and underwhelming spring campaign of Private Harry has been abandoned, leaving Yulong with the task of sourcing a new runner for its Everest slot, possibly from outside the confines of its breeding and racing empire.
Unbeaten and locked in for an Everest berth after a quickfire march through the classes during his three-year-old term, Private Harry will be missing from the $20 million slot race.
The entire’s defection was confirmed on Monday following a lacklustre fifth placing when 4-1/2 lengths from the winner Briasa in the Premiere Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.
That followed a first-up defeat in The Shorts, which ended Private Harry’s unblemished record at five successive victories and prompted a jockey switch for the Premiere.
Trainer Nathan Doyle told stewards that Private Harry was displaying signs of lameness following the Premiere and will be assessed by veterinarian experts later this week.
He was the first sprinter selected to fill an Everest slot when Yulong purchased a stake in the son of Harry Angel.
Yulong pounced after Private Harry won the Group 1 Galaxy under handicap conditions during the Sydney autumn carnival with Yulong announcing the Nathan Doyle-trainer sprinter as its Everest slot runner in a deal with then-majority owner Kurrinda Bloodstock.
“It’s obviously disappointing, but we need to do what’s best for the horse,” Yulong chief operating officer Sam Fairgray said.
“He’s far better than his last two runs suggest, so there is clearly something amiss that we need to look into further.
“Nathan Doyle’s team will take him into the clinic this week for a thorough investigation, which hopefully will shed some light on the situation and let us plan an appropriate path for him.”
Yulong-owned stars Magic Time and Angel Capital are confirmed Everest starters, but they will run from slots held by auction horse Inglis and bloodstock agent James Harron, respectively.
It’s a situation that will add a layer of complexity for Yulong’s choice to replace Private Harry.
It did recently secure a 10 per cent share of subsequent Manikato Stakes winner Charm Stone and she is likely to be on Yulong’s shortlist.
Yulong talks will take place over the next few days to find a substitute worthy of a place in the 12-horse field for the Everest at Randwick on October 18.
Bren O’Brien
As a slotholder, Yulong teamed up with syndicator Triple Crown for Everest glory when Redzel won in 2018.
In the past two editions, it has relied on its own talent, with Growing Empire finishing third in 2024.
Two Everest slots remain vacant with Yulong’s fellow racing superpower Godolphin yet to decide on its runner.
Inglis secured Group 1-winning mare Magic Time at the weekend when its first pick Skybird was ruled out after finishing down the course in the Manikato Stakes.
Coolmore has also made its move over the past 48 hours, selecting first-up Group 2 Gilgai Stakes winner War Machine from the Lindsay Park training operation.
Mulberry Racing will make its debut as an Everest slotholder, selecting its own sprinter Jedibeel as its representative.
Jedibeel ran an improved race when fourth in the Premiere and has been listed as a $101 chance in a betting market that continues to be dominated by Hong Hong’s Ka Ying Rising.
