Joe Pride has all but given up on trying to outguess Private Eye. The enigmatic but massively talented gelding has had the top trainer scratching his head all through this current preparation. The seven year old was off the bit a long way from home in The Hunter on November 16th before finishing an indifferent eighth behind Briasa. It was a similar story in the Russell Balding Stakes two weeks earlier when he was scrambling at the 600m before finishing fifth just under four lengths from Bella Nipotina. Joe Pride immediately searched for a longer race, and ideally a slight drop in class. Saturday’s 1500m Gr 3 Festival Stakes was just what the doctor ordered.
Even Private Eye’s most ardent fans were surprised when Nash Rawiller fired him out of gate 14. Perhaps the wily jockey was confident Uzziah would lead from a middle draw and felt the position outside the leader was there for the taking. As is often the case, Rawiller’s gut instinct proved correct. The astute horseman took his time crossing over because he felt there was a section of track near the inside at the 1000m which he judged slightly inferior on the day.
By the first turn he had Private Eye at Uzziah’s girth but opted to continue tracking a little wider than the leader. Mighty Ulysees was in third place ahead of So United, Robusto and Kintyre. For the first time in many starts Private Eye was in a good rhythm and travelling within himself. The benefits soon became obvious. He was exuding confidence as he exploded to the front at the 200m before putting almost three lengths on Robusto with Xidaki in third place. Private Eye’s body language on returning to scale suggested he was comparing himself to Phar Lap.
That was easy says Private Eye as he coasts to his 12th career win in the Festival Stakes - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
“It was just what he needed,” said Joe Pride. “A confidence building, emphatic win. It’s hard to believe Saturday’s win was his first in fourteen months, but look at the standard of opposition he’s faced in between - a third to Think About It in the Everest, second to Bella Nipotina in the Giga Kick Stakes, second to Imperatriz in the Lightning and so on. Although unplaced in the recent Everest he never stopped trying when sixth to Bella Nipotina. Away from the races he’s a very difficult horse to assess because of his laid back nature. He’s the most casual horse I’ve ever trained, lazy in his trackwork and completely unfazed by anything that happens in the course of his day. I’ve even popped him over some jumps in recent weeks in an effort to sharpen him up. He couldn’t be bothered picking his feet up, and barely got over some little cavalettis.
“Apart from a minor knee issue early in his career, he’s raced sound throughout his 41 starts. I’d defy anyone to find a fault with him in his seventh year. Perhaps his unflappable nature has contributed to his longevity at the very highest level. It’s surreal to think he’s won twelve races with eight placings for $11.8 million in prize money. Here he is coming out on Saturday to win a Gr 3 in a canter, simply because he was down in grade a touch. Obviously, he’s not going to get it all his own way in future assignments, and of course he’s now contending with big weights. There was a time we thought he was a potential stayer. He’s been in The Everest three times and there was another occasion when he actually led them up in a 1000m Lightning Stakes before beating all but Imperatriz. Private Eye is an enigma, but what a lovely problem to have.”
Private Eye (Nash Rawiller) prevails narrowly in The Shorts a month before his 3rd placing in the 2023 Everest - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Equally chuffed to see the gelding return to the winners list was the man who identified him as a likely prospect at the 2019 Adelaide Magic Millions Yearling Sale. Proven Thoroughbreds founder and CEO Jamie Walter couldn’t fault the colt in pre-sale inspections, and was happy enough with his pedigree. “He’s by the now deceased Al Maher, a son of Danehill who was an easy winner of a Gr 1 Australian Guineas, while his dam Confidential Queen didn’t win in three Victorian starts but is a daughter of Shamardal who’s proving a strong influence as a broodmare sire. Sadly, Shamardal died a few years ago but his daughters will keep his name to the fore for years to come. I also noted that the colt’s second dam Royal Snippets just happened to be a half sister to Snitzel and Hinchinbrook.
Joe Pride with Proven Thoroughbreds' Jamie Walter (R) and Tom Walter after Stockman's win in the ATC St Leger - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
“I was pleased to secure him for $62,500, a bargain figure even five years ago. We were able to formulate a syndicate fairly quickly, and what a ride it’s been for his sizeable group of owners. Private Eye has been a very special horse for me and my company. He’s my very first Gr 1 winner and the fact that he’s been considered good enough to run in three Everests has been a massive thrill. Despite all of his well known quirks he’s been an endearing horse for everyone associated with him. What a talent he is. Capable of mixing it with high quality opposition preparation after preparation.”
Jamie Walter points out that Confidential Queen was purchased at the 2015 Australian Broodmare Sale by astute breeder Kerrie Tibbey who runs Goodwood Farm at Murrurundi in the Upper Hunter. Kerrie was able to acquire Confidential Queen in foal to Star Witness for the bargain basement price of $13,000, a fraction of the mare’s current value. The foal she was carrying raced as Royal Witness and won six races including four on the Kensington track for Joe Pride. Confidential Queen’s next foal to race was the now legendary Private Eye who has single handedly assured his dam of stud book celebrity status.
Private Eye’s full brother Secret Spy managed to win two races at Gosford last year, while Pride is currently training a three year old Shalaa gelding called King’s Secret who has two recent provincial placings to his credit. Confidential Queen has an unnamed Shaala two year old in training, and recently gave birth to a filly by the exciting prospect Anamoe. Widden Stud would obviously rue their decision to let Confidential Queen go so cheaply in 2015.
Private Eye's half brother Royal Witness in one of 4 wins on the Kensington track 20/02/2019. Jockey was Chris Williams - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Jamie Walter sometimes reflects on the days when many thought Private Eye was an emerging stayer. The gelding was having his first run at 1600m when he contested the 2021 Queensland Guineas on a Soft 5 at Eagle Farm with Brenton Avdulla in the saddle. “Brenton sold out at the 800m when Private Eye was last of seven and not showing much interest,” said Jamie. “He was stunned when the horse charged down the outside to blow horses like Apache Chase and Kukeracha away. Brenton was disappointed to learn Private Eye wasn’t in the Derby, but I explained that he simply hadn’t been trained for the 2400m. Interesting to note Apache Chase won the Gr 3 Fred Best Classic at his next run while Kucheracha would win the Queensland Derby three weeks later.”
Five months after the Queensland Guineas success Private Eye notched his one and only Gr 1 win with a last stride victory in the Epsom. Regan Bayliss rode him 1kg overweight at 52.5 and brought him from last of 17 on the turn with a barnstorming run to grab Aramayo right on the line.
Private Eye (Regan Bayliss on the outside) grabs Aramayo and Dalasan in the last stride of the 2021 Epsom - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Opinions are divided about the most impressive of the gelding’s twelve wins. Some keen judges plump for his win in the 1300m Nature Strip Stakes a fortnight after his close second to Giga Kick in the TAB Everest. He went back from a wide draw and was eighth of eleven in the middle stages where Weona Smartone was carving out a brisk pace from Eduardo, Mazu, Lost And Running and Kementari. Private Eye was six to seven lengths off the lead when Avdulla brought him to the outside. At the 300m he was spotting some very talented horses what appeared to be too much start. He started to gather momentum at the 200m and a place looked possible. Private Eye’s acceleration from that point on was breathtaking. In a twinkling he was a length in front and going away from them. That amazing performance was the main topic of conversation in racing circles for many days after.
This may have been Private Eye's best performance - an amazing win in the 2022 Nature Strip Stakes with Brenton Avdulla - courtesy Bradley Photographers.
Perhaps Private Eye’s very best days are behind him but when in the right frame of mind this horse is still capable of mixing it with elite opposition. Saturday’s Festival Stakes win qualified him for The Ingham over the Randwick mile on December 14th. “He’ll have a stack of weight but 1600m will be ideal and I’m sure Saturday’s win will switch him on,” said Joe Pride. “After that we might look at a brief break before planning his programme for next year. I’m thinking a Brisbane campaign in the winter months would suit him down to the ground.”
Joe has had multiple opportunities to increase his team numbers but continues to hold steady at fifty horses. He likes to know all there is to know about every horse in his Warwick Farm barn, especially the brown gelding by Tavistock who returned from the spelling paddock on Monday. Ceolwulf, fresh from his brilliant Epsom and King Charles double last month is about to embark upon a preparation which could lead him to a very lucrative autumn. He’s some $7 million short of old Private Eye’s prize money tally, but then again he’s three years younger. He’s got all the time in the world to catch up with his celebrated stablemate, and the right trainer to help him achieve it.
(Banner image - Look at me says Private Eye as he strolls home with his ears pricked in the Festival Stakes - courtesy Bradley Photographers.)