4:00PM Friday, April 11th, 2025

Unbeaten star Private Harry to miss Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes as connections hone in on The Everest

Sprint sensation Private Harry will miss Saturday’s Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes as connections set their focus on The Everest in October.

Ashley Morgan riding Private Harry to victory in the Group 1 Galaxy Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images
Ashley Morgan riding Private Harry to victory in the Group 1 Galaxy Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

Sprint sensation Private Harry will be a notable omission from Saturday’s Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick as connections fix their focus firmly on an all out assault on the $20m The Everest in October.

The unbeaten colt - now half-owned by Yulong Investments after a bumper deal valued at more than $15m was announced last Friday - will be spelled in readiness for a tilt at the world’s richest turf race later in the year.

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As part of Yulong’s half acquisition in the last start Group 1 Galaxy hero, the son of Harry Angel, which has won each of his five racetrack appearances in brilliant fashion, will race in the breeding and racing goliath’s coveted The Everest slot.

Nathan Doyle and Ash Morgan celebrate after Private Harry’s victory in the Group 1 Galaxy
Nathan Doyle and Ash Morgan celebrate after Private Harry’s victory in the Group 1 Galaxy

Kurrinda Bloodstock, which now race Private Harry in partnership with Yulong, said in a statement on Monday that the horse “will go for a well deserved spell”.

“Private Harry is a very exciting, undefeated colt,” the statement read.

“What he has achieved so far is outstanding and it needs to be remembered that his first start was only in November, 2024.

“While running Private Harry in the TJ (Smith Stakes) is tempting, we feel he will benefit greatly from the opportunity to rest in anticipation for the Spring carnival and ultimately the 2025 The Everest.”

Despite Yulong’s seismic investment in Private Harry, Doyle and jockey Ash Morgan will continue their faultless association with the three-year-old colt, Kurrinda Bloodstock principal Sean Driver revealed at the weekend.

Private Harry was a $4.40 second elect in betting for the TJ Smith prior to the decision to send him for a spell.

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Last start Group 1 Newmarket Handicap winner Joliestar sits atop of markets at $3.80 ahead of Briasa ($5), Jimmystarr ($7) and Sunshine In Paris ($7.50).

Originally published as Unbeaten star Private Harry to miss Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes as connections hone in on The Everest

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