True Self to Head Back to Melbourne Again this Spring Following Big Payday at Riyadh

Mark Smith - Sunday February 21

The Willie Mullins-trained True Self (IRE) endeared herself to fans in Australia with back to back wins in the Group III Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) at Flemington, and it looks as if she will be back again this year after her big payday at Riyadh.

The eight-year-old daughter of champion National Hunt stallion Oscar is still doing what she does best.

True Self (Racing Photos)

Carrying the OTI Racing silks, True Self (IRE) claimed the £437,956 first prize under a brilliant Hollie Doyle ride in the Neom Turf Cup on the Saudi Cup undercard in Riyadh.

True Self gradually wore down the Breeders’ Cup Turf third Channel Maker to score by a length and a quarter. Emirates Knight was a further four and three-quarter lengths back in third.

Speaking to Racing TV from his County Carlow base, Mullins was effusive in his praise for both rider and horse.

“I’d like to congratulate Hollie on a fantastic ride.

“She’s way more speed than we thought when we bought her as a bumper mare to go hurdling with.

Advertisement

“She just has a huge amount of speed. All the jockeys who have ridden her have said to me that a mile and a quarter suits her.

“It looked like our mare just stayed on and on, while the one in front was just tying up.

“We’ve had gale force winds here (in Ireland) and an inch of rain this morning, and I thought ‘it’ll be lovely over there’. But then I saw at the start you had lots of rain as well. So I thought ‘that suits the mare – she’ll feel more at home with that’.”

Australia at the end of this year in November, that’s the main plan. So what we do in between times we haven’t really thought about.

“The first part of the year’s plan has worked out, and it will be probably on to Australia from here.”

Advertisment
More Reading...
National Online Breeding Stock Sale Online Now
The National Online Breeding Stock Sale has launched on Gavelhouse Plus with bidding open on the 87 Lots sale which is set to end from 7pm on Wednesday 9th July.
Alice Jeffries - Rising Star in Breeding Industry
Alice Jeffries didn’t always see a future for herself in the breeding industry, but a very special filly played a key role in getting her to where she is today, working as Cambridge Stud’s Assistant Yearling Manager, and receiving Entain’s Newcomer Excellence Award on Sunday.
Bergerson Honoured at Entain Industry Excellence Awards
Sam Bergerson, New Zealand’s leading trainer, was recognised by his peers when receiving the top gong at the Entain Industry Excellence Awards on Sunday night.
NZ Racing Woman of the Year
Caitlin O’Sullivan Doyle has been immersed in racing from a young age and she was recognised for her individual contribution to the industry at Entain’s Industry Excellence Awards on Sunday.
Euro G1 – Bridesmaid No More and Two Time Derby Hero
Aga Khan Studs don’t race a lot of geldings, but one that they do is Calandagan, who shook off his G1 bridesmaid tag winning the Group I Grand Prix de Saint Cloud in France, while in Ireland the Coolmore machine kept the winning run going to take out the Group I Irish Derby (1 ½ m).
Matahga Makes it a Memorable Weekend for Lawson
Waikato horseman Simon Lawson has an eye for a bargain, and the product of one of his purchases turned into his first stakes winner over the weekend.
Tenth 2YO Winner Spirit of Boom
Lindsay Park Racing produced the tenth 2YO winner of the season for Spirit of Boom at Pakenham on Monday when the well backed favourite Idleonby saluted at her second start.
Back To Back Queen Elizabeths for True Self
For the second consecutive year the Willie Mullins-trained True Self (IRE) missed a start in the Melbourne Cup by one spot before gaining some consolation in the Group III Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) at Flemington.
G1 Aussie Season – Best of the Best
The $700,000 Group I Tatts Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm last Saturday was the last of 76 Australian Group I races run this season that produced 57 individual Group I winners, so let’s take a look at the best of the best.
New kids on the block add fresh blood to Vibrant Victorian breeding scene
With 11 new stallions standing in Victoria this coming breeding season, including the winners of three Group 1 races on their ‘home’ soil, the short and long-term future looks increasingly bright for the state’s vibrant industry.