McHale a Surprise Winner of G3 Bill Ritchie

Media Release - Saturday September 21

The Group III ATC Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday was a muddling run affair and produced a blow out result when unheralded Shooting to Win gelding McHale enjoyed an inspired ride from Rachel King to snatch a last stride win.

McHale wins the G3 Bill Ritchie - image Steve Hart

Trained by Chris Waller, McHale was resuming from a spell with a couple of good recent trials to tune him up after a solid winter campaign that finished with a third in the Group III BRC Gunsynd Classic won by Bases Loaded.

McHale produced a career best effort to beat fast finishing Gringotts with the race favourite Tom Kitten a no show to finish out of the placings.

The winner of the Bill Ritchie earns a ballot exemption for the Group I ATC Epsom Handicap (1600m) on October 5 and that $1.5million race will now be considered for McHale.

"I guess we have a look at the Epsom. It's an owner's privilege to be running in those races when you win the lead-up," Waller said.

"He had the run of the race, it was a nice ride from Rachel (King). He's a good horse and he always runs well fresh."

Advertisement

McHale was a $160,000 Inglis Classic purchase.

A $160,000 Inglis Classic purchase for Star Thoroughbreds / Randwick Bloodstock Agency from the Edinglassie Stud draft, McHale has the overall record of four wins and two placings from 12 starts with prizemoney topping $210,000.

McHale is a half-brother to Group II winners Ninth Legion and Tsaritsa as well as Group III placed Sing a Love Song and is the third stakes-winner among six winner from terrific producer Xaar’s Jewel, who was retired from stud duty in 2022.

Her final foal a two year-old filly by Zousain that made $160,000 at Inglis Classic when bought by Annabel Neasham Racing / William Johnson Bloodstock and has been named Insain Jewel.

McHale is the 11th stakes-winner for Caulfield Guineas winner Shooting to Win, who started his stud career at Darley and is now in Western Australia at Oakland Park Stud at a fee of $9,900.

Advertisment

Race Result - James Squire Kingston Town Stakes Gr3 2000m

Randwick Track: Good(4) Time: 2:01.54
1
Eliyass
- 6g Le Havre (IRE) x Edilisa (IRE) (Azamour (IRE))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Tim Clark 56
2
0.5
Ceolwulf
- 4g Tavistock (NZ) x Las Brisas (GB) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: Joseph Pride Rdr: J B Mc Donald 55
NZB Ready To Run Sale $170,000
Seller: Riversley Park Ltd
Buyer: Mr JW Pride
3
2.3
Golden Path
- 5g Belardo (IRE) x Golden Destination (AUS) (Dubai Destination (USA))
Tnr: M Price & M Kent Jnr Rdr: C Schofield 55
NZB Karaka Book 2 $35,000
Seller: Ardsley Stud Limited
Buyer: Mr M Rogers
4
3.3
Serpentine
- 8g Galileo (IRE) x Remember When (IRE) (Danehill Dancer (IRE))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: A Hyeronimus 56
5
4.1
Zardozi
- 4m Kingman (GB) x Chanderi (GB) (Dubawi (IRE))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: K Mc Evoy 56
6
5.1
Land Legend
- 5g Galileo (IRE) x Landikusic (IRE) (Dansili (GB))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Zac Lloyd 55
7
8.6
Alegron
- 6g Teofilo (IRE) x Alegria (AUS) (Medaglia D'oro (USA))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: Rachel King 57
8
9
Kalapour
- 8g War Command (USA) x Kaladena (IRE) (Daylami (IRE))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: N Rawiller 58
9
9.2
Military Mission
- 7g Mastercraftsman (IRE) x Atlantic Isle (GER) (Tamayuz (GB))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: Regan Bayliss 57.5
10
9.4
Athabascan
- 6g Almanzor (FR) x Alzubra (GB) (Dansili (GB))
Tnr: John O'Shea & Tom Charlton Rdr: J R Collett 56
11
9.6
Star Of India
- 6g Galileo (IRE) x Shermeen (IRE) (Desert Style (IRE))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald Rdr: J Ford 55
12
9.7
Trust in You
- 6g Sweynesse (AUS) x Shinko Bay (NZ) (Shinko King (IRE))
Tnr: B Wallace & G Cooksley Rdr: Reece Jones 56
13
10.6
Zeyrek
- 8g Sea The Stars (IRE) x Zerkaza (IRE) (Dalakhani (IRE))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: J Parr 56.5
14
11
El Bodegon
- 6g Kodiac (GB) x Al Andalyya (USA) (Kingmambo (USA))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Zac Wadick 55
15
11.8
Adelaide River
- 5h Australia (GB) x Could It Be Love (USA) (War Front (USA))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: Dylan Gibbons 56
16
13.8
Valiant King
- 5g Roaring Lion (USA) x Assembly (USA) (Candy Ride (ARG))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: Tommy Berry 55
More Reading...
Three on the Trot for Zousain 3YO
The Paul Shailer stable has been flying over the winter carnival and one of the stable stars has been Zousain gelding Mister Bianco, who made it three wins in succession when taking out the $150,000 Schweppes TL Cooney (1350m) at Ipswich on Saturday.
Godolphin’s Kin Wins Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic
After recording her first black type victory during last year’s spring carnival, the James Cummings trained Kin has produced three quality black type efforts during the Queensland carnival, resulting in a thoroughly deserving victory in Saturday's $160,000 Listed Gai Waterhouse Classic (1200m) at Ipswich.
Highview Makes Welcome Return to Weanling Sale
Many of the vendors at this month’s NZB National Weanling Sale are familiar faces who are renowned for their quality drafts at this sale every year, but the 2025 edition also sees an old friend being welcomed back to the fold.
McHale Salutes on Debut
There was just three-quarters of a length separating seven two-year-olds in a dramatic finish to the Robrick Lodge Hcp (1250m) at Canterbury, but there was a lot to like about the winner.
One to Watch Wins Again!
It might be winter and all eyes may have been on Royal Ascot this week, but there was a winner at Flemington on Saturday that will have caught the eye of anyone with half an interest towards spring racing and emerging talent.
One to Watch – Cranbourne
Second in the Group III VRC Maribyrnong Plate last year to Tycoon Star, this Cosmic Force colt made light work of a maiden at Cranbourne on Sunday when bolting away to win as he pleased.
Royal Ascot Day 5 – Runaway, Rising Empire and My Best Friend
After five spectacular days of racing, Royal Ascot is over with the finale overnight producing high drama with a runaway G1 winner, the rise of a racing empire and the first stakes horse for St Mark’s Basilica.
Aussie Golden Eagle Form Delivers Royal Ascot G1 Finale
There were a couple of Aussie elements to the brilliant victory of Lazzat in the Group I Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (6f) at Royal Ascot overnight as he came to our shores last year and very nearly won the $10million Golden Eagle.
Bonny Grey Mare Wins G3 Strickland
Last December at Ascot, popular grey mare Admiration Express (My Admiration) nearly caused the upset result of the year when she charged home at odds of 100/1 in the G1 Northerly Stakes for second behind Victorian raider Light Infantry Man.
Sires With Winners - Sunday June 22
Here is the full list of 76 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.