William Haggas is playing his part in keeping the UK economy afloat, taking home a further $5,250,000 after Lake Forest (GB) won an action-packed James Squire Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill.
With Cieren Fallon in the saddle, the 4-year-old son of No Nay Never rocketed home close to the fence to hand the French raider Lazzat (FR) his first defeat by a half-length. Tom Kitten (Harry Angel) was a half-head back in third.
But the drama was just beginning.
Lazzat’s rider Antonio Orani fired in a protest against Cieren Fallon, while Zac Lloyd on fifth-placed Stefi Magnetica objected to Antonio Orani.
Both were dismissed.
Second in the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup and Group III Hackwood Stakes, Lake Forest was having his first run past 1217m.
Stable representative Isabella Paul said that was of little concern.
“We knew he had an explosive turn of foot,” Paul said.
“If you watch some of his other races, he’s so fast towards the end. And Cieren has ridden that so beautifully. That was the plan, sit back, let them all kill themselves in front and come through to finish. But a really brave ride from Ceiren. And Oh my God, how exciting.
Sydney is like a second home now. I hope we might get citizenship at some stage. It’s great to be back down here and it’s phenomenal to have another winner.
“He’s not an overly big horse but he’s got plenty of presence and he’s solid. And just that explosive turn of foot is phenomenal.”
“William is in Italy. I better go and talk to him now.”
Cieren Fallon was revelling in his massive payday.
“I can’t believe it, I’m lost for words. Everything went to Plan A,” Fallon enthused.
“We knew we had a lot of speed and had to save his turn of foot. I thought if we used too much energy early on we’d have been taking away our turn of foot.
“So, I had to ride him quite brave and hope we got a bit of luck. And we got a few gaps up there. Obviously Stefano helped me get a few gaps there. What a horse!”
Bred by Sahara Group Holdings, Lake Forest was a 130,000gns purchase for Eighteen Bloodstock from the Newsells Park Stud draft at 2022 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale Book 1.
The winner of the Group II Gimcrack Stakes at two, the son of No Nay Never is a half-brother to Listed winner and Group II-placed Lady Of Kyushu (Smart Strike), Listed winner Clint Of Maroon (Oasis Dream), and stakes-placed Star Fortress (Sea The Stars).
His Group III-placed am Lady Aquitaine (USA) is a half-sister to the stakes winner Secret Garden (Danehill), the dam of the Irish 2000 Guineas and Critérium International winner Roderic O’Connor.
