Brave Ceolwulf claims Champions’ title

A gallant Ceolwulf emphasised his versatility at the highest level when he overcame a heavy track at Flemington to claim top honours in the G1 Champions’ Mile at Flemington.

It was our homebred son of Tavistock’s second top-flight success, and fourth overall, on the bounce after triumphing on top of the ground in the G1 King Charles III Stakes at Randwick.

“I’ve thought for a long time that he’s the best horse I’ve ever trained and in his last two starts he’s cemented that position,” trainer Joseph Pride said.

“That was another fantastic win, very special, and he’s really turned it on in the second half of his preparation.”

Ceolwulf lobbed along in fourth spot before moving into contention early in the run home and, after being clearly headed, rallied strongly for his seventh career victory and took his earnings to nearly A$11 million.

“He jumped really well to put us in a more forward position and when the race heated up at the 600, he was still going well,” regular rider Chad Schofield said.

“He got a bit lost in the straight, but when he saw that other horse (Pericles) he was the strongest late.

“He’s top class and Joe has done an amazing job with him.”

We sold Ceolwulf through Sam and Hana Beatson’s Riversley Park draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s Ready to Run Sale where he was purchased by Pride for $170,000.

His dam is the unraced Shamardal mare Las Brisas who we secured at the 2018 Tattersalls December are Sale for 50,000gns.

Pride also bought her daughter of Almanzor at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale for A$260,000 and as Lupa Capitolina and she has showed promise in a brief career.

A half-sister to stakes winner Nantyglo, Las Brisas also has a yearling colt by Sword Of State and recently foaled a filly by Chaldean.

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