Ceolwulf rules again in Group 1

Ceolwulf bounced back to his brilliant best at Randwick to successfully defend his Group 1 title in the King Charles III Stakes.

The five-year-old had been in indifferent form this preparation and trainer Joe Pride’s decision to put blinkers on out homebred proved a master stroke in the 1600-metre feature.

Ceolwulf travelled comfortably in behind the leaders near the fence and once into the clear in the straight, he overpowered his high-class rivals for his sixth career victory and take his earnings beyond A$9 million.

“I said a while back he’s the best horse I’ve trained so it’s been a long 12 months waiting for him to win again,” Pride said.

“I’m just glad to see him return to what he is capable of because his best is better than a lot of the horses that have been beating him.

“We chucked the blinkers on him, it’s the first time he’s ever worn them, and it’s done the trick.”

Regular rider Chad Schofield said he was relieved to see the best version of Ceolwulf turn up.

“I know how good he is and his first-up run was enormous when I didn’t give him much of a ride and then he’s been below par,” Schofield said.

“He’s made a top-class field look average and I knew he would if he gave his best.”

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

He is a son of the unraced Shamardal mare Las Brisas and his three-year-old half-sister by Almanzor Lupa Captiloina, a A$260,000 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale graduate, is also in Pride’s stable.

The dam has a yearling colt by Sword Of State and this season produced a filly by Chaldean.

Las Brisas’ half-sister Nantyglo was a Listed winner and from the family of four-time Hong Kong elite level winner Wellington, G1 Irish Oaks heroine Moonstone and the G1 Prix Saint-Alary winner Cerulean Sky.

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