Sledmere Stud wrote another chapter in our 100-year plus history when the 2022 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale graduate Veight won the prestigious Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on Golden Slipper Day.
One of five Group 1 events staged on a stellar Sydney Autumn Carnival program, the George Ryder has a history of being fought-out by the finest sprinter-milers in the land. And the 2024 renewal was no exception.
Contested by a field of no fewer than 18 runners, the coveted event might ultimately prove Veight’s crowning glory, the exceptional 3-year-old putting himself in to winning contention from the off and eventually fighting off all challengers to claim the $1 million event.
In so doing, Veight added his name to an honour roll that dates back to 1903 and features many of the greats of the Australian turf. These include the likes of dual winners Manikato, Emancipation, Campaign King and Lonhro, as well as the four-time winner Winx. Indeed, the luminaries to have claimed this time honoured event are far too many to mention and the Sledmere Stud graduate is now one of them to the farm’s very great pride.
https://twitter.com/SledmereStud/status/1771403845941543010One statistic which should not escape mention is the fact that Veight became the first 3-year-old to win the George Ryder since Coolmore’s outstanding sire Pierro in 2013, when he himself emulated Weekend Hussler (2008), Haradasun (2007) and Racing To Win (2006) before him.
Another is that 2nd (Lady Laguna), 3rd (Militarize [NZ]), 4th (Golden Mile) and 5th (Think About It) in the race are all proven Group 1 winners, a fact that rubber stamps Veight as a colt of the very highest cailbre.
It is now well documented that Veight was purchased as a weanling by Sledmere Stud and Cangon Stud Farm and then sold for $220,000 to McEvoy Mitchell Racing / Belmont Bloodstock (FBAA) as a yearling. After just 11 starts he is now the winner of five races and $1,977,340 in prizemoney including the Group 2 VRC Sires’ Produce as a juvenile, having also finished runner-up on two occasions — both being courageous seconds in the MRC Caulfield Guineas and VRC Australian Guineas.
Speaking after his very well deserved Group 1 success with Veight, senior co-trainer Tony McEvoy stated: “What a star. His racing style helps a lot. He begins well and Damian [Lane] has got so much confidence in him. He put him into the race and then he comes back and relaxes. He counted to 10, and it was so deserved.”
McEvoy Snr added: “I’m so proud of the horse. And all my team. Fabulous!”
Veight’s Group 1 success has come in a 3-year-old season that has also witnessed Sledmere Stud graduate Ozzmosis land the VRC Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Group 1 level as well, with 2023/24 shaping as the greatest in the farm’s long and distinguished history.