True Self to Head Back to Melbourne Again this Spring Following Big Payday at Riyadh

Mark Smith - Sunday February 21

The Willie Mullins-trained True Self (IRE) endeared herself to fans in Australia with back to back wins in the Group III Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) at Flemington, and it looks as if she will be back again this year after her big payday at Riyadh.

The eight-year-old daughter of champion National Hunt stallion Oscar is still doing what she does best.

True Self (Racing Photos)

Carrying the OTI Racing silks, True Self (IRE) claimed the £437,956 first prize under a brilliant Hollie Doyle ride in the Neom Turf Cup on the Saudi Cup undercard in Riyadh.

True Self gradually wore down the Breeders’ Cup Turf third Channel Maker to score by a length and a quarter. Emirates Knight was a further four and three-quarter lengths back in third.

Speaking to Racing TV from his County Carlow base, Mullins was effusive in his praise for both rider and horse.

“I’d like to congratulate Hollie on a fantastic ride.

“She’s way more speed than we thought when we bought her as a bumper mare to go hurdling with.

“She just has a huge amount of speed. All the jockeys who have ridden her have said to me that a mile and a quarter suits her.

“It looked like our mare just stayed on and on, while the one in front was just tying up.

“We’ve had gale force winds here (in Ireland) and an inch of rain this morning, and I thought ‘it’ll be lovely over there’. But then I saw at the start you had lots of rain as well. So I thought ‘that suits the mare – she’ll feel more at home with that’.”

Australia at the end of this year in November, that’s the main plan. So what we do in between times we haven’t really thought about.

“The first part of the year’s plan has worked out, and it will be probably on to Australia from here.”

Advertisment
More Reading...
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
Arkansaw Kid Brother Sells for $520,000
A well-related son of Harry Angel provided a late highlight in the final hour of the 2024 NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Thursday when he was knocked down to a $520,000 bid from bloodstock agent Morgan Carter.
$1.3million Snitzel Colt Ready to Fire on Debut for Te Akau
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are confident they have the young firepower to make an early impression in the first of the black type features at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.
$2,000 Gavelhouse Bargain Keeps on Winning!
The Grey Goose continued to belie her purchase price last start when recording her fifth win at Wingatui, bringing her career earnings to more than $225,000.
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Churchill Colt Pulls Off Stunning Pinhooking Result at NZB Ready To Run
Chad Ormsby has enjoyed plenty of racetrack success this year with pinhooks that he has been unable to sell at the Ready to Run Sale, but the multi-talented horseman had a very different outcome with the standout member of his 2024 Riverrock Farm draft at Karaka on Thursday.
Back To Back Queen Elizabeths for True Self
For the second consecutive year the Willie Mullins-trained True Self (IRE) missed a start in the Melbourne Cup by one spot before gaining some consolation in the Group III Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) at Flemington.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.