Bred to be a Guineas prospect, Jedibeel defies pedigree to claim Challenge Stakes at Randwick

When purchased as yearling, trainer Brad Widdup expected Jedibeel to want at least 1600m to show his best but the gelding has proven himself a high-class sprinter.

Tyler Schiller and Jedibeel win the Group 2 Challenge Stakes at Randwick. Picture: Getty Images

Jedibeel might have a stayer’s pedigree but he has the sheer speed of an elite sprinter.

At Royal Randwick on Saturday, Jedibeel demonstrated his sprinting prowess with a brilliant win in the Group 2 $500,000 Challenge Stakes (1000m).

The Brad Widdup-trained Jedibeel stopped the clock at a swift 55.97sec but he ran a staggering final 600m sectional of 32.21sec – horses just don’t go much faster.

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“He’s been a terrific horse from day one for us, and it’s great to see him do this,” Widdup said.

“Obviously, we aimed at the Razor Sharp last time and gave him a short break to get him back for these sorts of races.

“I was keen to run him next week but if I did that I’d miss out on The Galaxy, so I threw the cards on the table and rolled the dice today, and away we went.”

Jedibeel ($10), ridden by Tyler Schiller, burst through the pack to win by one-and-a-quarter lengths from the fast-finishing Kimochi ($4.20) with I Am Me ($2.80 favourite) a close third.

“I thought James (McDonald on I Am Me) was the horse to follow but then I was getting a bit held up,” Schiller said.

“It just helped him even more because he’s got that great dash and I thought he was really strong late.

Jedibeel lets down and WINS the Challenge Stakes! 🏆@BWiddupRacing | @G1TySchilpic.twitter.com/1RRW8SkIdX

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 8, 2025

“I thought it’d be pretty hard to pick up the leaders, especially when they dash like that, but he’s just a phenomenal horse at the moment.”

Widdup confirmed Jedibeel’s main aim this autumn is the Group 1 $1m The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 22.

“Tyler’s always been a big believer that the Galaxy is a race we should be aiming at,” the trainer said.

“This horse has got a massive turn of foot and especially with a ride like that, where he can get out late and he finishes good.”

Widdup revealed that when Jedibeel was purchased as a yearling, they thought he was going to need at least 1600m to show his best.

“But when he couldn’t run 1200m I was a bit worried,” Widdup said.

“So, we had that gene test from Ireland done on the horse and it showed he was a sprinter.”

Jedibeel’s career-best win improved his record to eight wins (and seven placings) from 18 starts for more than $800,000 prizemoney.

Originally published as Bred to be a Guineas prospect, Jedibeel defies pedigree to claim Challenge Stakes at Randwick