Post-race jockey reports from the 2025 Sydney Cup

This is what the jockeys had to say after the running of the Sydney Cup at Randwick on Saturday.

Rachel King sends Arapaho to victory in the Sydney Cup. Photo: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images.

Trainer Bjorn Baker’s memorable The Championships has continued with Arapaho making a one act affair of the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

The eight-year-old gelding was the only horse you wanted to be on turning for home, storming clear for victory under the urgings of Rachel King.

“I was bolting at the 600 metres,” a beaming Rachel King said post race.

“You can tell what this horse means to me and the owners. He wins races he’s not supposed to. He’s just a ripper.”

Arapaho’s Sydney Cup heroics delivered connections a second group 1 win following his success in the Tancred Stakes in 2024.

Finishing second in the two-mile contest was Waltham at monster odds while River Of Stars filled third.

Race favourite Alalcance led as expected but was found wanting well out from home.

It's Arapaho's day today! 🎉

He's dominant in the G1 Sydney Cup with another feature going to @BBakerRacing and @RachelK11! 🏆@aus_turf_club | @WorldPoolpic.twitter.com/wT656JBZWF

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 12, 2025

Arapaho’s Sydney Cup success for Baker follows Stefi Magnetica’s dazzling win in the Group 1 Doncaster on Day 1 of The Championships.

This is what the riders thought of their mount’s performance in the Sydney Cup.

1st – ARAPAHO (Rachel King) I probably had as many doubts as everyone else about 3200m, I wasn’t quite sure, you know, but the one thing I always say to everyone is I’ve never ridden a horse so honest, he just tries. I was bolting, I had to count to 10 and just wait until I got to the top of the rise. He’s got an awesome turn of foot for a stayer. You can just see what this horse means to everyone, he’s just been a superstar, he’s won races we never thought he even should have been in at the start and to do what he did today.

“He went to sleep and look credit to Bjorn and his team. They had him perfect, cherry ripe today, couldn’t have been any fitter and feeling any better.

2nd – WALTHAM (Reece Jones) Super effort. Makes you wonder how close he would have gotten if he didn’t get cut out two or three times. Put in a terrific effort.

3rd – RIVER OF STARS (Tyler Schiller) Super tough effort today. Just didn’t jump as quickly as I would have liked. Had to use him a little bit early. Stuck on super strong. A good contender later.

4th – MOSTLY CLOUDY (Braith Nock (a)) He wasn’t quickest away. We got to roll into our spot. I thought he went to the line nicely.

5th – ATHABASCAN (Tommy Berry) Just travelled too much on the bridle today with the blinkers which is unlike him. So we might have gotten that wrong. He is very honest.

6th – GARACHICO (Robbie Dolan) Ran a cheeky race for 6th. Just got a little bit lost going the Sydney direction once the tempo quickened. Found the line well. Will be back next year.

7th – ZARIR (Damian Lane) Ran well. Just lacked a turn of foot when the runs presented. Once he acclimatises to Australia, under Chris Waller, he will be a nice horse.

8th – CLEVELAND (Jamie Melham) He really peaked at the 200m. Might be the tracks are too firm for him.

9th – BIRDMAN (Zac Lloyd) Brutally run race. Probably just lacked a bit of strength that last 200m. He was out on his feet.

10th – CIRCLE OF FIRE (Jason Collett) Slid forward from the gate. I was off the bridle and wasn’t able to find anything off that tempo. Stuck on.

11th – STRATHTAY (Jay Ford) Struggled to travel today off that tempo. Made some ground in the run home.

12th – ZARDOZI (Kerrin McEvoy) She didn’t stand up great in the gates. Began slowly because of that. Pace wasn’t strong. Presented into the race but ultimately would have enjoyed a nicer tempo.

13th – WARMONGER (Ashley Morgan) Got himself a lovely spot from a bad gate. Copped a really bad bump and just through him off. Probably 12 months too soon for him.

14th – DUKE DE SESSA (Harry Coffey) Didn’t give a shout today. Was in behind the speed. Maybe the track was too firm. One thing he has is a real crack and was beaten at the top of the straight.

15th – HOPEFUL (Andrew Adkins) Has run as well as he could. Track wasn’t suited to him. Wanted a heavy track.

16th – AGE OF SAIL (Dylan Gibbons) Don’t think he backed up.

17th – ALALCANCE (Tim Clark) Probably come to the end of her prep. Just raced a bit keen in the blinkers. Probably needs to conserve a bit more getting out to this trip.

18th – LASTOTCHKA (Andrew Gibbons) Just had to go too far back from that gate. She tracked up nicely. When the speed came on at the 1000/800m, it was too big a task coming from where she was.

19th – TAJANIS (Alysha Collett) Massive forgive run. Wasn’t happy on that firm track. Didn’t have much luck from barrier rise.

20th – FRANCESCO GUARDI (Teo Nugent) Had a beautiful resting. Think his best days are behind him now.

Originally published as Post-race jockey reports from the 2025 Sydney Cup