Father Ray Besanko shares special win with daughter Kasey with Illyivy before he hands over training reins

Ray Besanko was a proud dad when Illyivy, who was bred by his daughter Kasey, won at Caulfield ahead of their pending training partnership in the new season.

Ray Besanko with daughter Kasey after Illyivy’s win at Caulfield on Saturday. Picture: Getty Images

Illyivy sealed an emotional family triumph for Ray Besanko, with the veteran trainer set to hand over the binoculars and stopwatch to daughter Kasey in the new season.

Illyivy made up for a last-start defeat at Caulfield with a sustained run to overhaul Mercurial Lady.

Supercilious rounded out the top three.

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Unplaced favourite Xarpo faded in the straight after a wide run in transit.

Besanko appreciated the “unbelievable” result just weeks before a pending father-daughter training partnership becomes official.

“She’s going to take over the reins,” Besanko said.

“She does all the work with this horse, she does everything with her.

“It’s all her, I’m so proud of her, I couldn’t be prouder.”

Kasey Besanko bred the tough Flying Artie filly, a handful off the track but fighter on.

Illyivy over the top!

A perfectly timed ride by @Logez27 gives the Besanko's a special family win at Caulfield 💖 💖 pic.twitter.com/31vKcuouPj

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) July 12, 2025

“She means a lot to me … when you breed them you don’t get to choose, you get what you’re given,” the aspiring trainer said.

“I remember when I first saw her I said to Dad, ‘she’s beautiful, just the most amazing thing ever’, and Dad’s like, ‘here we go again’.

“She’s honest, she’s hard work, but she means a lot … she’s just tough, she doesn’t give up.

“See her in the mounting yard, she’s full of it, but she’s tough, you know she’s going to get there.”

Logan Bates gets the jobe done on Illyivy. Picture: Getty Images

Rising star apprentice jockey Logan Bates nailed the brief on Illyivy.

Bates’s father Jamie, a former jockey, rode for Besanko early on.

“It means a lot, Ray and Kasey are unbelievable workers,” Bates said.

“I had a bit to do with this horse early and she’s furnished into the horse we all thought she would.

“She’s furnished in size, she’s a little brute now.

“The other day I just got held up a little bit and the winner (Xarpo) got away, not saying I would’ve won the race but she’s that sort of building type.

“If anything we hit the front too soon and she wanted to pull up, there’s a lot of improvement there.”

â–  â–  â–  â–  â– 

Caulfield double ideal tonic for Payne

Stop The Rock went from threatening to spoil a belated 50th birthday party for trainer Patrick Payne to helping to fund the shindig on Saturday night.

Stop The Rock, who dropped Payne in a gallop early in the week after being spooked by birds, sealed a race-to-race double for him and co-trainer sister Michelle at Caulfield.

The rising four-year-old sustained a strong gallop under jockey Billy Egan to complete a hat-trick after wins at Swan Hill and Flemington previously.

STOP THE ROCK!

Three in a row for the progressive stayer and a race to race double for Billy Egan and Team Payne, they can do no wrong 👑👑@TheBeeegan@mj_paynepic.twitter.com/3XCX0sl4GX

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) July 12, 2025

Egan also piloted the airborne Payne partnership flag-bearer Jimmy The Bear to victory in the VOBIS Gold Heath (2000m).

Michelle Payne said Patrick, “a bit beaten up” after the fall, would “feel a lot better” on Saturday.

Stop The Rock defied interference midrace to get the result.

“He’s the type of horse that could do that (overcome adversity) because he’s so casual,” Payne said.

“He’s a beauty, shows up race day, no fuss and he’s becoming a stable favourite too.”

How could you not love him 🐻🥰

The punters pal Jimmy The Bear wins again! Three on the trot for the Payne trained star 🥇🥇🥇@[e-mail]/SJKShk5c1N

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) July 12, 2025

Jimmy The Bear capped a brilliant winter campaign – with a fourth win from the past six starts.

“It was as nice a watch as you could hope for,” Payne said of the $1.75 favourite.

“Billy was in a beautiful spot, settled, speed was nice and steady.

“Got a beautiful cart up and had every possible chance. A lovely watch.”

Originally published as Father Ray Besanko shares special win with daughter Kasey with Illyivy before he hands over training reins