‘Great race for him’: Ceolwulf to stamp Queen Elizabeth II Stakes credentials with victory in 2025 Neville Sellwood Stakes at Rosehill Gardens

Jockey Chad Schofield is confident Ceolwulf is ready to lay down an emphatic Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes marker on the seven-day back-up at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Jockey Chad Schofield is confident Ceolwulf is ready to lay down an emphatic Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes marker on the seven-day back-up at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Trainer Joe Pride made the decision earlier this week to run Ceolwulf in this week’s Group 2 $300,000 Neville Sellwood Stakes (2000m) instead of in Saturday week’s Doncaster Mile as a lead-up to the Queen Elizabeth.

Schofield was aboard Ceolwulf last Saturday when he beaten in a nailbiter that saw Gringotts come out on top in a thrilling three-way finish to the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes.

The Cox Plate-winning hoop is expecting another bold showing from Pride’s star four-year-old as he looks to put the finishing touches on his preparation for The Championships.

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“This looks a great race for him,” Schofield said.

“He is obviously dropping back significantly in grade, although he is still in a really solid Group 2, it’s a drop back.

“I think the step up to 2000m is no worries and the rain forecast is no worry at all.

“He is just a seriously good horse that can run anywhere, as he has shown this prep from 1300m to 2000m.

“I think he will really like the 2000m and I can’t wait to ride him on Saturday.”

It's Ceolwulf right down the outside in the TAB Epsom and he sails away to take the famous G1 mile for @SchofieldChad and @PrideRacing! 🏆@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/irirNeZGse

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 5, 2024

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Ceolwulf, a winner of the Epsom Handicap and King Charles III Stakes in the spring, is yet to win this autumn.

Pride has had to alter his preparation after originally planning on running the gun son of Tavistock in the Group 1 Verry Elleegant Stakes, from which he was eventually withdrawn due to a leg abrasion.

Ceolwulf ran a solid fifth in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) instead before going close last start in the George Ryder.

What a finish!!!!!

Gringotts narrowly defeats Fangirl and Ceolwulf in a thrilling The Agency Group 1 George Ryder Stakes 🐴🐴@[e-mail]/r2hDqlKQ1p

— Australian Turf Club (@aus_turf_club) March 22, 2025

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His two previous starts over the Rosehill Gardens 2000m resulted in a pair of seconds in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas and Group 3 Kingston Town Stakes.

Schofield will have a wide draw in barrier 10 to contend with in his latest assignment but believes it will be to Ceolwulf’s advantage.

“We were three back the rail there last Saturday and got out late to just miss and he is definitely a horse, when you look at his Epsom and King Charles wins, he likes to work through his gears nice and early and come down the middle,“ he said.

“He does appreciate the room. For that reason, I am not too concerned about the draw in barrier 10.”

Epsom winner Ceolwulf with a huge run wins the G1 King Charles III Stakes in front of a record crowd at Randwick!@PrideRacing | @SchofieldChad@aus_turf_club | @WorldPoolpic.twitter.com/28oRVnurKS

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 19, 2024

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Ceolwulf is set to start as one of the shortest priced favourites on the program as a $1.65 elect for the Neville Sellwood Stakes with no other horse in the race in single digits in betting.

He remains a $6 second elect for the $5 million Queen Elizabeth Stakes two weeks later at Royal Randwick where a clash with superstar mare Via Sistina ($1.70 favourite) looms large.

A win on Ceolwulf could help Schofield warm up for his Group 1 date with Warmonger in the $1.5 million Tancred Stakes (2400m).

Warmonger hasn’t won a race since his brilliant 10-length romp in the Queensland Derby last year at Eagle Farm but showed he was back to his best last start with a terrific second behind Alalcance in the Listed Randwick City Cup (2000m).

Alalcance clings on and wins the Randwick City Stakes for @GaiWaterhouse1 & Adrian Bott! 💥 pic.twitter.com/3y72cqjj2y

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 8, 2025

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“It was very good run from Warmonger last start over 2000m on a firm track,” Schofield said.

“Although we know the horse has really good ability, no one really expected him to run that well given though circumstances but he ran as well as he could have and now he is going to get an extra two furlongs and a softer track, which he is dying for.

“He is on track for a Sydney Cup and I am looking forward to sticking with him all the way through.”

Schofield’s other stakes rides include Next Jen ($8) in the Group 3 Baillieu Quality (1400m), Autumn Aroha ($34) in the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m), Satki ($23) in the Group 2 Emancipation Stakes (1500m) as well as Group 3 Star Kingdom Stakes hopeful Coal Crusher ($23) and Victorian raider Amenable ($6) in the Group 3 Doncaster Prelude (1500m).