Trainer Anthony Cummings eyes 2024 Victoria Derby after El Castello’s Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes victory at Randwick

An emotional Anthony Cummings was momentarily lost for words as his talented three-year-old El Castello completed one of racing’s most meteoric rises at Royal Randwick on Saturday ... and there’s more to come.

An emotional Anthony Cummings was momentarily lost for words as his talented three-year-old El Castello completed one of racing’s most meteoric rises at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

El Castello started his spring campaign with a maiden win and he’s remained unbeaten in four starts since culminating with a Group 1 success in the $2 million Spring Champion Stakes (2000m).

“This sort of thing doesn’t happen often but El Castello is just a very, very good horse,’’ Cummings said.

“The beauty of this horse is he’s still improving. It’s all ahead of him which is so exciting.’’

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El Castello ($3 favourite), ridden with intent and confidence by Josh Parr, responded magnificently when challenged by Henlein ($5) to win by a neck with Firm Agreement ($21) one-and-a-half lengths away third.

Swiftfalcon ($3.80) settled at the rear of the field but couldn’t sustain a long run from the back before finishing sixth.

Parr took bad luck out of the equation when he pushed forward early on El Castello.

“In a race that looked devoid of any speed, I needed to trust El Castello that I could lean on him early and he would come back to me in the middle stages,’’ Parr said.

“He did just that, he was absolutely faultless today. I was glad to get that company from Henlein at the top of the straight as it gave my horse the spur along he needed.

“When he let loose, he was ultra-impressive and he was strong through the line. He’s a classy horse, that was a thrilling performance today.’’

El Castello keeps on winning and is now a Group 1 winner! He takes the Spring Champion Stakes for @ACummingsRacing under @JoshuaParr8 🏆 pic.twitter.com/2qEtjFLnFa

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 26, 2024

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Parr and Cummings have worked closely to mastermind El Castello’s rise to stardom this spring.

Cummings paid tribute to Parr’s contribution to El Castello’s preparation and the jockey’s tactical nous when it mattered most on Saturday.

“It started off me chasing Josh then he was calling me to say he’d be there,’’ Cummings said.

“It was a great ride today, sensible. The race got a little bit messy at one point, the horse coped with it really well, Josh coped with it really well.

“It is a bit of a nightmare barrier for a horse when caught deep out of the first turn. For the horse to do the work there and still be here at the finish was excellent.

“Josh didn’t get flustered, he produced him at the right time and as is this horse’s habit, he was very strong through the line.”

El Castello gave Parr and Cummings their third win in the Spring Champion, the jockey having won on Shadow Hero (2019) and Hampton Court (2014), and the trainer had previous wins with Teranaba (2006) and Hotel Grand (2005).

But El Castello’s win meant a lot to Cummings as the trainer was recently issued with a “show cause” from Racing NSW after his business, Rosscarbery Holdings, went into administration.

Is it the Derby next? @ACummingsracing suggests that's a real possibility for El Castello following his Spring Champion victory 🤔 pic.twitter.com/CIvwtKIhEZ

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 26, 2024

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“If I could speak I would,’’ said Cummings when asked how he was coping with the pressure.

Cummings took a moment to regather himself before declaring: “A good horse makes all the difference, this is what you do it for.

“All the other stuff can be a headache sometimes and you have to work your way through different things at different times.

“At the end of the day, we are here to train horses and win races. We do it because we love the horses.’’

El Castello cost $220,000 at the Magic Millions Yearling Sale last year and his fourth win from seven starts took his career earnings to $1.54 million.

Cummings said El Castello could chase more Group 1 glory in the Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington next Saturday.

“Standing here today the decision is yes,’’ Cummings said when asked about El Castello’s chances of backing up in the Derby.

“We’ve got to get him home and make sure that he is OK and tick a fair few boxes before we do that.

“That was the plan. The preparation was set up so that today’s race would give him the step to go to the Derby and it looks like that will happen.

“I’m sure he will run the 2500m. He gives himself that chance by the way he relaxes, he just doesn’t use any excess energy.

“He is just a very good horse. The preparation went perfectly for the Spring Champion, everything worked out. He turned up the best horse today.’’

Originally published as Trainer Anthony Cummings eyes 2024 Victoria Derby after El Castello’s Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes victory at Randwick