Gavin Bedggood achieves Group 1 dream as Mornington Glory takes out Moir Stakes at The Valley

Gavin Bedggood realised a Group 1 dream with Mornington Glory in the Moir Stakes and one owner now wants to take on the world.

Mornington Glory and Ethan Brown led all the way to win the Group 1 Moir Stakes at The Valley. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

Gavin Bedggood realised a Group 1 dream with Mornington Glory on Saturday in the Moir Stakes (1000m) at The Valley.

Mornington Glory, who had a fitness edge on his Moir rivals, led all the way under jockey Ethan Brown to hold out the fast-finishing Blue Diamond winner Hayasugi and Golden Slipper victor Lady Of Camelot.

Estriella rounded out the top four from I Wish I Win.

Hardworking Bedggood, a former jumps jockey who has made a mark training recycled horses, added the coveted Group 1 to his resume.

“I had a great career riding over the jumps and loved it and I still love following the jumping races but we just do what we can with whatever horses get thrown our way,” Bedggood said.

“It nearly didn’t happen, he was retired this horse … these owners throwing me a bone (is appreciated), it’s a great ownership group and they’ll party hard tonight, no doubt.”

Mornington Glory wins the Moir Stakes!!!

First Group 1 victory for @GavinBedggood 🙌

Congratulations to @Brown_ethan8 and all involved! pic.twitter.com/qxbIbgsfRJ

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) September 7, 2024

Mornington Glory, placed in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate last campaign, completed a hat-trick of Valley wins on Saturday after success in a Benchmark 100 and Listed Carlyon Stakes.

Bedggood hailed Brown’s ride.

“He took bad luck out of the equation today,” Bedggood said.

“He’s begun really well his last two starts and when he jumped a half in front of them today – there was no instruction to lead – but Browny just used his initiative and went with the horse and the rest is history.”

Brown celebrated the win with the “great bunch of owners”, his mother Sonia Donnelly and partner, fellow jockey Celine Gaudray.

“He was presented here in terrific order. He drew gate one and he flew the lids and just had an easy time of it,” Brown said.

“I was the beneficiary of a well-prepared horse for a great bunch of owners.

“I’m very over the moon, it’ll take a while to sink in … it’s terrific to get a Group 1 win for Gav, it’s his first, capped off what was a challenging day. I’m so rapt.”

Trainer Gavin Bedggood celebrates with jockey Ethan Brown. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

Mornington Glory’s ecstatic owners include Hawthorn premiership star Shane Crawford and Brett Ratten, head of coaching performance and development at the Hawks.

“To see the Hawks win last night, just so pumped for them and I was just hoping the horse could run really well,” Brownlow medallist Crawford said.

“How good is the horse, bring on The Everest, bring on the UK, we’re going to travel with this horse, horse racing is about good people coming together and having a lot of fun.

“I’ve been doing it for such a long time, to have a Group 1 winner like this is very special.”

Hayasugi and I Wish I Win tuned up for the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) in three weeks, along with Coleman.

“Couldn’t have been happier with her,“ Jamie Kah said of Hayasugi.

“She’s just really stepped up this time in, she’s gone to be a big three-year-old and she was strong through the line, couldn’t (pull her up afterwards) so looking good for further.”

Jockey Luke Nolen also praised I Wish I Win’s return.

“The 1000m around The Valley probably wasn’t to his liking but he rattled home good,” Nolen said.

“Bring on the 1200m race here in three weeks time. He’s in great order, right where we want him.”

Originally published as Gavin Bedggood achieves Group 1 dream as Mornington Glory takes out Moir Stakes at The Valley