Post-race jockey reports from the 2024 Spring Champion Stakes

This is what the jockeys had to say after the running of the Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.

El Castello returns to scale after winning the Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick on Saturday. Photo: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images.

Exciting galloper El Castello capped a coming of age preparation when taking out the $2 million Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday.

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

The victory was El Castello’s fourth from seven starts and took his earnings to more than $1.6 million.

El Castello is a three-year-old colt by Castelvecchio, he was ridden by Josh Parr and is trained by Anthony Cummings.

This is what the riders thought of their mount’s performance in the Spring Champion Stakes.

1st – EL CASTELLO (Joshua Parr) Wow. That was thrilling, I tell you. The two went down the side, they took off and I just said, ‘no, not just yet my man, let’s just wait’. I was able to wait. We topped the hill and I just briefly started to let him go and his ears just slightly went different directions, he was waiting for some company. Henlein obviously came to him and he knuckled down and his last furlong was so strong. Incredible training performance and I’m so proud to be a part of it.

2nd – HENLEIN (Tommy Berry) Very proud of him. Got onto the winner’s back coming to the corner. I thought we had his measure half way down the straight. Full credit to the winner. He was too good today.

3rd – FIRM AGREEMENT (Tom Sherry) Super proud. Obviously had to go back from the wide gate. The amount of ground he made up off a slow tempo was something I was in awe of. He is a nice horse going forward.

4th – HARLEM QUEEN (Sam Clipperton) She ran terrific. Covered a bit of ground in the early stages. I was able to fold in one off. She found the line really well. Provided she pulls up well, I’m really confident going into an Oaks that she can be one of the ones, if not the one to beat.

5th – PLEASURE ARTIST (Jason Collett) Brave. Probably just found wanting the last part of the race.

6th – SWIFTFALCON (Jay Ford) He wasn’t able to close off. Settled well back from that gate. Tried to put him into the race prior the bend. He just failed to see out 2000m.

7th – RAG QUEEN (Chad Schofield) She kept finding the line. Her best furlong was her last one. She is a nice progressive staying filly.

8th – NOISES (Andrew Adkins) She went really well. Obviously got nice sectionals out in front. Got softened up a long way from home and I took my time the last little bit. Still very happy.

9th – FLYING ARGENTO (Zac Lloyd (a)) Just a bit outclassed there. I thought the pace they were going definitely wasn’t suiting my horse. I tried to get them going. Just outclassed.

10th – DUE CALZINI (Kerrin McEvoy) He just fired up a little bit with those blinkers on. Didn’t get into a nice rhythm for me so he can improve into next prep. He’s a nice big horse.

Originally published as Post-race jockey reports from the 2024 Spring Champion Stakes