Hell of a comeback as classy sprinter returns under family spotlight
Top young jockey Emily Lang dismisses any additional burden when riding Saturday runner-up Hell, which is partly owned by members of her family.
Emily Lang insists she doesn’t feel any extra pressure to win on Hell, despite her brother Josh and dad Michael owning small shares in the talented sprinter.
On Saturday, Hell fell agonisingly short by less than a length behind his stablemate Bossed Up in a Benchmark 85 Handicap over 1110m at Doomben.
It was a gallant first-up effort that had the Lang family holding their collective breath down the straight as Bossed Up ran down Hell in the final 100m.
Lang maintains a cool exterior when asked about any added weight of expectation riding the Tony Gollan-trained sprinter.
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But scratch beneath the surface and there’s a fascinating family dynamic at play.
Sydney-based Josh Lang and his business partners Brandon Diplock and Tom Henjak operate One Syndications, snapping up Hell for a modest $35,000 in an online sale early last year.
They carved up the ownership pie among a group of enthusiastic punters, including Michael Lang, with One Syndications keeping a small share.
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When the question of family pressure inevitably arises, Emily’s response reveals the blessing of racing for relatives who understand the sport’s realities.
“It’s a little more satisfying when they do win but I think my family are a bit more understanding than the average punter as well so it’s pretty good,” she said.
“First-up getting beaten by a quality horse like Bossed Up isn’t too bad so I don’t think they’ll be disappointed at all.
“I think he (Hell) will be better when he gets over 1200m.”
BOSSED UP salutes in the last for connections. 💥. A perfectly timed ride from @angela___jones saw our boy hit the line with purpose to out sprint his rivals. 🎠That’s his second win this prep and he just keeps improving every time he steps out 💪 @tjgollanracing pic.twitter.com/EnvH8WLCAC
— Strong Bloodstock (@StrongBldStock) November 29, 2025
The path for Hell, which will be aimed at the $200,000 Listed Falvelon Quality (1200m) at Eagle Farm on December 27, hasn’t been without its hurdles.
The sprinter previously resided under Nick Walsh’s care until the Rockhampton trainer was slapped with a 12-month ban in June following the detection of an anabolic steroid in his horse Sailor’s Rum – a scandal that forced Hell’s ownership to seek a new stable.
Before Saturday’s spirited return, the gelding had been absent from racetracks since the $1 million slot-race The Archer in early May, where he suffered a back injury requiring months of rehabilitation.
Gollan was eager to see how Hell would handle the pressure-cooker of race day after two promising November trials.
“He probably just chased the speed a little bit but historically he always improves off a first-up run,” Brisbane’s top trainer said.
Josh Lang said he loved having his sister onboard Hell although in a dangerous profession, it created a cocktail of emotions that most owners never experienced.
“I definitely feel the nerves a bit more when she’s on,” the 33-year-old said.
“You want her to do amazing and go well but when you see your sibling racing, there’s always a bit of worry in the back of your mind.
“But I get a lot of pride watching her ride our horses and it makes it all that more special getting a winner for your owners and that your younger sister has been a part of that.”
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Emily also rode Boomtown Boss to a runner-up finish behind stablemate Rockribbed in the $160,000 Listed Recognition Stakes (1350m) on Saturday.
Gollan said he was a bit frustrated with Boomtown Boss leading into the $300,000 The Gateway (1400m) at Eagle Farm on December 13.
“He’s still overreacting to things going on around him,” he told Radio TAB on Sunday.
“If and when the penny fully drops, I think he’s a really exciting horse and I’ve got no doubt he saves his better racing for Eagle Farm.”
Originally published as Hell of a comeback as classy sprinter returns under family spotlight
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