Just days after being announced as latest recruit to Yulong Stud’s NSW roster, Private Harry will get down to the business of building his first book in the BRC Victory Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) at Eagle Farm this afternoon.

Private Harry resumes after spelling at Camden and a stable transfer to Chris Waller but hasn’t missed a beat according to Darren Beadman.  “He’s a colt but isn’t heavily-built and has blended into the Rosehill environment really well with all the quality horses in the yard.

“He was full of himself before his first trial at Warwick Farm a month ago but trimmed up nicely and then won a Canterbury trial three weeks ago.  He’s suited to Chris and his style of training and has got plenty to offer.  He’s fit and healthy so it’s full steam ahead.”

He clocked 53.35s for 900m at Canterbury under James McDonald which was quicker than stablemate Beiwacht (Bivouac) who came out and won the ATC All-Aged Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) at Randwick.

Private Harry (4h Harry Angel – Happy Pilgrim by Congrats) moved from Newcastle to Sydney not long after Beadman arrived as Waller’s right-hand man at Rosehill.  The champion jockey of his day had been an integral member of the Godolphin team for over a decade at Randwick.

The unbeaten colt was transferred after Yulong owner Zheng Yuesheng outbid other Hunter Valley heavyweights to buy a 50 per cent share from Kurrinda Bloodstock in a deal believed to value the colt at $16 million.

Private Harry had hit the ground running as a spring 3yo winning at Newcastle, Hawkesbury and Rosehill before another on-pace victory in the $3 million Magic Millions Sunlight 3yo Plate (1100m) in Queensland.

He defeated ATC Golden Slipper Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) winner Lady Of Camelot in the Gold Coast slot race and then raised the bar to the elite level while maintaining his unbeaten record in last year’s ATC The Galaxy (Gr 1, 1100m) at Rosehill.  He stopped the clock in a sizzling 62.67s which was only a tick outside the long-standing course record (62.51s) set by Westicaro in 2007.

A lacklustre prep last spring was limited to losses in the ATC The Shorts (Gr 2, 1100m) and ATC Premiere Stakes (Gr 2, $1200m) before a vet exam revealed bone bruising in his near-foreleg.  It also meant an immediate withdrawal from the $20 million The Everest.

Private Harry’s current trial form indicates he’s over that setback and he goes into the Victory Stakes with dynamic first-up form highlighted in last year’s The Galaxy.  He will also have a large ownership group converging on South East Queensland led by Kurrinda Bloodstock manager Sean Driver.

“There are 20 in the syndicate and we bought him at the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale,” Driver recalled this week.  “Harry Angel was a still a first-season sire here and we were a bit cautious but went ahead and got him for $115,000.”

The owners are on a good thing with Private Harry’s bank account about to start ticking over again from $2.05 million and their slice of the 50 per cent sale to Yulong was a windfall from the racings gods.

“Most of them are in his 3yo half-brother Lance Corporal (Anders) who won a Newcastle trial last month.  His half-sister Lady Lieutenant (Captivant) is a 2yo now and we’re giving her time.  She correct, sound and coming along nicely.

“They’re both with Nathan Doyle who trained Private Harry prior to the move down from Newcastle.”

His yearling half-brother by Zousain was purchased for $300,000 by Archibald Racing out of the 2026 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.

Private Harry was bred by Rheinwood Pastoral owner Ray Willis in the NSW Southern Highlands at Mittagong.  “He’s our first Group 1 winner and we think he’s a champion,’’ Willis said after The Galaxy.   “It’s a very special moment to breed a Group 1 winner, especially a colt like him who could be anything.”

Ray’s daughter Kirsty Willis reports his dam Happy Pilgrim and Private Harry’s older half-sister Lucky Lily (Santos) are both back in foal off early covers to Harry Angel.

Happy Pilgrim is one of 13 winners from Pilgrim (Danehill) who was a half-sister to STC Ranvet Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) winner Arkady (Myocard) and the dam of AJC Challenge Stakes (Gr 2, 1000m) winner Olonana (More Than Ready).

Private Harry will be the first Group 1 winning son of World Champion Sprinter Harry Angel (Dark Angel) to stand in Australia.  “Breeders will gravitate towards his blend of speed and substance,” Yulong’s Chief Operating Officer Sam Fairgray said.  “He’s a strong, masculine, good-looking colt with some of the fastest sectionals we’ve seen in recent years.”

Harry Angel was the top-rated sprinter on the World Thoroughbred Rankings in 2017 as a top-tier winning sprinter of the Haydock’s Sprint Cup (Gr 1, 6f) and Newmarket’s July Cup (Gr 1, 6f).  His service fee at Darley has risen from $16,500 when Private Harry was conceived to $88,000 this year.

Meanwhile, Private Harry floated into Queensland on Thursday morning ahead of the Victory Stakes.  “He’s in good order and settled in no problems,” Driver said.  “The Group 1 Doomben 10,000 is also on the radar but first things first.  Chris has him ready to fire first-up and, on that score, there will be no excuses.”