Tearful owner Peter Walsh said winning the Northerly Stakes was like “dying and going to Heaven” after a comprehensive one-length victory from Amelia’s Jewel at Ascot.
The precocious three-year-old filly picked her way between Bustler and Searchin’ Roc’s on the straight under the expert guidance of Pat Carbery.
2022 Northerly Classic Replay
And despite a fast finish from mighty Godolphin eight-year-old Cascadian, she was not headed over the 1800m journey from there.
“I’ve waited 50 years for this,” Walsh told Sky Racing.
“It’s a bit surreal. I think I’ve died and gone to Heaven.
“She’s brought us so much joy. I can’t explain it.”
Walsh said his wife Annie told him in no uncertain terms to get his act together and purchase Amelia’s Jewel.
And what a shrewd buy it was – Walsh recently said she is the best horse he’s owned.
“I’ve got to give credit to my wife Annie who was behind all of this,” Walsh said after the $1.5 million feature.
“She said ‘Peter grow some balls and bloody buy her – get on with it’.”
Miller – who also celebrated his first Group 1 triumph – was also left in awe of the freakish young middle-distance star.
“She’s just a freak. She’s got an unbelievable engine, a huge stride and a great brain,” he said.
Miller was full of praise for Carbery’s perfectly-judged ride.
“Patty Carbery, this whole prep he’s ridden her. He knows if you want to do something right, you do it yourself,” he said.
“He got off the grog to get his weight right.”
Carbery – who saluted at 50kg – was emotional like Walsh was after the victory.
It was Carbery’s fifth Group 1 triumph and the best feeling of his career.
“This by far is my biggest thrill in racing,” he said.
“We got a bit cluttered up when Searchin’ Roc’s came around, but she’s quick enough and I got her through a pretty tight gap.
“To be part of Simon and Walshy’s first Group 1 is pretty fitting.”
More horse racing news
