Epsom Handicap partnership can become racing royalty
![](https://www.justhorseracing.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Rediener-160923-5152-734x460.jpg)
Growing up, Kathy O’Hara was constantly around horses, but they were of the pony rather than thoroughbred kind.
When the ponies wouldn’t run fast enough, she gravitated to horses that would.
It led to her becoming a champion apprentice jockey in 2004-05 and eventually a fully-fledged rider in Sydney during an era when women in racing weren’t the norm.
“I didn’t have a racing background, I just fumbled my way into it from going too fast on my ponies,” O’Hara said.
“I ended up going to ride work and learned how to do proper pacework and learned how fast I was going and then I got hooked on it and I loved it from then.
“I grew up on a horse and I still have a couple of horses at home that I do jumping with. I ride them most days before I come to the races, so it is all horse driven.”
One of those horses O’Hara cares for is recently retired star Nature Strip.
She has another who she rides in show jumping competitions on her days off, a passion as dear as race riding.
“The other horse I’ve got at home apart from Nature Strip, I bred her,” O’Hara said.
“She’s competing up to about one metre thirty, one metre forty so she is doing a really good job.”
O’Hara will turn the adrenalin up a notch when she heads to Randwick for four rides on Everest Day, headed by the Chris Waller-trained Rediener in the $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m).
The gelding gave O’Hara her third Group 1 win a fortnight ago in the Epsom Handicap where he carried just 50kg and she is thrilled connections have entrusted her to again partner him for his first test at weight-for-age.
“Being a weight-for-age race, it’s a ride anybody could have had with 58-1/2 (kilos), so I am really grateful to keep the ride and be given an opportunity,” O’Hara said.
“He’s not as well suited under the weight-for-age scale, obviously, and he’s up against horses who are proven like Fangirl.
“But he has drawn well (barrier one), so that’s a real positive for him and hopefully he can end up in a similar position to what he did last time.”
The King Charles III Stakes (1600m) has been added to this year’s Everest program for the first time.
Formerly known as the George Main Stakes (1600m) and run prior to the Epsom Handicap, it has undergone a major revamp and prizemoney injection, and the changes appears to have worked with the race attracting a star-studded field.
The Epsom trifecta of Rediener, Kovalica and Golden Mile will all line up, alongside top weight-for-age performers Think It Over, Zaaki and Fangirl while multiple Group 1 winner Mr Brightside has been lured from Victoria for the race.
More Racing News
Skybird out to upset Black Caviar Lightning Stakes 2025
Skybird may be one of the outsiders in Saturday’s Black Caviar Lightning, but if trainer Mitch Freedman gives the green light, she will be continuing a strong family tradition in the prestigious 1000m Group 1 event at Flemington. The Ballarat-based trainer is still considering whether the Lightning Stakes or next week’s...
Sepals tackles the CS Hayes Stakes at Flemington
Race programming can often be a significant challenge for horse trainers. Finding suitable races for promising horses to progress through the grades and accumulate prize money for their owners isn’t always straightforward. At times, trainers are left with no choice but to enter their horses in tougher races than ideal. This...
G1 Golden Slipper aspirations on the line at Randwick
With the Golden Slipper now just five weeks away, anticipation is building for the southern hemisphere’s richest two-year-old race. Several promising juveniles will be looking to make their mark at Randwick this weekend. Among the 11 competitors in the Pierro Plate (1100m), three contenders are currently listed at $26 with betting...
Fancify chasing more Flemington glory in Frances Tressady Stakes
Trainer Michael Hickmott is eager to build upon the impressive track record of Fancify as she prepares to compete in a Stakes event at Flemington. With seven victories from 14 career starts, Fancify has established a strong affinity with Flemington, boasting two wins and a runner-up finish in her three appearances...
Maher team chase important G1 win in Black Caviar Lightning Stakes
The Ciaron Maher stable is eagerly anticipating the upcoming showdown between their promising three-year-old, Growing Empire, and the highly regarded colt from New South Wales, Switzerland. The two last crossed paths during the spring carnival, where Switzerland claimed victory in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington, leaving Growing...
Wide draw an unwanted barrier for Manaal in the Light Fingers Stakes
A sparse spring and an extended break have provided an ideal foundation for standout filly Manaal to make her presence felt in the Sydney autumn carnival, beginning with the Light Fingers Stakes. With owners Emirates Park eager to keep the three-year-old in racing beyond this season, trainer Michael Freedman decided to...
G1 Tancred Stakes a target for trouble-free Arapaho
Staying talent Arapaho may not be expected to challenge frontrunners like Via Sistina and Ceolwulf in his season opener at the Apollo Stakes, but trainer Bjorn Baker remains positive about his long-term campaign. After a difficult 18 months following his 2023 Tancred Stakes victory, Arapaho returned to form last spring, closing...
Magic Time read to go in the Expressway Stakes
With six career victories and over $2.6 million in prize earnings, Magic Time has proven to be an exceptional mare. Trainer Grahame Begg is convinced she has returned to the stables in even better shape. The dual Group 1 winner is set to launch her latest campaign in the Expressway Stakes...
Watson plans to Storm Away with the Magic Millions WA Classic
Storm Away delivered a strong first-up performance on debut at Ascot last Saturday. Trained by Mitchell Pateman, the gelding finished second but left a lasting impression despite the narrow defeat. After breaking slowly and racing wide, he surged to the front but was edged out by Monte Tremezzo by a long head. A...
Seven internationals entered for Sydney autumn carnival
Maestro trainer William Haggas is once again setting his sights on Sydney’s prestigious autumn carnival, nominating three of his top runners, including the seasoned Group 1 campaigner, Dubai Honour. Haggas’ trio is part of a strong international contingent, with a total of seven overseas horses being aimed at marquee events. These...