Champion trainer Joe Pride blown away by King Charles’ ‘very special’ letter to Racing NSW

Champion trainer Joe Pride has been blown away by a “very special” gesture by King Charles III following Saturday’s blockbuster meeting at Randwick.

The racing world was abuzz last week with rumours the King and Queen Camilla will be trackside for The Everest and the running of the Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m).

But while they were unable to attend the races, the King not only watched them on TV, but also wrote a personal letter to Racing NSW.

The letter, which was obtained by News Corp, revealed the King was “sad” to miss the event.

Written on official Buckingham Palace letterhead, it was addressed to Racing NSW chairperson Dr Saranne Cooke.

“I just wanted to write and say how pleased I was to see what a tremendous success the racing that took place at Royal Randwick and Caulfield was last Saturday,’’ the King wrote, according to News Corp.

“It was very sad that we were unable to attend but, having watched the two main races on the television, I could see that the very best horses were on show, which clearly produced an enormous turn out as well as excellent broad television coverage.

“It was wonderful to see the best Australian sprinters, which we so enjoy seeing when they come over to Royal Ascot, out in force in the innovative TAB Everest.

“And I was delighted to observe that the King Charles III Stakes was so well supported with such a field of top milers.

“I would be most grateful if you could very kindly pass on my warmest congratulations to all the winning connections on what seemed to be a magnificent day’s racing.’

“Yours most sincerely, Charles R.”

Pride, the trainer of the King Charles Stakes III winner Ceolwulf, was amazed when he received the letter.

“This is a very nice gesture by King Charles to take the time to write the letter and congratulate the connections of those horses that won on Everest Day,’’ Pride said.

“It was already a memorable day for my stable to win the King Charles III Stakes with Ceolwulf and to receive this royal acknowledgement is very special.’’

Ceolwulf provided a high point in a rollercoaster afternoon for his trainer, who earlier won the Angst Stakes with Lekvarte before his day nosedived when 2023 Everest winner Think About It collapsed during the Sydney Stakes after suffering a bleeding attack.

Most on course feared the worst but miraculously, the champion horse survived the fall, although he was retired from racing the following day.

Ceolwulf will now have a spell until Autumn with the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes next April firmly on the radar before a potential tilt at the 2025 Cox Plate.