The most successful horse in Godolphin’s Australian stable proved himself one of the best His Highness Sheikh Mohammed has raced in the country with a breathtaking win in Saturday’s G1 Epsom Handicap at Randwick.
Hartnell, an eight-year-old son of Authorized, has been a towering presence in his new home since arriving four years ago and his fourth G1 win took his racetrack earnings beyond A$5 million.
Given a perfectly-judged ride by Hugh Bowman, Hartnell produced a powerful, grinding finish to collar D’Argento in the last stride to win a by a nose in track record time for the 1,600m.
Hartnell’s trainer James Cummings described the win as a tribute to the horse and his team and a reward for the faith Sheikh Mohammed has shown in him.
“It was a bold move to run him in the Epsom when he could have run at weight-for-age, today, but he’s a super horse,” Cummings said.
“It doesn’t just happen, it’s a massive team effort.”
As well as winning nine races in Australia, Hartnell has been placed in two of the country’s best races, The G1 WS Cox Plate and the G1 Melbourne Cup.
Hartnell, who was also a Stakes winner in England, is one of Authorized’s five G1 winners, one of three in Australia, and is by far his sire’s greatest money-winner.
