Remarkable Perth galloper Western Empire notched his ninth Stakes victory when he stormed home from 10th at the home turn to win the G3 Gold Rush at Ascot on Saturday, 14 December.
The seven-year-old son of Darley’s English-bred shuttle stallion Iffraaj beat Magnificent Andy by 1.4 lengths, with Super Smink a head away win third place in a fast 1 minute 21.94 seconds for 1,400m.
It was the gelding’s 10th win, with eight placings, from 28 starts and lifted his prize-money and bonuses purse to $2,704,950.
Trained by Grant and Alana Williams at Karnup in Perth’s southern suburbs, Western Empire was bred by Bob Peters and has won races in distance from 1,100m sprints to the West Australian Derby (2,400m).
A son of 2011 Perth Cup (2,400m) winner Western Jewel, Western Empire gave replacement jockey Billy Egan a dream ride after usual partner William Pike was injured and had to forfeit the mount.
Earlier this month Iffraaj also sired Fast Raaj, out of Interesting, to win the Listed Prix Luthier over 1,500m at Deauville in France.
Worldwide the stallion, who is currently in sixth place on the leading sires’ list in New Zealand, has 1217 winners of 3560 races – including 100 Stakes winners of 189 Stakes races.
Western Empire surges to the lead and takes out the G3 Gold Rush! 🏆@TheBeeegan | @williamsracing6 pic.twitter.com/InrvYLlAkY
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) December 14, 2024
