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| Staff Writer |
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In the sun-drenched paddocks of Australia, where dreams are forged on four legs and fortune favours the bold, one name echoes across the turf with the resonance of thunder - Rupert Legh. This former policeman, now a very active owner in the racing industry, has seen his distinctive blue and gold lightning bolt silks flash past countless finish lines, etching victories into the annals of racing history.
Legh's latest star, Airman, trained by the formidable team of Michael, Wayne, and John Hawkes, has just stormed to victory in the Gr.2 Premier Stakes at Royal Randwick, leaving some of Australia's top sprinters in his wake. The gelding's impressive performance has Legh and his team eyeing even loftier targets.
"We have always had a very high opinion of the horse," Legh reveals, his voice brimming with pride. "And I think he proved that last Saturday."
Despite Airman's commanding victory, Legh expresses surprise at the lack of interest from slot holders for The Gr.1 Everest, Australia's richest race. "At this stage, we haven't got a slot in the Everest, which surprised me, because he competed against some of the best horses and beat them fair and square," Legh muses.
Undeterred, the team has set their sights on the A$2 million Sydney Stakes on The Gr.1 Everest day. "He'll be added for the A$2 million Sydney Stakes on The Everest day," Legh confirms, his tone a mix of determination and anticipation.
Airman's journey to the winner's circle hasn't been without its challenges. Legh reflects on the gelding's unusual preparation last autumn, "He was running on unsuitable tracks and very wide barriers. They may have knocked his confidence around."
But the resilient owner never lost faith in his charge. "Credit to the trainer," Legh says, "he had the horse prepared for Saturday. He obviously did a few different things with him to spark up a bit more interest."
The results spoke for themselves. "What you saw last Saturday was the real Airman who confirmed what we all thought, and that is that he could compete against the best sprinters in Australia," Legh adds.
With Airman's star on the rise, Legh is allowing himself to dream of international glory. "His success would give us consideration to take him to England for Royal Ascot," he reveals, his excitement palpable. "But we need to see him repeat what he did last Saturday so that we believe the horse has got his confidence back."
The prospect of competing on the world stage at Royal Ascot is not one Legh takes lightly. "We don't want to take the horse anywhere unless we know he'll be very competitive," he asserts. "It's a long way to go to Royal Ascot to take the horses not in form."
Yet, the dream persists. "That's a big dream, but we know we've always believed in the horse," Legh says.
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While Airman is currently stealing the spotlight, Legh's racing empire boasts a roster of exciting prospects. He speaks enthusiastically about Swift Falcon, trained by John Hawkes, who recently scored a significant win in an A$250,000 3YO Open Set Weight race.
"He's running again this Saturday," Legh shares. "I think we'll know more to make sure he's recovered well. And then if he shows us he can run 1800m, we may put him in the Champion Stakes two weeks later. So he's a very promising horse."
Legh's excitement is evident as he discusses his other rising stars, "Then I've got First Settler with Mick Price. He's heading towards the Coolmore Stakes after his very good win in the Danehill. We also have a horse called Theblade, by Toronado, out of the Black Caviar family with John Hawkes. He's a very, very promising individual."
The owner's stable also includes War Machine, aiming for the Silver Eagle and a promising 3YO by Autumn Sun called Plymouth.
Legh, a prolific Australian owner, has won some of the biggest races Down Under but his international success with Chautauqua stands out. He states, "Chautauqua won the Gr.1 Chairman's Sprint Prize at Sha Tin in 2016." This victory on the global stage remains a significant highlight in Legh's illustrious racing career.
The electric grey sprinter, also trained by Team Hawkes, captured the hearts of racing fans with his breathtaking last-to-first finishes. Legh's blue and gold lightning bolt silks became synonymous with Group One success across Australia, with Chautauqua being the best-ever to carry these colours.
As Legh looks to the future, his passion for the sport and his horses is unmistakable. With Airman leading the charge and a stable full of promising talent, the blue and gold lightning bolt silks seem poised to continue their dominance on Australian racetracks and potentially beyond.
"We believe that, if he does retain his form, as I said to many people, he will be as good as anything out there," Legh states confidently about Airman. "And we're confident that he will be able to compete against the best sprinters."
The immediate future for Airman is clearly mapped out. "After The Everest day, I suggest he may come to Melbourne for the Champions Sprint or go for a spell to prepare him for the autumn," Legh reveals. "If all goes well and he retains his form in the autumn, we may consider a trip to Royal Ascot."
From the Premier Stakes to dreams of The Gr.1 Everest and Royal Ascot, Rupert Legh's racing journey continues to be a thrilling ride. As Airman soars to new heights, the former policeman turned racing enthusiast is proving once again that in the world of Thoroughbred racing, lightning can indeed strike twice. With each thunderous hoofbeat, Airman carries not just a jockey, but the weight of expectation, the thrill of possibility, and the enduring dream of racing glory that beats in the heart of every owner, trainer, and fan of this magnificent sport.