Journalists Wandering Eyes Posted 11 hours ago Journalists Share Posted 11 hours ago I Wish I Win winning the Group 1 Kingsford-Smith Cup (1400m). Photo: Grant Peters The curtain has come down on the sensational racing career of I Wish I Win. The unlikely hero, I Wish I Win’s story has been well-documented, from the foal at Waikato Stud with a bent near-fore leg, to a superstar of the fiercely-competitive Australian sprinting ranks. Beginning his career in the care of former Te Akau Racing trainer Jamie Richards, I Wish I Win did just that on debut as a juvenile, before placing in the Group 1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1200m). Returning at three, the gelding added another elite-level placing to his record in the Levin Classic (1600m), his final start in New Zealand before joining Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman’s operation in Victoria. Initially identified as a country cups prospect, I Wish I Win soon changed that narrative, winning first-up before taking out the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes (1400m). In his biggest test yet, the gelding was among the favoured runners in the $10m Golden Eagle (1500m), and taking on glamour mare Fangirl, I Wish I Win shot to prominence, scooping the major spoils and a $5.5 million payday for connections. The following autumn was another unforgettable campaign for I Wish I Win, placing in the $1 million Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) and $1.5 million Newmarket Handicap (1200m), before finally triumphing at the highest level, winning the $3 million Group 1 T.J Smith Stakes (1200m) in front of a roaring crowd at Randwick. ‘Wishy’ captured the hearts of the New Zealand public when representing the Trackside slot in the $20 million The Everest (1200m), finishing a phenomenal second behind Think About It, and went on to add to his Group One tally in Queensland, winning the Kingsford-Smith Cup (1400m). While unable to repeat that performance in last year’s Everest, I Wish I Win returned this autumn with another Group One placing behind Mr Brightside and Tom Kitten in the Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m), a stellar effort that would end up being his swansong. Amassing more than $12.8 million in stakes over 25 starts, I Wish I Win far exceeded the expectations of his part-owner, Waikato Stud’s principal Mark Chittick. “We’ll always do what’s best for the horse,” he said. “This decision wasn’t easy but on the advice of Peter and Katherine, we all felt the time was right for Wishy to hang up the reins. “You don’t have a horse like this, an experience like this, without so many people helping. “It wouldn’t have happened without our staff here, Jamie and Chanel Beatson who broke him in, Jamie Richards, of course Moods and Katherine and all the jockeys who looked after him so well. And especially to Gio Spiga, his strapper, for his special care and attention. “We have loved it, and I wish it could go on, but the horse comes first. He will come home and have a paddock right outside our house for the rest of his days. He will be looked after like a king, because he is one.” Moody echoed Chittick’s sentiments, having been a part-owner of I Wish I Win since he crossed the Tasman in 2022. “He’s retiring at the top of his game,” he said. “He ran third a margin in weight-for-age and it’s a shame he didn’t win, but he’s been a fabulous horse for the stable and given Katherine, myself and the stable the ride of a lifetime over the last two-and-a-half years.” “Our stable are extremely grateful to the team at Waikato for giving us this opportunity.” Horse racing news View the full article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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