Horse Racing News: Williamsburg Breaks 22-Month Drought with Decisive Win at Rosehill

Rosehill, NSW – The decision to geld the five-year-old stallion Williamsburg has paid immediate dividends, as the talented gelding broke a 22-month drought from the winner’s circle with a decisive victory in the NSW Jockeys Association Reunion Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens.

Williamsburg, a son of prolific sire Snitzel out of Group 1 winner Fenway, had been knocking on the door, finishing third in the 2023 Rosehill Guineas and placing in the Frank Packer Plate and Shannon Stakes that same year. However, after a disappointing run in the Lord Mayors Cup in June, co-trainer Gerald Ryan felt the horse was not giving his full effort.

“That was the first time I reckon the horse didn’t put in, that day when he ran third in the Lord Mayors’ Cup,” Ryan said. “He ran up to win that race and that French horse, who looked sensational, beat him.”

The owners made the tough call to geld Williamsburg, and the move appears to have rejuvenated the talented galloper. Ryan noted that while he didn’t see much change in the horse’s demeanor around the stable, his work had been sharper since the procedure.

This was evident in Saturday’s victory, where jockey Tyler Schiller allowed Williamsburg ($7.50) to take up an uncharacteristic leadership role. The five-year-old responded with a strong kick in the straight, holding on to score by three-quarters of a length over Estadio Mestalla ($4.80), with Testator Silens ($3.60 fav) a further half-head away in third.

“Tyler has only had a few rides on him and he’s gone really well for him each time. He was rapt in his trial the other day,” Ryan said. “We might have found another string to his bow.”

With the confidence-boosting win under his belt, Williamsburg is now likely to head to the Listed Rowley Mile (1600m) at Hawkesbury on August 22, with connections keeping an open mind about potential future targets.

“He’s a Five Diamonds horse, he could get into a Big Dance,” Ryan said. “He’s run well in an Epsom before when he wasn’t in real good form….there are plenty of races for him.”

This decisive victory at Rosehill Gardens marks an important turning point for Williamsburg, as the talented gelding looks to build on his impressive Group 1 form and reclaim his place among the top contenders in the New South Wales racing scene.

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