Securing his ninth black type victory, Joe Pride’s 9yo Al Maher gelding Private Eye has been an absolute marvel, taking his owners of a ride of a lifetime and on Saturday added the $500,000 G2 VRC Damian Oliver Stakes (1400m) to his record.
Although he hasn’t managed to secure victory in a little over a year, Private Eye has still run some outstanding races including at his last two starts when third in the G2 ATC Shannon Stakes followed by second in the G3 MRC Moonga Stakes.
In an open field, last year’s winner Warnie (IRE) was sent out the favourite with Private Eye one of five runners in the 16-horse field to start under double figure odds.
With Ken and Kayse Key’s first emergency Scheelite going forward to take up the running, McDonald was content to allow Private Eye to go forward, and although he settled wide in about fifth position, he was travelling comfortably.
Scheelite took the field into the home straight, and had a bit of a kick, while McDonald asked for an effort from Private Eye as he crossed the 400m mark.
Chasing down the leader with 200m to run, McDonald went for home, and while Warnie had trouble securing clear running and Cote Atlantique (IRE) was warming up from last, the race was all over as Private Eye pulled clear to win by a length a half.
A nose separated second and third with Henry Dwyer’s Cote Atlantique getting up to defeat the William Pike ridden Zou Sensation.
.@mcacajamez is on the board ?? PRIVATE EYE puts the race to bed in style, storming clear to take out The ABC Bullion Damien Oliver. #DerbyDay https://t.co/J1mJj9Ja9A
— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) October 31, 2026
When he sprinted clear, the crowd erupted with cheer, highlighting to Pride was a special horse he is.
“I bet he did, he’s one of those horses, he’s popular isn’t he, and for good reason, he’s been a fantastic horse for a long time,” said Pride.
“He looked comfortable, I think for him it’s about not having horses on his outside, that seems to really bother him when he’s cluttered up, and that’s sort of what happened to him the other day at Caulfield so the instructions to James were to lead or sit outside lead, try to give him galloping room and when he gets that he seems confident.”
“It was a really even field, I knew he’d run well, you hope for a bit of luck and I didn’t expect him to win with such dominance, so it was good.”
As for what is next for Private Eye, Pride indicate he may step up to G1 racing again on November 14.
“He might go down for the Orr Stakes in a couple weeks times, he’s already had three trips interstate this preparation but that doesn’t seem to bother him so we’ll put him on another float, that’s about trip number seventeen in his life but it doesn’t worry him, he’s been to Melbourne as many times as I have!”
With James McDonald onboard for the first time since finishing third in the G1 All Aged Stakes in 2024, the Champion jockey was effusive in his praise of the gelding.
“This was superb. Joe (Pride) was very happy with him and he's such a good trainer with these horses, he just keeps them up and they keep saluting. It was an honour to ride this old boy. He's been around the traps,” said McDonald.
“He probably had a bit on them. He kept in a nice rhythm, and he finished off well.”
“It was awesome, you know, he's such an old boy, he's a warrior. It was great for the connections and Joe Pride to put me on him and it's an honour to ride these horses because they're always there for you.
“He didn't have the most perfect trip in transit, but he travelled well, he quickened beautifully and he felt like he had the race in control the whole way. So it was just an honour to ride him.”
“I had a lot of faith in the horse to get the job done but I think how the wind's going to play on these corner races around the bend you might see them not be as effective on the inside lanes. So, I don't know, it might be a good thing that he was out there.”
With 15 career victories, nine at black type with 15 placed efforts from 57 starts, Private Eye’s victory took his earnings to $13,375,366.
Purchased for just $62,500 by Proven Thoroughbreds and Joe Pride form Ambergate Farm’s draft Magic Millions Adelaide yearling sale, the 9yo gelding has been an outstanding return on investment for his connections.
Bred by Kerrie Tibbey's Goodwood Farm, Private Eye is clearly the best performed runner from four winners from five to the races out of the Shamardal mare Confidential Queen, who Tibbey had managed to secure for just $13,000 from the draft of Widden Stud at the 2015 Inglis Broodmare Sale carrying a positive to Star Witness.
From the same family as Champion Sire Snitzel, himself the sire of Saturday’s G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Next Episode, Confidential Queen’s current 2yo is a filly named Anamoe named Confidessa in the stable of Ciaron Maher who secured the filly in partnership with Eric Lucas for $650,000 from this year’s Inglis Easter yearling sale.
Confidential Queen has since foaled another filly by Anamoe before unfortunately missing to Farnan, so there will be no foal this season.
Private Eye is the best of 40 stakes winners for the G1 Australian Guineas winner Al Maher who covered his final book of mares in 2022 before passing away at the age of 23 in September 2024.
