Coal Crusher: The Unlikely Hero of The Hunter
Sometimes, the most beloved champions aren't the ones everyone expects. That's certainly the case with Coal Crusher, a horse who has etched his name in the history books, not just for his victories, but for the affection he's clearly earned.
Coal Crusher, despite not being the top-rated horse in trainer Joseph Pride’s stable, has captured hearts. He made history at Newcastle, becoming the first horse to win the A$1 million (approximately S$847,000) Group 2 The Newcastle Herald Hunter (1,300m) twice. His first win was in 2023, and he repeated the feat on November 15th.
While Coal Crusher hadn't clinched a win since his initial triumph, he consistently placed in various stakes races, including the 2024 The Hunter, where he secured third place behind Briasa, trained by Michael, Wayne, and John Hawkes.
A Special Bond
What makes Coal Crusher's story even more heartwarming is the special bond he shares with Brave, Joseph Pride’s son, who straps the horse. Brave is a crucial part of the stable and has an unwavering connection with the gelding. He described the Newcastle win as the highlight of an incredible spring, which included Group 1 successes with Ceolwulf and Attica. “He is like no other horse I’ve looked after. He is so special to me,” he said. “He’s by Turffontein. He wasn’t meant to be any good but he’s just so tough. I’ve been part of some amazing wins this year with Attica and Ceolwulf and this is the best. I love this horse.”
The Race Unfolds
Coal Crusher's remarkable victory marked his 10th win in a career spanning 46 starts. His stablemate Accredited, ridden by Andrew Adkins, made a late surge to give Pride a quinella (first and second place), while Brudenell, trained by Kris Lees and ridden by Tim Clark, finished third.
Yorkshire, trained by John O’Shea and Tom Charlton, was the favorite, but the Snitzel gelding struggled, finishing at the back of the pack. Chad Schofield, the jockey who rode Coal Crusher to victory, shared his confidence in the horse, saying, “He broke well but he didn’t show as much gate speed as he usually does, so I just had to urge him along to establish the lead. Once I got there, I actually had it quite soft for the first 600 metres. I was quite confident when I banked those cheap sectionals early because I knew he’d give me a really strong last 600 and that’s the horse’s asset. He’s tough as nails. He is a lovely old horse, and he was spot-on today.”
Looking Ahead
Even though Coal Crusher will be nine years old in 2026, Joe Pride believes the horse still has plenty of racing left in him. He hopes to see Coal Crusher back to compete in The Hunter again next year. But here's where it gets controversial... Could age eventually catch up with this champion, or will he defy the odds and continue to surprise? What do you think?
A Rising Star: Green Spaces
In a preceding race, the emerging three-year-old colt Green Spaces showcased his potential as a future star. Jockey Rachel King is excited about the son of Street Boss after his impressive win in the A$250,000 Group 3 NZB Spring Stakes (1,600m).
Green Spaces, starting as a $25 underdog, displayed an impressive burst of speed in the final stages, finishing three lengths ahead of Bird Whistle, with Long Legs securing third place. Trained by Bjorn Baker, Green Spaces is set for a break before aiming for the autumn carnival. Rachel King is optimistic about his future, noting his natural ability and fantastic attitude. “He hit the front and still had a wander today. I felt like, if something had come to him, he would have shown he had plenty more there. I like a lot about him. He is becoming more professional every time he steps out so if he keeps going on the upwards trajectory that he is, I don’t know where he will end up.”
Green Spaces began his career with trainer James Cummings, winning at Geelong in April before transferring to Baker at the start of the season when Godolphin moved to a public training model.
And this is the part most people miss... Do you think Green Spaces has what it takes to become a top-tier racehorse? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
