Australian jockey Zac Purton has addressed criticism regarding his recent performance at Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse. Following a disappointing ride on the horse Lake Forest in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes, prominent British racing figure Maureen Haggas described Purton’s performance as the “worst ride” she has ever witnessed.
Haggas, who works alongside her trainer husband, William Haggas, expressed her dismay after Lake Forest finished last, trailing the winner, Ceolwulf, by seven lengths. She stated, “As far as I’m concerned, Lake Forest never had a race,” during her comments on Racing TV. Haggas criticized Purton for allegedly ignoring instructions on how to ride the horse, claiming he failed to motivate Lake Forest, which she described as a horse that requires encouragement to perform.
“It was so disappointing because everyone knows he is a horse that you have to tell him he’s got to do it,” Haggas continued. “He just sat there like a big sissy… It just makes you realise how lucky we are with the jockeys we have in England, Ireland, and France.” Her remarks highlighted a perceived gap in the quality of jockeys, comparing the performance in Australia unfavorably to those in Europe.
Despite the backlash, Purton maintained a light-hearted demeanor. He acknowledged Haggas’s opinion but noted, “I thank her for her advice, but I haven’t had time to watch the replay yet because I’ve been too busy watching replays of myself winning the $20 million Everest.” Just two races before the King Charles III Stakes, Purton had successfully ridden Ka Ying Rising to victory in The Everest, the world’s richest horse race.
Purton defended his ride on Lake Forest, explaining that he followed Ceolwulf during the race, believing it to be a good strategy. “He put seven lengths on me,” Purton recounted. “As soon as they quickened, my horse just went up and down in one spot and gave me no response at all, so, I don’t know, I’m a little bit bemused at her take on the race.”
The exchange between Purton and Haggas has sparked discussions within the racing community, raising questions about the pressures jockeys face during high-stakes races and how performances can be subject to intense scrutiny.
As the racing season continues, all eyes will be on Purton as he seeks to regain momentum following the controversy.
