A horse owned by several players from the Brighton & Hove Albion Football Club is set to compete in the prestigious Golden Eagle race in Sydney on Saturday. The horse, named Seagulls Eleven, aims to bring home the trophy for a second consecutive year after the previous winner, Lake Forest, secured the $10 million prize in 2022. The event will take place at Randwick, a key location in Australian horse racing.
Among the owners, former Premier League star James Milner has played a pivotal role in the horse’s journey, although he will not be present at the race. His teammates, including Danny Welbeck, Bart Verbruggen, Jason Steele, and Adam Lallana, will also be absent from the event. Milner, who has seen limited action this season with Brighton, is preparing for the club’s upcoming match against Leeds.
Trainer Hugo Palmer, who previously worked with renowned Australian trainer Gai Waterhouse, has expressed enthusiasm about returning to Australia for the race. Nonetheless, he noted that there was some division among the owners regarding the decision to send Seagulls Eleven to compete. “When they bought him as a yearling, all the players were with Brighton, but at least one of them has since left,” Palmer explained.
The ownership group faced differing opinions on whether to invest in the race. Palmer mentioned, “There was actually a bit of division in the ownership when it came to the Golden Eagle. A few of them were against rolling the dice and writing a big cheque to come to Australia.” Despite the mixed feelings, Milner was eager to support the venture, as he had introduced the other players to the horse.
Seagulls Eleven has provided considerable enjoyment for the players, but as professional athletes, their schedules can be demanding. Palmer acknowledged the challenges, stating, “Professional sports stars are a lot busier than most of us expect; they work hard and don’t have as much free time as you’d think.” Many players have yet to witness the horse race live.
The Golden Eagle represents a significant opportunity for Seagulls Eleven to showcase its talents on an international stage. With the backing of notable football figures, the horse’s performance will be closely watched by fans, both in Australia and the UK. The event not only highlights the intersection of sports and horse racing but also reflects the growing interest among athletes in owning racehorses.
As the race approaches, excitement builds for what could be a memorable day for both the horse and its owners.
