The Big Goodbye – The horse with the big heart!

May 28, 2024

The Big Goodbye racing at Doomben in the Chief de Beers

There can’t be too many arguments if you are talking about “The Horse with the Big Heart” you are talking about The Big Goodbye. 

His tenacity, doggedness, and will to win were all on display again on Saturday when he finished a remarkable second for the second consecutive time in the $160,000 Listed Chief de Beers at Doomben – this time carrying a whopping 6.5kgs more than the winner Golden Boom. 

One thing we can’t forget also is this bloke is a real talent, a horse any stable or owner would love to have and as trainer Rob Heathcote quipped post-race at Doomben “Can you find me anymore like him”

The Big Goodbye, the horse with the hugest heart

RARE TALENT

The problem is horses like The Big Goodbye are hard to find, “A true diamond in the rough”. 

You all know the story by now, purchased as a tried horse out of Adelaide for just $100,000 The Big Goodbye has now gone on to win 8 times for the Qld Rogues amassing over $700,000 in prize money. 

Rob was over the moon with the effort in the Chief de Beers. “That effort from your lad to concede 6.5 kilos to the winner and be narrowly beaten. The Big Gee has paid a penalty for his consistency but that’s what handicap racing is all about. Bugger, he was narrowly beaten in this race last year so now that’s two narrow defeats in the Chief De Beers “ 

“He was superbly ridden by Zac Lloyd so he gave him every chance.” Rob said.   

With the big weight advantage the winner was just too good on a day where leaders had a big advantage. 

“He ran great this horse. There is still a really good race win in him!” Jockey Zac Lloyd

WHAT’S NEXT

The win also left jockey Martin Harley with a massive smile after the race with The Big Goodbye quickly becoming one of his favourites.

Harley, told Trent Akers from the Courier Mail he reckons he hasn’t sat on a horse as fast as The Big Goodbye since he won the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas in January and it proved to be true as he powered to another win.

The popular Irishman has been on the sidelines nursing a neck injury, but landed his first winner since taking out the $3m feature in January when he took an unconventional route to knock over the likes of Prince Of Boom, Zarastro, Nettuno and All That Pizzazz.

“He is the fastest horse I have ridden since Abounding in the Magic Millions, she is the last winner I rode as well,” a relieved Harley said.

“It is nice to get back in the winners’ circle, not many jockeys can make slow horses run fast but when you have a horse that tries, it is a big help.

“He is an unbelievable horse who wears his heart on his sleeve.

“There was speed on today so we elected to conserve the energy instead and get a nice run up the inside.

“It helped to have a willing partner today.” Harley said he’s keen to stick with the Big G throughout his Winter Campaign.

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BOUNCE BACK FACTOR 

As Tycoons were made aware of, there’s a theory in racing that when a horse suffers from cardiac arrhythmia, “you must back it next start” and they win. 

And that was certainly the message after Cool Jakey suffered cardiac arrhythmia the previous start at Randwick, with Joe Pride telling Tycoons in the pre-race late mail, “Don’t worry about what happened last start, the horse is fine and he looks great,” how right Joe was with Cool Jakey leading all the way.

COOL JAKEY THE KING OF WARWICK FARM 050325

Cool Jakey battling to the line with Emmadella

Cool Jakey trainer Joe Pride, Brave Pride, Jockey Adam Hyeronimus and TK

Trainer Joe Pride and son Brave Pride, Jockey Adam Hyeronimus and TRL Rep TK

HIPPO FROM BARRIER TO BOX

Adam Hyeronimus was having his first sit on Cool Jakey and he rode him a treat. We joked before the race “just go to the front and improve your position” and that’s exactly what he did. 

“He jumped well and found a nice rhythm straight away, he had a nice time so I let him slide early into it at the 600metres so we did go a bit early. 

“He felt fantastic throughout the run and was doing it easily, so I did get a bit of a surprise how quickly he stopped. 

“So maybe I did go too early, but in saying that, maybe seven furlongs is his upper limit. On that effort he’ll be winning again” Jockey Adam Hyeronimus said.

JOE DELIGHTED

“That was good guys” trainer Joe Pride said, with a big smile to a large contingent of NSW Tycoons on Cool Jakey returning to scale. 

“Look it was nice to see him win on a track that wasn’t bottomless wet, it opens up a lot more opportunities for him. 

“In saying that if there was a 1400m for him in a fortnight on a Good track I would probably be reluctant to start him. We need to nurse him through it and the next month – six weeks isn’t going to be easy because it’s carnival time. 

Cool Jakey the king of Warwick Farm with NSW Tycoons

Cool Jakey in the winners circle with NSW Tycoons’ owners

WHATS NEXT – PACK YOUR BAGS

The Tycoons have been very patient with Cool Jakey and their patience has been rewarded. He is building a very nice career record which stands at only 13 starts for 5 wins and a minor placing and is now pushing the $200,000 in prize money. 

‘Jakey’ has initially pulled up well, but we all know that he is a delicate soul and has to be treated with kindness and Joe is reluctant to push him too hard too quickly. Which is fair enough. 

“We might even consider travelling him maybe to Melbourne or Brisbane for a wet track, we just need to look after him.

“He’s been a good horse for us, we will look after him and his best opportunities will come in the Winter,” Joe concluded. 

Congratulations to all NSW Tycoons and winning connections.

Go you good thing!

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