Private Eye isn't your average gelding. Whether that be trackwork or lining up a race, The six-year-old gelding is always ready to rumble. "Spade", as he's affectionately known, has the heart of a champion and the speed to match. With a Group 1 win under his belt, along with three Group 2 victories and one Group 3 triumph, Private Eye has proved time and time again that he's got what it takes to reign supreme on the turf. Private Eye was was a bargin buy purchase of $62,500 at the 2019 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale by leading Syndicator, Jamie Walter. The son of Al Maher out of the mare Confidential Queen (Shamardal), was bred by Goodwood Farm and sold through the draft of Ambergate Farm, then sent to the Joseph Pride barn. Nash Rawiller would be his jockey after Brenton Avdulla, with Bayliss and Jay Ford spending time in the saddle.

After working his way through the Benchmark grades with ease from December 2020 as a three-year-old, Private Eye ran 2nd to Ellsberg in a Listed event over 1400m before stepping up to Group company. In May 2021 he won the Gr.2 Queensland Guineas (1600m) at Eagle Farm, then won a Gr.3 at Randwick in early spring, with his main goal the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap over the mile. Walter’s highly successful black and green Proven Thoroughbred colours were at the tail of the field when the big Epsom field turned for home but in an incredible burst from the back, Private Eye was able to win in a thriller. The win was the eighth from just 13 starts and his prizemoney soared to over $1.44 million. No further glory would follow that year despite a creditable 5th to Zaaki in the LKS McKinnon Stakes.

The close up finishes would continue throughout the Autumn, however, resuming in Spring of 2022, Private Eye would be runner-up to Alligator Blood in Gr.1 Stradbroke, then take out the Gr.2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) at Flemington in October. Private Eye then ran an amazing 2nd to Giga Kick in The Everest (1200m), shocking his connections who were witnessing a solid miler as a high class sprinter. He would then win over 1300m at Rosehill and chase solidly for 7th in the Champions Mile at Flemington. Moderate results followed but the gelding was, at the very least ultra consistent, and usually not too far off the winner. A promising 2nd to Overpass in the Gr.2 Shorts (1100m) in August of 2023 would lead to Private Eye demonstrated exceptional performance in The Everest, securing a commendable third place behind his stablemate, Think About It, and the impressive I Wish I Win. Despite encountering challenges such as running wide and being positioned three deep, Private Eye displayed remarkable tenacity in pursuing the two outstanding young sprinters. A 2nd in the Giga Kick Stakes (1300m) behind Bella Nipotena would end a fairly prosperous Spring campaign.

In February 2024 Private Eye would fight hard but go down to the stunning Imperatriz over 1000m at Flemington in the Gr.1 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes, with the #1 draw working against the horse. In April the gelding led in the All-Aged Stakes with JMac and gave everything but weakened to finish 3rd to Magic Time and Amendable. Sadly the perennial bridesmaid on too many occasions, Private Eye has still amassed phenomenal stake earnings and the isn't done with yet.

RACE RECORD 35:11-5-4

EARNINGS $9,749,810

2023 Epsom Hcp (Gr.1)

Toyota Forklifts Shorts (Gr.2)

2022 Gilgai Stakes (Gr.2)

2021 Queensland Guineas (Gr.2)

2021 Mostyn Copper Show County Qlty (Gr.3)

2nd 2022 The Everest

3rd 2023 The Everest

Private Eye is a serious racehorse running with the best sprinters in this current decade