A Steely grey demon, Racing To Win was a powerhouse middle distance specialist in 2005

The John O'Shea-trained son of Encosta de Lago failed to measure up in Melbourne but his record in his native state of New South Wales was simply outstanding. From 30 career starts he posted 13 wins and a further seven placings, incredibly all of them second placings. Racing To Win was out of the dam, Surrealist by Grand Dieu with his home training ground, Hawkesbury. He is widely considered one of the finest grey thoroughbreds to have raced in Australia.

Starting out in June 2005, Racing To Win won his first three starts - firstly at Canterbury Park in July over 1100m, then Randwick over the same distance and Rosehill over 1200m. A 2nd in the Listed $1 million Gold Rose at Rosehill in August signaled some real potential.

Resuming in February 2006, Zac Purton rode the horse as runner-up in the Gr.2 Royal Sovereign 1200m at Rosehill before winning the Gr.2 Hobertville Stakes (1400m), with a follow up 2nd in the Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) in March.

He won five times at Group One level, including victories in the George Ryder (1500m), the Doncaster Handicap (1600m), the George Main (1600m), the Epsom (1600m), and the All Aged Stakes (1400m). The grey gelding was a dual winner of the Group Two Theo Marks (1400m) at Rosehill with his final career triumph coming in the 2009 event where he lumped 60kg to score by nearly two lengths. Racing To Win was so highly regarded that he actually started $3.80 favourite in the 2006 Cox Plate in a field that included the likes of Fields Of Omagh, El Segundo, Pompeii Ruler, and Miss Finland.

Unfortunately he struggled with the Melbourne way of going and finished some 9.9L off the winner.

RACE RECORD - 30: 13-7-0

EARNINGS - $3,762,285

2006 George Ryder Stakes

2006 Doncaster Handicap

2006 & 2009 Theo Marks Stakes

2006 George Main Stakes

2006 Epsom Handicap

2008 All Aged Stakes

2008 Warwick Stakes

2nd 2009 Doomben Cup.