09/11/2025
Last year, we returned from Australia with Onesmoothoperator having being 'luckless' in the Melbourne Cup, but with the Group 3 'Ladbrokes Geelong Cup' under our belts, having taken out the race in great style a couple of weeks earlier, under Craig Williams.
This year, the rain came down at Flemington and took away our chances of winning the 2025 Melbourne Cup with him, but nevertheless, we couldn't be any prouder of his achivements, as we once again come back from Australia with a trophy, which this time is the Group 2 'Ladbrokes Moonee Valley Gold Cup' which Smoothie won last month, under a spectacular ride by Mark Zahra.
It was a very special win, under the floodlights of 'The Valley', and it will go down in history as the last MV Gold Cup to be run on that track. The course is now undergoing huge redevelopments and will be closed for at least 18 months.
Onesmoothoperator has become only the 4th horse to win both the 'Geelong' and Moonee Valley Gold Cup's, and the only international winner at this years Racing Victoria Spring Racing Carnival.
Smoothie had his first win for us in a class 4 at Southwell back in 2021, under our Son-in-law, Ben Robinson, who also won the November Handicap on him in November 2023.
It was Connor Beasley who was on board to victory, in the Northumberland Plate in 2024, fullfilling Brian's lifetime ambtion to win the race, which takes place in Newcastle, where Brian was born on 'Plate Day' in 1952 and historically known in the North East as the 'Pitmen's Derby'. Connor was also on board earlier this year, when Smoothie took us to Dubai, where they finished a creditable 3rd in a Group 3 in Meydan.
As we returned home from Melbourne on Wednesday, it was with great sadness we had to say our goodbye's to Smoothie. He is staying in Australia to continue his career, and whilst it is a massive blow to us, it is the best path for Smoothie.
He will be now trained in Bendigo, by a very good friend of ours, Tim Fitzimmons, so he could not be in any better hands.
We wish Tim and all of Smoothie's owners, P D Boyle, M A Boyle, K Bamford, Mrs C Bamford & Miss A M Evans the very best of luck with him and we will continue to follow and support him with much love.
We would like to thank Patrick Boyle for giving us the opportunity to train such a fantastic horse, and for all the team at home who have helped us along the way. Special thanks to Matt Brown, Kayleigh Raynor and Jackson McEwan who all did great jobs accompanying Smoothie on his travels.
He is certainly ONESMOOTHOPERATOR, and he will always have a very special place in our hearts!
The search now begins again for our next 'Cup Horse' ... watch this space!
