The first race day of the 2023/24 will pay tribute to a star South Australian galloper, with the Lightning Stakes to be changed to the Behemoth Stakes.
Trained by David Jolly out of his Goolwa stable, there is no doubting the resume of ‘Big Boy’ Behemoth.
Of his ten wins, eight were Group or Listed status, which included two Memsie’s and a Rupert Clark, earning over $3million dollars in prizemoney.
To coincide with the first race day of the new season, we are lucky enough to have Behemoth return to Morphettville thanks to Grand Syndicates and David Jolly Racing.
David Jolly said having Behemoth returning to Morphettville will be a special day for his team.
“To have Behemoth return to SA is a big thrill, and to have the race named after him in such a big race for spring preparations is a great initiative.
“I never would have dreamt this would have happened, and we hope to have a runner in the day to make it that little bit more special,” he said.
Grand Syndicates owner, Peter Morley said Behemoth was everything you wanted in a good horse.
“Behemoth come along at a time where we all needed a lift (during COVID) and not many horses get the opportunity to win a Group 1 race, let along three.
“He was a life changing horse for everyone involved,” Morely said.
The Big Boy is now spending his days at Living Legends in Melbourne with his new paddock mate, Johnny Get Angry and gets his fair share of carrots.
On the day, Behemoth will be in the race day stalls for a photo opportunity and a hello before he leads runners to the mounting yard for the race named in his honour.
It has the makings to be a Behemoth of a day, so why not get your tickets for Saturday August 12 now!