Zaaki title taken by Numerian after AD Hollindale Stakes win

Annabel Neasham continued her streak at the Group Two AD Hollindale Stakes with her horse Numerian winning the big event on Saturday. The NSW-based trainer has won this race for four straight seasons. Legendary gelding Zaaki won the 2021, 2022, and last year’s  AD Hollindale Stakes.  
 
Zaaki’s retirement in March opened the door for Numerian to take his place as Annabel Neasham’s AD Hollindale Stakes’ winning horse. Numerian was ridden by Victorian-based jockey Jamie Mott.  

Numerian cements Neasham dominance at Hollindale Stakes

Numerian entered the AD Hollindale Stakes as one of the biggest longshots with just $34 odds to win the race outright. One thing the horse racing betting fans may have overlooked when placing their bets though is the impact of Annabel Neasham.  
 
An Annabel Neasham-trained horse has now won four straight AD Hollindale Stakes. Zaaki won the 2021, 2022, and 2023 races, and now Numerian has won the 2024 edition.  
 
Ridden by Victorian jockey Jamie Mott, Numerian finished one-and-a-half lengths ahead of Just Folk ($4.80), one of the favourites. The outright favourite, Kovalica ($3), finished closely behind Just Folk to show in third.  
 
Saturday’s race was Numerian’s first race since the Group Two Perth Cup back in January. Before that, he won the Ted Van Heemst Stakes at Ascot in December.

Neasham talks up new Hollindale Stakes winner 

All eyes were on trainer Annabel Neasham after one of her horses again had won the AD Hollindale Stakes. To her credit though, the trainer was keen to put all the attention on the jockey and Numerian.  
 
“I love this horse so much,” Neasham said after the race. 
 
“He’s just a beauty and I’m so happy for Teme Valley back in the UK because they were happy to give him one more prep. He’s obviously getting a bit older, but he ran really well in Perth and having a last prep up here and to start it off like that is fantastic. 
 
“Qudos to Jamie Mott as well. He rode at Cranbourne last night and he’s come up to ride for me in the first race and then in this today.  
 
“I’m just glad the trip was worthwhile for him,” she joked, celebrating the big victory.

Gold Coast track still not ready 

The 2024 AD Hollindale Stakes took place at the Sunshine Coast race track in Queensland for the second straight year. The race’s traditional home, Gold Coast, was set to host the event after its multi-million dollar renovation last year.  
 
However, Gold Coast was ruled to be unsuitable for racing earlier this week. The 2024 AD Hollindale Stake was again moved to Sunshine Coast. The $1m Magic Millions National 2YO Classic was set to take place there on Friday, May 24. It’s now been moved to the Doomben Cup card hosted by the Brisbane Racing Club on Saturday, May 25.