Beiwacht delivers first G1 for new-look Godolphin in 2025 Golden Rose

Godolphin added another jewel to its Golden Rose crown on Saturday, celebrating a record-breaking victory with Beiwacht in the Group 1 Golden Rose at Rosehill.

The Chris Waller-trained colt, ridden by Adam Hyeronimus, jumped cleanly and rolled forward to control the race. Despite pre-race questions over his stamina, Beiwacht ($9) powered clear to win by 4-1/4 lengths from stablemate Wodeton ($4.20), with fellow Godolphin runner Tempted ($3 fav) in third. The time of 1:20.79 set a new track record, eclipsing Cepheus’ previous mark.

Waller was delighted to deliver a milestone victory for the global racing powerhouse. “Godolphin has been an amazing story for Australia and they’ve been my biggest competitor for so many years consistently in these big races, the stallion making races,” he said. “We had four great colts in the race and unfortunately there is only one winner.”

Although once considered unpredictable, Beiwacht has clearly matured into his three-year-old season, a transformation Waller said gave him confidence. “We’ve had confidence the horse has continued to mature,” he said. “What struck us the most today, he was so calm and relaxed. He is a proper racehorse. He’s got good looks, he’s got proper two-year-old form and he’s backed it up at three.”

Godolphin still holds an open slot for this year’s Everest, with managing director Andy Makiv confirming the decision will come down to Beiwacht or Tempted. “Three weeks in is a really good lead-up for either Beiwacht or Tempted to go back to the 1200 metres,” Makiv said. “They seem to be our logical choices and really our only choices.”

Jockey James McDonald praised Wodeton’s effort in second. “He was very gallant in defeat, stayed on really well and his day will come,” he said. Tempted’s rider Ethan Brown added: “I feel like she’s probably a little bit more effective over 1200 metres with a hotter tempo but very good effort.”

Beiwacht’s triumph was Godolphin’s seventh Golden Rose success and secured them back-to-back titles after Broadsiding won last year.