The Next Episode has delivered on his Group 1 promise with an impressive victory in the 2026 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington, handing trainer Ciaron Maher and jockey Mark Zahra another major Spring Carnival success. The highly rated colt showed…
The Next Episode secured a Group 1 victory in the 2026 Coolmore Stud Stakes down the Flemington straight. Trained by Ciaron Maher and ridden by Mark Zahra, the colt held off late challenges in the prestigious sprint. The triumph marked an important milestone for owner Phil Cunningham in his first racing venture in Australia.
Following the event, jockeys shared their reactions to the race. Zahra praised the colt's tenacity after returning from a Caulfield Cup fall two weeks prior, while Maher hailed the win as stallion-making. Competing riders, including James McDonald aboard runner-up challenger St Gotthard and Blake Shinn on Under Focus, highlighted their horses' competitive efforts.
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