Chad Schofield has ridden the winners of the mega-rich Everest-Golden Eagle double in the last two weeks – and he’s not finished yet.
The star jockey spring carnival to remember continued when he partnered Skyhook to a thrilling win in the Group 1 $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Royal Randwick today.
This triumph came after he rode Tempted to win the Group 1 $20 million The Everest (1200m) two weeks ago.
Schofield might have bagged the winners of the nation’s two richest races this month but he’s chasing more big race success in the next week.
He has the ride on the in-form Formal Display in the $3 million The Big Dance (1600m) at Royal Randwick on Tuesday then heads to Melbourne to partner super mare Tempted in the Group 1 $3 million Champions Sprint (1200m) at Flemington next Saturday.
Schofield, who only picked up the Golden Eagle mount on Tuesday when regular jockey Kerrin McEvoy failed in his appeal against a whip riding suspension, showed as much class as Skyhook did when interviewed by media after his win.
“It has been an amazing couple of weeks. I am lost for words,” Schofield said.
“I’m just so thankful for the opportunity and for two special horses to help me win those races.
“But I’m only here because of Kerrin’s misfortune. This is his horse, he should be here today, not me.”
Schofield’s ride to get Skyhook across from barrier 14, find cover and give his mount the run of the race was quite outstanding – although he later earned a six-meeting suspension for causing interference to Attica soon after the start.
“We drew really wide but I always thought we could end up one-out, one back and that is what I told the owners and trainers pre-race.” Schofield said.
“When Regal Award didn’t jump like he can, I rolled across outside the leader but the pace was very slow.
“Obviously when Apocalyptic went around, that gave me the perfect bit of cover. My horse dropped the bridle and found the most beautiful rhythm.”
Schofield said he “waited” as long as he could before asking Skyhook for his finishing sprint as Decorum ranged alongside him in the straight
“I felt like Decorum had us a couple of times but my horse pinned his ears back and was in for the fight,” Schofield said.
In an exciting finish, the Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou-trained Skyhook ($11) fought back after being headed to beat a game Decorum ($71) by a nose with Beiwacht ($8.50) a length away third.
Chris Waller’s four runners, Beiwacht, Mr Miller, Autumn Boy and Estremo finishing third, fourth, fifth and sixth respectively, each earning sizeable prizemoney for connections.
Sheza Alibi was sensationally backed into $1.50 favouritism but she ran out of galloping room at the top of the straight, was shunted back to last and then improved her position without ever getting clear air to finish only 11th.
“She just didn’t get her chance in the second half of the race,” said Luke Nolen, rider of Sheza Alibi.
Trainer Peter Moody described Sheza’a Alibits run as more like a “barrier trial”.
“You can’t jump over them,” Moody said.”She got a beautiful run in transit but in every other race they have opened and fanned out but they didn’t in this one.”
When asked if Sheza Alibi would have another start this spring, Moody replied: “See you in autumn.”
Schofield becomes the second jockey after Glen Boss to ride the Everest-Golden Eagle double in the same spring.
Boss achieved the feat in 2019 when he won The Everest on Yes Yes Yes then claimed the Golden Eagle on Kolding.
Schofield’s day was soured a little when he was given a six-meeting suspension that is not due to start until after he rides Tempted at Flemington next Saturday. The jockey can resume riding on Friday, November 20, the day before The Gong meeting at Kembla Grange.
Skyhook’s Golden Eagle win was also vindication for Ryan and Alexiou as both men were laser focussed on this race all spring, passing on the opportunity of running in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap to ensure the horse was at its best today.
Ryan admitted all that was missing from their Golden Eagle triumph was McEvoy who had done all the work on Skyhook.
But when McEvoy failed on appeal to have his penalty period reduced, both Ryan and Alexiou agreed Schofield should be Skyhook’s replacement rider.
“It was touch-and-go who was going to ride him,” Ryan said.
“I’ve known Chad since he was twelve years old, I’ve watched him all the way through.
“He was chasing, chasing (the ride). He rang a couple of owners, which I don’t like jockeys doing, but he did.
“And I thought, why not? We know him well and I had a good bit of luck with his father (Glyn).”
Interestingly, Skyhook and Beiwacht were the only horses to compete in the Golden Slipper as two-year-olds, the Golden Rose last season and then the Golden Eagle today.
Skyhook ran seventh in the Golden Slipper, third in the Golden Rose to Beiwacht before his Golden Eagle win.
Beiwacht was 11th in the first leg, won the Golden Rose and then was third to Skyhook today.
Nothing in it! 🥵
Skyhook flies in the G1 Golden Eagle to win in an epic finish!@SchofieldChad @RARacing_
@aus_turf_club https://t.co/iFgK3wryv1
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 31, 2026
“We’ve raced against Beiwacht five times and beaten him four. The only time he has beaten us home was in the Golden Rose,” Ryan said.
Skyhook is likely to be spelled now and set for a Sydney autumn carnival campaign.
“I’d like to give him a break because it is a quick turnaround to the autumn,” Ryan said.
“The Apollo Stakes is in February and it’s a Group 1 race now, so we’ll aim him at that. He’s won his good race now and I think there’s more in him.”
Skyhook, a magnificent chestnut, scored his seventh win from 17 starts and took his career earnings to more than $6.6 million prizemoney.
Ryan said the Golden Eagle has been the aim with Skyhook since the Golden Rose last year.
“The flaw in his campaign over the last 12 months was taking him to Melbourne,” Ryan said. “After June, we sat down and mapped out these four races heading into this and nothing has gone wrong.
“Before the Hawkesbury Guineas in the autumn I put him over a few hurdles and he’s never looked back since.”
Ryan said they have also learned how to train Skyhook, realising the horse doesn’t need to be pushed hard at trackwork.
“He doesn’t cop backing up either, so I might have just found out a little bit more about him,” Ryan said.
“I said to (breeder) John Messara, I don’t think he’ll be any good until an autumn four-year-old, so we’ll see what happens. He’s ahead of schedule.”
