Tommy Berry’s decision to cut short his holiday in order to partner Castillo King at Warwick Farm has been rewarded with the colt making an impressive debut.
The top Sydney hoop hadn’t ridden since the Tattersall’s Tiara meeting at Eagle Farm on June 27 and wasn’t due to return to the saddle until this weekend.
However, when he found out Farnan youngster Castillo King was running in Wednesday’s Racing And Sports Plate (1100m), Berry quickly changed plans.
“I probably wasn’t going to come back until Saturday, but when I saw him in I didn’t want to forgo that ride,” Berry said.
This Farnan debutant’s got something! Spring stakes targets coming.
Castillo King (2c Farnan x Boorooj) for
180k buy for @TFI_Racehorses & @MFreedmanRacing from @LimeCountryAU at @inglis_sales ClassicSeason winner 50 for the sire
Dam a half-sister to G1 winner Invest from G1… pic.twitter.com/hxckvoPuXz— Breednet (@BreednetNews) July 15, 2026
“He’s a smart colt. He’s got a great attitude, and he will appreciate getting over a little bit further. He was out of his comfort zone the whole way trying to hold that box seat, but I loved what I saw late.
“Now the pressure is off, he’s done it, and he ran good time. He was put under really good pressure, so the sky is the limit.”
Prepared by renowned trainer of two-year-olds, Michael Freedman, Castillo King was a $180,000 Inglis Classic Sale purchase.
Freedman’s stable representative, Sophie Johnson, said the youngster had shown talent from the outset and did a great job to defeat some more seasoned rivals, including runner-up Eviction Notice who was placed in the Silver Slipper.
“We knew Eviction Notice was going to be a bit tricky. Being one of Gai’s (trainer Gai Waterhouse’s) and with Rachel (King) on board, it’s speed all the way, and a few others had some runs under their belts as well,” Johnson said.
“It was really good to see. He’s been a professional horse from day one. He’s not a problem being a colt, and he handles himself really well.”
Johnson confirmed the Listed Rosebud (1100m) at Rosehill on August 15 would be considered for Castillo King, pending how he came through the win.
“All being well. It’s definitely a race that’s on the cards for him but it can go anyway with horses,” she said.
Castillo King ($2 fav) was strong to the post to score by 3-1/4 lengths over Eviction Notice ($2.60) with Maritime Magnate ($21) another three-quarters of a length away third.
