Skyhook Primed for Golden Eagle Challenge

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, October 31, 2026

Skyhook, trained by Gerald Ryan, will compete from an outside barrier in this weekend’s Golden Eagle after a strong lead-up including wins in the Theo Marks and Shannon Stakes. As the first horse to have raced in the Golden Slipper, Golden Rose, and Golden Eagle, Skyhook is a key contender aiming for autumn season success despite slower betting odds and a jockey change.

Skyhook is set to contest Sydney’s second-richest race, the Golden Eagle, this weekend, with trainer Gerald Ryan expressing confidence in the horse’s current condition. Ryan, who works alongside Sterling Alexiou, noted that although jockey Mitch Cohen drew an outside barrier in the field of 13, they have experience handling wide barriers with the rider. Skyhook will start from barrier 14 and is expected to position himself among the first four during the race.

The horse has had a strong preparation leading into the Golden Eagle, returning from a successful campaign at the Brisbane Winter Carnival. Skyhook secured a first-up win in the Group 3 Theo Marks Stakes over 1300 meters, followed by a second-up victory in the Group 2 Shannon Stakes at 1500 meters. Most recently, he narrowly missed out on first place in the Listed Silver Eagle over 1300 meters, finishing behind Apocalyptic.

Ryan highlighted Skyhook’s consistent form in recent months and indicated the horse is achieving the necessary milestones ahead of the Golden Eagle. While Skyhook has yet to win at Randwick, the trainer pointed out that the horse has had limited starts there. Ryan remains upbeat about the preparation so far and emphasized that nothing has gone wrong in the lead-up.

Betting for the Golden Eagle has shifted since Tuesday’s barrier draw, with Skyhook’s odds drifting from $12 to $14. Meanwhile, Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman’s Sheza Alibi, the current favorite, has seen its odds shorten from $1.90 to $1.65. Additionally, champion jockey Kerrin McEvoy was unsuccessful in appealing a whip suspension, which has resulted in fellow jockey Chad Schofield, known for The Everest victory, taking the mount on Skyhook for the race.

Skyhook holds the distinction of being the first horse to compete in the Golden Eagle after previously running in both the Golden Slipper at two years old and the Golden Rose at three. Furthermore, he has won stakes races at the ages of two, three, and four.

Looking ahead, while Skyhook is also attracting attention as a contender for the upcoming Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m) scheduled next month, plans indicate he will likely be rested in the paddock following the Golden Eagle to begin preparations for the autumn racing season.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.