Everest-winning jockey Zac Purton has fired back at the wife of English trainer William Haggas after she called the champion rider a “sissy” in an interview with UK broadcaster Racing TV.
Maureen Haggas, the daughter of former champion jockey Lester Piggott, wasn’t impressed with Purton’s handling of last year’s Golden Eagle winner Lake Forest which was beaten 7¼ lengths into last place in the $5m King Charles III Stakes last Saturday at Royal Randwick.
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“As far as I’m concerned Lake Forest never had a race,” Mrs Haggas said.
“It was about the worst ride I think I’ve ever seen in my entire life.
“I was appalled, absolutely appalled.
“We went all that way, and I don’t know Zac Purton at all, but I mean it was just dreadful.
“I was just so disappointed.
“Everyone knows the horse, you have to tell him he’s got to do it and he (Purton) knew that and he was told it and he just sat there like a big sissy.
“I mean I was horrified, I really was.
“We’d gone all that way at that huge expense on the owner’s part.
“It just makes you realise how lucky we are with the jockeys we have in England, Ireland and France when you compare them to the rides we got on Saturday which were really shockingly awful.”
🗣 “It was about the worse ride I’ve seen in my entire life”
It’s safe to say that Maureen Haggas was not impressed with the ride that Lake Forest got at Randwick on Saturday. 👇 pic.twitter.com/jGo57UGMAa
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) October 22, 2025
• ‘He was just dreadful’: Trainer’s wife slams Purton’s Randwick ride
Purton, who’d earlier in the day had given a 10 out of 10 display aboard Rothfire to win the Group 3 Sydney Stakes before another outstanding performance when guiding the world’s best sprinter Ka Ying Rising to victory in the Group 1 The Everest, defended his ride on the UK galloper.
“I want to thank Maureen for giving me some advice because I’ve been too busy watching myself win the $20m TAB Everest, the richest horse race on turf in the world, to go back and watch a replay of Lake Forest,” he said.
“From what I can remember though I was following the eventual winner in the race Ceolwulf before he put seven lengths on me in a matter of strides.
Ceolwulf rules the kingdom once more and goes back-to-back in the G1 King Charles III Stakes! 🙌 👑@SchofieldChad@PrideRacing@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/FzuZKbDWrn
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 18, 2025
• What the jockeys said after King Charles III Stakes: ‘When they quickened he was just empty’
“But to then also drag James McDonald into it, the world’s best jockey who currently leads the world’s best jockey standings, saying ‘we both gave our rides really shockingly awful rides’ is a little bit of sour milk.
“We love Willie Haggas in Australia. Championed him every time he’s travelled to Australia, and his success has been appreciated but just because one day hasn’t gone his way doesn’t mean it’s OK to throw the toys out of the cot.”
Lake Forest is now set to run in the $3m Champions Mile (1600m) at Flemington on November 8.
A legend is created! 🙌
Ka Ying Rising wins racing’s ultimate climb – the TAB Everest, and cements himself as the absolute best, giving a sold-out Randwick crowd absolute chills! 🏔️@zpurton@aus_turf_club@tabcomau@HKJC_Racing@WorldPool@WHRpic.twitter.com/TBBC7o2lyP
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 18, 2025
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The son of No Nay Never (USA) is a priced at $11 with TAB behind Mr Brightside, the $3.50 favourite, and Ceolwulf ($4.50).
“I’d like to personally wish the owner of Lake Forest the best at his next run in Melbourne and I hope that the billionaire can pay for his travelling expenses,” Purton said.