Maureen Haggas has closed the book on racing’s ‘sissy-gate saga’, conceding she probably went over the top when panning champion jockey Zac Purton’s ride on Lake Forest on The Everest day.
Haggas, wife of English trainer William, labelled Purton’s King Charles III Stakes steer as the “worst ride I think I’ve ever seen in my entire life” and said he “sat there like a big sissy” in an interview in England this week.
Purton returned serve, questioning if Haggas had been “on the drink” with the belief the spray was a bit of sour grapes.
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He took issue to Haggas also dragging fellow jockey James McDonald through the coals for his ride on Sam Hawkens.
Haggas was questioned on the back and forth on At The Races on Friday afternoon in England.
“I probably went a bit over the top…”
Maureen Haggas reflects on her recent comments surrounding Zac Purton’s ride aboard Lake Forest in Australia… pic.twitter.com/hnNMuaOuCG
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) October 24, 2025
“I probably went a bit over the top and I was wrong to involve James McDonald, who I have apologised to because he did nothing wrong on the horse but it just sort of came out at the end,” she said.
“Lake Forest is not an easy horse, he is very lazy and you have to get stuck into him to make him race and if you watch all of his previous races with Tom (Marquand) and Cieren Fallon you will see that and there is a big difference.
🗣 “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
“But it’s done and dusted now and over and it’s given everyone a lot of laughs.
“The great thing today is we’ve won three races and all the prizes have been alcohol so I am just going to have a ball on the way home.”
Lake Forest will line-up in Saturday week’s Champions Mile at Flemington.
“I’ve been too busy watching myself win The Everest to go back and watch a replay of Lake Forest.”
Jockey @zpurton didn’t miss when he responded to Maureen Haggas’ criticism of his ride on Lake Forest on Saturday. Story: @ClintonPayne 👇https://t.co/XtePSWWXT7
— Racenet (@RacenetTweets) October 23, 2025
• Pride breaks new ground with Attica’s Spring Champion Stakes victory
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Third time lucky for Gerringong?
Stefi Magnetica gets over the top of them to win the Invitation with a 10/10 ride from Jason Collett! 🌟@BBakerRacingpic.twitter.com/Pvi0Gvh1Ce
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 25, 2025
Could The Invitation runner-up Gerringong back-up for a third week in a row next Saturday’s $10 million Golden Eagle?
Co-trainer Adrian Bott confirmed it was something that would be considered following the mare’s game second to Stefi Magnetica at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Tulloch Lodge will definitely have Fully Lit in the race but will wait until early in the week to decide if Gerringong is given her chance to run at a third consecutive Royal Randwick meeting.
• ‘Big relief’ for Baker as Stefi Magnetica delivers in Invitation
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Gun young apprentice heads down under
Gun apprentice Jack Callan. Picture: Alan Crowhurst / Getty Images
Jack Callan, the son of Group 1-winning rider Neil, will call Australia home for a few months this summer.
The young apprentice will leave the UK over the winter months and spend time with the Annabel and Rob Archibald stable in Sydney over the summer.
Callan is currently indentured to George Boughey at Newmarket.
Australian stints are common for young English riders with Harry Davies, Dylan Browne-McMonagle and Billy Loughnane all coming to Australia last summer.
Star jockeys James Doyle, William Buick and Tom Marquand have all had longer stints in the southern hemisphere.