James Ponsonby Racing

13/01/2026

JAMES Ponsonby didn’t have to spend like a “drunken sailor” to secure a nicely bred unraced three-year-old online two years ago.Named Drunken Sailor, the son of Cox Plate winner Ocean Park had fetched $220,000 as a yearling in New Zealand – but hadn’t faced the starter when he was put up f...

01/11/2025

FOUR PILLARS MIDWAY ~ PHILIPSBURG

We don’t usually celebrate a third place but today was good. This horse is always underestimated and always performs. Such a great horse for our stable and his owners.

Jockey Winona Costin rode him to perfection!
❤️💛🐎

28/10/2025

Thank you John Curtis for speaking with me. We’re so pleased to share this win with our family. ❤️💛🐎

JAMES Ponsonby was prepared to “take a punt” when he noticed an unraced three-year-old by Cox Plate winner Ocean Park listed for sale through Inglis Digital in January last year.

Named Drunken Sailor, he had fetched $220,000 when sold as a yearling in New Zealand.

At Queanbeyan on Monday, Drunken Sailor clinched his fourth victory for his Hawkesbury Race Club Limited trainer & boosted his earnings to nearly $100,000.

Not bad at all when it is considered Ponsonby purchased him for only $1250. Read more 👇 📸 Bradley_Photos https://www.provincialracingnsw.com.au/post/sailor-s-rivals-left-with-wobbly-boots

30/09/2025

IT’S not often you get an instant return on a horse you’ve had for only three weeks!

But that was certainly the case when Hawkesbury Race Club Limited trainer James Ponsonby took his new acquisition Super Groovey to Wagga today.

Ridden by Jason Lyon, the four-year-old mare broke through in the Maiden Plate (1600m) to give the trainer his first winner of the season, and earned a $13,950 dividend.

An $85,000 yearling buy in New Zealand, Super Groovey had six starts in Victoria without placing. Read more 👇 https://www.provincialracingnsw.com.au/post/ponsonby-gets-instant-return-on-new-buy?referral=business-feed

29/09/2025

Thank you NSW Country and Picnic Racing and Dusty Hooves Media ❤️💛

29/09/2025

WINNER ~ SUPER GROOVEY

Race 1 ~ SPECSAVERS WAGGA WAGGA MAIDEN PLATE (1600 METRES)

First start for the stable. The awful barrier was a blessing with the mare being able to sit outside the leader comfortably. Pulling away, we may see her travelling over further at her next start.

❤️💛🐎

18/06/2025

We’re heading to the sunshine state this weekend ☀️

IT’S a week later than planned, but James Ponsonby is off to Brisbane again this weekend chasing another victory with Queensland specialist Philipsburg.

Saturday’s $250,000 Listed Ipswich Cup (2150m) is the Race Club Limited trainer’s target with his seven-year-old gelding.

Ponsonby initially had last Saturday’s $400,000 Group 2 Brisbane Cup (3200m) at Eagle Farm – won by Sydney stayer Campaldino, who made it four wins on end – in mind, but a paddock mishap put paid to those thoughts. Read more 👇 📸 https://www.provincialracingnsw.com.au/post/ponsonby-ready-for-another-queensland-mission-with-gelding

03/06/2025

Keryn thinks that WILL TO EXCEL is up to another Jericho Cup but it is a while off. After considering retirement, Willys track work has been excellent and despite a high weight, he displayed yesterday that he’s still staying a trip. Thank you John Curtis for the write up.

❤️💛🐎

WILL To Excel has already contested three Jericho Cups and a Consolation of the marathon Warrnambool feature as well.And his Hawkesbury trainer James Ponsonby has another crack in mind with the “old boy” (he’s rising 10 years of age) later in the year following his victory under 61kg topweight...

02/06/2025

WINNER ~ WILL TO EXCEL

WARREN STAYERS HANDICAP BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (2400 METRES)

The speed was on and a perfect ride by Jake Pracey-Holmes combined to give WILL TO EXCEL his 7th win and at the Randwick of the West nonetheless. Our first runner at Warren.

Congratulations to his owners, Mrs K L Ponsonby, Mr J Ingram, Mr J A Smart who receive something extra with the BOBS extra bonus. ❤️💛🐎

23/05/2025

We are so blessed with this and his ownership group. ❤️💛🐎

A $20,000 online purchase who won't go down in the annals of the all-time greats but has already earned more than $600,000 prizemoney just might be one of racing's best advertisements.