xosphere is a colt made for big superlatives. He stands close to 16.3hh measured at the top of his impressive shoulder, weighs 600kg and gives Godolphin trainer John O’shea the largest of smiles. Even in name this brown racing machine indicates a sense of sizable proportions – the exosphere is described as the highest region of our Earth’s atmosphere, 10,000 km above the surface. He presents as a journalist’s dream headline, and all that was needed to complete this package was racing talent.
The big horse delivers.
Emerging as a serious 2yo prospect for the stable despite a large, incomplete frame, Exosphere was at the races by November 2014 following an impressive win at the early season trials.
He ran an inglorious last to $81 pop Single Gaze at Rosehill but pulled up distressed as the $1.65 favourite. He was immediately spelled.
Returning in early 2015 at Kembla Grange, in a maiden that John O’shea described as the “only option”, he hinted at his talent with a commanding win. Two weeks later he became second favourite for the Golden Slipper with an explosive win in the Skyline Stakes at Warwick Farm. Only Gai’s Vancouver stood between him and the ‘holy grail’ for 2yos.
The colt possess an incredible attitude. He is stable-pony relaxed and remains unfazed by the commotion of race days. He lopes around at the tie up stalls and dozes in his box, easily befitting the tried stereotype of the gentle giant.
But his enormous size and long stride meant at just two years of age and still maturing, Exosphere was not indestructible come Slipper day.
THE XO FACTOR
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