A seven-year-old racehorse named Haaland made a remarkable comeback by winning a race after a long dry spell. Trained in Australia, Haaland shares his name with Manchester City’s star striker, Erling Haaland. Despite not matching the scoring frequency of the Premier League player, Haaland achieved a significant milestone by clinching his first victory at a metropolitan track in Sandown-Hillside, Victoria.
With a track record of two wins, six seconds, and four thirds from 22 career starts, Haaland ended an 800-day winless streak by triumphing in a £25,000 handicap race under jockey and trainer Lucinda Boyd. Boyd, wearing a distinctive green and white-chequered visor, guided Haaland to victory by a neck, marking her 118th win as a jockey and the tenth since obtaining a training license.
The emotional celebration in the winners’ circle included Boyd and her husband Anthony, who co-manage their Ballarat stable. Reflecting on the win, Lucinda expressed her joy for Haaland’s deserving victory, emphasizing the hard work put in by their small team. She revealed that Haaland had overcome serious health challenges, including atrial fibrillation and a heart attack, making his victory even more remarkable.
Lucinda’s dedication to Haaland’s recovery and training paid off, showcasing the resilience and determination of both the horse and the team behind his success. The triumphant win in town signified a significant achievement for Haaland, who had defied the odds to return to the winner’s circle.