Port Macquarie’s Jenny Graham - back in her second coming as a trainer with just a quintet of horses - admits she’d be lost for words if her two-year-old gelding Royal Exile (King’s Legacy) wins Saturday’s $2 million Inglis Millennium (RL, 1100m) at Randwick.
In fact, she’s already lost for words just thinking about it.
“I wouldn’t even be able to describe it. I really wouldn’t,” Graham told ANZ News. “I guess I think about it and how good that would be. It’d be a wonderful dream.
“Realistically, it’d be a pretty big task, but you can’t win it if you’re not in it.”
Royal Exile, a somewhat accidental $70,000 Inglis Classic buy for Graham, will be one of two sons of Coolmore sire King’s Legacy (Redoute’s Choice) contesting the feature.
The other also packs a punch for lovers of the romance of the turf, in that he’s from the small - though not as small as Graham’s - stable of Randwick-based octogenarian Les Bridge, in the colt Audit.
This pair in fact ran the quinella in a five-runner 1200-metre two-year-old handicap at Wyong’s Saturday metro meeting on January 10, with $21 debutant Audit coming from the back to lead in odds-on favourite Royal Exile by 0.17 lengths.
Despite that finishing order, and the fact Audit has gate 11 for Andrew Adkins and Royal Exile barrier 20 for Sam Clipperton - with both to move in three sans emergencies - bookmakers have Bridge’s chestnut at $61 for Saturday, with Graham’s bay at $18.
“I thought that was odd,” Graham said of the odds. “People must have reasons for it - I don’t really know what they are - but I’m happy enough with my horse.”
Royal Exile pedigree
Show
Royal Exile pedigree
Pedigree information supplied by Arion Pedigrees
Bay Gelding
Foaled in 2023
King's Legacy
Sire
Zanzidance
Dam
Redoute's Choice
Breakfast In Bed
Deep Field
Dance Card
Danehill
Shantha's Choice
Hussonet
Bella Sunday
Northern Meteor
Listen Here
Exceed And Excel
Volcada
Danzig
Canny Lad
Mr. Prospector
Sunday Silence
Encosta De Lago
Elusive Quality
Danehill
Stravinsky
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KING'S LEGACY (AUS) (Bay 2017-Stud 2021). 3 wins at 2, ATC Sires' Produce S., Gr.1. Out of a half-sister to SW Oohood. Sire of 85 rnrs, 31 wnrs, inc. SW Steel Trap (SAJC David Coles AM S., Gr.3), SP Born to Be Royal, Kujenga, Queen's Evidence, Regeneration and of Open Secret, Audit, In Confidence, Royal Mover, Rubens' Ceiling, Shortcut, Royal Exile, Highgrove Rose, La Reine, One True King, Whatalegacy, High Maintenance, Next Legacy, etc. His oldest progeny are 3YOs.
1st dam ZANZIDANCE, by Deep Field. Winner at 1000m in Aust. Half-sister to Rome. Dam of two named foals, both winners- Royal Exile (g by King's Legacy) Winner. See below. Dynamite Dancer (g by Pierata) Winner at 1100m in 2025-26 in Aust.
2nd dam DANCE CARD, by Exceed and Excel. Winner at 2, 2d VRC Victorian Carbine Club 2YO P., 3d VRC Eugene Gorman 2YO P. Half-sister to KAEPERNICK, BLUE HOTEL. Dam of 5 named foals, 4 to race, 3 winners, inc:- Rome (Pierro) 2 wins at 1100m, 1400m, A$154,006, 2d BRC BJ McLachlan S., Gr.3, Canberra RC Black Opal S., Gr.3, 4th ATC Breeders' P., Gr.3. Castle of Cards. Winner at 1000m in 2025-26 in Aust. Zanzidance. Winner. See above. On the Record. Placed at 3 in Aust.
3rd dam VOLCADA, by Stravinsky. 3 wins-2 at 2-at 1000m, 1100m, A$114,150, SAJC Dequetteville S., L, VRC Schweppes Tonic H., 3d MVRC Jayco Caravans 2YO H. Half-sister to Royal Harmony. Dam of 9 named foals, all winners- KAEPERNICK (Fastnet Rock) 8 wins to 1350m, A$817,760, ATC Southern Cross S., Gr.3, Scone RC Ortensia S., L, ATC Choisir H., 12 Days to TAB Everest Sprint H., Drummond Golf H., Rexel H., MVRC Quest Moonee Valley H., 2d NSW Tatt's RC Concorde S., Gr.3, VRC Century S., L, City Tatt's RC Lightning H., L, BRC Hinkler H., L, ATC Tab.com.au H., 3d ATC Shorts H., Gr.2, SAJC DC McKay S., Gr.3, MRC Village S., L, 4th ATC Challenge S., Gr.2, Southern Cross S., Gr.3. BLUE HOTEL (I Am Invincible) Winner at 2 in 2024-25, SAJC Dequetteville S., L. Tango Rock. 4 wins to 1400m, A$125,510, MRC Le Pine Funerals H., 2d MRC Jason Hart H. Radiant Choice. 3 wins-1 at 2-at 1100m, 1400m, A$142,725, ATC TAB Highway H., 2d ATC Tab.com.au H., 3d ATC McGrath Estate Agents NSW H., Clarendon Tavern H., 4th Wyong Magic Millions 2YO Classic, RL. Loving Vibes. Winner at 1200m, HK$2,152,800, in 2024-25, HKJC Yeongcheon H., 2d HKJC Po Leung Kuk Gala Spectacular H., Po Tin H., Plantation H., Hong Kong Golf Club Centenary Cup, 3d HKJC Tai Lam H., Cochrane H., Indian Recreation Club Challenge Cup. Drop the Verse. 2 wins at 1000m, 3d MVRC MSC Signs H. Roadtoplatinum. Winner at 1200m, 3d WRC Recite 2YO Cup. Dam of- Thunderstrike. Winner at 1200m, HKJC Tin Ha Shan H., 2d HKJC Heron H., Shui Chuen O H., 3d HKJC Bedford H., Chevalier Construction H., Tate's Cairn H. Dance Card. Winner. See above. Jet Pack. 4 wins-1 at 2-at 1100m, 1200m, A$88,690 in Aust.
4th dam
RHYTHM KINGDOM, by Vice Regal. 7 wins-3 at 2-to 1500m, A$180,738, AJC
Manchester Unity H., Rex White H., STC Castrol Southern Cross Final, Coolabah Series
H., Castrol GTX H., Dow Corning Silicone H., 2d STC Tooheys Hunter Old Series H.,
Deauville H., 3d STC Round Table H., Ansett Australia Welter H., 4th Gosford
Classic, L. Half-sister to IDEAL PLANET, Dashing Soltaire,
VOLCADA (Stravinsky) 3 wins. See above. Royal Harmony (Marscay) 3 wins to 1550m, AJC Fred Archer H., STC Petersen's Champagne H., Lidcombe H., 2d AJC James HB Carr S., L, Widden S., L, STC Bed of Roses H., Just For Fun 2YO H., Springwood 2YO H., 3d AJC Adriatic H., STC Parramatta Leagues Club H., Enfield 2YO H. Dam of- Our Bullbaa - Dragon King (Mac.) (Anabaa) 2 wins at 1600m, 2000m, A$76,450, M$49,500, MRC Burberry H., 2d Tasmanian Derby, Gr.3, VRC Hilton Nicholas 2YO H., VATC Coal Pak H., Springvale H., 3d MRC Select H., VRC Portland Player 3YO H., Hobson's Bay 2YO H. Ideal Harmony. Winner at 2, 3d STC Investment Services Pty Ltd H. Dam of- Dashoff. Winner at 1100m in Aust. Dam of- SPRIGHT (Hinchinbrook) 6 wins at 1100m, 1200m, A$1,395,595, SAJC Robert Sangster S., Gr.1, VRC Crown Resorts P., Gr.3, ATC Star Kingdom H., Gr.3, Qld Tatt's RC WJ Healy S., Gr.3, City Tatt's RC Brian Crowley S., L, ATC Chifley Financial Services P., 2d MVRC William Reid S., Gr.1, ATC Wenona Girl H., Gr.3, Wellington Boot 2YO P., 3d SAJC Goodwood H., Gr.1, MVRC AJ Moir S., Gr.1, ATC Light Fingers S., Gr.2, Percy Sykes S., Gr.3, Scone RC Inglis 3YO Guineas, RL, ATC Lonhro P., L, Peter Svendsen 2YO H., 4th BRC Stradbroke H., Gr.1, MVRC Manikato S., Gr.1, ATC Arrowfield 3YO Sprint S., Gr.2. Producer. Mine Two (I Am Invincible) Winner at 2, A$128,850, ATC TAB Betting Season 2YO P., 2d ATC Primo Moraitis 2YO P., 3d ATC Schweppervescence H., Gr.3, 4th ATC Reisling S., Gr.2. Producer. Bracing Rhythm. 7 wins from 1200m to 1600m, A$115,450, AJC Hunts Motel H., Billiards & Snooker Welter H., STC Parkroyal Parramatta Series H., Fastway Couriers H., 2d AJC Botany H., 3d AJC Qantas Phil Waugh Flying Welter H., Princesses Welcome Welter H., Spring Games Festival H., Country Link Kitchens H., 4th STC Lord Mayor's Cup, L. Space Dancer. 5 wins from 1400m to 2000m, SAJC Carlton Draught H., 2d SAJC Blue Gum Farm H., 3d SAJC Distinctive Homes H. Duke Ellington. 2 wins at 1400m, 1800m, WATC Tabtouch Supporting WA Racing H., 2d WATC Free Entry on WA Day H.
5th dam
IDEAL IMAGE, by Vain. Raced twice. Three-quarter-sister to NOTED,
IDEAL PLANET (Planet Kingdom) Second on The 1981-82 Australasian 3YO Classification (1300m-2000m). 9 wins to 1400m, A$219,320, BATC Doomben Hundred Thousand, Gr.1, Qld Tatt's RC WJ Healy S., L, AJC Lachie Melville H., Tom Street Welter H., Sam Hordern H., STC Baguette Welter H., 2d VRC Newmarket H., Gr.1, AJC Galaxy H., Gr.2, MVRC William Reid S., Gr.2, QTC Lightning H., Gr.3, STC Sir Robert Askin Cup, Gr.3, AJC San Domenico S., L, 3d AJC All-Aged S., Gr.1, QTC Katies Cup, Gr.3. Sire. Dashing Soltaire (Boucher) 8 wins-2 at 2-to 1500m, A$84,855, AJC Vaucluse H., 2d Illawarra TC Brambles Classic H., L, 3d STC Peter Pan S., Gr.2. Ideal Gem. Winner at 1000m in Aust. Dam of- WINTER SHOW (Lunchtime) 7 wins-1 at 2-at 1000m, 1200m, WATC Beaufine H., L, 2d WATC Summer S., L. Sovereign View. Raced once. Dam of- Royal Remedy. 2 wins at 1300m in NZ. Dam of- BURBERO (O'Reilly) 13 wins from 1150m to 1600m, NZ$5,625, A$700,845, ATC Ajax S., Gr.2, Missile S., Gr.2, TAB Rewards H., TAB Rewards Mile H., McGrath Estate Agents H., Phillip Hughes Tribute H., 2d ATC Parramatta Cup, L, Canberra Cup, L.
Race Record: 2 Starts 1-1-0 A$44,200. Winner at 2 in 2025-26, 2d Wyong RC Mercure Kooindah Waters 2YO H. |
Graham has had big city successes, most notably with Victorem (I Am Invincible) taking Randwick’s Country Championships Final (1400m) in 2018 - when it was “only” worth $600,000, short of the $1 million it carries now - plus a Group 2 and two Listeds in Brisbane.
But she is eminently happy staying in Port Macquarie, where she’s part of the town’s most famous racing family. One daughter, Melinda Turner, is an ex-jockey turned presenter on Sky, while another, Angela Graham, is a former trainer who now works with her mother.
Former brother-in-law Peter Graham is a famed country jockey, now also with a trainer’s licence, while his daughter Cejay has forged a surging career in the saddle in Brisbane.
Jenny had built herself up to become one of rural NSW’s most recognisable trainers, with her 16-box stable always full, and with many country features coming her way.
But she quit all of that and sold up in 2023 to care for her elderly father Jack Avery. After he moved into a care home, Graham found the lure of horses irresistible, though in a far smaller fashion than before.
“I don’t want to go back into full-time training again. It’s now more of a hobby,” she said. “I’ve bought another truck and bought all the gear, but it’s all just enough for four or so horses. Hopefully they can run a bit, and I can just poke around with them and have some fun.”
Graham ventured to Inglis Classic last year hoping to restart her stable. She bought the colt who turned out to be the gelding Royal Exile, bred by NSW’s Orpheo PL and offered by Ridgmont, but it perhaps wasn’t the most deliberate of purchases.
“He always looked like he was going somewhere - he always had a bit of purpose about where he was going
“I didn’t know much about him, to be honest,” said Graham, who’d gone with a friend, Gosford-based trainer Angela Davies.
“Ange was looking at another horse in the same draft, by Capitalist, and then this horse [Royal Exile] came out at the same time. Someone else was looking at him, but I thought, ‘Geez - that’s a nice horse’.”
While Davies would buy the Capitalist colt for $60,000 - he’s still preparing for his first start - Graham moved fast to arrange an inspection of the other one.
“He wasn’t an overly big horse, just nice and compact, but I thought he was just a nice moving horse. He always looked like he was going somewhere - he always had a bit of purpose about where he was going,” said Graham, who ran a sideline in breaking during her earlier training career.
“The breaking experience does help when looking at yearlings. I look at a lot of them for their body language. How they are around the place is usually a sign of how they’re going to be in their racing.
“I sent him to Matt Vella at Hawkesbury to break him in. He said he was good to deal with, though he could be a little bit tricky with shying occasionally, but he’s been straightforward since I’ve had him. He does everything right and doesn’t need any gear.”
Royal Exile’s dam and second dam managed only a 1000-metre maiden win each, at Hawkesbury and Bairnsdale respectively. But third dam Volcada (Stravinsky) won an Adelaide Listed race and threw dual stakes-winning gelding Kaepernick (Fastnet Rock) - not that bloodlines have been a huge issue for Graham.
“I’m not really into pedigrees, mainly because I’ve got to get around what I can afford,” she said. “I didn’t so much look at the King’s Legacy aspect of it. I look a bit more on type, and something that I like, rather than a strong pedigree.
“But I’m a big fan of the Classic sale. I’ve bought a few horses there and had a bit of luck. It’s common knowledge that you can pay reasonable money there and a lot of times end up with quite a good horse.
“I’ll be going back to Classic next week. I’m not sure if I’ll buy anything, but I’ll be having a look.”
Graham also paid $30,000 at last year’s sale for a Captivant (Capitalist) colt from Mullaglass Stud’s draft. He’s now the gelding Vantorix, who won at Taree in November in his only start so far.
Royal Exile repeated that trick on debut, winning at Taree by 0.67 lengths two days before Christmas.
Both horses are raced by large groups of mostly long-term clients of Graham’s, with her daughters also in the ownership.
They are also often ridden in their work by Graham’s friend and fellow trainer Paul Snowden, who relocated to Port Macquarie after his split from father and training partner Peter in 2024. While the track has no pool, and the town’s beaches are usually too populated by dogs to make it safe for thoroughbreds, Graham likes to vary her horses’ preparations by taking them to Snowden’s property to wade chest-deep in a creek.
Vantorix and Royal Exile have been Graham’s only starters since she resumed training, giving her two wins and a narrow second for a neat 66.66 per cent winning ratio.
“It’s common knowledge that you can pay reasonable money there and a lot of times end up with quite a good horse
Royal Exile will have to clear a major class rise if he’s to make it 75 per cent.
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott’s Golden Gift (1100m) third Plagiarism (Written By) heads the Millennium market at $5.50, with Blue Diamond Preview (Listed, 1000m) hero Alibaba (Alabama Express) and Team Hayes’s 5.75 length Seymour debut winning filly Jacaranda (Home Affairs) at $7.
Team Munce’s last start Sunshine Coast victor Star Of Jamaica (Profiteer) is at $8, while Ciaron Maher’s Inglis Banner (RL, 1000m) queen Calamari Ring (Street Boss) is at $8.50.
But Graham believes that narrow Wyong second of Royal Exile’s was strong enough to suggest he has a chance on Saturday, even having drawn an out-of-towner’s gate, albeit in a one-turn affair.
“I was happy enough with his Wyong run, but I would’ve liked a bit more speed on. He sat outside the leader and it didn’t really suit him,” she said. “But I was happy enough, he’s pulled up well from it, and his last piece of work [on Tuesday] with Paul riding him was good.
“The Millennium will be high pressure, so there will be speed, so that’s good. I’m happy enough with how the horse is going into the race, but we have drawn awkwardly.
“He’ll have to go back. I don’t want to dig him hard to push up on the speed. If we can be midfield or a little bit worse, just try to settle and get in a rhythm, and if he gets a nice run in transit and relaxes and gets carted into the race, I know he’s got a nice finish.”
Victory for Royal Exile - or Audit - would bring a welcome boost for King’s Legacy, whose $1.4 million yearling purchase by bloodstock behemoth James Harron paid off with the ATC Sires’ Produce (Gr 1, 1400m) and Champagne Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) double and a stud career.
The Coolmore stallion has 31 winners from 85 runners with two crops running, but only one stakes victor so far in Steel Trap, who took Adelaide’s David Coles Stakes (Gr 3, 1200m) last season.
The eight-year-old King’s Legacy covered 62 mares in his fifth season at stud last spring at $16,500, down from 113 at $22,000 the year before, after starting with 213 at $33,000 in 2021.











