Jason Attard's Sons of John accepted for Epsom Stakes

The group 1 race has a prize pool of $1 million and has naturally attracted some of the best gallopers in the country.

The acceptances were announced at 9am on Wednesday, September 30.

The race will be at Royal Randwick on Saturday, October 3.

Before the nominations were announced, Attard spoke to the Gazette about Sons of John's chances of being accepted.

He said he was confident Sons of John would be accepted, but said he would just have to wait and see what happened. 

‘‘I am really happy with his [Sons of John] progress since his last race, which was phenomenal. ‘‘His progress couldn’t be any more pleasing,’’ he said.

On Thursday, September 24, another of Attards gallopers had success.

Attard said he was not sure he had ever seen a race with as close a finish as the one his charge Haymate won at the Hawkesbury Race Club.

Haymate beat out Chris Waller’s Bleiler by a centimetre at best to claim the first win of its career.

The four year old gelding has had a promising start to its career.

Over four races it has finishes of second, fourth, third and now first.

Attard said it was an impressive first win for the gelding, which ran in a 1500-metre maiden handicap.

‘‘I definitely see a big future for him, there was plenty of merit in the win,’’ he said.

‘‘He carried top weight, he had a terrible barrier, and he was the only horse on the day to face the breeze all the way round, and still won.

‘‘It was the first win for the owners with this new stable and their first provincial winner, so it was a pretty good day.’’

Attard said he saw a bright future for Haymate, who he thinks will be best suited over 2000-metres.

‘‘He has been building confidence for us every start,’’ he said.

‘‘We’re getting to know how he likes to be ridden, and building his confidence up for the future.

‘‘The owners are great owners, and it was great to get the monkey off the back and great to get the first win for the stable. Hopefully there are more wins in store for him.’’