Off the back of The Chosen One’s win in the Gr.1 Harcourts Thorndon Mile, we caught up with Aleisha Legg, travelling foreperson for Baker/Forsman Racing and strapper of The Chosen One (affectionally known as ‘Glizty’).

Does The Chosen One have a stable name?

The Chosen Ones stable name is Glitzy, named after his mum (The Glitzy One). It’s not very original, but it stuck when he was a yearling.

What’s he like around the stable? Any quirks?

Glitzy likes his own space and to be left alone as much as possible, he doesn't like getting fussed over (unless you bring a carrot!) For a 6-year-old stallion, he's super easy to have around the stable!

A HUGE congratulations on The Chosen One's win in the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile on Saturday. How were the nerves pre-race?

Thank you! I started getting nervous on Thursday after his final bit of work. It's probably the most nervous I’ve ever been before any of his races!

The Chosen One and Matt Cameron, moments after winning the Gr.1 Harcourts Thorndon Mile.

Do you have any pre-race rituals/ superstitions?

He wears a lucky halter but other than that no, just to keep things as calm and relaxed as possible on race day.

How did it feel watching him join the Group 1 winners’ club?

Watching him get his G1 was a roller coaster of emotions! A few happy tears but mostly relief that he finally got his well-deserved Group 1.

How did you celebrate?

I left the celebrating to the owners! We travelled home on Saturday night, so we got home at 2am. We went out for a nice dinner on Sunday night but no wild celebration, yet!

Yourself and Glitzy have notched up a few frequent flyer miles together! Tell us about that.

We've done a lot of travelling together - 7 trips so far! He's amazing to take away, nothing worries him and he's super easy to have around. He tries so hard every time he goes away, he's done us all very proud!

They say there is an unspoken bond you create with those you travel with (quote: Kristen Sarah!). How has travelling with Glitzy impacted your bond with him?

Travelling with Glitzy has made our bond even more special! He was always a special horse to me because I rode and strapped his mother. He's my best friend, I've spent more time with him in the last 4 years than any family or friends.

In your eyes, what makes Glitzy so special?

I think the thing that makes Glitzy so special is how tough he is and how consistently hard he tries!

“He's done us all very proud!”