Racing enthusiasts are often seen as tough, but emotions are expected to run high when Passion For War competes in Sunday’s Freight Lines Group Esperance Cup (2010m). The gelding, a recent winner, will participate in the Esperance Cup, but without the guidance of his former trainer, Jeff Eeles, who tragically passed away last week after suffering a heart attack in Perth. Eeles, a former jockey and beloved figure in the Esperance racing community, had trained Passion For War to three victories after the horse initially raced under Paul Jordan in Perth.
In a heartfelt tribute, Josh Brown, a close family friend, will saddle up Passion For War for the Esperance Cup, hoping a win will honor Eeles’ memory and preserve his racing legacy. Brown, a young and skilled horseman, admits he’ll carry a heavy heart but finds comfort in the belief that Eeles will be watching over him like a guardian angel. “Jeff was a close friend of the family, and I was the last person to speak to him,” Brown told Racing WA. “He was on his horse when he had the heart attack, and it was a traumatic experience for everyone. The family asked me to take care of the horse so their dad could have one last run in the cup. I agreed without hesitation.”
Brown’s kindness has already brought some solace to the Eeles family. Two weeks ago, during a time of grief, Passion For War defied the odds with a stunning upset win in a lead-up race. As a $71 outsider, the gelding led from start to finish, defeating the highly fancied Uncompromised. Brown hopes for a similar outcome in the Esperance Cup. “When he won that race, Jeff was in ICU, and it was an emotional moment,” Brown recalled. “Jeff was still alive when the race was run, and it felt like a small victory for him.”
Despite the emotional weight, Brown believes Passion For War has a genuine chance in the cup. “Uncompromised is the star of Esperance, and True Chance is also strong, but Passion For War has beaten both,” Brown said. “He’s improved when leading, and he’s proven hard to catch. He’ll be a long shot, but we’re hopeful he can perform well for the family.” Brown also has high hopes for Elite Fighter, another contender in the cup. The consistent six-year-old has two wins and two seconds from five starts at Esperance this season.
Passion For War will start from barrier two with new rider Brandon Louis, while Elite Fighter, priced at $21, will jump from gate four with Brayden Gaerth. Stormageddon, the $1.75 favorite, will be ridden by Clint Johnston-Porter. For more details on betting, visit online betting sites.
