Gringotts has prevailed in a dramatic George Ryder Stakes, narrowly defeating Fangirl and Ceolwulf to secure his first Group 1 win and announce himself as a serious contender for the Doncaster Mile.

Trained by Ciaron Maher, Gringotts ($6) was the only runner in Saturday’s high-class 11-horse field without a Group 1 victory, but under a determined ride from jockey Tommy Berry, the progressive gelding dug deep to edge out Fangirl ($5) by a nose, with Ceolwulf ($3.90 equal betting favourite) another nose away in third.

After securing wins in the $3 million Big Dance and $1 million The Gong last spring, Maher always believed Gringotts had the potential to break through at Group 1 level.

Following an impressive third first-up in the Group 3 Liverpool City Cup (1300m), he stepped up again to claim Saturday’s George Ryder Stakes.

“He’s been building, and he’s onto the Doncaster next,” Maher said.

“I think he blew the clock up over the last 600m last start. Stepping up in trip today was ideal. You could feel he was building.

“Fangirl was obviously very hard to beat, she always is, but that was fantastic.”

The win was also a significant moment for Berry, who landed his first Group 1 victory since the spring of 2022.

After serving a disqualification in 2023 and suffering a neck and shoulder injury in a fall at Randwick in January, Berry had doubts about making it back in time for the autumn carnival.

However, he returned to the saddle late last month and was ecstatic to land a major win on Gringotts, a horse he partnered throughout last spring.

“It’s felt like a long road back here, and with the injury, I didn’t think I was going to be back for this carnival,” Berry said.

“So it’s just so good to be back.

“I’ve had a lot of faith in this horse.

“His first-up run was massive under the big weight and it’s like he toys with them. He hits a bit of a flat spot around the 100m mark and when they come to him, he responds. Gee, that’s a good feeling.”

Berry was initially unsure whether Gringotts had held off his challengers at the finish.

“The barrier boys told me around the back straight that I’d got there,” Berry said.

“It’s not a good feeling when you’ve got to wait another two-and-a-half furlongs to know if you’ve won. But it was well worth the wait.”

Berry is now looking forward to riding Gringotts in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick in two weeks.

Gringotts carries 55.5kg in the Doncaster and is now the equal favourite at $6, alongside Randwick Guineas winner Linebacker.