Eye Keep Smiling driven by Luke McCarthy to Group 3 Glory at Menangle.
Success Stud has earned an enviable reputation for the preparation and presentation of yearlings at the annual sales conducted throughout Australasia. This reputation has led to numerous repeat clients and buyers, as well as awards, top-priced yearlings, and race winners.
Ideally located between Sydney and Melbourne, the Young-based property is in the heart of Riverina horse country.
From the hallowed grounds of Success Stud, true champions emerge, none more captivating than a bay mare named Eye Keep Smiling. In the thrilling world of harness racing, where raw power meets strategic brilliance, a bay mare named Eye Keep Smiling has carved out a legend for herself. Foaled on September 30, 2019, this Standardbred phenom, a daughter of Sweet Lou (USA) and Oh Eye See (AUS), was destined for greatness, carrying a unique legacy within her very name.
Her owner, Jackie Gibson, a woman with a deep affection for her equine athletes, had a special tradition. The “Eye” in her horses’ names harked back to her very first racehorse, “Two Eye See,” a gallant soul who, despite having only one eye, had captured her heart. This quirky tribute became a hallmark of Success Stud Pty Ltd’s breeding line, a silent promise of heart and resilience.
Under the expert tutelage of trainer L.A. McCarthy, better known as Luke, Eye Keep Smiling quickly proved herself a force to be reckoned with. Her career record reads like a dream: an astounding 25 wins and 5 placings from just 33 starts. That’s a staggering 69% win rate and an 83% placing rate, statistics that speak volumes about her consistent brilliance. Over $650,000 in prize money has flowed into her coffers, a testament to her dominance on the track.
McCarthy; her regular driver, often speaks of her tenacity with a reverent tone, proclaiming, “She never gives up and she tries so hard.” He considers her among the finest mares he’s ever had the privilege to drive.
A prime example of this unwavering will came in May 2025, during the prestigious Group 1 $200,000 Prydes Easifeed Queen Elizabeth II Mile at Menangle Park. The race was a brutal test, with Eye Keep Smiling often racing wide without cover, exposed to the elements and the relentless pace. Yet, with every stride, she dug deeper, her powerful legs churning, refusing to yield. In a breathtaking display of endurance, she out-lasted her rivals, crossing the finish line victorious, a champion forged in fire.
Her versatility is another feather in her cap. She’s conquered tracks over a range of distances, from the blistering 1609m sprint to the gruelling 2270m staying tests, proving that no challenge is too great for her.
The year 2024 brought another significant milestone. Eye Keep Smiling etched her name in history as the first mare to qualify for the colossal $2.1 million TAB Eureka the world’s richest harness race. It was a statement of intent, a bold declaration that she aimed to follow in the hoof-prints of the previous year’s mare champion, Encipher.
As of mid-June 2025, Eye Keep Smiling continues her reign of terror on the track. Her recent form has been nothing short of phenomenal:
• June 7, 2025: 1st at Menangle (1609m)
• May 10, 2025: 1st in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth II Mile at Menangle (1609m) – the race where her toughness truly shone!
• May 3, 2025: 1st in a Group 3 at Menangle (1609m)
• April 19, 2025: 1st in the Riverina Paceway Championship (2270m)
• April 15, 2025: 1st at Riverina Paceway (2270m).
The story of Eye Keep Smiling isn’t just one of a champion trotter; she’s the embodiment of courage, a testament to the power of unwavering spirit. With every stride, she seems to whisper the words of her name-sake, reminding everyone to, indeed, “Keep Smiling,” even when the race is at its toughest. As long as she thunders down the track, which will be for a long while yet, the harness racing world will be watching, captivated by the legend of the mare with the unyielding heart.
-Tully Potts
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