Tag Archive for: ed walker

Makarova magic seals Abbaye success

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Makarova led a British domination with a winning swansong performance in the Prix de l’Abbaye Longines at ParisLongchamp.

Ridden by Tom Marquand and trained by Ed Walker, Makarova was settled in the chasing pack as favourite Bradsell and Desperate Hero traded blows at the front end of the five-furlong sprint.

It looked as though Bradsell might seal another Group One triumph entering the final furlong, but Makarova was making ground down the outside and swept through to win going away.

Bradsell just held on for second from the fast-finishing Believing, with Desperate Hero fourth and No Half Measures fifth, with all those runners hailing from British yards.

“She’s the forgotten filly, Makarova, she’s only rated 105 by the British handicapper and that’s Listed level – but she’s Group One-placed, Group Two-placed and a Group Three winner,” said Walker.

“She’s always been slightly underestimated by the punters, she’s always a big price. Having finished third in a Group One last time out she was 16-1 today.

“She’s always been the underdog but she’s very consistent, she doesn’t do a lot wrong, especially when she gets conditions like this.

“We were a lot more confident in our camp than the odds would have suggested, she put in a career-best effort last time and probably upped it again today.

“That is the last run of her career, I’m pretty confident. Jeff (Hobby, owner) and I will discuss it but she owes us nothing, that was the last roll of the dice.

“Everything came right so I think that will probably be it.”

Marquand said: “Everything went perfect on her. To be frank, as soon as I tacked onto the back of Bradsell, she began to travel.

Makarova and connections at ParisLongchamp (Ashley Iveson/PA)

“I knew we were live, they hadn’t gone that quick so it was just whether we had that bit of speed but I think that ground was probably slow enough to take the sting out of them and let her stamina come into play.

“I’m just thrilled for the owners as she is obviously homebred and Ed has had her from day one as well – it’s brilliant. Everything came together beautifully today and it’s seemed to the last couple of weeks.

“Whenever someone has said a horse is going to retire, they come out and win. I’m thrilled for them.”

Of defeating Bradsell, and therefore relegating his wife, fellow jockey Hollie Doyle, into second place, Marquand added: “They’ve clashed loads of times, it’s the inevitability of us both being fortunate enough to ride in Group Ones.

“Unfortunately there can only be one winner of every race. It’s part of the job and whilst I’m sure she’ll be disappointed Bradsell hasn’t won, she’ll be pleased too for me.”

Doyle, who has ridden Bradsell in all but one of his starts, said: “He’s run a huge race, jumped, travelled, I got to where I wanted to be.

“It just probably blunted his turn of foot (the going), when I push the button on quick ground he’s away.

“I had to fight hard to get past the two on my inside, had those covered and got away from them and then unfortunately a mudlark has come for me late. I thought it was a great performance considering.”

Archie Watson, Bradsell’s trainer, said: “He’s done nothing wrong, Hollie just felt whilst he went well on the ground, he went well enough on it to beat the others, he was a bit vulnerable late to a closer.

“I couldn’t be happier with him, he’s run a massive race. I’m delighted for Ed with that filly, she deserved a Group One.”

Bradsell could now head to the Breeders' Cup
Bradsell could now head to the Breeders’ Cup (Mike Egerton/PA)

Of next steps Watson added: “I’ve always thought the turning, quick five furlongs over there (at the Breeders’ Cup) would really suit. We’ll get him home and see if we’re happy with him, that’ll be the plan as long as everyone’s happy.”

Billy Loughnane partnered the George Boughey-trained Believing and he felt the ground may have gone against her.

He said: “The race was incredibly tough. Believing ran really well after a good start. But she wasn’t travelling fast enough and so she got a bit outpaced. So we lost ground.

“She’s capable of handling soft ground, but, on good ground, she’s even better. She’s a star, a wonderful mare.”



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Walker hoping English Oak can leave Ascot rivals trailing

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English Oak returns to the scene of his finest hour looking to regain the winning thread in Ascot’s John Guest Racing Bengough Stakes on Saturday.

Ed Walker’s four-year-old won the Buckingham Palace Stakes in the summer, while his only other appearance at the Berkshire venue saw him narrowly denied by Rohaan in handicap company on this very card 12 months ago.

That came over six furlongs – the distance he reverts to here after testing his mettle in stakes company since his triumph at the Royal meeting.

The highest rated of the nine facing the starter, connections are confident he can continue his Ascot love affair in this end-of-season Group Three.

“He’s coming back to six furlongs and I thought he didn’t 100 per cent get home at Newbury last time. He’s showing plenty of speed, so we just wanted to try the stiff six at Ascot with him,” said Richard Brown, racing adviser for owners Wathnan Racing.

“He ran very well on his last start last year over the course and distance and we are looking forward to seeing him go back to Ascot.

“I think there is no doubt Ascot is quite a specialist track and he has run there twice and won the Buckingham Palace very impressively and ran a big race behind Rohaan. I’m hoping we can see a similar performance now he’s back there.”

Another course specialist is Owen Burrows’ Jarraaf, who bids for a course-and-distance hat-trick stepping out of handicap company following some commanding victories of late, while Charlie Fellowes’ Vadream won this event in 2021 before going close after trouble in running 12 months ago.

A top-level operator on testing ground, her handler has been encouraged by the rainfall earlier in the week and is eager to draw a line through her most recent effort down at the minimum trip in the Flying Five Stakes.

“She won the race a couple of years ago and ran a cracker in it last year, she loves Ascot and hopefully she can run a big race,” said Fellowes.

“The run at the Curragh last time, it just wasn’t soft enough. They had a bit of rain beforehand, but it just wasn’t anywhere near soft enough over five furlongs and she just never got into it. This will be much more up her street.

“I don’t mind conditions over six furlongs and when she ran well in the Haydock Sprint Cup it was only good to soft – it is over five furlongs where she could do with it bottomless.”

Andrew Balding’s Purosangue was a neck second to Stuart Williams’ Quinault at York when last seen and is another to perform favourably at this venue, while Karl Burke’s consistent Korker was just behind Purosangue on the Knavesmire before also placing in the Spigot Lodge handler’s Ayr Gold Cup domination last month.

Adaay In Devon has been kept very busy by Rod Millman this term and has some smart form figures to her name, while useful handicappers Wiltshire (William Haggas), Apollo One (Peter Charalambous and James Clutterbuck) and Russet Gold (Roger Varian) complete the line-up.



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Angelo Buonarroti begins to justify hefty price tag

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Angelo Buonarroti went some way to recouping his seven-figure purchase price with a determined victory in the British Stallion Studs EBF Convivial Maiden Stakes at York.

The chestnut son of American Triple Crown hero Justify cost Kia Joorabchian’s Amo Racing operation €1,000,000 at the Arqana Breeze-Up sale in May and was thrown in at the deep end when making his competitive debut in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Having shaped with promise in being beaten just three lengths into ninth place, Angelo Buonarroti was a 2-1 favourite to come out on top in a maiden with a huge prize fund of £100,000 on the Knavesmire and knuckled down well under a positive ride from David Egan to score by a length and a quarter.

The winner was making his first start for Ralph Beckett after moving from Raphael Freire’s yard since his Royal Ascot outing.

“I was kind of lucky, as he got a stone bruise before the maiden at Goodwood he was supposed to run in and I had to scratch him. The extra time probably was a positive and the track suited him better than Goodwood would have done,” said Beckett.

“He’s a good horse, we kind of knew that already, it just depends on how far we go now.

“He could go a mile this year, I think it will be within his scope, but I don’t know whether he needs to yet.

“I don’t know if we’ll go straight into a Group race, we might go for the Flying Scotsman (Listed race at Doncaster) and work our way up. It just depends on how we feel.”

James Doyle got the fractions spot on as he came with a late run aboard Shadow Dance to win the opening Sky Bet Handicap.

The four-year-old had disappointed on his first run since being gelded at Royal Ascot, but bounced back to run well at Ripon last time out when touched off by Ebor contender Iron Lion.

A 6-1 shot for his latest assignment, Roger Varian’s charge dug deep to beat Lieber Power by a neck.

“Winners at the biggest meetings is what it’s all about. He’s a homebred and he’s a lovely horse. He’s got a big heart and a lot of stamina, and he needed every inch of the trip today,” said Varian.

“We came into the year very hopeful with this horse, he didn’t have a great spring and I ran him at Royal Ascot in the Duke of Edinburgh, he wasn’t quite right that day.

“But the run at Ripon was a step in the right direction, and he should go on and have a good autumn.”

Ed Walker continued his brilliant week in North Yorkshire by landing the Assured Data Protection EBF Fillies’ Handicap with Canoodled.

The six-year-old was stepping up to a mile and a quarter for the first time on the Knavesmire and it seemed to do the trick as the 25-1 shot won by a length and a half under Billy Loughnane.

Walker, recording his third winner of this year’s Ebor Festival following a double on Thursday, said of his latest success: “It was amazing, a real pleasant surprise. She’s a funny filly, she’s quirky and a bit of rain last night helped. She was going up in trip and she jumped, so it’s great.

“We will try and get some black type in the autumn with her, like we did last year.

“We’ve had an amazing couple of days, it’s sort of pinch yourself stuff really. It is one of the hardest meetings in the world, so it’s amazing.”

Treasure Time finished with a flourish to provide proud Yorkshireman William Haggas with a birthday winner in the concluding Sky Bet Mile Handicap.

Volterra and Mount Teide were the two to the fore as the race heated up inside the final two furlongs, but Tom Marquand decided to play his cards late aboard 13-2 shot Treasure Time and it paid off, with the three-year-old powering home to get up and beat the former by a length.

Haggas, opening his account for the week on his 64th birthday, said: “I felt he had a nice trip today, everything went smoothly and I thought he did well to win. He finished well, he stayed the mile well and I’m very pleased.

“He’s a bonny horse, he’s not very big but he has a great brain. He doesn’t need any training now he’s fit, he’s a great performer.

“It’s been an awful week. I’m really pleased with that, but it’s been a tough week for us.”



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Shadow Dance confirms he is back on track

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James Doyle got the fractions spot on as he came with a late run on Shadow Dance to win the Sky Bet Handicap at York.

The four-year-old had disappointed on his first run since being gelded at Royal Ascot, but bounced back to run well at Ripon last time out when touched off by Ebor contender Iron Lion.

Grey Cuban led the field into the straight, where Qitaal took over only to be swamped by Dark Moon Rising.

The latter had a break on the field with a furlong to run, but when Doyle switched Roger Varian’s grey to the middle of the track he picked up well and had enough in hand to hold the late run of Lieber Power by a neck, with Dark Moon Rising back in third.

“Winners at the biggest meetings is what it’s all about. He’s a homebred and he’s a lovely horse. He’s got a big heart and a lot of stamina, and he needed every inch of the trip today,” Varian said of the 6-1 winner.

“We came into the year very hopeful with this horse, he didn’t have a great spring and I ran him at Royal Ascot in the Duke of Edinburgh, he wasn’t quite right that day.

“But the run at Ripon was a step in the right direction, and he should go on and have a good autumn.

“If you looked at the entries, he was in four places this weekend. Today was as quick as he wants and maybe that little rain last night just took the sting out of the ground. We came to the right race.”

Ed Walker continued his brilliant week in North Yorkshire by landing the Assured Data Protection EBF Fillies’ Handicap with Canoodled.

The six-year-old was stepping up to a mile and a quarter for the first time on the Knavesmire and it seemed to do the trick as the 25-1 shot won by a a length and a half under Billy Loughnane.

Walker, recording his third winner of this year’s Ebor Festival following a double on Thursday, said of his latest success: “It was amazing, a real pleasant surprise. She’s a funny filly, she’s quirky and a bit of rain last night helped. She was going up in trip and she jumped, so it’s great.

“We will try and get some black type in the autumn with her, like we did last year.

“We’ve had an amazing couple of days, it’s sort of pitch yourself stuff really. It is one of the hardest meetings in the world, so it’s amazing.”



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Scenic view is a Galtres delight for Ed Walker

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Scenic was in a class of her own as she blitzed the field to claim the British EBF & Sir Henry Cecil Galtres Stakes for Ed Walker at York.

The four-year-old was at ease under the hands of three-time champion jockey Oisin Murphy, slotted in second from last for much of the mile-and-a-half contest on the Knavesmire.

Murphy continued to bide his time on the daughter of Lope De Vega, as he slowly crept up on the field, who were already off the bridle with three furlongs remaining.

Scenic joined Karmology, who took up the favouritism tag at 7-4 after the leading duo of Simon and Ed Crisford’s Fairy Glen and the William Haggas-trained Sea Just In Time were declared non-runners in the morning, at the front at the two-furlong pole as they jostled for supremacy.

However, she showed a tremendous turn of foot in the closing stages to streak clear of Karl Burke’s charge to complete a three-and-three-quarter-length success at the price of 8-1.

The result completed a black-type double on the day for Walker, who had won the Group Two Sky Bet Lowther Stakes with Celandine in the opening race.

Walker said: “It took us 10 races to win one with her eventually, but there were always excuses as to why it wasn’t happening.

“She stays very well and the race panned out perfectly for her today, Oisin gave her a peach of a ride and I think she just outstayed them really.

“Last time over further she probably should have won but got to the front too early, she took Saffie (Osborne) there too soon and just pricked her ears. She was beaten in a novice making the running, she doesn’t do a lot in front.

“It’s fantastic for David and Sue Ward who are big supporters and obviously had Starman with us. It’s a really big result.

“Oisin rode her in this last year and was pretty cross with himself so he kept it really smooth today.

“We’ll think of the Park Hill but we might have a look at the Prix Royallieu as she probably won’t stay in training next year, David and Sue like to breed.”



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Celandine secures Lowther Stakes honours

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Celandine dug deep to secure a front-running victory in the Sky Bet Lowther Stakes at York.

Sent off a 13-2 shot for trainer Ed Walker and jockey Tom Marquand, Celandine was reverting to fillies-only company having taken third in the Prix Robert Papin and fourth in the Molecomb Stakes on her two most recent starts.

She broke sharply for Marquand who was happy to bowl along in front and had left a little up his sleeve as Celandine repelled all challengers in the six-furlong contest.

Time For Sandals made a late bid for glory in the final half-furlong, but Celandine just edged victory by a neck with Queen Mary Stakes winner Leovanni a further length and a half back in third and favourite Heavens Gate in fourth.

Betfair make the winner, who is a daughter of Kingman, an 8-1 chance from 16s for the Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket next month.

A jubilant Walker said: “I haven’t had a buzz like that for a long time, I don’t know why but it really got me.

“I really fancied her at Goodwood when she kind of disappointed, she disappointed in France too and I stupidly took on the colts at Goodwood hunting for fast ground when I was probably over-thinking it a bit too much.

“That was very special, the way she does it, she’s so tough. I think she got a bit lonely at Goodwood, we had to use a lot of gas early over five down that hill, drawn out on a wing whereas today she was in amongst it and surged forward.

“She’s very quick, very tough, very genuine and Tom gets on brilliantly with her. She’s cool.”

He added: “She’s properly quick, an out-and-out sprinter. I got my leg pulled for putting her in the Moyglare, but the Lowther will do!

“I guess the Cheveley Park and then the Breeders’ Cup has got to be the plan.”

Of the runner-up, trainer Harry Eustace said: “I’m delighted and I think it was probably a lack of experience that’s made the difference.

“I think she’s very much a filly for next year, but we’ve managed to get every target that we were aiming for and that is down to her really.

“She might run once more (this year), I’m not sure where or in what. She qualifies for the Tattersalls Ireland sales race (at Newmarket on September 15), but there are black-type races out there too, so we’ll just have to have a think where we go.

“She saw the trip out very well, but it is an easy six furlongs and I couldn’t tell you if she’s going to strengthen up and this will be her trip next year or not. She’s bred to be a sprinter and we’ll certainly stick to six for her next run and see what happens next year.”



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Almaqam in frame for York outing

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Almaqam is a possible for the Sky Bet York Stakes on Saturday week, with Ed Walker keen to test his star colt’s credentials over a mile and a quarter.

A winner at Yarmouth on his return before stepping up to Listed level to claim the Heron Stakes in fine style at Sandown, he was pitched into the top company at Royal Ascot, contesting a red-hot renewal of the St James’s Palace Stakes.

Although not disgraced behind Rosallion in that Group One event, his trainer somewhat wishes he had made the call to move up in trip from a mile for the Hampton Court Stakes at the Royal meeting.

He could now make that switch to 10 furlongs, with York’s Group Two contest seen as the ideal place to explore what the son of Lope De Vega has in the locker over further.

“I probably should have run him in the Hampton Court (at Ascot) in hindsight, but I was wary of going a stiff 10 furlongs having been so good over a mile at Sandown,” explained Walker.

“I think a number of things played against him at Ascot – the ground and the tempo of the race in that higher grade against some exceptionally good horses.”

He went on: “He was very impressive in the final two furlongs once he got organised coming round the bend and I think there is a lot more to come from him and we might see him on Saturday week in the York Stakes.

“I want to see him over an easy 10 furlongs and it will give him a bit more of a chance to find his rhythm. I just want him to be able to jump, travel and get into a rhythm a bit more and then we will really see what he can do in the final two furlongs.”

The Lambourn handler is also preparing to step his Royal Ascot winner English Oak up to group company in the World Pool Lennox Stakes at the Qatar Goodwood Festival.

English Oak after winning at Royal Ascot
English Oak after winning at Royal Ascot (PA)

One of Wathnan Racing’s four winners at Ascot, he was a commanding three-length winner of the Buckingham Palace Stakes, with his handler confident his seven-furlong specialist can make his mark against tougher opposition.

“English Oak is in cracking form, he worked well yesterday and will head to the Lennox,” continued Walker.

“It’s a step up in grade but he’s well and we will see how he gets on. He’s rated 108 now and he has to kind of run in a Listed or a Group race.

“Seven furlongs is a bit of a specialist trip and there isn’t that many opportunities, so we’ll head to Goodwood and see how we get on and I’m sure he will run a big race.”



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Makarova serves up Coral Charge success

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Makarova pounced late to go one better than 12 months ago and land a deserved victory in the Coral Charge at Sandown.

Ed Walker’s five-year-old has been a consistent performer in all of the major sprinting events but was registering her first success at Group level in the hands of Hector Crouch.

It looked destined to be the progressive Desperate Hero who would land the spoils when he went for home with just over a furlong to run, but he was reeled in by both Makarova and Andrew Balding’s Purosangue late in the day, with the former keeping on best to register a three-quarter length success at 9-2.

Makarova was cut to 10-1 from 16s by Paddy Power for the King George Stakes after the race and Walker confirmed that the Goodwood sprint assignment would be on the radar.

He said: “This year she has been super consistent and she started off rated 67 or something. She was so laid back and never looked like a sprinter in the early days. She just kind of woke up and learned to sprint. She’s a legend.

The Coral Summer Festival – Coral Eclipse Day – Sandown Park
Makarova ridden by Hector Crouch (left) at Sandown (Steven Paston/PA)

“I wasn’t confident at all she would get there today and not once did I get excited watching it. But you knew she would come good and the only time she hasn’t come good is at Ascot with the blinkers on.

“In the blinkers she sat right on the tail of Big Evs at Ascot and paid the price at the end, it is the first time she has failed to finish off her race over five furlongs.

“I think they had the desired effect of sharpening her up a bit and today back in the cheekpieces she was back to her old self, just racing behind the bridle a bit and finishing strong.

“We’ve chanced our arm a lot and unfortunately she is only a Listed winner, so it is important we have now made her a Group Three winner and we will try and make her a Group Two winner if we can.

“She will probably go to the King George and maybe then another crack at the Nunthorpe or the race at the Curragh (Flying Five Stakes). After that there is the Prix de l’Abbaye and races like that.

The Coral Summer Festival – Coral Eclipse Day – Sandown Park
Makarova en route to victory (Zac Goodwin/PA)

“This will be her last season racing, especially now she is a Group Three winner. We’ll try pick up some more black type this season and then she will go home.”

Meanwhile, Adam West is keen to revert to type with Nunthorpe winner Live In The Dream after the 3-1 favourite could only finish fourth under more restrained tactics.

West said: “I think as much as it is painful to see today, I am delighted as it has answered a lot of questions for us.

“We have a Group One horse with a particular style of racing and since the Nunthorpe and Breeders’ Cup we haven’t had the confidence to do that for fear of setting ourselves up for a fall.

“If we ride like today we have only got a 90 (rated) horse and still a good horse but to be at his best he has to be super aggressive and if anything wants to go with us, let them try.

“Today we decided to let him decide what he wanted to do, Sean (Kirrane, jockey) sat on him and didn’t push him forward and didn’t pull him back. It was annoying we didn’t get any slipstream and if we were a couple over then it would have maybe just taken a bit of pressure off from the headwind.

“He’s run well and his class has got him fourth, but realistically that is not the style of racing he needs and we can absolutely pinpoint that for our next race whether that be Goodwood, Deauville or Nunthorpe.

“We just need him to rock and roll get his confidence in the first furlong and if anything wants to go with us then let them try.”



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Almaqam team yet to make Royal Ascot call

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Ed Walker is still weighing up the options for his hugely-promising Sandown winner Almaqam.

The Heron Stakes scorer is heading to Royal Ascot but whether Walker pitches him in against 2000 Guineas winner Notable Speech in the St James’s Palace Stakes or steps him up in trip to 10 furlongs for the Hampton Court has yet to be decided.

“We haven’t decided yet, we’re going to see how he is working and speak to the team and make a plan,” said Walker.

“It will either be the St James’s Palace or the Hampton Court, but we haven’t decided yet.

“I can’t see 10 furlongs being an issue but he has plenty of speed. I think if there was a mile Group Three or Group Two we’d probably go for that but there isn’t, so it’s either go in the deep end or a bit more progression – but I don’t think the Hampton Court will be easy anyway.

“He’s an exciting horse either way.”

Harper’s Ferry is another promising three-year-old in the yard but he blotted his copybook when refusing to enter the stalls before the Dee Stakes at Chester.

Harper's Ferry (left) was second to Moon Over Miami at Doncaster
Harper’s Ferry (left) was second to Moon Over Miami at Doncaster (Nigel French/PA)

With a handicap mark of 88, all options remain open to him.

“He’s good, he’s in great form and has passed his stalls test, we’ve hopefully ironed out some of those quirks,” said Walker.

“He could go anywhere really. We’re undecided whether we go down the handicap route or in group races over a mile and half or a mile and a quarter.

“He could do anything, so we’ve got loads of options and we’ll have him well entered up.”



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Popmaster has all the answers at Newbury

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Popmaster caused a minor surprise in the Dubai Duty Free Cup Stakes at Newbury when getting the better of odds-on favourite Aldaary.

Running in Listed company for the first time, Ed Walker’s consistent handicapper appeared to relish the testing ground and always appeared to be travelling best of all.

Aldaary, on the other hand, was one of the first off the bridle but he did begin to respond for pressure from Jim Crowley.

When the gap appeared though, Ross Coakley and Popmaster (12-1) burst through and went on to beat the favourite by a length.

The winner was paying a handsome compliment to Stuart Williams’ winning machine Quinault, who had Popmaster back in second at Ascot last time out.

Walker said: “What an absolute legend of a horse he is. We’re thrilled with him, he’s been a star.

“We ran him because other than the favourite, there was nothing to be scared of so we had a crack and he’s done it well.

“He’s so versatile. We’ve always felt that he needs everything to fall right and Ross gave him a peach today, he’s always got on really well with him and he deserved to win on him.

“I think we’ll have to run him in the Challenge Cup (at Ascot). He could run in the Bengough but the Challenge is worth so much money (over £90,000 to the winner), so we almost have to go for it – and he loves Ascot.”

Betfair and Paddy Power cut him to 8-1 from 14s for the Challenge Cup on October 7.

Richard Hannon is already dreaming of next year’s Guineas for Serene Seraph (8-11 favourite) who made no mistake at the third time of asking in the Dubai Duty Free Full Of Surprises British EBF Fillies’ Conditions Stakes.

“We’ve always thought a lot of her, she was a little bit keen the last day and just got tired,” Hannon told Racing TV.

“We didn’t go to Ascot with her, she’s a big filly for next year.

“She won like we hoped she would, she didn’t mind the ground and hopefully she’ll come back for the Fred Darling.

“I’ll speak to Barnane Stud (owners) about whether they want to run again, but I think we’ll take it nice and easy with her.

“There is the Bosra Sham at Newmarket or the Radley Stakes back here as possible options if we do.”

Richard Hughes is planning a trip to France with Bracken’s Laugh (11-2) who won the Haynes, Hanson & Clark Novice Stakes on his debut under Finley Marsh.

The event has been won by some of the greats of the turf in the past such as Shergar, Rainbow Quest and Nayef and Hughes will be hoping the Zoffany colt can join them.

The trainer ran two in the race but it is fair to say they enjoyed differing fortunes, as Palace Green unshipped Cieren Fallon on leaving the stalls.

“Finley gave him a great ride. I said to him to be the last one off the bridle as he’s a big, weak horse but very talented,” said Hughes.

“I was a little worried about them on the ground with the others having a win under their belts, but we were getting 6lb and we have plans going ahead.

“I haven’t told the owner but in the back of my mind I’m thinking of those races in Saint-Cloud, there’s one over a mile and one over 10 furlongs.

“I knew he could win a maiden but I wanted to see if he would win a proper race and he’s done that today. He’s every right to go into a Group One now.”



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Osborne savours Valiant victory aboard Random Harvest

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Random Harvest dug deep to see off all comers and provide jockey Saffie Osborne with a first Pattern race success on home soil in the Longines Valiant Stakes at Ascot.

Ed Walker’s mare was a previous course winner and also finished second at the Berkshire track twice, most recently going close in the Duke of Cambridge Stakes at the Royal meeting last month.

She disappointed in the Falmouth at Newmarket a fortnight ago, but showed her true colours back at Ascot under a well-judged front-running ride from her young jockey.

Osborne, fresh from riding a treble on the opening night of this year’s Racing League at Yarmouth on Thursday, set the fractions throughout and steadily raised the tempo.

In Random Harvest she had a willing partner and when challenged in the straight she refused to bend, pulling out all the stops to claim the Group Three prize by a neck from Roman Mist.

Thornbrook and Ameynah were close up behind them in third and fourth respectively.

Osborne, who steered Random Harvest to a Group Three win in Italy last year, said: “She’s such a game filly and deserved this so much.

“It means so much because it’s been a long time coming – she’s been so unlucky – and I’m so grateful to Ed and (owner) Lady Bamford for keeping me on a filly like this at this point of my career.”

Trainer Ed Walker was delighted with the performance of Random Harvest
Trainer Ed Walker was delighted with the performance of Random Harvest (Mike Egerton/PA)

Walker said: “She is a legend, this filly. She really deserved that. She is just so consistent and loves it here.

“It never really happened for her in the Falmouth, she was just wheel-spinning Saffie said. She never really got her own way and she was out there on the wing. It was just a non-event, just never happened.

“I’m bang up for trying again at the highest level – she’s so tough and game. She definitely can get some Group One form, something like a Sun Chariot. Something like that would be ideal for her.

“Whether we look at North America or not, I’m not sure. I think a mile is her trip, but maybe if we went to America it would be nine or 10 (furlongs), a Breeders’ Cup, possibly.”

Of Osborne, he added: “Saffie is a big part of this horse and this horse is a big part of Saffie’s career. This is her first domestic Group winner and she won’t forget this horse in a hurry, that’s for sure. Saffie is an incredible horsewoman.”



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Ascot winner Waipiro to continue career in Hong Kong

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Royal Ascot winner Waipiro will continue his career in Hong Kong, trainer Ed Walker has announced.

The three-year-old has made huge strides in four starts this term, winning a Newmarket novice in April before going on to finish second in the Lingfield Derby Trial and a respectable sixth in the Epsom Classic itself.

Dropped back to 10 furlongs for the Group Three Hampton Court Stakes last week, Waipiro posted his best performance to date when triumphing by a cosy two and a half lengths from Exoplanet.

A half-brother to Waikuku, a multiple Group One winner in Hong Kong, Waipiro will not run again for Walker and will be campaigned towards the Hong Kong Derby in March for owners the Siu family.

“He will continue his career in Hong Kong, unfortunately,” said Walker.

“Obviously the Siu family, who own him, have lots of horses in training in Hong Kong.

“The reason I have horses for the Siu family, and they are such great supporters, is to produce horses for Hong Kong.

“He is the perfect horse for the Hong Kong Derby. Mr Siu tries to buy one or two horses for the Hong Kong Derby every year and why would you not take Waipiro and try and buy another one?

“Every owner in Hong Kong wanting a European horse for the Derby would want Waipiro.

bet365 Craven Meeting – Day 3 – Newmarket Racecourse
Waipiro (second left) was also a winner at Newmarket (Tim Goode/PA)

“He’s the perfect horse, he loves fast ground, he’s got a high cruising speed, huge talent, 10 furlongs – he’s the right horse for the job.”

He added: “His half-brother which they owned, Waikuku, was a Group One winner in Hong Kong, having finished runner-up in the (Hong Kong) Derby in 2019. There was always a good chance they would take him to Hong Kong.

“He’ll probably win a lot more prize money in Hong Kong than he would in Britain.”



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Waipiro boosts Derby form – and seals memorable day for Marquand

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Waipiro gave the Derby form a boost when storming to Royal Ascot glory in the Hampton Court Stakes.

Ed Walker’s charge won on his reappearance at Newmarket before chasing home Military Order in the Lingfield Derby Trial and going on to finish a gallant sixth at Epsom itself.

Sent off at 7-1 dropping back to 10 furlongs, jockey Tom Marquand was never in any rush aboard the son of Australia and his patience was rewarded when Oviedo carried a plethora of the challengers right approaching the one-furlong marker – opening up the perfect gap for Waipiro to gallop on through.

And while some were wearily wandering around in the closing stages, Waipiro kept on straight as an arrow as he sprinted clear to a register a two-and-a-quarter-length verdict over Roger Varian’s Exoplanet.

The victory brought up a memorable double on the day for Marquand, who had earlier struck aboard the King and Queen’s Desert Hero, but he was fittingly repaid by the horse he was aboard at Newmarket earlier this year when suffering an arm injury which ruled him out of both the 2000 and 1000 Guineas.

For Walker it was a second success at the Royal meeting following Agrotera’s Sandringham win in 2018.

“The worry was the close proximity to the Derby, only 19 days – not many horses back up from the Derby to Ascot successfully,” he said.

“That was always my big concern; we haven’t done a lot with him at home, but he’s seemed well. If there was a brilliant alternative in a couple of weeks’ time, we may have been tempted, but there wasn’t and this was the perfect race for him.”

He added: “It’s been an agonising wait between drinks (Royal Ascot winners) – we’ve had quite a lot of seconds. Last year we had second in the Kensington Palace, the Wokingham, we were second yesterday in the Duke of Cambridge, it’s been a bit frustrating so really, really pleased to have kicked that one home.

“It’s a great day for Tom. I was so pleased to see him have that winner for His Majesty, that was very important for all of us. Tom has been a big part of our team now for a number of years, he rode our first Group One winner Starman and it’s great to get another one on the big stage.”

Marquand said: “You’d like to think he is still an improver, and I think today solidified what we thought after the Derby. We were obviously disappointed we didn’t run closer that day but we were really pleased with the run, and he just didn’t stay a mile and half, it’s as simple as that.

“Back to a mile and a quarter today he showed his dominance, and hopefully he can now go on a path and show his stamp as a top-class horse.”

Of his special afternoon, he said: “I think everybody here can account for the fact that that (riding the King’s first Royal Ascot winner0 was an extremely special moment.

“Just insanely privileged to be part of the whole occasion – it’s magic, it doesn’t get better than a royal winner at Royal Ascot; it’s the pinnacle of our sport.”



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Waipiro coming back in trip following Derby run

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Waipiro will drop back in trip for the Hampton Court at Royal Ascot, as trainer Ed Walker felt he did not see out the Betfred Derby trip.

Runner-up to Military Order in the Lingfield Derby Trial, Waipiro was sent off a 25-1 chance in the premier Classic at Epsom, where he did not help his chance at the start.

Tom Marquand’s mount made up plenty of ground and was in contention with two furlongs to race, before his run petered out, eventually finishing sixth, some 10 and a half lengths behind the impressive Auguste Rodin.

Walker was making no excuses, however. He said: “It was a good run. I don’t think had he probably jumped better, he would have finished too much closer.

“I don’t think he truly stayed. I wasn’t convinced at Lingfield and I wasn’t convinced again at Epsom.

“His last furlong was weak and at Lingfield that was the same. He came to Military Order and eyeballed him, and looked like he was going to beat him, then just in the last 100 yards, he didn’t quite see it out.

“I hoped it was just immaturity and inexperience at Lingfield, but I think Epsom reiterated he didn’t see it out.

“If he truly stayed, he would have gone with White Birch (third) and I think him and The Foxes didn’t stay, didn’t go with White Birch, who stayed extremely well.”

The Group Three Hampton Court Stakes over 10 furlongs on June 22 is now on the cards for the son of Australia.

Walker confirmed: “I think we will go back to 10 furlongs. He came out of it well and the Hampton Court is the plan. I hope the race doesn’t come too soon, but that’s the plan. The quicker the ground the better for him, really.”

Plans thereafter remain fluid, although the Lambourn handler believes the colt’s future could lie in the Far East.

“Obviously the Siu family, who own him, have lots of horses in training in Hong Kong,” added Walker.

“His half-brother which they owned, Waikuku, was a Group One winner in Hong Kong, having finished runner-up in the (Hong Kong) Derby in 2019, and if he’s not looking like competing at the highest level here in the UK, I think there is a good chance they will understandably take him to Hong Kong.

“It’s kind of my job description for them to identify horses for them and qualify horses for Hong Kong. If he can’t be winning the best races in the UK, then he’ll probably win a lot more money in Hong Kong than he will here.

“There’s a chance he will get his head back in front, (and) he’ll stay here. We’ll see what happens at Ascot and go from there.”



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Walker believes Derby mission not ‘impossible’ for Waipiro

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Ed Walker does not think his Betfred Derby contender Waipiro faces an “impossible” task in attempting to turn the tables on favourite Military Order from their run at Lingfield.

The pair were first and second, separated by a length and a quarter, in the Derby trial at the Surrey track, which was this year was moved from the saturated turf to the all-weather course.

The Godolphin runner was immediately promoted to the head of the betting while Waipiro is around a 16-1 chance, and Walker feels that offers each-way value given it was just the third run of his life.

“He didn’t show a lot on his debut at Kempton Park but we left him in the Derby for a reason. It wasn’t a total surprise that he won at Newmarket but it was obviously very pleasing,” said Walker.

“It looked a very hot race but we chose a race like that to answer questions as we believed he was a nice horse and we wanted to see where he sat with other nice horses. The result was very rewarding and he stepped up again at Lingfield.

“You have to be very pleased with his run at Lingfield. He was very relaxed and very professional. He performed to a high level and it was a satisfying run.

“I think he stamped himself as a high-class colt there as he gave the Derby favourite a good run for his money and you have to be pleased with that.”

Waipiro was forced wide off the bend at Lingfield and Walker feels he could have finished closer on another day.

Military Order pulled away from Waipiro late on
Military Order pulled away from Waipiro late on (Steven Paston/PA)

“The race didn’t go as smoothly in the last couple of furlongs as it did for the winner, who looks a very good horse, and he is bred for the job and he is a very worthy favourite for the Derby,” said Walker.

“Military Order was dominant in the last 100 yards and we are going to have to make another significant step forward to beat him, but I don’t think it is impossible for him to turn it around.

“I think the void is the massive difference in price. I’d imagine, in an open Derby, he might attract attention from punters having an each-way bet. I certainly wouldn’t put anyone off having an each-way bet on him.

“I think he will handle the track and the occasion. He can get a bit warm at home and I wouldn’t be worried seeing him get a bit warm in the preliminaries.

“He is most likely going to wear a red hood to post to help keep a lid on him a bit, because he was a bit noisy at the start at Lingfield. He is generally a very relaxed horse and a professional horse.”



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