Tag Archive for: Epsom

Derby name altered to honour the Aga Khan IV

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Next month’s Betfred Derby will be run in honour of the late Aga Khan IV, the Jockey Club has announced.

A prolific breeder and owner, the Aga Khan IV came from a line of great racing enthusiasts and was successful in the Derby on five occasions.

Before his death in February at the age of 88, the Aga Khan IV witnessed Shergar win the race by a record 10 lengths in 1981, followed by victories for Shahrastani (1986), Kahyasi (1988), Sinndar (2000) and Harzand (2016).

The race, which takes place at Epsom on June 7, will this year be run as the Betfred Derby (in honour of His Highness Aga Khan IV).

The Aga Khan’s daughter, Princess Zahra, said: “My family and I are incredibly grateful to Epsom and the Jockey Club for running the race in honour of my father.

“The Derby is an iconic event that he deeply loved and winning it for the first time with Shergar brought him immense pride and joy. It gave him the sense that the work his father and grandfather had accomplished with the breeding operation was being carried forward.

“He eventually matched the record of my great-grandfather when Harzand secured his fifth Derby victory – a wonderful achievement.”

Tornado Alert Derby bound but Elwateen Oaks decision pending

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Saeed bin Suroor could have two Classic contenders at Epsom, with both of his Guineas runners in contention to double up.

Tornado Alert, who finished on the coattails of three very smart colts when fourth in the 2000 Guineas, is all set to take his spot in the Betfred Derby.

The participation of Elwateen in the Oaks, having finished fourth in the 1000 Guineas on just her second start, is not 100 per cent certain yet but is certainly being considered.

“Both of them have come out of their races well, they are sound and happy and we’re looking forward to the future,” said the Godolphin trainer.

“The colt will definitely go to Epsom, with the filly we’re just watching her, we’ll see how she goes this week and will talk to the people at Shadwell (owners) and then we’ll make a decision between Epsom and Royal Ascot for the Coronation.

“The stiff mile at Ascot would really suit her. I’m sure she’s a mile and a quarter filly and the race for her later in the season will be the Nassau at Goodwood.

“But I also think she’s a nice size for Epsom and I think she would handle the track well.

“She ran in the Guineas like she did at Kempton on her debut, her strongest furlong was her last, that’s why I think she will be better over further.

“Tornado Alert ran a very good race, I know he was 50-1 but that was why I ran him in a Classic, I thought he was up to it, he’d been showing me in the morning. He will also improve over further.”

Delacroix states Derby case with impressive Trial triumph

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Delacroix’s Derby odds were halved after he delivered a dominant victory in the Cashel Palace Hotel Derby Trial Stakes at Leopardstown.

The son of Dubawi was a top-class juvenile last season and was one of three Aidan O’Brien-trained colts in the line up for the Group Three.

Acapulco Bay and Cashel Rock were the other two, with Tennessee Stud, trained by O’Brien’s son Joseph and also owned by Coolmore, joining the field alongside Juddmonte and Dermot Weld’s Purview.

Delacroix holds a raft of top level entries, including in both the Epsom Derby and the Irish Derby, and left the stalls the 1-3 favourite under Wayne Lordan to test his claims on those events.

It was a test he passed with flying colours and having raced prominently, he had no trouble in accelerating away from his rivals to score by two and three-quarter lengths from Purview.

“Wayne got a lovely lead into it, when he got after him a furlong and a half out the most impressive part was he really lengthened and quickened to the line,” said Chris Armstrong, stable representative.

“Wayne said going to the line he was having a good look which is a good sign there is plenty left in there.

“It’s all roads to Epsom now. His homework has been very good since here the last day. He’s come forward lovely and all being well, he’ll come forward again.”

Lordan, who was unseated en route to the start, added: “He was a bit fresh and when we got out on the track, he went a bit quicker than I wanted to go and when we met the rail gravity took over.

“He was straight forward after that. He can go at a good tempo and quicken as well which is the sign of a good horse.”

Delacroix’s Derby odds were cut from 8-1 to 4-1 with Coral, while Paddy Power make him a 4-1 chance having previously priced him at 6-1.

Owen hoping he has Derby ace with Wimbledon Hawkeye

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James Owen is dreaming of Betfred Derby glory after Wimbledon Hawkeye’s commendable fifth-placed effort in the 2000 Guineas.

Owen said prior to the son of Kameko’s Newmarket run that a top-five finish would be the perfect preparation for a tilt at the Epsom Classic and he is now relishing the thought of stepping the colt up in trip.

“He’s come out of the Guineas well and we think he will improve for a step up in trip and that’s what he showed at Newmarket really, he settled nicely and stayed on well, I thought,” said Owen.

Trainer James Owen is dreaming of Derby glory
Trainer James Owen is dreaming of Derby glory (Mike Egerton/PA)

“We’ll keep an eye on the Dante but the Derby is the big aim with him. We’ve got a nice lead-up time to Epsom and he’s had his first two runs for the season and it’s exciting to go to Epsom with him.

“He deserves his place in the Derby and I thought he ran a great trial. I think he came on from his Craven run and improved a little bit and he’s also a horse who improved with every start last year, but most importantly I think he is crying out for a step up in trip.”

Wimbledon Hawkeye is as short as 25-1 in places for the Derby and split the market leaders for the premier classic, Aidan O’Brien’s The Lion In Winter (first) and Charlie Appleby’s 2000 Guineas hero Ruling Court (third), when they all clashed in the Acomb Stakes at York last summer.

Wimbledon Hawkeye completed his 2000 Guineas preparations on Thursday
Wimbledon Hawkeye on the Newmarket gallops (John Hoy/The Jockey Club)

The Gredley Family-owned colt went on to scoop Group Two honours in the Royal Lodge as a two-year-old and will now attempt to go one better than the owners’ Ambiente Friendly, who was second to City Of Troy at Epsom 12 months ago.

“It’s unbelievable to have such a horse and it was great to have a Guineas runner and he ran with huge credit – and it will be fantastic to have a Derby runner,” continued Owen, who will saddle his first runner in the Derby in just his second season training on the Flat.

“He’s a well-balanced colt, who should enjoy the track and get the trip and I’m looking forward to it.”

Giavellotto given Coronation Cup target by Botti

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Giavellotto is poised to remain at a mile and a half, with Marco Botti eyeing a tilt at the Coronation Cup at Epsom next month.

The six-year-old previously excelled in staying events but in recent times has enjoyed plenty of success over 12 furlongs – including when winning the Hong Kong Vase in December – and his team are keen to throw their hat in the ring for what could be a stellar renewal on the Downs on June 6.

“Our plan is to try the Coronation Cup and that is what we will do as long as he continues to be fine. He came back well from Dubai and we have freshened him up and we’re happy with him,” said Botti.

“It looks like it will probably be the best Coronation Cup in 10 years maybe – you keep hearing there are a lot of top-class horses going there and it could end up being a really strong Group One, but we’ve got to take a chance.”

The son of Mastercraftsman was last seen finishing fifth in the Dubai Sheema Classic in early April but his handler is happy to draw a line through that performance, confident they are making the correct call to skip the chance to win a third straight Yorkshire Cup to head to Epsom.

Botti added: “I wasn’t disappointed with his run in Dubai and I thought it just didn’t pan out for him. He was drawn wide in (stall) nine and you have to either try to go forward and cut across or take a pull and drop in and we ended up too far back in a slow-run race and it didn’t suit him.

“I feel he is much stronger than he was as a three-year-old and I’m confident we should stick to a mile and a half this year rather than go up in trip. I’m confident on good ground and with a bit of luck, he could land a big one this year.”

Derby field to form earlier than ever as Epsom ushers in 72-hour declarations

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The Betfred Derby will become a 72-hour declaration race in 2025 for the first time in its 245-year history, the Jockey Club has announced.

In a historic move, the world’s most famous Flat race – which was first staged in 1780 – is the first Group One race held in Britain to introduce 72-hour declarations.

The Jockey Club said it hoped that bringing forward the declaration deadline to Wednesday, June 4 will “prove beneficial in building a sense of anticipation and excitement both domestically and globally”.

Jim Allen, general manager of Epsom, said: “This racecourse has been at the forefront of positive change and new initiatives in British horseracing for generations, with the Derby becoming the first race to be filmed back in 1896 and then the first sporting event to be broadcast in 1931.

“We’re delighted to be able to introduce 72-hour declarations for this year’s Betfred Derby, demonstrating that we are always looking for new ways to innovate and ensure that our sport’s most iconic Flat race continues to stand out from the rest.

“Having consulted with a range of stakeholders on this issue we are confident that this change will not only help build anticipation for the world’s most famous Flat race earlier in the week but also provide more certainty around the runners and riders on the day, driving more interest and engagement in advance of the start of the Betfred Derby Festival.

“We are hugely grateful to the British Horseracing Authority for their co-operation and help in order to make this change happen at relatively short notice, and to all those participants who have supported us in making this move.”

Coinciding with the introduction of 72-hour declarations, there will also be a significantly enhanced draw ceremony for this year’s Derby, with Epsom and the BHA using the balls and other equipment deployed for football’s world famous FA Cup draws.

The ceremony will take place at around 11am on June 4 at Epsom’s Picturehouse, with dignitaries from the racing industry and local community in attendance.

Allen added: “Changing the stalls draw for the Betfred Derby from the randomly generated process used for nearly every other Flat race in the UK to a ceremony with balls picked out live on Racing TV has definitely helped increase the sense of excitement and anticipation in recent years.

“As part of the review into all aspects of last year’s Betfred Derby Festival, we felt that it was important that the draw is staged in the local community again and have been looking at ways to make the ceremony itself more sophisticated and give it a sense of occasion.

“Epsom’s Picturehouse is the perfect venue and we’re grateful to the FA for allowing us to use their iconic draw equipment.”

The other seven races staged on Betfred Derby Day (June 7) and all those taking place on Ladies Day will retain their 48-hour declaration deadline.

Aidan O’Brien, who has trained the Derby winner on a record 10 occasions, does not view the move as ideal but respects Epsom’s decision to try the change.

He said: “It’s not a good thing for us anyway. It’s never a good thing when you are training horses, but they do what they have to do.

“Twelve hours is a long time in a racehorse’s life. I wouldn’t complain because that’s what they’ve decided to do, but it would never be our preference to do stuff like that.

“I think they’ll give it a go and see what is going to happen. The problem about doing it like that is that you could have non-runners. Horses mightn’t be right and lots of things can change.

“They obviously have their reasons for doing it and if they don’t try it, they won’t regret it then!”

Epsom debutant Jackknife looks smart prospect in the making

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Roger Varian’s Jackknife could have a bright future after excelling on his debut at Epsom on Tuesday.

A Kameko half-brother to the trainer’s Group One-winning Defoe, it was perhaps fitting he made his racecourse bow at the scene of sibling’s finest hour. Sent off at 13-8 for the Weatherbys Digital Solutions Novice Stakes, he showcased his potential in seeing off William Haggas’ 6-5 favourite The King’s Falcon.

Varian said: “I’m delighted and I’m pleased to have a winner for Sheikh Fahad and the Qatar Racing team. We’ve always liked him and we liked him last year, but he had a little setback and never saw the racecourse.

“He’s by Kameko who is Sheikh Fahad’s stallion and he is a half-brother to Defoe who is a very dear horse to us and won the Coronation Cup, so we feel quite linked-in to the horse on pedigree anyway.”

Jackknife travelled stylishly throughout in the hands of his jockey Oisin Murphy, impressing his Carlburg Stables handler in the process, with Varian now able to sit and ponder future options.

Varian added: “It was a good debut and he travelled nicely and moved into it well. For an unraced horse around the contours of Epsom, he did well to defy that and win and I really liked how he travelled into the race, you were drawn to him two furlongs out and that is often a good sign.

Jackknife showed a great attitude in the hands of Oisin Murphy
Jackknife showed a great attitude in the hands of Oisin Murphy (John Walton/PA)

“We’ve liked him this spring. Oisin sat on him last week and thought he was ready to get started and we’re very pleased with how he’s handled the track. He’s a very well-balanced horse and the ground was lovely, as it is always is at this meeting.

“We’re delighted, but we’ll see how he comes out of the race and how he is before we make any big plans. I’m sure he will have learned plenty and hopefully he is OK in the morning and then we can think what we can do with him, but hopefully he is a nice horse for the summer.”

Also on the card, David Menuisier was thrilled to see 9-4 favourite City Of Delight follow up a recent Doncaster win in the Lilley Plummer Risks City & Suburban Handicap.

City Of Delight (centre) en route to victory
City Of Delight (centre) en route to victory (John Walton/PA)

“I’m glad, because before I decided to go to Doncaster, it was always may plan to run in the City & Suburban so I’m delighted he’s gone and won both,” said Menuisier, who was winning the race for the second time in four years.

“He’s gone and done it in style as well and at one stage he never looked like getting up, but then when he hit the rising ground he found another gear and won quite well at the end.

“Fingers crossed this isn’t the end of his winning and with a bit more improvement he could be a horse with black-type potential.”

Menuisier was, however, out of luck in the following Weatherbys Global Stallions App Great Metropolitan Handicap, as his 3-1 favourite Master Builder had to play second best to Dylan Cunha’s Asgard’s Captain who landed the spoils at 13-2.

Sea Scout battles on bravely to land Blue Riband Trial

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Sea Scout put himself in the Derby conversation when causing a shock at Epsom in the Betfred Blue Riband Trial.

Trained by Simon and Ed Crisford, the son of Sea The Stars was sent off the 40-1 outsider of the seven who headed across the Downs to face the starter in the Listed race, but put up a performance that suggests even better days lie ahead.

With Sea Scout always towards the fore in the hands of Harry Davies, it looked like Adrian Murray’s Irish raider Tiberius Thunder might slip the field heading up the home straight.

However, Sea Scout managed to cling on to the leader’s coat tails as the field galloped for home and although Aidan O’Brien’s Trinity College loomed large to present a stern challenge – with the duo coming close together in the dying strides – the Crisford colt showed plenty of resolve to hold on for a head verdict.

The winner was cut to 33-1 for Derby glory from 66s by both Paddy Power and Coral in the aftermath, with the Sea Scout team confirming he would return to Epsom for the premier Classic on June 7 after possibly gaining further experience in the coming weeks.

Sea Scout put himself in the Derby picture
Sea Scout put himself in the Derby picture (John Walton/PA)

Simon Crisford said: “I was very happy with him and he had to tough it out. He came into this on the back of a maiden, so it was a big step up for him, but he had been working nicely in the build up to the race, so we were very hopeful of a positive run, which is what we got.

“He handled the track superbly well and basically he wants a mile and a half, so there is a lot of positives heading towards the first Saturday in June (Derby day).

“He might have another run back before the Derby but he might not, we’ll just have to wait and see how he is and decide in a week or so. The only possible races for him would be the Chester Vase or the Dante really.”

The Lion In Winter set for Dante reappearance

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Aidan O’Brien has confirmed York’s Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes as the likely starting point for his Betfred Derby favourite The Lion In Winter.

The Sea The Stars colt supplemented his debut success at the Curragh with a Group Three victory in the Acomb Stakes on the Knavesmire last summer and spent the winter months at the head of ante-post lists for the 2000 Guineas.

However, O’Brien revealed last month that he was unlikely to be ready to begin his Classic campaign on the Rowley Mile on May 3 and he is instead being readied for a return to York 12 days later.

“The Lion In Winter is going to the Dante,” O’Brien said on Monday morning.

“We’re very happy with him and he’ll probably be 80 or 90 per cent in the Dante and we’ll see after that whether the lads want to go to the Derby with him, but that would probably be the plan if everything goes well.

“He did very well over the winter. He’s a medium-sized horse and he’s strong. Last year, he didn’t look an immature two-year-old and he’s straightforward and not slow – he doesn’t work like a slow horse.

“We’ll obviously have to see whether he stays and we won’t know until we do it. If we go a mile and a quarter in the Dante, we’ll have a little idea, I’d imagine Ryan (Moore) will ride him patiently and I’d imagine he will come forward a lot.”

Delacroix winning the Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown
Delacroix winning the Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown (Niall Carson/PA)

The Lion In Winter is a 7-2 favourite to provide O’Brien with an 11th Derby win in early June, with his 2000 Guineas-bound stablemate Twain next in the betting at 7-1.

The Ballydoyle handler also has high hopes for Delacroix, who will follow a tried-and-tested route to Epsom on home soil following his comfortable comeback success in Leopardstown’s Ballysax Stakes.

“Delacroix will go back to Leopardstown for the Derby Trial and he could go there (Epsom), and if Twain won the Guineas there’s a good chance the lads would want to go with the Derby with him as well, for obvious reasons,” O’Brien continued.

“He’s from the Galileo pedigree by Wootton Bassett, so there is every chance that he could get the Derby trip after the Guineas if that did go right.”

Gethin enters Derby equation with impressive Newbury strike

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Gethin inserted himself into the Betfred Derby conversation with a flawless performance at Newbury on Friday.

A winner on testing ground when impressing at Nottingham on debut, Owen Burrows’ 7-2 chance proved equally adept on good going in the Darley EBF Novice Stakes, as he sauntered to a three-and-a-half-length win over Roger Varian’s Saddadd.

“He’s a horse we’ve always liked and he won well on debut as a two-year-old and that was pretty impressive today,” said Burrows.

Gethin impressed at Newbury
Gethin impressed at Newbury (David Davies/PA)

“I thought it was very safe, fast ground and I think they’ve done a great job. It was different conditions to Nottingham and until they’ve gone and done it, you’ve always got the question in the back of your mind. But to be honest I was always confident he would handle it.

“He’s a big, raw baby as such and he needed his run today to get the fizz out of him. He was a bit of a boy before the race and I would like to think he will take a nice step forward from that.”

Gethin was cut to 20-1 from 50s by Paddy Power for Epsom, but before the blue riband can firmly enter the equation, the son of Ghaiyyath will put his Classic aspirations to the test at either Chester or York in the coming weeks.

Burrows continued: “This had been the plan for a while as he would only have a 4lb penalty and timing-wise it would give us a chance if we thought Chester was on the cards and he’s also in the Dante.

“He will run in a trial next, definitely. We will see how he comes out of this and make a plan and now we know that if it does suddenly start raining – because it has got to at some stage – it doesn’t overly bother us what the ground is like.”

Callum Rodriguez was in the saddle aboard Gethin, just as he was at Nottingham on debut, and Burrows admitted he would love to call on the services of the northern-based rider more often after his effort aboard the exciting three-year-old.

“Callum rode him last year and he rode me another winner at Haydock last year and I think he’s a seriously good jockey,” he said.

“He’s been down a few times this spring and I know he’s got his commitments with Ed (Bethell), but he’s a guy I certainly wouldn’t mind using a bit more when he’s available.”

Falconer was sent off the 9-4 favourite but was quickly pulled up by Oisin Murphy after suffering an injury around two furlongs from home.

Consecrated came home in fine style
Consecrated came home in fine style (David Davies/PA)

On a day which has often provided plenty of clues for the future, Frankel filly Consecrated (3-1 favourite) created a taking impression on debut for William Haggas and owners Cheveley Park Stud when winning the Bridget “Confined” Maiden Fillies’ Stakes.

Andrew Balding was also on the scoresheet with Serenity Prayer in the Dreweatts Maiden Fillies’ Stakes.

The 2-1 joint-favourite is out of a Group Three-winning sister to 1000 Guineas and Oaks heroine Love and looked to have a bright future when striking readily in the hands of Oisin Murphy.

Calandagan earmarked for Coronation Cup challenge

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Francis-Henri Graffard is eyeing further success on British soil, with a trip to Epsom for the Coronation Cup on the cards for Dubai Sheema Classic runner-up Calandagan.

The Frenchman claimed major prizes in Britain with both Calandagan and Goliath last season and is already plotting more raids this term, having been delighted with how the former performed in his return at Meydan on Dubai World Cup night.

“It was a lovely performance for a first run of the season over a mile and a half and I was very pleased,” said Graffard.

“He’s a good horse and I think he will come on for that good performance.

“You will see him in two months at Epsom for the Coronation Cup.”

Calandagan was a regular visitor to Britain last season, impressing at Royal Ascot when winning the King Edward VII Stakes, before giving City Of Troy most to think about at York when second in the Juddmonte International Stakes, a race recognised by Longines as the world’s best in 2024.

Sky Bet Ebor Festival – York Racecourse – Wednesday August 21st
Calandagan (left) finished second to City Of Troy at York (Mike Egerton/PA)

The son of Gleneagles would again have to settle for the silver medal when returning to Ascot for the season-ending Qipco Champion Stakes.

However, following his encouraging return in the Middle East – when running on behind Japanese winner Danon Decile – the four-year-old could compete over 12 furlongs in Britain for the first time since winning at the distance at last year’s Royal meeting.

Delacroix cut for Derby glory after dominant Ballysax success

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Delacroix enhanced his Derby prospects with a decisive front-running victory in the P.W. McGrath Memorial Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown.

Trainer Aidan O’Brien had saddled 11 previous winners of this recognised early-season Derby trial, with subsequent Epsom heroes Galileo (2001) and High Chaparral (2002) joined on an illustrious roll of honour by four-time Gold Cup hero Yeats (2004) and multiple Group One winner Fame And Glory (2009).

Delacroix, a son of Dubawi out of the top-class racemare Tepin, won two of his five juvenile starts, including the Group Three Autumn Stakes at Newmarket, and rounded off his campaign with a nose second to Jessica Harrington’s Hotazhell in Doncaster’s Futurity Trophy.

Ryan Moore’s mount was all the rage to make a successful return at Group Three level over a mile and a quarter and those who took the cramped odds of 4-7 will have had few concerns, with Delacroix sent straight to the lead and pulling clear late on for an emphatic two-and-a-quarter-length success over stablemate Lambourn.

Paddy Power trimmed the winner’s Derby odds to 10-1 from 16-1, putting him third in the Irish firm’s betting behind stable companions The Lion In Winter and Twain at 7-2 and 7-1 respectively.

O’Brien said: “You’d have to be very happy. He was always babyish and he still is babyish, but he is growing up.

“I think he’ll come back here (for the Derby Trial) if everything is well, and racing will only help him. We always thought he would stay well and he’s a fine, big, powerful horse. He’ll improve plenty fitness wise.

“He quickened very well in the straight and is not a horse that will over race.”

Centigrade ruled out of Epsom Classic contention after setback

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The Highclere Thoroughbred Racing team has been dealt an early-season blow after it emerged that potential Derby contender Centigrade will miss the Epsom Classic due to suffering a setback.

The Too Darn Hot colt shaped with abundant promise in two juvenile starts for trainer Ralph Beckett last season, with a narrow debut defeat at the hands of Jonquil at Sandown in high summer followed by a runaway victory at Newbury in October.

Earlier this week, Highclere’s managing director Harry Herbert was eyeing up a Derby trial for the exciting three-year-old, but Epsom dreams have since been dashed.

Speaking on Sunday, Herbert said: “Unfortunately, we’ve had some frustrating news that Centigrade has suffered an injury which will keep him out of the Derby.

“It’s agony, absolute agony, but he hopefully will be back later in the year. It’s not career-ending or anything, it’s just the sort of thing you absolutely don’t want for a horse that’s prepping for such an important race.

“We’re very disappointed and obviously all the shareholders are gutted. We will have a horse for the future, but sadly he will not be lining up for the Derby.”

Herbert did have reason to cheer on Saturday, with the George Boughey-trained Soprano making a successful start to her campaign in the Listed Virgin Bet Snowdrop Fillies’ Stakes at Kempton.

The four-year-old was all out in the end to repel Crimson Advocate by a nose, but Herbert expects Soprano to improve for what was her first competitive appearance since finishing down the field at the Breeders’ Cup in early November.

He added: “We were thrilled to bits with Soprano. It was a tough race and she was gassy and very fresh and ran with the choke out for quite a way.

“William Buick was very impressed with the way that despite that, when he asked her to go and win her race, she kicked into a little gear.

“Come the last 100 yards, she was running on empty, but hopefully that won’t happen again now she’s had a race and we’ll see where we go. The Dahlia Stakes is possible at Newmarket and Royal Ascot will obviously be the principal summer target for her.”

McPeek hoping Derby Promise can tempt Dettori back to Britain

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American Triple Crown-winning handler Kenny McPeek is dreaming of luring Frankie Dettori back to Epsom later this summer, as he plots a daring Betfred Derby raid with the exciting colt Maximum Promise.

Dettori tasted Derby success twice during his long and decorated career in Britain and although many may have assumed the Italian’s Epsom days are behind him having relocated to America, McPeek is eager to lean on his experience of the famous Downs track.

McPeek told the PA news agency: “I would love to think I could bring Frankie over to ride Maximum Promise as he’s someone who knows his way round there.

Frankie Dettori celebrates one of his famous victories aboard Soul Sister
Frankie Dettori celebrates one of his famous victories aboard Soul Sister (David Davies for The Jockey Club/PA)

“I showed him this horse in January and told him my idea and said to him this is the horse we could go to Epsom with.

“He came to the stables and we looked at him together and I said ‘you can ride him’ and we’ll figure out if he fits the bill or not.”

Dettori partnered Maximum Promise in Turfway Park’s Grade Three Jeff Ruby Steaks race earlier this month, with the feedback positive after finishing third.

The son of Maximum Security will now be asked to further test his Epsom aspirations in the American Turf Stakes at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Derby day, with a strong showing required to secure his ticket to Britain.

American Kenny McPeek has an audacious Derby plan
American Kenny McPeek has an audacious Derby plan (Chris Radburn/PA)

McPeek continued: “Frankie was pleased with his race the other day and I agreed with him that the horse needs a little more time, but I think we have eight or nine weeks, so there is plenty of that.

“We’ve plenty of fitness under his belt and his last race was respectable, he finished third and just got hung wide on a couple of turns. But if this horse matures and comes around in the next few months, I think he could take us somewhere interesting.

“His next start will be in the American Turf on Kentucky Derby weekend and if he runs what I call a good race, finishing fourth or better, then I’m going to bring him to Epsom.

“It’s a $1million graded race and I believe it’s a ‘win and you’re in’ for Epsom and a good showing in that would be strong motivation to then bring a horse over.”

There is a mural of Frankie Dettori at Epsom
There is a mural of Frankie Dettori at Epsom (Simon Marper/PA)

McPeek got a taste of Epsom in 2017 when he saw his filly Daddys Lil Darling withdrawn after bolting with Olivier Peslier prior to the Oaks won by Enable.

Eight years on, the 62-year-old now feels he has the right candidate to revisit his Epsom itch, as he eyes combining his first runner in the premier Classic with visiting his daughter’s family, who live in Sheffield.

“He’s a nice horse and I understand the task at hand, but to bring a horse like him over, at worst we’re going to learn what type of horse you need to bring (in the future),” added McPeek, who won the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks with stable stars Mystik Dan and Thorpedo Anna respectively 12 months ago.

“I think he would perform respectably and you never know what is going to happen at a mile and a half at Epsom.

“Our course at Kentucky Downs is reminiscent, it has nothing like the history of Epsom, but it has the uphill and downhill and the challenge of the terrain and you just have to find a horse who will handle it.

“I think this horse is made for England and this horse’s pedigree is worth studying as he’s got, from what I understand, five English Derby winners in his female family.”

Herbert favouring Derby trial for Centigrade

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Centigrade looks set to be aimed towards a Derby trial rather than the 2000 Guineas, according to Highclere Thoroughbred Racing’s Harry Herbert.

The Too Darn Hot colt, who is trained by Ralph Beckett, has a number of high-profile entries for his three-year-old campaign, including the one-mile Classic at Newmarket, the 10-furlong Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly and the blue riband over a mile and a half at Epsom.

Despite easing to victory by five and a half lengths at Newbury on his final juvenile start, the longer distance could be better suited for Centigrade, who described as a “really exciting prospect” by Highclere’s chairman and managing director Herbert.

“He’s very much a horse we have high hopes for. He’s not started into fast work yet, but we are talking Derby trials for him, all being well,” he said.

“We are very excited by him, he’s a serious talent, wintered very well and is a really exciting prospect.

“He was given that entry (2000 Guineas), but I would say much more likely to be a Derby trial personally.

“He’s a scopey horse – a beautifully-made horse – and he’s not short of speed. He’s got speed in his pedigree – his dam is a half-sister to Sergei Prokofiev – so he’s got a lot going for him this horse.

“He’s a very exciting prospect for the season ahead.”