Tag Archive for: Gregory

Comeback in sight for Courage Mon Ami

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Courage Mon Ami is tentatively on the comeback trail, with connections eyeing one run before a shot at securing a second Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in the summer.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained son of Frankel helped his owners Wathnan Racing make an immediate impact when landing the Royal meeting feature in 2023, but he has been limited to just two outings since and was forced to sit out the whole of the 2024 campaign.

“Courage Mon Ami is back up to doing two canters on Warren Hill and is doing well, he’s in good shape,” said Wathnan’s racing adviser Richard Brown.

“It will be one run somewhere then on to Royal Ascot for the Gold Cup as long as everything runs smooth, but he needs a trouble-free preparation.”

Frankie Dettori celebrates aboard Courage Mon Ami at Royal Ascot
Frankie Dettori celebrates aboard Courage Mon Ami at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA)

Courage Mon Ami’s stablemate Gregory was also successful at Royal Ascot in 2023 and filled Courage Mon Ami’s void in a stack of top staying contests last term.

Third behind Kyprios in the Goodwood Cup, he also placed at York a month later in the Lonsdale Cup.

However, he was only fifth in his final start of 2024 at Doncaster, and having also failed to sparkle when sent in search of a valuable prize in Saudi Arabia in January, is now being given as long as needed to freshen up.

“We were expecting a much better run from Gregory in Saudi Arabia and he’s come back and he’s not himself so we will give him a break, he’s just not thriving at the moment,” explained Brown.

Gregory (left) is another to win at Royal Ascot
Gregory (left) is another to win at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA)

“We just need to get to grips with where we are with him and he’s actually having some time out in the paddock at the moment. Like all our horses we’ll just take our time with him and give him every chance.

“When he’s telling us he’s ready to go back into work we will do that then.”

While Courage Mon Ami and Gregory are part of the furniture at the Gosden’s Clarehaven base, a new name who could announce himself this season is Damysus.

The Frankel colt cost 460,000 guineas as a yearling and made a taking debut at Southwell in December.

He holds an entry for the Betfred Derby, but for now he will remain in calm waters while connections feel their way forward with the exciting prospect.

Brown added: “He has run once and won once and how good he is no one actually knows yet. James (Doyle) rode him work on Saturday and actually rode him again yesterday and likes him.

“They are bringing him forward and I imagine we will go gently with him. After speaking with James I think we’ll start him back over a mile down the novice route and see where we head from there.”

Gregory pleasing Gosden in preparation for Red Sea run

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Royal Ascot hero Gregory is primed for his first outing on foreign soil in the Longines Red Sea Turf Handicap in Riyadh on Saturday.

The five-year-old has not managed to get his head in front since lifting the Queen’s Vase under Frankie Dettori two years ago, but picked up third place in the Yorkshire Cup, Goodwood Cup and Lonsdale Cup last season.

Joint-trainer Thady Gosden has travelled to Saudi Arabia to put the finishing touches to a horse who has been gelded since he last ran and will also be fitted with blinkers for the first time.

“He has travelled over very well. He had a smooth flight directly from Stansted into Riyadh,” said Gosden.

“He is a bit of an old pro, he is quite laid back about life and is taking everything in his stride.

“He came to the main (dirt) track this morning (Wednesday, which is riding beautifully and the temperature is perfect. He seemed to enjoy himself and is moving well.

“It is possible that he will go on the grass tomorrow (Thursday), but the main dirt track here is so good, it is hard to tempt yourself away from it, but of course, he is running on the turf. He is by Golden Horn, who generally enjoy top of the ground.

“We have been here since the first meeting and every year since. It’s fantastic and it continues to improve as you would expect it to, there is a great buzz around the place.”

Another British raider to traverse the track on Wednesday morning was Witness Stand, who is set to represent the training partnership of Dr Richard Newland – famed for his handling of 2014 Grand National hero Pineau De Re – and Jamie Insole in the 1351 Turf Sprint.

The Expert Eye gelding was bought for 100,000 guineas in October, having shown smart form for Tom Clover last season, most notably landing the Listed Dubai Duty Free Cup at Newbury.

He will be making his stable debut in Riyadh this weekend and Insole is relishing the challenge after seeing the four-year-old enjoy a spin on the turf.

“We wanted to get him out on the grass so he could get used to it and Lloyd (Applegate), his rider, said he enjoyed it,” he said.

“He cantered for about 1000m and then breezed him over the last 400m. He’s ready, so he’ll just go on the dirt for the rest of the week.

“It’s quite surreal; I’ve been to races like the Breeders’ Cup and the Dubai World Cup as an assistant (to Charlie Hills) but now I’m here as a trainer.

“He’s a new horse for us, so it’s quite different as you’re still learning about him, how he adapts and even how he’ll be on raceday.

“We thought this would be a race that suits him, the only thing is that they are sure to go really hard and so it will be important to get the tactics right.”

Wathnan opt to draw stumps with star stayers for this season

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Wathnan Racing are looking to next year with staying stars Courage Mon Ami and Gregory, with both set to play no part in the closing stages of the 2024 season.

John and Thady Gosden’s duo helped put the Emir of Qatar’s racing operation on the map when winning at Royal Ascot in 2023, with Courage Mon Ami landing the feature Gold Cup to the delight of his connections.

The son of Frankel has been limited to just two appearances since that triumph and having been unable to return to action this season, the decision has been made to take stock and try again next term.

Meanwhile, ground conditions have turned against Gregory, who ends 2024 winless despite some brave efforts in defeat.

“Both are finished for the year,” said Wathnan’s racing adviser Richard Brown.

“Unfortunately, Gregory needs quick ground and the ground is now against him, so we have finished him for the year.

“Courage Mon Ami has just had niggles all year and as I’ve said before, we will not take any chances with him.

“We’ll give him the winter off and then start again. It’s obviously disappointing to have missed the whole year, but we’ll give him every chance to come back.”

Prix du Cadran high up on Gregory pecking order

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Gregory could be bound for France, with connections ready to roll the dice and gamble on ground conditions proving suitable for a shot at the Prix du Cadran on Arc weekend.

One of Wathnan Racing’s inaugural buys, John and Thady Gosden’s son of Golden Horn got the Qatari operation off the mark at Royal Ascot when winning the Queen’s Vase in 2023, before going on to finish a respectable fifth in the St Leger later in the year.

Campaigned in the staying ranks this term, the sole blot on his copybook came in the Gold Cup at the Royal meeting, with the four-year-old subsequently finishing on the podium in both the Goodwood Cup and the Lonsdale Cup at York.

After Gregory’s fine run behind Vauban on the Knavesmire, his team are now toying with the idea of freshening the colt up for a trip to ParisLongchamp in early October.

That contest would give him the chance to prove his stamina over two and a half miles following his Ascot disappointment, but connections will be hoping for a helping hand from the weather gods to ensure conditions remain dry in the French capital.

“He ran a great race and he needs every yard of two miles and I think we might wait and look at the Cadran with him, because he just keeps grinding,” said Richard Brown, Wathnan’s European racing manager.

“There was an excuse at Ascot and I think he will stay two and a half. I think he actually needs two and a half and I would look forward to seeing him over the extreme distance.

“He definitely wants quick ground, so it is a bit of a gamble whether we wait for the Cadran or not. He’s in at Ascot but I don’t think the ground will be suitable there.

“I think we will just take a breath, he’s in at Doncaster but that might come around a bit quick, so we might gamble on it not coming up soft during the Arc meeting.”

Also in the Cadran discussion is the owners’ Courage Mon Ami, who went into Wathnan folklore when winning last year’s Gold Cup but has been missing this season due to a setback.

“He’s back in training and we won’t be in any rush,” continued Brown on the Clarehaven stayer.

“The Cadran is in the back of our minds but he will be given all the time he needs. I don’t really ask about him too much, as no news is good news, but it’s positive that he is back in training.”

Gosden duo in fine spirits ahead of Goodwood Cup test

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John and Thady Gosden are set to launch a two-pronged assault on the Al Shaqab Goodwood Cup, with Sweet William and Gregory tasked with toppling Aidan O’Brien’s Gold Cup hero Kyprios.

Both finished behind Kyprios at Ascot, with Sweet William producing another consistent performance in the staying ranks to finish third, while Gregory was seventh, having failed to see out the stamina-sapping two-and-a-half-mile trip.

The duo’s stablemate and Gold Cup runner-up Trawlerman is not in the mix, but the Clarehaven team are happy with their chosen representatives in the Group One event, with the pair both being winners at the track previously.

Gregory (left) won the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot in 2023
Gregory (left) won the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot in 2023 (John Walton/PA)

With the forecast looking dry, they could encounter their preferred surface on the Sussex Downs – in a race which the yard won for four successive years with Stradivarius between 2017 and 2020.

“Gregory and Sweet William have both done well since Ascot,” said Thady Gosden.

“They’ve obviously freshened up since then and they’ve been busy in their work at home. We’re hoping for a good run.

“Gregory enjoys top of the ground and Sweet William ran a great race to be third in the Gold Cup on good to firm, so with the forecast looking how it is, the ground shouldn’t pose any issues at all.”

Kyprios sights set on Gold Cup repeat

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Kyprios is out to regain his crown in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.

The Aidan O’Brien trained six-year-old beat Mojo Star by half a length to win the 2022 renewal, but was absent last year as he was restricted to just two runs by injury and finished second in both of those races, including when beaten a neck by the reopposing Trawlerman in the Long Distance Cup.

But this season he has shown a return to the type of form that saw him win six out of six as a four-year old.

He has beaten Queenstown twice as a long odd-on favourite over a mile and three-quarters at Navan and Leopardstown and the step back up to two and a half miles will hold no fears for the son of Galileo.

Aidan O’Brien (left) and Ryan Moore hold up the Ascot Gold Cup
Aidan O’Brien (left) and Ryan Moore hold up the Ascot Gold Cup (David Davies/PA)

O’Brien said: “Kyprios is a hardy horse and everything has gone well with him, he’s training well and seems in good form. He’s an unbelievable horse and to have him back to this pitch, we’re delighted really.

“I don’t think there is any worries about the ground and I always thought he wanted nice ground, he’s a very good mover.”

Victory for David Menuisier’s Caius Chorister would cap a remarkable career trajectory for his five-year-old mare.

The daughter of Golden Horn won off a handicap mark of 53 at Yarmouth as recently as May 2022 before working her way up to Group race territory over the last eight months.

She landed the Group Three Prix Belle de Nuit in France in October before being headed in Gold Cup trials at Ascot and Sandown by Coltrane and Sweet William respectively, both times when conceding a 3lb penalty.

Sweet William, right, beats Caius Chorister, left, by a head in the Chasemore Farm Henry II Stakes at Sandown
Caius Chorister, left, has been beaten by a head in her last two starts (John Walton/PA)

“She’s been unbelievable from the start, because she’s never really shown much on the gallops and she’s not the prettiest, although we love her, don’t get me wrong. She’s so tough and she always turns up,” Menuisier told the British Champions Series.

“The only race she’s disappointed was when the lad who rides her at home was away following a family bereavement, so perhaps she was grieving too. She didn’t win last year until Saint-Cloud in October, but I think she was extremely unlucky in the Ebor.

“She’s amazing and I take my hat off to her every morning when she walks past. She’s a street fighter. Whatever happens we’ll enjoy the day, but I’m keeping everything crossed that she can win the race, not for me or for Clive (Washbourn, owner) but for her.

“It would be fantastic if she could strike at Group One level after working her way up from 53.”

Gregory represents Wathnan Racing who won the race last year with the currently sidelined Courage Mon Ami.

Gregory and Frankie Dettori (left) on the way to winning the Queen’s Vase
Gregory and Frankie Dettori (left) on the way to winning the Queen’s Vase (David Davies/PA)

Gregory won at the meeting last season in the hands of Frankie Dettori when landing the Queen’s Vase and he warmed up for this race with his only appearance this season when third to Giavellotto in the Yorkshire Cup during the Dante Festival.

Richard Brown, racing adviser to Wathnan, is confident Gregory can stay the course over a distance five and a half furlongs further than he has ever run before.

“We were delighted with York and thought it was a great prep for this, I thought he was finishing off strongly.

“It was amazing for Wathnan to win this race last year in what was really their first few weeks of ownership and it’s amazing to be going back with a colt with another chance.

“It’s a very tough race and Kyprios is a worthy favourite, but there’s others in there to worry about as well. Hopefully he can be a good substitute for Courage Mon Ami.

“I think he will stay but you never know until you run them over those extreme distances.

“The one thing James (Doyle) has always said is he has such a great temperament and that is such an asset in those staying races because you have to gallop down the hill and many horses lock on there, and James felt he would just be able to switch him off for two miles and get him into a rhythm and that is so important in those staying races.”

Trawlerman will be hoping to deny Kyprios once again when the pair renew their rivalry over two and a half miles.

Trawlerman, right, defeats Kyprios, left, by a neck at Ascot
Trawlerman, right, defeated Kyprios, left, by a neck at Ascot last October (John Walton/PA)

It will be the first appearance on British soil for John and Thady Gosden’s charge since defeating his O’Brien-trained rival by a neck on Champions Day in October.

He finished three and a half lengths behind Tower Of London in third in the Dubai Gold Cup in March, with William Buick, who rides the six-year-old for the first time, confident of another strong showing.

“I sat on him for the first time and rode work on him last week, and he’s in great form,” Buick said. “He was a good third in the Dubai Gold Cup and the question with him and a lot of the others is the last half mile.

“I haven’t had much luck in the Gold Cup, but he’d be one of my better rides in it for sure.”

Gregory on course for Gold Cup bid at Ascot

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Everything is in place for Gregory to bid for successive Royal Ascot wins, with the Gold Cup in his sights.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained four-year-old has big shoes to fill as he will be trying to emulate last year’s winner Courage Mon Ami, who is also owned by Wathnan Racing but currently sidelined.

Gregory won the Queen’s Vase in 2023, giving his new owners a famous double, and went on to be fifth in the St Leger at Doncaster.

He made his comeback this season in the Yorkshire Cup when third to Giavellotto.

“Everyone is very happy with Gregory. Obviously it was disappointing to have lost Courage Mon Ami, but he’s going to step up,” said Wathnan’s racing adviser Richard Brown.

“We were really pleased with his first run, delighted in fact, and obviously he promises to stay further, he was strong at the line having been off for a long time.

“We were very happy with that, I think that (a mile and three-quarters) will probably be his minimum trip. Obviously you never know they are going to stay that far, two and a half miles (the Gold Cup trip), but I think he’s got every chance.

“He really rallied strongly and I was impressed because at one point I was worried he was going to drop right off them, but he came back again. He’s a lovely horse.”

Wathnan eyeing Gold Cup repeat with star staying duo

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The Ascot Gold Cup is the priority for defending champion Courage Mon Ami and St Leger third Gregory as the Wathnan Racing team seek a repeat of last year’s Royal Ascot heroics.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained duo gave the Qatar-based operation the perfect start to their ownership enterprise, with Gregory scooping the Queen’s Vase and Courage Mon Ami claiming Thursday’s feature, both in the hands of Frankie Dettori.

Gregory would go on to place at Doncaster in the final Classic of the season and is now set to join his stablemate in the staying division this term, with connections keen to keep them apart before their joint-target at the royal meeting.

Both hold entries for the Boodles Yorkshire Cup on May 17, while Sandown’s Henry II Stakes a week later is another possible option for the duo to tune up for their main summer assignment.

Richard Brown, racing adviser for the owners, said: “Both are well and pointing towards the Ascot Gold Cup and obviously there are a few races they can run in before then.

“John and Thady are still to decide who is going where and where either of them is going to go.

Royal Ascot 2023 – Day Two – Ascot Racecourse
Gregory ridden by Frankie Dettori (left) winning the Queen’s Vase (John Walton/PA).

“There are only a couple of options and at the moment we’re slightly nervous about the ground. It may be that they both have to run in the same race, but we hope that is not the case.

“There is obviously York and Sandown and both races feed nicely into Ascot.”

Meanwhile, another of Wathnan’s inaugural stars, Isaac Shelby, has run his last race, with the son of Night Of Thunder retired after suffering an injury when second in the Prix Daniel Wildenstein at the end of last season.

Trained by Brian Meehan, the consistent operator was acquired by Wathnan after claiming the Greenham Stakes on his three-year-old bow and was only a whisker away from Classic honours in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains on his first outing in their colours.

“We’ve retired Isaac Shelby and he suffered an injury in France when he ran on Arc day,” continued Brown.

“He’s back sound but there was risk with going back and racing him and considering he nearly gave Wathnan a dream start in Paris, there was absolutely no chance they were going to risk the horse, so they have retired him.

“A plan hasn’t been made for him, but he’s in Newmarket and we’re just letting him down and we will figure things out for him in the coming months.”

Gregory to embark on winter break after St Leger effort

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Gregory will have the top staying races in his sights when he returns next year, with his brave St Leger run in defeat signalling the end of his three-year-old campaign.

Trained by John and Thady Gosden, the son of Golden Horn quickly established himself as a high-class performer by winning his first three outings and also demonstrated his thirst for a stamina test when striking in the hands of Frankie Dettori in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot.

However, after a first defeat in the Great Voltigeur at York and deserted by Dettori on account of the wet week in South Yorkshire, he was unable to correct the record on unsuitable ground at Doncaster as Aidan O’Brien’s Continuous confirmed Knavesmire form on Town Moor.

The Wathnan Racing-owned colt holds an entry for the Qipco British Champions Long Distance Cup at Ascot next month, but even though Gregory plugged on for a respectable fifth once headed in the St Leger, connections will now wait until next year before testing his long-distance credentials, with his Doncaster outing the final act of his 2023 season.

“I think he’s going to be better on top of the ground and he still ran an admirable race,” said Richard Brown, racing adviser to Gregory’s owners, reflecting on his Leger run.

“He’s a big colt and by the far the biggest, most scopey horse in that field and he’s only going to get better from three to four.

“He still ran with credit, but we’ll put him away now and we’ll look at turning him into a Cup horse next year.

“I think he’s got a very high cruising speed and he can sustain that, so I think that is what way we will be looking at.”

No fairytale Leger goodbye, but Dettori proud of Arrest effort

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There was no fairytale final Classic for Frankie Dettori as the retiring weighing-room legend had to settle for second aboard Arrest in the Betfred St Leger.

It was long thought Dettori would ride his Royal Ascot winner Gregory for his final crack at one of racing’s elite prizes, but the Italian made a last-minute switch to his John and Thady Gosden-trained stablemate Arrest ahead of declarations on Thursday on account of the soft going at Doncaster.

The 52-year-old had begun his farewell season with 2000 Guineas victory aboard Chaldean and in perfect symmetry he was again donning the Juddmonte silks in which he has enjoyed so many big-race triumphs throughout his career as he went in search of a seventh and final Leger trophy.

Frankie walking out for this final ride in the St Leger
Frankie walking out for this final ride in the St Leger (Danny Lawson/PA)

Like when partnering Arrest in his final Derby earlier in the season, the money came for Dettori’s mount, and he was sent off the 11-4 favourite as the stalls opened for the Doncaster showpiece.

And Dettori’s calculated risk briefly appeared clinical judgement as Arrest surged past a tiring Gregory approaching the final furlong.

However, already edging ahead of them was Ryan Moore aboard Continuous and Dettori was powerless in the closing stages as Aidan O’Brien’s improving colt galloped clear to run out a clinical winner of the world’s oldest Classic.

Dettori said: “I was actually getting excited between the three and the two and I thought I was going to win when I went by Gregory and then I looked over and saw Ryan and though ‘ah, I’m not going to’.

“I think that was a really good Leger, you could almost compare it to the Capri, Stradivarius, Coronet year (2017). I think the top three are pretty good.

Arrest (left) was unable to reel in Continuous at Doncaster
Arrest (left) was unable to reel in Continuous at Doncaster (Tim Goode/PA)

“I said to John ‘train him as a good mile-and-a-half horse next year’ but then I realised it’s not my problem anymore”

He went on: “I wanted to curse at Ryan, but he’s such a good mate of mine I couldn’t. I congratulated him and he was on the best horse on the day.

“I had a super run and then I saw I Ryan going better than me and I knew getting second would be good.

“He was a bit gassy, but that’s the way he is. He could be a force to be reckoned with next year over a mile and a half.

“It’s been a good journey, it wasn’t to be but I came close and I loved it.”

As at the Ebor meeting Dettori – who enjoyed a chat with the King, in attendance to watch his Desert Hero finish a gallant third, following the race – laughed off the idea he could be tempted to postpone retirement. “It’s got to be (a) big (offer)! Big!” he said.

Arrest’s training team concurred with Dettori’s thoughts that Arrest could be a real player in some top contests next term.

Frankie Dettori chats to the King at Doncaster
Frankie Dettori chats to the King at Doncaster (PA)

They were also satisfied with the brave effort of Gregory, who after being up with the pace throughout plugged on when tired in unsuitable ground to finish a not-disgraced fifth.

Thady Gosden said: “They’ve both run very good races, they’ve just been beaten by a very good horse there.

“Arrest has run a super race to be second. Gregory ran a nice race but the ground just wasn’t in his favour, he’s a horse with a lovely action and it would have been a bit deep for him.

“I think they are both quite versatile regarding trip. If you look at Gregory he’s still got some maturing to do, he’s a big horse and could be a Cup horse next year.

“We’ll have to see with Arrest, he’s stayed a mile-six-and-a-half there which isn’t far off a Cup trip so we’ve lots to look forward to.”

Kieran Shoemark savouring Classic opportunity aboard Gregory

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Kieran Shoemark says it is a “privilege not pressure” to team up with Gregory in Saturday’s Betfred St Leger at Doncaster.

Shoemark was called upon by John and Thady Gosden for the ride aboard Soul Sister in the Grand Prix de Paris earlier in the season and will again be aboard a horse usually piloted by Frankie Dettori, with the retiring Italian picking his Derby mount Arrest over the Queen’s Vase winner for his final ride in a British Classic.

It is arguably the biggest ride of Shoemark’s career as he steps out on Town Moor aboard one of the leading fancies for the final Classic of the season, but he is relishing the prospect of linking up with the Royal Ascot scorer, who has an obvious chance of handing him a first victory in one of racing’s crown jewel events.

Kieran Shoemark will ride Gregory after Frankie Dettori plumped for Arrest in the St Leger
Kieran Shoemark will ride Gregory after Frankie Dettori plumped for Arrest in the St Leger (Adam Davy/PA)

Shoemark said: “I’m very happy with my mount in the race and wouldn’t swap him. As soon as Frankie made up his mind I found out.

“He’s a high-profile horse in a high-profile race. He’s one of the market leaders and to be riding a favourite in a British Classic is hugely exciting.”

When asked if the ride aboard Gregory would represent the biggest moment in his career, Shoemark added: “I’ve never ridden a favourite in a Classic, so you could potentially say that. I’ve certainly felt more pressure going into other races, but if I were to win the race it would be my biggest career win for sure.

“It’s where I want to be, so it’s a privilege not pressure and I look forward to it.”

Gregory (left) was victorious in the Queen's Vase
Gregory (left) was victorious in the Queen’s Vase (John Walton/PA)

Gregory will head into the race having suffered his first career defeat when third under a penalty in the Great Voltigeur at York, but Shoemark believes a return to further for the Wathnan Racing-owned colt will be in his favour.

He continued: “It was well documented the strong tempo throughout the race in the Great Voltigeur and all credit to Gregory for maintaining that and still finishing his race.

“He was only beaten four lengths and the other two that were taking him on the whole way finished tailed off. I thought it was a massive run and we know he will benefit for the step up in trip, so it is all systems go.”

Unsurprisingly, owners Juddmonte are delighted Dettori has sided with their colt.

Racing manager Barry Mahon said: “John called this morning to say that Frankie had thought about it, and with the rain he was happy to ride Arrest and I suppose when you sit down and go through the different variables, he knows Arrest handles that type of ground which is a big thing.

“I think it will be a hot race and in fairness, I don’t think it was an easy choice to make for Frankie and I’m not sure I would be able to make it.

“Ultimately I’m sure the rain is what swayed him and if you look back to this day last week, when I spoke to John we both said it looks like we won’t be running. The forecast was giving very little rain at the start of the week but the last I read they were up to 30 millimetres, so it’s been a rollercoaster of a week and the more rain that falls the better.

“We know he handles soft ground well and I’m not sure there is a whole lot more coming between now and Saturday, but if there is, then an odd shower won’t do it any harm.”

Alongside Gregory and Arrest, the Clarehaven stable also has a fine third string in the supplemented Middle Earth (Oisin Murphy), a hugely impressive winner of the Melrose at York’s Ebor meeting.

Arrest will be Frankie Dettori's final St Leger mount
Arrest will be Frankie Dettori’s final St Leger mount (David Davies/PA)

The King and Queen have a live chance of tasting success in a British Classic with the William Haggas-trained Desert Hero, himself a Royal Ascot winner, albeit in handicap company in the King George V Stakes.

He subsequently won the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood, narrowly beating Simon and Ed Crisford’s Chesspiece and the two will lock horns again.

Aidan O’Brien runs four in Great Voltigeur winner Continuous, Alexandroupolis, Denmark and Tower Of London meaning there were no withdrawals at the 48-hour stage.

Dettori set to partner Arrest after St Leger switch

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Frankie Dettori has chosen to ride Arrest rather than Royal Ascot winner Gregory in Saturday’s Betfred St Leger at Doncaster – his final ride in a British Classic.

Dettori had looked sure to partner the John and Thady Gosden-trained Gregory given the way he won the Queen’s Vase in June over the St Leger trip – but Kieran Shoemark will now step into the breach.

Gregory only lost his unbeaten record last time out when dropping down to a mile and a half in the Great Voltigeur at York behind the re-opposing Continuous.

However, recent rain at Doncaster has turned the ground soft meaning Dettori will have a second chance at Classic glory on the Gosdens’ Arrest, who was sent off favourite for the Derby but could finish only tenth on good to firm ground.

Gregory (left) provided Dettori with a Royal Ascot winner in his final year
Gregory (left) provided Dettori with a Royal Ascot winner in his final year (John Walton/PA)

He also disappointed on quick ground at Royal Ascot but was impressive back on a soft surface at Newbury against older horses in the Geoffrey Freer last time out.

The Clarehaven stable also has a fine third string in the supplemented Middle Earth (Oisin Murphy), a hugely impressive winner of the Melrose at York’s Ebor meeting.

The King and Queen have a real live chance of tasting success in a British Classic with the William Haggas-trained Desert Hero, himself a Royal Ascot winner, albeit in handicap company in the King George V Stakes.

He subsequently won the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood, narrowly beating Simon and Ed Crisford’s Chesspiece and the two will lock horns again.

Aidan O’Brien runs four, Great Voltigeur winner Continuous, Alexandroupolis, Denmark and Tower Of London meaning there were no withdrawals at the 48-hour stage.

Royal winner of Leger would be huge for racing, says Carson

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Racing will be the winner, according to Willie Carson, if Desert Hero is able to replicate his historic achievement aboard Dunfermline and carry the royal silks to Classic glory in Saturday’s Betfred St Leger.

It was 1977 when Carson famously got the better of Lester Piggott and Alleged to give the late Queen Classic success in the Doncaster showpiece, during the same season the duo also tasted Oaks glory at Epsom in the height of the Silver Jubilee celebrations.

Dunfermline remains the last royal Classic winner, but now 46 years later the attention is once again on Town Moor as the William Haggas-trained Desert Hero attempts to add his name to the history books.

Dunfermline (left), ridden by Willie Carson, winning the Oaks at Epsom
Dunfermline (left), ridden by Willie Carson, winning the Oaks at Epsom (PA)

Having already provided the King and Queen with their first Royal Ascot triumph, the son of Sea The Stars, who will be ridden by Tom Marquand, now bids to add one of the sport’s crown jewels to his ever-growing CV.

“If the King wins then that will help racing, without a doubt,” Carson told the PA news agency.

“I rode two Classic winners for the Queen, but she wasn’t there either time. She was too busy with the Silver Jubilee celebrations for the Oaks and she was at Balmoral for the Leger, but I spoke to her on the telephone after.

“It’s a very good race, our oldest Classic, and it has the makings of a good horse race and the makings of a good story and we’re looking forward to a marvellous race.

“And if the King does arrive at Doncaster on the day and wins, then there is only one winner – racing.”

The King and Queen celebrate after Desert Hero's win at Royal Ascot
The King and Queen celebrate after Desert Hero’s win at Royal Ascot (Jonathan Brady/PA)

Carson won the St Leger three times, but 35 years after his final Doncaster triumph aboard Minster Son, another member of the family now has his chance to add his name to the annals of Britain’s oldest Classic.

That is because Desert Hero has been helped in his preparation for the big race by Carson’s grandson Luke, who rides the King George V Stakes and Gordon Stakes scorer in his work and is a key figure in the colt’s journey to the top.

“He’s looked after and ridden every day by my grandson, his name is Luke Carson,” continued the 80-year-old, who partnered 17 British Classic winners during his decorated career.

“He rides him in the morning, looks after him, he’s his baby.

“So I will be very happy if the King wins, for all sorts of reasons. He’s obviously got a chance, but I wouldn’t say he has as good a chance as Dunfermline did.

“Not only was that Leger famous because the Queen won it, but it was the only time in his career Alleged was beat. It was an incredible race and she was a very good filly, Dunfermline.”

Willie Carson (left) with Frankie Dettori who will ride Gregory in the St Leger
Willie Carson (left) with Frankie Dettori who will ride Gregory in the St Leger (Andrew Matthews/PA)

Not only does Carson have the family connection with Desert Hero to look forward to, he also owns a half-sister of the dam of ante-post favourite Gregory, and it promises to be a huge afternoon for the Scotsman, who may struggle to juggle his loyalties in the closing stages.

He added: “It’s a race I won three times. The race was quite kind to me.

“The horse Gregory, I own the dam’s half-sister called Leah. For me it is a big day all round.

“We’ve got a few irons in the fire and I guess I’ll be shouting for them both. Maybe a dead-heat!

Gregory heads to Doncaster Moor as market leader despite losing for the first time in the Great Voltigeur at York.

It was Aidan O’Brien’s Continuous who lowered the Golden Horn colt’s colours on that occasion, but Carson believes Gregory could be seen to better effect this weekend.

He said: “I saw an interview that John Gosden gave and I agreed with everything he said about why Gregory got beat at York.

“Unfortunately Frankie (Dettori) rode a fantastic race in the following race that day (Mostahdaf in the Juddmonte International Stakes), but he fell into a bad trap on Gregory by going too fast.

“John Gosden pointed that out and he also pointed out that when the race was over and he was beat, and Frankie had decided that was it, the horse still ran on.

“So Continuous is not certain to beat him at Doncaster. I think Frankie thought he would be able to dictate at York, but I’m afraid the dictation got thrown out the window because he had two people annoying him all the way round.”

He has also narrowed the stamina-sapping one-mile-six-furlong contest down to the three at the head of the betting and is relishing the prospect of three of the weighing room’s best slugging it out to lift the trophy.

“It looks like those are the three (Gregory, Continuous and Desert Hero) that should be winning the St Leger and I would say it will be the horse that gets the best ride, basically  – the one who it clicks for and whoever gets it right,” said Carson.

“O’Brien will organise the pace and it will be up to Frankie, who is normally very astute when it comes to tactics, I imagine he will not get it wrong this time. Of course, Ryan Moore will just sit on the tail of Frankie, that’s how I see it, whether it happens is another matter.

“You’ve got three of the top jockeys at the top of the game and we’re in for a treat.”

Gregory team maintain St Leger faith despite York defeat

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Connections of Gregory remain positive about his chances of victory in the Betfred St Leger, despite his short-priced defeat at York last week.

Having maintained his unbeaten record in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot, John and Thady Gosden’s colt was a warm order to cement his Classic claims with Group Two success in the Great Voltigeur Stakes.

But having cut out much of the running on the Knavesmire under Frankie Dettori, Gregory ultimately had to settle for third place, although he was staying on again at the line.

The son of Golden Horn remains at the head of ante-post lists for the Doncaster showpiece with some bookmakers and hopes remain high within his camp.

Richard Brown, racing adviser to Gregory’s owners Wathnan Racing, said: “We said after Ascot that his main target would be the Leger and that this (Great Voltigeur) was the obvious race to take en route.

“We’d love to have won it, but they went pretty hard up front – those early fractions were pretty fierce. We were initially disappointed, but then you see where the two horses that went with him finished and where he finished.

Frankie Dettori leaps from Gregory in the Ascot winner’s enclosure
Frankie Dettori leaps from Gregory in the Ascot winner’s enclosure (David Davies/PA)

“Frankie looked after him when his winning chance had gone and actually when he stood up on him, the horse ran on again on his own.

“Back up to a mile and six (furlongs) in the Leger is going to be much more his game. I’ve been in racing long enough not to be overly optimistic as things go wrong and maybe he’s not good enough, but I think he’s going to go there with a big chance.”

Gregory is the 3-1 market leader for the Leger with Paddy Power, with his York conqueror Continuous a 4-1 shot and Desert Hero, who carries the colours of the King and Queen, next in line at 11-2.

Brown added: “He’s come out of the race in great shape, John and Thady are very happy with him, it’s all systems go and we’re looking forward to it.

“It looks like it could be a very good renewal and with the royal runner as well, it’s exciting for racing.”

Dettori hoping to make it six of the best in Juddmonte International

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Victory for Frankie Dettori on Mostahdaf in the Juddmonte International on Wednesday would make him the most successful jockey in the race’s illustrious history.

Dettori currently sits alongside the legendary Lester Piggott on five wins apiece, and the Italian has one more chance to make the record his own before he heads off into retirement.

He has partnered some truly great horses to win the York showpiece, such as Halling (1996), Singspiel (1997), Sakhee (2001) and his first Derby winner Authorized (2007). A spare ride following the suspension picked up by Jim Crowley, Mostahdaf would certainly fit alongside that list.

His four-length victory in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes last time out was jaw-dropping in its brilliance – but in Paddington he faces a genuine Horse of the Year candidate.

Frankie Dettori won the Juddmonte International on Sakhee in 2001
Frankie Dettori won the Juddmonte International on Sakhee in 2001 (John Giles/PA)

“I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy some great days of racing at York over the years, including winning the St Leger there on Sixties Icon whilst the stands were being rebuilt at Doncaster,” Dettori said his World Pool blog.

“The Juddmonte International has been a lucky race for me too, and one more win would take me past Lester Piggott as the race’s most successful jockey. I’ve won it with some of the greats like Sakhee, the Derby winner Authorized, Sulamani, Halling – he was a machine – and Singspiel. They were all serious horses, and hopefully Mostahdaf is too!”

Halling provided Frankie Dettori with a first win in the race way back in 1996
Halling provided Frankie Dettori with a first win in the race way back in 1996 (John Giles/PA)

He went on: “Him and Paddington are arguably the two best mile-and-a-quarter horses around, so we’ve got a great race on our hands. We’ve got to give 9lb to a very good three-year-old, so it won’t be an easy task, but my fella has done nothing wrong this year.

“I rode him the other day and he’s beautiful. A really strong, powerful horse, which is what you’d want to see in a five-year-old. Paddington is entitled to be a short-price favourite, but Mostahdaf has really stepped up this season and I’m looking forward to having a crack at it.”

Frankie Dettori leaps for Gregory after winning the Queen's Vase
Frankie Dettori leaps for Gregory after winning the Queen’s Vase (David Davies/PA)

Dettori also has leading claims in the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes on the unbeaten Leger favourite Gregory, like Mostahdaf trained by John and Thady Gosden.

“Gregory comes here off the back of a good win in the Queen’s Vase at Ascot, but it’s so hard to know what kind of form he’s in as he does nothing in the mornings. He’s so laid back that I don’t even think bombs would move him!” said Dettori.

“I’d like to think that he’ll improve again for that run at Ascot, which was only his third start, but we only know as much as anyone else that’s seen him race.”