Tag Archive for: Desert Crown

Kingscote counting down the days to Desert Crown return

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Richard Kingscote has expressed his delight at keeping the ride on Derby hero Desert Crown this season.

The Nathaniel colt pleased Sir Michael Stoute in his first bit of strong work on the Al Bahathri Polytrack gallop in Newmarket on Wednesday when he pulled clear of his lead horse Solid Stone.

It has subsequently been announced Kingscote will retain the mount, despite Stoute’s long-standing link with Ryan Moore.

The Saeed Suhail-owned Desert Crown is due to return in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown on May 25.

Kingscote said: “I never expected to keep the ride, but very kindly Sir Michael and the owner said I can.

“He was an awesome Derby winner and I’m very excited by him.”

Desert Crown remains on course for Sandown return

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Last year’s Derby hero Desert Crown will make his long-awaited comeback in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown on Thursday week, connections have confirmed.

The unbeaten son of Nathaniel has not been seen since defeating Hoo Ya Mal at Epsom in June, having suffered an ankle injury.

However, the unseasonably wet spring has caused problems for many trainers, with Sir Michael Stoute unable to use Newmarket’s grass gallops.

The Saeed Suhail-owned Desert Crown will still take his chance in the 10-furlong contest, however.

Bruce Raymond, racing manager to the owner, said: “He runs in the Brigadier for sure.

“We have tried to get him on the grass, but everywhere is closed, so we might have to use something on Racecourse Side, I don’t know. I can’t think it will be any issue.

“But he is in good shape, the horse looks good and all has gone to plan, from what I have been told.”

The Brigadier Gerard is a race Stoute has farmed over the years, winning it 11 times – most recently with Bay Bridge last year, who went on to land the Champion Stakes.

Brigadier Gerard comeback beckons for Desert Crown

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Desert Crown is back in stronger work, with Sir Michael Stoute eyeing a familiar race for his return to action.

Last year’s impressive Derby winner has not been seen since it looked like he had the racing world at his feet.

However, speaking after he watched his newcomer Passenger bolt up in the Wood Ditton at Newmarket, Stoute nominated Sandown’s Brigadier Gerard Stakes on May 25 for his comeback target.

It is a race Stoute has farmed over the years, winning it 12 times – most recently with Bay Bridge last year who went on to land the Champion Stakes.

“We’re getting him back, he’s in strong work now and we’re looking forward to seeing how he progresses, but so far things have gone very smoothly,” said Stoute.

“He’s done all his foundation work and went into strong work yesterday.

“I think we are (on target for the Brigadier Gerard). All is going well now – the athlete is back in strong work.”

Of Bay Bridge, who beat 2021 Derby winner Adayar and Baaeed in the Champion Stakes, he said:  “He’s in good shape and will either go to Sandown (Gordon Richards Stakes) or to France (Prix Ganay).”

Desert Crown ‘in good shape’ as he continues on comeback trail

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Desert Crown, who has not run since winning the Derby in impressive fashion, is back in work and “looks a million dollars” following injury.

The son of Nathaniel has run just three times, including twice in his three-year-old campaign, which saw him land the Dante and the Epsom Classic.

However, Sir Michael Stoute’s star subsequently suffered an ankle injury which saw him miss the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and other big targets last term.

Saeed Suhail will keep him in training as a four-year-old, however, and the owner’s racing manager, Bruce Raymond, said he is back in work at Newmarket.

“Desert Crown is in good shape,” said Raymond. “He was turned out for a bit at Darley.

“He was there for about eight weeks and it did him really good.

“He came back in around mid-November and I saw him last week.

“He looks a million dollars – you’d think it was June. He has a beautiful coat, he looks great and started cantering five days before Michael got back from Barbados. He has been cantering away, although not strong cantering. Everything has been OK.”

Stoute was reluctant to outline plans, stating: “It’s February. I haven’t made any plans and we don’t want to get carried away with anything.”

However, Raymond believes he will head to the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown on May 25, before contesting the King George.

He added: “I would have thought he would go to the Brigadier Gerard and then the King George. It is the usual route.

“Michael won’t say anything, of course. If I ask him, he will say, ‘That’s for you to guess and me to know!’.

“So I’m guessing he’s going in that direction, but he does look well and we’ll just have to see what happens.”