Despite the Royal household’s long historical past of success on the race observe, it’s a must to go all the way in which again to 1977 for the final time they celebrated a Classic winner, but that wait may effectively be ended on Saturday.
That’s the duty for coach William Haggas and jockey Tom Marquand within the Betfred St Leger at Doncaster, live on Sky Sports Racing, with Royal Ascot hero Desert Hero.
The Sea The Stars colt, who has landed the King George V Stakes at Ascot and Goodwood’s Gordon Stakes en path to Town Moor, will bid to emulate the good Dunfermline and carry the well-known purple, crimson and gold silks to victory.
Speaking to Sky Sports Racing on Tuesday, Haggas mentioned: “He’s in good form. He worked this morning and went nicely.
“He was spectacular at Goodwood with minimize within the floor and received on prime of the bottom at Royal Ascot so I do not assume that bothers him an excessive amount of.
“Obviously, the softer it’s, the extra focus there may be on the stamina and he is probably not a powerful stayer at a-mile-and-six furlongs however we’ll see. I feel he’ll.
“I appreciated him at Goodwood – he confirmed a little bit of velocity, which you want.
“Ascot was solely a handicap and so they went very quick which suited the horses that have been performed late however he did nothing unsuitable and it was solely his second run of the yr.
Jockey Tom Marquand sat down with Sky Sports Racing’s Matt Chapman to elucidate how profitable a second St Leger at Doncaster aboard Desert Hero for The King and Queen could be a ‘magical’ second
“This will be his fourth run so I think he’s a pretty fresh horse and has been doing very well physically since Goodwood.”
Reflecting on Desert Hero’s Royal connections, Haggas added: “It’s wonderful that they’ve taken up the mantle from The King’s late mother and are enjoying it with great gusto.
“It’s terrific that they have a horse that’s fairly helpful and I do know they’re having fun with him enormously.
“Everyone who is involved in horse racing would like to win a Classic, whether they breed, own, train, ride or look after horses. The Classic is everyone’s dream and they [The King and Queen] are no different.”
Desert Hero appears to be like set to face a small however choose subject, with John Gosden and Aidan O’Brien bringing the chief opposition, together with Gregory, the seemingly mount of the departing Frankie Dettori.
Continuous and Desert Hero may meet within the St Leger at Doncaster on September 16, live on Sky Sports Racing
“It really looks a quality renewal. John [Gosden] has the strongest hand with Gregory, Middle Earth and Arrest and Aidan’s horse [Continuous] was very impressive in the Great Voltigeur.
“I suppose Gregory and Continuous are the entrance two, however Chesspiece could be very stable and we’re fairly stable too. It’s a very good renewal and a enjoyable race.”
While a lot of the media attention will be on Dettori’s bid for a final Classic success, Haggas has his own riding star in Tom Marquand, who recently celebrated his 1,000th British victory.
“Tom is getting plenty of alternatives in prime races now and it is good as a result of there isn’t any doubt they put somewhat bit of additional stress on any jockey,” Haggas said.
“He’s a world class jockey and has confirmed that in Australia and Japan. Anywhere he goes, he does effectively. We’re very fortunate to have him.”
Marquand poses with the St Leger trophy at Doncaster after victory on Galileo Chrome in 2020
Should Desert Hero convey the home down on Saturday, worldwide targets may very well be subsequent on the agenda, with the Melbourne Cup a risk.
Haggas mentioned: “It’s in our minds but much will depend on what happens on Saturday.”
Hard To Resist carries Royal hopes in May Hill
Haggas sends a powerful squad to Doncaster for the whole St Leger Festival, which kicks off on Thursday, all live on Sky Sports Racing.
The Royal silks is also carried to victory within the May Hill Stakes with thrilling two-year-old filly Hard To Resist.
“She ran well at Goodwood, staying on behind Darnation, who runs again and unfortunately has as good a draw as we have,” Haggas mentioned. “Hopefully we can do a bit better but Darnation is the one to beat.
“After every of her final two runs the jockey has reported she’ll be higher on nicer floor so if it does dry up a bit that may go well with her.”
William Haggas sends a powerful squad to Doncaster this week
Later on the cardboard, Haggas has two possibilities of Group Two success within the Park Hill Stakes.
“Crack Of Light has been running in France this year – won a Listed race and was placed in a Group Two and Group Three – so she’ll probably run another good race.
“It’s the primary time at a-mile-and-six furlongs which I’m not so positive about and Mr Oppenheimer [owner] is not both however we got here to the conclusion that we have got little to lose by making an attempt and fairly a bit to realize.
“Tom [Marquand] has plumped for Golden Lyra, who was useful last year at the back end of the season on the soft ground and she should relish the step up in trip.
“She ran a a lot better race in France final time – her finest effort for a yr – staying on all the way in which to the road so I feel she’ll run a very good race, particularly now the rain has come.”
Watch each race from the Betfred St Leger Festival at Doncaster all live on Sky Sports Racing from Thursday, September 14.
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