Shadwell and Godolphin target Epsom Derby glory

Shadwell’s extremely exciting Mohaafeth has earned his way onto the big stage, courtesy of a trio of one-sided victories to commence his sophomore campaign. Trained by William Haggas, the son of Frankel has now landed three from five, including a dismantling of Meydan Trophy winner Secret Protector last out in the Listed Newmarket Stakes.

Garnering a 111 rating, Mohaafeth heads into the classic Cazoo Derby (G1) at Epsom this Saturday as a serious player in what looks a salty renewal. He will be reunited with jockey Jim Crowley, who has been aboard for his past two victories.

“Everybody has been very happy with him leading up to the race,” said Angus Gold, Shadwell’s longtime racing manager. “Jim Crowley came and rode him in a gallop on the Rowley Mile (last Wednesday) and was very happy with the feel the horse gave him; although the ground was still soft, which is not his favoured surface, he strode up to two high-class lead horses very well and Jim said he gave him a good feel. The horse seemed to pull up well from it, so William will just be looking to keep him fit and happy for the next week.

“It would be wrong to say anybody is going into the race with confidence, as this is a Derby and in my experience it is better to be hopeful rather than overconfident, particularly as very few of these horses have run over a mile and a half already and Bolshoi Ballet looked very impressive in the Derrinstown Derby Trial,” Gold continued. “However, we are all very excited to have a horse in the top four or five in the betting market for the Cazoo Derby, and we just have to hope he gets there in top shape on the big day.”

Mohaafeth was purchased for $449,056 at Tattersalls October Yearling Sale 2019 and is a son of the famous Frankel, out of Listed-winning Sea The Stars mare French Dressing, herself out of the diminutive and determined multiple stakes-winning Halling mare Foodbroker Fancy. His lone sibling to race, 4-year-old New Approach filly French Polish, broke her maiden at Kempton last fall at fourth asking for owner-breeder Normandie Stud and trainer Roger Charlton.

Godolphin have also set their sights on Group 1 prizes. The Dubai racing operation of His Hignhess Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum , Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, has a trio entered in the English Derby.

Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby is expecting his three runners to progress again when tackling Saturday’s ‘fascinating’ G1 Cazoo Derby at Epsom.

Appleby, who saddled Masar to win the 2018 renewal, believes the 12-strong field represents the high quality demanded of the world-famous Classic that is steeped in history.

“There is a lot of depth to this year’s Derby....it’s a fascinating race with several strong contenders...and I am looking to all our three — Hurricane Lane (William Buick), One Ruler (James Doyle) and Adayar (Adam Kirby) — to improve on what they have already shown on the racecourse this season,” Appleby said.

“Hurricane Lane goes to Epsom unbeaten in three starts and the winner of York’s G2 Dante Stakes, a trial that has long been a reliable pathway to the Derby.

“He finished off strongly in the Dante, and stepping up to the mile and a half shouldn’t worry him. He lacks racing experience but he has done well since York and one of his great attributes is he is laidback.

“Sometimes, the occasion can get to horses on Derby Day, but I don’t think it will be any problem to him. I thought he showed character in the Dante. He’s a colt you can put anywhere in a race, so he should adapt to any tactical moves.

“Hurricane Lane ticks many of the boxes you want to see ticked by a strong Derby contender,” Appleby added.

One Ruler, a son of Dubawi, is the most experienced of the Godolphin trio, having won two of his six starts as well as featuring in one of the key form lines when second to Mac Swiney in the G1 Vertem Futurity on heavy ground at Doncaster last October.

“One Ruler had a very good two-year-old profile. He was never out of the first three in five starts and the form with Mac Swiney, who recently won the Irish 2,000 Guineas, is very solid.

“We were not disappointed when One Ruler finished sixth in the G1 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket. James Doyle got off him and said that he would appreciate the step up in trip. Also, he thought the ground was a bit quick for him that day.

“He’s had experience of Epsom. We took him there for a look around (on Monday, 24 May) and a canter down the hill and around Tattenham Corner. It’s all part of the preparation, and I think it will prove beneficial. He was taking it all in.

“Will he stay the trip? There is every chance he will. I am confident he will be one of the last to come off the bridle,” the trainer added.

Adayar, the third member of the Godolphin squad, finished second in the G3 Sandown Classic Trial and second in the Listed Lingfield Derby Trial and is clearly going the right way. Adam Kirby comes in for the ride.

Appleby said: “Adayar gained valuable experience in the two trials, particularly at Lingfield, where he fought on well. He will see out the trip really well.

“He is lightly-raced and with maturity will be a nice type. Placed in two Derby trials, he worthy of his place in the field,” he added.