This has been five years in the making. Ryan Moore will finally get his chance to ride in the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on Saturday when he partners the UAE Derby winner Mendelssohn in Louisville.
In 2013 Moore rode at the meeting and was so transfixed by the experience that he vowed to return. The British jockey is a man of few words, but the then 29-year-old was “staggered” by the atmosphere generated by the 151,616 racegoers below Churchill Downs’ famous twin spires.
He believed at the time that there was no comparison to what he had seen. For a man who has won eight British Classics, a Melbourne Cup, two Prix De l’Arc de Triomphes, a Japan Cup and four Breeders’ Cup Turfs that is quite a statement.
On paper, Mendlessohn has a serious chance. He beat Kentucky Oaks contender Rayya at Meydan by an eye-popping 18 and a half lengths. Although it was a visually stunning performance, he stopped the clock impressively, too. By finishing second, Rayya beat her time in the UAE Oaks over the same course and distance by over a second. As he dismounted from the monstrous colt, Moore said that the precious son of deceased sire Scat Daddy could only get better.
MV Magnier was instrumental in purchasing Mendelssohn for the Coolmore syndicate for $3 million at the Keeneland September sale in 2016. He was impressed by the colt’s physique and has been dreaming of this moment ever since.
“The Kentucky Derby was always the dream,” Magnier revealed.
“If we thought he could be half as good as (half sister) Beholder and get him to win on the dirt it is something we aimed to do, but we aim quite a lot and don’t always hit.
“Ryan said afterwards that he was a bit green and he said there was plenty of improvement, so hopefully we will see it in Kentucky.”
The race known as the “Run For the Roses” is the jewel in a Trans-Atlantic Group One Triple Crown this weekend that sees Coolmore up against Godolphin in all three rounds.
Moore has forsaken the opportunity to win a third English 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday by spurning the saddles of Gustav Klimt, widely considered the favorite for the British Classic, and his stablemate Saxon Warrior, who many believe is the English Derby winner-in-waiting. Murillo also runs for Coolmore, most likely as pacemaker, while Godolphin rely on the runaway Craven Stakes winner Masar.
Moore will fly back to Newmarket from Kentucky on Saturday night to partner Happily in the English 1,000 Guineas on Sunday. Stablemates I Can Fly (Seamie Heffernan), Sizzling (Donnacha O’Brien) and Sarrochi form a fearsome quartet.
Up against them are Godolphin’s Soliloquy, the supplemented mount of William Buick, and Wild Illusion, who will be ridden by James Doyle.
It is a stretch to suggest that Godolphin’s Kentucky Derby challenger Enticed is a major threat to Mendelssohn, especially with unbeaten American colts such as Bob Baffert’s Justify and Magnum Moon alongside the once-beaten but highly-rated Audible also in the starting gates.
But when Moore was riding in Kentucky all those years ago, Godolphin were in a slump. Charlie Appleby had just replaced disgraced trainer Mahmood Al-Zarooni and top-flight winners were scarce. Since then, things have changed. Enticed, Masar, Wild Illusion and Soliloquy were all bred by the Dubai-based organization’s Darley operation. Last season Coolmore trainer Aidan O’Brien famously broke Bobby Frankel’s record of 25 Group One wins in a season with 28, but Godolphin pursued the Irishman around the world and ended up with an impressive 18.
Their rivalry is a strand that will thread through the fabric of the international season in 2018, and if Godolphin have one chance of knocking off their Irish rivals over the next two days it surely rests with Masar at Churchill Downs.
“I have been pleased with his preparation and he’s come out of the Craven in good order. I can’t give you a negative,” Appleby said.
“Based on what we saw in the Craven, we must go into Saturday’s race hoping that he is a serious contender. It’s an exciting weekend for the team and we hope that Masar has a decent chance.”
Roll on the weekend.
Kentucky Derby to set the scene for summer rivalry between Coolmore and Godolphin
Kentucky Derby to set the scene for summer rivalry between Coolmore and Godolphin
- Kentucky Derby promises to be great battle at Churchill Downs with Ryan Moore looking to add to his impressive CV of race wins.
- Godolphin looking to upset Coolmore's dream with its impressive runner, Masar.
Neto treble fires Chelsea’s FA Cup rout of Hull
KINGSTON UPON HULL: Chelsea eased into the FA Cup fifth round as Pedro Neto’s hat-trick inspired a 4-0 win at Hull on Liam Rosenior’s return to the club that sacked him two years ago.
Rosenior’s side took the lead through Neto’s superb first-half strike before the Portugal forward netted again after the break.
Estevao Willian scored Chelsea’s third and Neto completed his treble to wrap up the fourth round rout at the MKM Stadium.
It was an emotional evening for Blues boss Rosenior as he faced the club that ruthlessly severed their long relationship with him in 2024.
Rosenior supported Hull as a child alongside his season-ticket holding grandmother, played for the club across five years and managed them for two seasons.
He was sacked after narrowly failing to reach the Championship play-offs amid criticism of his team’s conservative tactics.
Despite the painful end to his time at Hull, the 41-year-old said it was an “amazing thing” to return to Humberside and he took full advantage of the chance to show his old club what they had missed out on.
“This club means a lot not just to me but also my family for many reasons,” Rosenior said.
“I do hope they make the Premier League this year, but because of our attitude and application, that is what gave us the platform to win tonight.”
Rosenior has made an impressive start at Chelsea since arriving from Strasbourg to replace Enzo Maresca in January, winning eight out of his first 11 matches in all competitions.
He made seven changes, with Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez and Joao Pedro among those to miss out, but Chelsea were still too strong for the Championship promotion chasers.
“Pedro Neto has been outstanding, he works so hard and has so much quality. I’m delighted to see him get the goals,” Rosenior said.
“The most pleasing aspect was the mentality. It was a really strong performance in terms of the mental application you need to be successful. Everyone worked really hard for each other.”
Chelsea dominated possession to such an extent that it was little surprise when they finally made the breakthrough in the 40th minute.
Liam Delap teed up Neto and he whipped a superb finish into the corner from 20 yards.
Andrey Santos’ towering header was pushed over by Dillon Phillips after the interval and, from the resulting corner, Chelsea doubled their lead in the 51st minute.
Neto’s inswinger caught Phillips flat-footed at the near post, bouncing through his legs without a touch from either team.
Chelsea had blown a two-goal advantage in their 2-2 draw with Leeds in the Premier League on Tuesday.
But there was no chance of a repeat and Estevao grabbed their third with a composed finish from 12 yards in the 59th minute.
Neto made it four in the 71st minute, caressing a low finish past Phillips from Delap’s lay-off.
Wrexham beat fellow Championship side Ipswich 1-0 in Friday’s other fourth round tie.
The Welsh club, owned by Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac, are into the last 16 for the first time since 1996-97.
