Magnier raises hopes of Epsom bid by dual Guineas winner
COOLMORE chief John Magnier on Sunday raised hopes of his dual 2,000 Guineas hero Henrythenavigator taking his chance in the Vodafone Derby in 12 days' time by claiming: “Epsom is what it's all about.”
Magnier's comments forced
Ladbrokes to reinsert Henrythenavigator as their 5-1 joint-second favourite with Curtain Call, behind 3-1 favourite Casual Conquest. However, enthusiasm over the colt's participation in Europe's premier Classic was tempered slightly, with Magnier saying
the final nod to run would be a team decision and not his alone.
Henrythenavigator is entirely a Magnier-owned colt, with neither Michael Tabor nor Derrick Smith involved in the son of Kingmambo, who races in the colours of Magnier's wife Sue.
But the likes of trainer Aidan O'Brien, jockey Johnny Murtagh and vet John Halley will also have a say on whether Epsom is next on the agenda.
Magnier said: “Running in the Derby is what Henrythenavigator was bred to do. His sire has got a St Leger winner and his dam is by Sadler's Wells. You can't say he won't stay just because he has shown so much speed in his races. Sir Ivor was a horse who showed a lot of speed and he won a Derby.
“Mind you, when at the start of the season I saw Henrythenavigator entered for the King's Stand and the Derby, I said to myself ‘this is crazy' and said I'll have to talk to this man (O'Brien). But Aidan was right – the horse has lots of speed, and who knows whether he will stay.”
O'Brien reported Henrythenavigator “in good form” after Saturday's win but,
asked when a decision about Epsom might be expected, he smiled and said: “You'd better get the boss man and ask him.”
Inresponse, Magnier said: “Aidan is putting me on the spot, isn't he!
“If I'm being asked what I would like to do, then Epsom is what it's all about. We all know what Tesio said about the Epsom winning post.” (see quote below)
O'Brien added that all seven horses he has left in the Derby were “possibles”, with final plans becoming clearer at the end of the week.
He also had news of Kingdom Of Naples, the winner of his only start last season and a leading fancy for the Derby until just a few days ago.
O'Brien said: “Kingdom Of Naples has had a few little problems and we've had to back off him for the time being. He's on a break and will be back, probably for an autumn campaign.”
Dermot Weld is still holding fire regarding Casual Conquest's participation at Epsom.
He said:
“We'll make a decision by next weekend. We'll work him during the week. The Prix du Jockey-Club is next Sunday and that's still an option, although we're seriously considering Epsom.”
>>“The Thoroughbred exists because its selection has depended, not on experts, technicians, or zoologists, but on a piece of wood: the winning post of the Epsom Derby. If you base your criteria on anything else, you will get something else, not the Thoroughbred”
Federico Tesio (1869-1954) breeder of Nearco and Ribot, and one of the greatest thoroughbred breeders of the 20th century.
