Last run as Legal Eagle and Marinaresco off to US

Racing fans will see the two leading contenders for Saturday’s R5m Sun Met, Legal Eagle and Marinaresco, for the last time in the big race at Kenilworth. Both horses — with others including Silver Mountain — will be sent to the US to continue their careers.

Derek Brugman, racing manager for leading owner Markus Jooste, confirmed the news at last weekend’s CTS sale in Cape Town.

“The plane of some 12 horses is pretty much full and does include Legal Eagle and Marinaresco,” Jooste said.

This is a bold initiative by Brugman and certainly the right move for Legal Eagle as the ruling horse of the year has nothing more to prove here.

Champion trainer Sean Tarry will be sad to lose his star performer, but — win or lose in Saturday’s Met — he has done an outstanding job with the son of Grey’s Inn.

Although it has not been revealed which trainers are to end of 2017 is mouthwatering.

Owner Markus Jooste has already made a big impact with his purchases at European sales and his tie-up with Ireland’s famous Coolmore Stud will surely soon result in a group 1 winner in the UK or France.

The Magnier family’s attendance at the two-day CTS yearling sale was a show of support for a sale that has been hugely backed since its inception by Jooste and that has gone from strength to strength under chairman Chris van Niekerk.

On the Met front, the major share in Gold Standard, the only three-year-old in the race, has been bought by Drakenstein Stud owner Gaynor Rupert.

The son of Trippi will race in her colours on Saturday.

Trainer Glen Kotzen is confident of a big run by his horses against his elders. Commenting on the horse’s favourable draw of barrier four, he said: “We were hoping to draw somewhere between 1-7 so we’re happy.

“He’s exceptionally well and put up a great gallop at home just a few days ago which is why we just paraded him on Thursday [at the final gallops].” Sean Tarry, who will saddle French Navy as well as Legal Eagle, said: “I’m very pleased with French Navy’s draw. Legal Eagle’s could have been worse.

“It’s not panic stations, but we’re not over the moon.”

Jonathan Snaith, on behalf of Snaith Racing, expressed confidence in their popular grey, Bela-Bela. “Anthony [Delpech] was very impressed with her gallop and with her five draw she has to be in the frame, but obviously it’s difficult taking on the boys,” he said.