Debt repaid thanks to Carr

YORKSHIRE trainer Ruth Carr celebrated a Derby Day victory with old boy Sovereign Debt – and then revealed the secret of her success.

The eight-year-old is on a winning roll and landed a career-best success in the £70,000 Investec Diomed Stakes.

Carr, who trains at Stillington in North Yorkshire, said: “I like to turn my horses out in the field. I’m obsessed with it.

“I don’t care if they’re a bit muddy or have a few war wounds from where they bite each other as the physical and mental benefits far outweigh those negatives.

“We don’t do much differently with Sovereign Debt that we do with the rest of our horses really.

“We put him out in a field with a lowly-rated gelding, who looks after him. He’s a happy horse.”

The flying grey, ridden by Jimmy Sullivan (right) is also as tough as old boots and repelled his rivals in a blanket finish.

He has now won three of his four starts after switching to Carr’s yard this season.

She added: “He is so straightforward. You can put him wherever you want to in a race and he does the job. I did think he would get beat today as he was carrying a 5lb penalty from his Sandown win. That sort of penalty, giving weight away to horses rated the same as him and horses coming through the grades can really stop them so this was great to see. He’s a real trier.” Sovereign Debt could now be aimed at a Group One race and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot on Champions Day is a possibility. Meanwhile, Caspian Prince won the Investec Corporate Banking Dash for a third time – and for his third different trainer. The front-running eight-year-old was drawn widest of all in stall one but as ever he was away quickly under Tom Eaves and was soon at the head of affairs.

He had a break on the field in the final 100 yards and looked home and hosed, only for Duke Of Firenze, another former winner, and Dark Shot to launch late challenges.

The three flashed past together, with Caspian Prince (25-1) adding Tony Coyle’s name to the roll of honour alongside Tony Carroll and Dean Ivory, who had previously trained him to victory in this valuable contest.

Dark Shot, who was stone last at halfway, was a short-head second, with Duke Of Firenze just a nose away in third.

Owner Stephen Louch said: “What a story, triple Dash! I can’t believe it. I wasn’t expecting it, I really wasn’t.”