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THE rehearsals are over but Martyn Meade admits he is both nervous and confident about stepping onto Flat racing’s biggest stage for the first time when he saddles Eminent in today’s Investec Derby.
Meade, inset, is David taking on not one, but three Goliaths of the turf when he attempts to conquer the 238-year-old Epsom Classic.
Aidan O’Brien, a veteran of the race, sends an army of five over from Ireland in his bid to take the prize for the sixth time.
John Gosden runs five and makes a convincing case for a third success with Cracksman, the mount of Frankie Dettori.
Godolphin, Sheikh Mohammed’s boys in blue team, have three runners and his son, Sheikh bin Mohammed Al Maktoum, joins the squad with Permian.
With such formidable opposition, Meade, 69, not surprisingly remarks: “I am very nervous, but it’s just a wonderful privilege to have a horse capable of running in the race for the first time. “I just hope they don’t get in our the way!”
Eminent was well-bought by Meade’s son-in-law Dermot Farrington for £150,000, as the covering fee for his sire, the mighty Frankel, would leave no change from £125,000.
After winning his solitary start last year, Eminent, who runs in the silks of Sir Peter Vela, a leading owner and breeder in New Zealand, became a serious player for the Classics after winning the Craven Stakes in record time at Newmarket in April. But he failed to build on that performance when sixth behind Churchill in last month’s 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket but Meade believes there are valid excuses for that defeat.
“The Guineas just did not work out for us,” says Meade. “Maybe it came too soon after the Craven, also we did not have a clear run in the race. “He’s come out of the Guineas terribly well. I’m sure, if we had a clear run, he would have been placed. We were only beaten three and half lengths by Churchill.” Meade, with his background competing on the polo grounds and riding to hounds, might be perceived as a rich man playing at the game, since training first winner over jumps in 1972.
Wealth has certainly enabled him to purchase one of the most lavish training yards in Newmarket – Sefton Lodge, named after the 1873 Derby winner, and the nearby Snailwell Stud. But the laid-back trainer showed that he is capable of rubbing shoulders with the best of his profession.
Two years ago he came close to snatching the French 1,000 Guineas when Irish Rookie finished second to Ervedya at Longchamp.
Reflecting on Eminent’s Guineas disappointment, Meade admits he does not dwell on the past. Now it’s all about the Derby and he’s really pleasing me,” he says. “He showed that he handles the track when he galloped there last week.
“I always thought he was a Derby horse and that is what he was bought for. He has a live chance, and could actually conceivably win it.”
Jim Crowley, who will again be in the saddle, shares Meade’s infectious enthusiasm.
“If you asked me to pick any horse to ride in the race, I’d choose him,” Crowley says.
Meade might be saddling his first runner in the world’s most recognised Flat race but he is fully aware of what the Derby is all about.
“It’s the greatest race in world,” he says. “It’s an honour having a runner in the race but also a big responsibility. It’s the race without any doubt I want to win, as an Englishman on your own home turf.
“It’s the ultimate – just imagine winning it.”