KING-SIZE TARGET
Derby ace Adayar Ascot bound
IMPERIOUS Cazoo Derby winner Adayar may return to action in next month’s King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.
And he could then be trained for a crack at the Prix de l’arc de Triomphe in October.
The colt, the first son of the mighty Frankel to celebrate success in the Epsom Classic, received a clean bill of health on his return to trainer Charlie Appleby’s Moulton Paddock stables at Newmarket.
“He has come out of the race great,” said
Appleby, who was adding to his 2018 Derby success with Masar. “Without rubber stamping anything we will give him a bit more time and look towards going to the King George.
“If he happens to win a King George, we can work back from an Arc.”
Adayar was partnered to victory by the popular 32-year-old Adam Kirby who was celebrating his first Classic success. “We all went round to Adam’s on Saturday night after the Derby,” added Appleby. “It was great to see Adam and his family happy and also the amount of support he’s got from the public.”
Appleby, also responsible for the Derby third, Hurricane Lane, and sixth, One Ruler, added: “We’ll look at the Irish Derby for Hurricane Lane. One Ruler is a possible for the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot next week.”
The modest Appleby played down his achievements in his role as Godolphin’s principal trainer.
“I look at myself as the orchestrator,” he said.
“I’m the man lucky enough to be picking up the prizes but it is a huge team effort by everyone.
“To have trained two Derby winners is, of course, surreal.”