Khalifa Sat made his claim for the Derby after triumphing in the Listed Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood on June 14. - Twitter
Dubai - The Ahmad Al Shaikh-owned colt contests the prestigious Group 1 race at Epsom Downs on Saturday
Published: Fri 3 Jul 2020, 10:22 PM
Last updated: Sat 4 Jul 2020, 12:41 PM
Godolphin may have been dealt a cruel blow after strong contender Military March had to pull out from the Epsom Derby last week but the UAE will still have a strong candidate in the prestigious Group 1 contest at Epsom Downs on Saturday.
Khalifa Sat, owned by Ahmad Al Shaikh, is one among the 16 runners in the race for three-year-old colts.
It was heartbreaking news that Military March will miss the 241st renewal of the Derby after suffering a setback in training.
The son of Free Eagle, Khalifa Sat made his claim for the Derby after triumphing in the Listed Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood on June 14.
And Al Shaikh is hoping Khalifa Sat will take the opportunity with both hands.
"Trainer Andrew Balding and I are keen to see him take this chance, having paved the way to the Epsom Classic with this horse during his recent win at Goodwood," Al Shaikh tweeted.
"Delighted that aspiring young jockey Tom Marquand will be on Khalifa Sat in the Derby," he added.
Meanwhile, Marquand added: "He's shown he's capable of winning, has a great attitude and he's pretty versatile with the ground."
Khalifa Sat will break from gate 14 in a field that has strong contenders like Lingfield Derby Trial winner English King, the mount of Royal Ascot's leading jockey, the exuberant Frankie Dettori.
Others are Mogul, Pyledriver, Russian Emperor, Vatican City, Highland Chief and Kameko.
The fancied English King has drawn the unfavourable stall 1, where there has been no derby winner since Oath in 1999.
The Derby was originally scheduled to take place on June 6, but was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic
Meanwhile, Godolphin, who won the Derby with the brilliant Masar in 2018, have a runner in the Group 3 Princess Elizabeth Stakes.
Summer Romance is among the six runners that also include two other UAE representatives - Fooraat, owned by Jebel Ali Racecourse patron Sheikh Ahmed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and Cloak Of Spirits, owned by Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum.
"Summer Romance produced a pleasing run in the 1,000 Guineas and came out of the race well, said British handler Charlie Appleby.
"She is a Listed winner already and we feel that this is a nice opportunity to try and pick up a G3 race. Her preparation has been very straightforward and hopefully she will get conditions to suit at Epsom," he added.
Elsewhere, Endorsed races in the Grade 1 Metropolitan Handicap, known as the Met Mile, at Belmont Park, USA, while Journeyman competes in the Grade 2 Eclipse Stakes at Woodbine.
Pixelate is a contender in the Grade 3 Kent Stakes over nine furlongs on turf at Delaware Park, USA.
james@khaleejtimes.com
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