Syndicate group considering once-in-a-lifetime shot at the Kentucky Derby

03 April 2023 , 14:45

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Brave Emperor: could contest the Kentucky Derby (Image: Getty Images)

Britain’s leading racehorse syndicate ownership company Middleham Park Racing is considering taking up a once-in-a-lifetime shot at having a runner in next month’s £2.4 million Kentucky Derby.

The unexpected opportunity has arisen after three-year-old Brave Emperor accrued the most points in the European leg of the Road To The Kentucky Derby, after finishing second in the final race of the series, the Cardinal Stakes, at Chelmsford on Saturday.

By collecting 32 points, helped by a victory in another qualifier at Kempton last month, the Archie Watson-trained horse is now guaranteed a start in the historic race at Churchill Downs on Saturday, May 6.

By coincidence Brave Emperor is a descendant of the legendary Secretariat whose Triple Crown achievement - winning the US Classics, the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes - has its 50th anniversary this year.

“We are waiting to receive a couple of quotes on air fares and stabling and then we can talk to the owners as to whether to take it on or not,” said Middleham Park partner Tom Palin. “It is a once in a lifetime opportunity to have a horse guaranteed a run in the Kentucky Derby so this is something we should take seriously.

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“Ultimately it comes down to whether the owners want to spend all the prize-money he has earned to experience a few fantastic days in America.”

Secretariat: Brave Emperor is a descendant of the legendary Kentucky Derby winner

Middleham Park Racing, founded 28 years ago, has owned more than 1,400 winners on the Flat and over jumps, 125 last year which earned £2.4 million in prize-money.

Brave Emperor, bought for £19,000, has won £108,000 from winning five out of eight races, four on a synthetic surface, but has yet to experience dirt.

Palin said: “You’d be going there hoping he handled the dirt. He is a great, great grandson of Secretariat. It’s the 50th anniversary of him winning the Kentucky Derby and the Triple Crown.

“Poetically and romantically it would be fantastic if he could go. There are a lot of unknowns, but hopefully he’d be a bit better than a social runner.”

Jon Lees