Desert Crown’s owners eye some of the biggest international prizes after impressive victory in the Epsom Derby with the King George, Arc and Dubai World Cup all mooted
- Desert Crown and Richard Kingscote won the Derby at Epsom on Saturday
- Racing manager Bruce Raymond says the colt could go to the Dubai World Cup
- Desert Crown is favourite for October’s Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp
The prospect of outstanding Cazoo Derby winner Desert Crown racing on and tackling some of the biggest international prizes has been mooted by Bruce Raymond, racing manager to owner Saeed Suhail.
Trainer Sir Michael Stoute has not yet signalled a plan for the colt, who streaked home under Richard Kingscote at Epsom on Saturday.
Raymond said: ‘I don’t think the owner would be keen to retire him after this season. I think his plan would be to get him to go to the Dubai World Cup meeting next spring because he lives there.
Richard Kingscote rode Desert Crown to success in the Epsom Derby on Saturday afternoon
‘Whether that is in Sir Michael’s plans I don’t know. I suppose he will go to the King George and the Arc but they are too far ahead to make plans.’
Desert Crown is 3-1 favourite for the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on October 2.
The 8-1 fourth favourite is Vadeni, the Aga Khan-owned colt who gave trainer Jean-Claude Rouget his fifth French Derby win at Chantilly, easily pulling five lengths clear under Christophe Soumillon.
The Ralph Beckett-trained Westover will be aimed at the Irish Derby on June 25 after finishing third in the Derby.
Jason Watson, who missed the Derby mount on fourth-placed Masekela after a fall at Doncaster on Friday night when his horse fell on him, will miss Royal Ascot after breaking his collarbone, puncturing his right lung and breaking two ribs.
Winning colt Desert Crown streaked home to victory under Kingscote at Epsom
