We’ve just seen a new Derby hero for Camelot here in Australia in Russian Camelot and in the UK overnight English King staked his claim for the Group I Epsom Derby with an eye catching win in the Listed Derby Trial (1m3f) at Lingfield.
Trained by Ed Walker and ridden by Tom Marquand, English King strode clear to win by two and a half lengths at his first appearance this year and has now won two of three starts.
“That was extremely impressive. We'd only seen him at his best on the all-weather and coming here today there's always a question mark down that hill,” said Marquand.
"He still clearly has signs of immaturity so to have won that impressively and gone away in the style he did, we're all pretty excited about him.
"He's one to look forward to for the future, not just Epsom, but hopefully there are bigger and better things to come."
English King was a 210,000 euro purchase from Arqana for bloodstock agent Jeremy Brummitt, who also signed the docket for Russian Camelot on behalf of his Australian owners.
English King is a three-quarter brother to Group III winner Pacifique and half-brother stakes-winner Prudenzia, the dam of Group I winners Magic Wand and Chiquita, so he’s bred in the purple.
He is the 29th stakes-winner for Montjeu’s Epsom Derby winner Camelot.
