Darley’s sire phenomenon, Dubawi – who produced seven individual Group 1 winners in 2022 – has notched up his 254th stakes winner overnight with 3YO San Antonio capturing a noted Epsom Derby trial: the Boodles Dee Stakes at Chester.
It was also the 10th win in the race for trainer, Aidan O’Brien, and courtesy of the win, San Antonio has firmed in Derby markets. However, O’Brien believes he’s got a better one at home with the Deep Impact colt, Auguste Rodin, despite finishing 12th in the 2,000 Guineas earlier this month.
O’Brien has several Derby irons in the fire including Justify colt Bertinelli, Japanese bred Group winner Continuous (closely related to Saxon Warrior) and Gooloogong (by Australia) and clearly has a ‘favourite’ in Auguste Rodin, given his post-race comments, but was nevertheless pleased with the run of San Antonio.
“He (San Antonio) looks very adaptable – he looks like a horse who will get further. It was a trial and he has to be looked at for one of the Derbys. I was delighted with him really.”
San Antonio is from the Group winner, Rain Goddess – also placed in the Irish Oaks – and is related to Alexander of Hales, the Irish Derby runnerup who twice ran second in the Group 3 Randwick City Stakes.
Meanwhile, the William Haggas trained, Hamish has gone back to back in the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes on the Chester program, much to the delight of wife, Maureen, who rides the lightly raced 7YO in work, and for father Brian who bred and races the horse.
Maureen broke bones in her neck last year after a fall and was emotional after Hamish’s second Ormonde win, saying “when you ride them you get a bit attached and he’s a bit of a pet. He’s quite naughty and a real character – quite like a cat. Very independent and just about tolerates me but I love him.”
With six wins from 13 starts, Hamish is by the Montjeu stallion Motivator (also sire of Arc winner Treve) and is from a half sister to the Chris Waller trained, Beaten Up, winner of the 2013 Group 1 Doomben Cup, along with placings behind Hartnell in the BMW and Magic Hurricane in the Metropolitan.
