Racing: Tregoning delays Arc decision on Sir Percy
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.For much of the summer, the three-year-olds were being eagerly written off, but Dylan Thomas and now George Washington have done much to turn things round by beating strong fields of older horses. Next it will be the turn of Sir Percy himself, though his trainer has yet to decide where.
Marcus Tregoning said yesterday that the Derby winner remains "50-50" to go to Longchamp on Sunday for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe. His alternative is the Emirates Champion Stakes at Newmarket 13 days later.
"They've had a lot of rain in Paris overnight, and more is forecast for Saturday, which means there wouldn't be any worry about fast conditions," he said. "It's more the way I feel about him later in the week that will decide whether he runs. Three-year-olds have a very good record in the Arc, but we are hoping to keep him in training and I don't want to bottom him."
The resurgence of the three-year-olds continued at Ascot yesterday when Red Clubs won a Group Two sprint - his first success since the Greenham in April. He was always travelling well in the John Guest Diadem Stakes, but veered sharply left once hitting the front under Michael Hills. "I don't know what happened," the jockey said. "He was winning very easily and I just shook him up and he started to drift - he certainly spotted something."
The other Group race was won by Young Mick, who continued his breathless rise through the ranks in the Grosvenor Casinos Cumberland Lodge Stakes. This was his 19th start of the year, but his improvement shows no sign of abating - he won off 58 in January and arrived here rated 104 - and George Margarson could yet send him to the Melbourne Cup itself.
"But the horse has been running for 18 months solid and I have to consider whether he would relish an 18-hour aeroplane ride down there," the trainer said. "I have in my mind that he will develop into a nice Cup horse next year and Melbourne could take a lot out of him."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments