2012 Dante Stakes

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Libertarian Springs Dante Surprise
16/05/13

1 Libertarian 33/1
2 Trading Leather 5/1
3 Indian Chief 11/4F
8 ran Distances: 1¼l, ¾l, 1¼l
TIME 2m 10.59s (slow by 3.09s)

Libertarian caused a huge shock when staying on best of all to win the Betfred Dante Stakes at York.

Libertarian
© Racehorse Photos

All eight runners had something of a chance two furlongs out, but the unheralded Libertarian had been off the bridle for some time.

Sent off at 33-1, William Buick moved to the inside on Elaine Burke's colt and he powered home to beat Jim Bolger's Trading Leather, with Aidan O'Brien's Indian Chief, the 11-4 favourite, back in third.

Karl Burke, the winning trainer's husband and assistant, said: "It is a great win for the yard and everyone connected with the horse. He's a proper horse and having not had many (Derby) horses, or Dante horses even, you are tilting at windmills a bit. We have always thought a lot of him.

"If you watch the race at Sandown it was a nonsense of a race for him. Unfortunately Phil (Makin) got stuck on the outside of a horse that was hanging badly and he drifted out. He's such a green horse which is why we came back today to give him more racecourse experience.

"He's a big backward animal that has taken a lot of time. It was only in March time that he really began to pick up in his work and he's done nothing but improve since then."

Buick said: "It was a true-run race and the best horse won on the day. He's a fine big horse. Karl said to me beforehand that as long as I didn't get too far away he'd have a squeak as he stays very well."

Bolger said of Trading Leather: "I couldn't be more happy with him and we expect him to come on a lot for the run, although he was as fit as I could get him at home.

"He'd only go to Epsom if something happened to Dawn Approach. This horse and Loch Garman have the options of the Irish Guineas and the French Derby."

Coolmore's UK representative Kevin Buckley said of Indian Chief: "Joseph (O'Brien) was happy enough with him and he's probably still a bit inexperienced. This was a big step up, but Joseph felt confident he'd get a mile and a half."

Betfred Dante Stakes (Group 2)
£150,000 added, 3yo only, 1m 2f 88y, Class 1
8 ran
Going: Good