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Derby glory for Sir Percy 03/06/06
Sir Percy got up in the dying strides to claim a thrilling victory in the Vodafone Derby at Epsom beating Dragon Dancer (66-1) by a short head and Dylan Thomas, a head further back. [more]

Arise, Sir Percy
06/05/06

Marcus Tregoning was thinking about the Vodafone Derby within moments of Sir Percy’s second behind George Washington in the Stan James 2000 Guineas.

The Lambourn-based trainer said: “I was very pleased with him and we’re all very proud of him - and that might just have put him right for Epsom.

“He’s a proper horse, who’s just been beaten by another proper horse, and, as long as he comes out of this alright, we’ll talk about the Derby.

“Nothing has been decided yet, but he looks very relaxed and happy with life at the moment, so Epsom has to be in our thoughts.

“He was staying on strongly up the hill, which suggests the extra distance will be to his advantage, but we’re not setting anything in stone at present.

”Martin (Dwyer) was naturally a bit disappointed not to have won, but he shouldn’t be, as Sir Percy has run a marvellous race.”

Tregoning added: “We wouldn’t have minded if they’d had a little more rain, but you have to play the cards you’re dealt, and I’m happier with natural firm ground than anything that’s been artificially watered.”

Bill Gredley, owner of the Stan James 2000 Guineas third Olympian Odyssey, said: “We thought after his unlucky second in the Feilden Stakes that we might have a decent horse and, after this, we know we have.

“This fellow wasn’t right for a lot of last season, but has improved over the winter and may now go for the Irish 2,000 Guineas.

“We’ll also consider the Derby but, at this stage, the Irish race is probably my idea of his next stop.”

Jeremy Noseda, trainer of fourth home Araafa, said: “I was expecting a bold run and that’s exactly what he’s delivered.

“I’m obviously delighted that he’s run so well and, although it’s too early to talk about specific targets, I imagine we’ll keep him to around this trip.”