Chester May Festival 2025: Mount Kilimanjaro wins the Dee Stakes
O'Brien drew level with Barry Hills on 11 victories in the Dee Stakes last year with the victory of Capulet and Mount Kilimanjaro helped the Ballydoyle maestro claim the record as he scored by a neck under Ryan Moore. The son of Siyouni out of a Galileo mare had won once in five starts when landing Arqana Series – Haras de Bouquetot Criterium d'Autome Stakes at ParisLongchamp in October before finishing second to his smart stable-mate Twain in the Group One Criterium International at Saint-Cloud last that month. Having been third on his seasonal return at Dundalk the three-year-old improved again for the step up to an extended 1m2f trip to land his second victory.
Although the Dee Stakes has thrown up some decent performers, not least those trained by O'Brien, no horse has won the extended 1m2f contest on the Roodee and gone on to Derby glory at Epsom since Sir Michael Stoute's Kris Kin in 2003 and Oath four years earlier. But Mount Kilimanjaro has at least given connections food for thought over whether he is part of their squad for the Colts' Classic, for which he is now a best-priced 33-1 with William Hill.
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Mount Kilimanjaro was in arrears for much of the Dee Stakes as Hott Shott and stable-mate Isambard Brunel cut out the early running. But High Stock (11-4) was travelling much better under Oisin Murphy sat just off the pace and he made his move to lead coming to the final two furlongs. Jockey Moore had to work hard on Mount Kilimanjaro but once he got into his stride he reeled in Andrew Balding's Wood Ditton Maiden Stakes winner High Stock to score by a neck with Great David (25-1) two-and-three-quarters-of-a-length back in third.
Jockey Moore, winning the Dee Stakes for a record-extending eighth time, said: "The pace was on early, everyone wanted to be handy, and I ended up caught back behind a couple of horses I didn't really want to follow. The second horse has had a charmed run around the inside and I've had to bide my time a little bit, but when I put him in the clear he picked up well. He had good form last year, he's come on for his first run and the step up in trip suited him."
Paul Smith, son of Coolmore co-owner Derrick, said: "It was a great ride by Ryan, he was very patient. I think the pace was very honest and Ryan didn't panic and the horse quickened up well and showed a nice attitude. As we've always said, they learn so much here – it's almost like they have two races in one. He'll come forward again from this, so we're delighted with him. I think he'll go for a Derby of some sorts, either Epsom or the French Derby was mentioned as well. There's options for him and we'll just see how the trials go and juggle them and see where they all go."
Coolmore representative Kevin Buckley added: "I thought this fella showed a great turn of foot and I suppose it gives us the option of either going to Epsom or going to France with him. It was a good performance and Ryan was very complimentary. I was impressed and it makes it a record of Dee Stakes wins for Aidan with 12."
Roman Dragon (8-1) came through to land a record sixth victory on the Roodee when landing the opener on day two of the May Festival, the CAA Stellar Handicap.
Trained by Hugo Palmer – from the nearby Manor House Stables of former England and Liverpool FC forward Michael Owen – the six-year-old's victory was an emotional success for part-owner Nick Hughes. Under Oisin Murphy, Roman Dragon was winning for a sixth time on the Roodee but a first over the minimum distance. From stall two Rosenpur (12-1), under Warren Fentiman, tried to make all the running but just as it looked like he might hang on into the final furlong, Murphy brought Roman Dragon through on his inside to score by half-a-length. Rosenpur held on for second three-and-a-quarter lengths ahead of Balmoral Lady (16-1) with veteran course and distance winner Copper Knight (9-1) was half-a-length further adrift in fourth.
Emotional owner Hughes, who lives nearby and was first brought to Chester as a six-year-old by his dad, was delighted Roman Dragon became the winning-most horse on the Roodee with his sixth success.
Palmer, jockey Murphy and Owen grabbed a quickfire double when newcomer Tricky Tel (5-6 favourite) – named after the former Reds' striker dad Terry Owen, who made two appearances for Everton FC and played mainly for Chester FC – triumphed in the British Stallion Studs EBF Maiden Stakes. The two-year-old Ubettabelieveit colt was quickly away and got to the front past initial leader Davvy with a furlong from home and kept on well to score by three-and-a-quarter lengths from Call Me By My Name (25-1) with Senorita Vega (9-1) was a neck back in third.
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