Owen hoping he has Derby ace with Wimbledon Hawkeye
Owen said prior to the son of Kameko's Newmarket run that a top-five finish would be the perfect preparation for a tilt at the Epsom Classic and he is now relishing the thought of stepping the colt up in trip.
'He's come out of the Guineas well and we think he will improve for a step up in trip and that's what he showed at Newmarket really, he settled nicely and stayed on well, I thought,' said Owen.
'We'll keep an eye on the Dante but the Derby is the big aim with him. We've got a nice lead-up time to Epsom and he's had his first two runs for the season and it's exciting to go to Epsom with him.
'He deserves his place in the Derby and I thought he ran a great trial. I think he came on from his Craven run and improved a little bit and he's also a horse who improved with every start last year, but most importantly I think he is crying out for a step up in trip.'
Wimbledon Hawkeye is as short as 25-1 in places for the Derby and split the market leaders for the premier classic, Aidan O'Brien's The Lion In Winter (first) and Charlie Appleby's 2000 Guineas hero Ruling Court (third), when they all clashed in the Acomb Stakes at York last summer.
The Gredley Family-owned colt went on to scoop Group Two honours in the Royal Lodge as a two-year-old and will now attempt to go one better than the owners' Ambiente Friendly, who was second to City Of Troy at Epsom 12 months ago.
'It's unbelievable to have such a horse and it was great to have a Guineas runner and he ran with huge credit – and it will be fantastic to have a Derby runner,' continued Owen, who will saddle his first runner in the Derby in just his second season training on the Flat.
'He's a well-balanced colt, who should enjoy the track and get the trip and I'm looking forward to it.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Leader Live
3 hours ago
- Leader Live
Ghostwriter makes £2million Amo Racing transfer
The four-year-old won the Group Two Royal Lodge Stakes as a juvenile and while he failed to get his head in front for owner Jeff Smith and trainer Clive Cox last term, he turned in a string of fine efforts in top company, including third-placed runs in the both the Eclipse and Juddmonte International. Ghostwriter finished fourth in the Dubai Turf back in April and could step up to a mile and a half for the first time in Saturday's Group Two in the colours of Kia Joorabchian's Amo Racing outfit after changing hands at the Goffs London Sale. Speaking at Kensington Palace Gardens, where the sale was held, Joorabchian told Nick Luck Daily: 'To be honest, my son picked him out a little while ago and he was like 'we've got to buy this'. He's third favourite for the Hardwicke and I think he's got a chance to go up to Group One level, so we'll see.' When asked if the Invincible Spirit colt will stay in training with Cox, Joorabchian added: 'I don't know Clive Cox but I'm sure we will meet him and we'll see. 'At the moment I'm not buying horses to stay, I'm buying them to hopefully go into our own yard but this one, I don't know yet because he's done a good job with him so we will have a chat, Alex (Elliott, bloodstock agent) knows him a little bit better so I'll get to meet him and see what we do after that.' Amo's name also appeared in conjunction with Nick Bell after Tycoon sold for £600,000. The three-year-old has won one of his three starts for John and Thady Gosden, most recently placing third in Listed company, and he is entered in Thursday's Hampton Court Stakes. The Andrew Balding-trained Tropical Storm, winner of the Westow Stakes last time and declared for Tuesday's King Charles III Stakes, sold to Oliver St Lawrence Bloodstock for £500,000, while Resolute Bloodstock paid £625,000 for Jersey Stakes contender Woodshauna, who was a Group Three winner last time out for Francis-Henri Graffard.
North Wales Chronicle
3 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Former England captain Owen Farrell seals Saracens return
The former England captain called time on his 16-year stay with the Gallagher Premiership side at the end of last season. But fly-half Farrell has agreed to leave Racing 92 and return to Saracens after a disappointing, injury-disrupted campaign with the Top 14 outfit. Welcome home, @owen_faz 👑#YourSaracens💫 — Saracens Rugby Club (@Saracens) June 16, 2025 He told the club's official website: 'Saracens is my home and the opportunity to come back is one that excites me enormously. 'Having watched from afar this season, it is clear to see that the club has incredible potential, and I can't wait to get back in the mix for the 25/26 season.' The 33-year-old ex-club captain has signed a two-year deal at the StoneX Stadium to rejoin a club with whom he won three European Cups and six Premiership crowns. Farrell made his Saracens debut in 2008, 11 days after his 17th birthday, and amassed 256 appearances before heading for France. He has won 112 England caps and made six Test appearances for the British and Irish Lions, although he has not been included in the squad – coached by his father Andy – for this summer's tour of Australia. Farrell has not played Test rugby since the 2023 World Cup, initially taking a break to prioritise his mental wellbeing, before his move abroad made him ineligible for selection. Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall is hoping the vastly-experienced stand-off will play a role in what he believes will be an exciting future for the club. McCall said: 'Owen has Saracens in his DNA. His competitive spirit is woven into the fabric of this club and we are delighted he has chosen to come home. 'He returns to a young group full of potential, players eager to learn, play and push for success. We know he will love being part of where this group, and this club, are headed.'
The National
3 hours ago
- The National
Wrexham sign ex-Rangers, St Mirren and Livingston striker
The 28-year-old has signed for the Hollywood-owned club for an undisclosed fee from Plymouth Argyle, where he scored 74 goals in 248 games. Hardie has signed a contract until the end of the 2027/28 season and becomes the big-spending Welsh club's first new signing of the 2025 summer transfer window. The Stranraer-born frontman started out his career at Rangers, making his debut in 2014, before going on to make appearances for St Mirren, Raith Rovers and Livingston in loan spells across Scotland. He also turned out for Blackpool. We're delighted to announce the signing of Ryan Hardie from Plymouth Argyle for an undisclosed fee, on a contract until 2028 Find out more 👉 🔴⚪ #WxmAFC — Wrexham AFC (@Wrexham_AFC) June 16, 2025 'I'm delighted to get the move done, I'm really happy to get it done so early and I cannot wait to get going," Hardie said after joining the newly-promoted Championship team. 'To get a full pre-season will be a massive benefit, to get integrated into the squad and learn the way the manager plays and get to know everyone will be important. 'The last couple of seasons, it's been good getting experience in the EFL Championship and it's experience I can lean on now. I've enjoyed playing there, and I've managed to score a few goals, so hopefully that can continue this season. 'I love how family-oriented the Club is, the community is all together and it really is a one-club City. Everything is to do with the football, and I'm really excited to be a part of that – I'll give everything I've got for the badge.' On his signing, manager Phil Parkinson said: 'I'm delighted to welcome Ryan Hardie to the Club. 'We're looking forward to working with him and I'm sure everyone will give him a warm welcome to the STōK Cae Ras.'
