Damysus on course for Epsom following Dante effort
Damysus' Dante second is inspiring Betfred Derby dreams for the Wathnan Racing team, who have confirmed it is 'all systems go' for a tilt at Epsom glory.
It is the second time the John and Thady Gosden-trained colt has hit the frame in a recognised trial for the Premier Classic and having stepped up on his Sandown showing to chase home Pride Of Arras at York, he is now as short as 10-1 in places for blue riband success on June 7.
'We were delighted with him and there was not much pace in the race but he stayed on well down the middle of the track with a fair headwind,' said Richard Brown, racing adviser to the owners.
'I thought Kieran (Shoemark, jockey) gave him a beautiful ride and it's all systems go for the Derby.
'We may go for Breakfast with the Stars but we'll see what John and Thady want to do and the dream is still there. He's going to be in the first five or six in the betting and that is a hard thing to achieve for any racing operation.'
Damysus' Derby bid is also inspiring James Doyle's impending return to action, as the Wathnan number one makes a rapid return to the saddle after surgery to repair the broken collarbone suffered in a fall at Chelmsford last month.
'I sat and rewatched the race with James and the team yesterday and James said he's such a nimble horse – his exact words were it would be like riding a motorbike round Epsom,' continued Brown.
'James is chomping at the bit to get back to ride him. It's exciting and there's only one Derby and we'll have a crack.
'James will be back next week and has worked so hard to get back. He is the ultimate pro and he's been in the gym three hours a day for the last two weeks and has already passed his return-to-ride tests, so he'll be back on a racecourse soon which we are delighted with.
'We've missed him and just knowing every day you have a world-class jockey on your side makes the world of difference.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
North Wales Chronicle
an hour ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Trailblazer Uriah Rennie remembered as a ‘special person' and ‘true gentleman'
The trailblazing official was born in Jamaica before moving to Sheffield aged six with his family and went on to oversee more than 300 games between 1997 and 2008, including 175 in the English top flight. Once labelled the 'fittest' match official in world football, Rennie recently revealed he was learning to walk again after a rare neurological condition left him paralysed from the waist down. His death was announced on Sunday and Chris Foy, a fellow former Premier League referee, paid an emotional tribute to his ex-colleague in an interview with talkSPORT on Monday morning. 'He was a gentleman, a gentle giant,' Foy said. 'He was a friend to me, a mentor to me, he was just a special person who put everybody first before himself. 'He was a real presence on the field and he was a real presence off the field, a true gentleman. He had a great personality. It was the things off the field that made him special. The Premier League is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Uriah Rennie. As the first black referee in the Premier League, Uriah was a pioneering trailblazer whose legacy will live on, continuing to inspire future generations. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. — Premier League (@premierleague) June 9, 2025 'I remember one Christmas time, we were at training camp and he had organised for us to go into a special education needs school in Daventry. We spent some time with the children in that school. 'That was the mark of the man, off the field he was just special, he was a great communicator and a real people person.' Rennie started refereeing locally in 1979 before making history in 1997 when taking charge of his first Premier League match between Derby and Wimbledon. Vinnie Jones was among those booked. Rennie became a FIFA-listed referee in 2000 and joined the select group of professionals one year later before retiring in 2008. 'If it was difficult for him, he never showed it because he was always grounded. He loved refereeing,' Foy said. In November 2023 martial arts expert Rennie was awarded an honorary doctorate by Sheffield Hallam University for his distinguished contributions to sport and his work with South Yorkshire communities. Incredibly sad to hear of the passing of referee Uriah Rennie. A pioneer, trailblazer and a bloody good ref. Rest in peace, Ref. — Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) June 8, 2025 He was last month installed as the chancellor of the university and was described by Foy as a 'real community hero in that part of the world'. Foy added: 'Away from football, he always had an escape from refereeing because of the other things he did in his life. He loved his community and charity work. He loved other sports, which we used to talk about fondly. 'We used to talk all the time. We only exchanged text messages on Friday. It's tough at the minute.'
Glasgow Times
an hour ago
- Glasgow Times
Trailblazer Uriah Rennie remembered as a ‘special person' and ‘true gentleman'
The trailblazing official was born in Jamaica before moving to Sheffield aged six with his family and went on to oversee more than 300 games between 1997 and 2008, including 175 in the English top flight. Once labelled the 'fittest' match official in world football, Rennie recently revealed he was learning to walk again after a rare neurological condition left him paralysed from the waist down. The Premier League is deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Uriah Rennie. As the first black referee in the Premier League, Uriah was a pioneering trailblazer whose legacy will live on, continuing to inspire future generations. Our thoughts are with his family and friends. — Premier League (@premierleague) June 9, 2025 His death was announced on Sunday and Chris Foy, a fellow former Premier League referee, paid an emotional tribute to his ex-colleague in an interview with talkSPORT on Monday morning. 'He was a gentleman, a gentle giant,' Foy said. 'He was a friend to me, a mentor to me, he was just a special person who put everybody first before himself. 'He was a real presence on the field and he was a real presence off the field, a true gentleman. He had a great personality. It was the things off the field that made him special. 'I remember one Christmas time, we were at training camp and he had organised for us to go into a special education needs school in Daventry. We spent some time with the children in that school. Chris Foy, pictured, paid tribute to mentor and friend Uriah Rennie (Mike Egerton/PA) 'That was the mark of the man, off the field he was just special, he was a great communicator and a real people person.' Rennie started refereeing locally in 1979 before making history in 1997 when taking charge of his first Premier League match between Derby and Wimbledon. Vinnie Jones was among those booked. Rennie became a FIFA-listed referee in 2000 and joined the select group of professionals one year later before retiring in 2008. 'If it was difficult for him, he never showed it because he was always grounded. He loved refereeing,' Foy said. Incredibly sad to hear of the passing of referee Uriah Rennie. A pioneer, trailblazer and a bloody good ref. Rest in peace, Ref. — Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) June 8, 2025 In November 2023 martial arts expert Rennie was awarded an honorary doctorate by Sheffield Hallam University for his distinguished contributions to sport and his work with South Yorkshire communities. He was last month installed as the chancellor of the university and was described by Foy as a 'real community hero in that part of the world'. Foy added: 'Away from football, he always had an escape from refereeing because of the other things he did in his life. He loved his community and charity work. He loved other sports, which we used to talk about fondly. 'We used to talk all the time. We only exchanged text messages on Friday. It's tough at the minute.'
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
ITV presenter set for mad dash from Epsom Derby after son qualified for US Open alongside Rory McIlroy and Co
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) ITV Racing pundit Jason Weaver has been given a major headache after seeing his son qualify for the US Open. Weaver, 53, worked for the broadcaster for their coverage of Epsom last weekend and will return to viewers' TV screens for coverage of Royal Ascot. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Jason Weaver is having a mad dash to watch his son play in the US Open and fulfil his punditry duties Credit: Getty 3 Son Tyler qualified for the US Open as one of five amateurs to get spots last week Credit: Getty 3 Weaver said he was so proud of his son's achievement before going into his travel plans Credit: Getty However, Weaver has had to undergo a mad dash to watch his son, Tyler, and fulfil his punditry duties. It comes after English golfer Tyler qualified for the third major of the year as one of three amateurs to take five available spots in Atlanta last Monday. And that will see him face off with the likes of Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler on the green of Oakmont County Club. The event starts on June 12 and runs through to June 15. READ MORE IN HORSE RACING BEST EVER Genius ITV pundit 'hits bookies for over £1m' with outrageous 8,249-1 Derby bet Proud dad and ex-jockey Weaver dashed directly over to Oakmont, PA, United States, to watch Tyler, 20, play after the Derby on Saturday. But straight he will then fly back to the UK for ITV Ascot duties. The famous race event begins on June 17 and runs through to June 21. Tyler said qualifying was, "up there with my biggest achievement". BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK Meanwhile, Weaver Sr said: "I am super, super proud because I know the hard work that has been put in. "You have to put such a shift in to reach that kind of level because it is about the physical side of things as well as the skill and it is a great achievement. King Charles sends Willie Mullins 'impressive' horse with amazing pedigree in historic deal - as they target Royal Ascot "It will be even more special with his older brother Max caddying, and Tyler has timed his qualification to perfection as far as I am concerned. "The Oaks on Friday, the Derby on Saturday, then we fly out to Oakmont on Sunday, and return to the UK the following Sunday before heading straight to Royal Ascot." On playing at the US Open, Tyler added: "Playing in a major championship is a dream of mine and it still hasn't quite sunk in that I will be teeing it up at Oakmont. "I am extremely lucky to have the support network that I do and none of this would be possible without them. "My family are just as excited as I am." Tyler is currently in the top 30 for the World Amateur Golf Rankings. In 2023 he won the English Boys' Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship and was the runner-up in the 2023 English Amateur.
