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Glasgow Times
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Fallon expecting big performance from Desert Flower
The Irishman mastered the Classics on the famous Downs seven times – claiming four Oaks – during his highly decorated career in the saddle and is now a key component of Charlie Appleby's backroom team at Moulton Paddocks. An unbeaten daughter of Night Of Thunder, Desert Flower has left Fallon spellbound. He said: 'If the filly was running in the Derby I would think she would be very competitive, I would be wanting to back her. Kieren Fallon expects Desert Flower will take all the beating in the Oaks (David Davies for The Jockey Club) 'I think the Oaks is a foregone conclusion and she ticks all the boxes. She settles and will switch off nicely and she will be fine over the trip and she will go on any ground. 'She's the nicest filly I've seen in a long time and I thought she would maybe even be good enough to beat the colts.' Few have ridden Epsom better than Fallon, who has the likes of Oath (Derby, 1995) and Kris Kin (Derby, 2003) on his roll of honour, while in 2004 he did the Epsom double by landing the Oaks on Ed Dunlop's Ouija Board before following up 24 hours later aboard Sir Michael Stoute's North Light in the Derby. This is an achievement that awaits Appleby and Godolphin's number one pilot William Buick should both Desert Flower and his Derby mount, 2000 Guineas hero Ruling Court, succeed this weekend. However, while Fallon is steadfast in his belief in Desert Flower, he is wary of the challenge Aidan O'Brien's Ballydoyle team presents to the Classic-winning son of Justify in Epsom's showpiece event as he puts his stamina to the test. Like Desert Flower, Ruling Court is bidding for a Classic double after winning the 2000 Guineas (David Davies for The Jockey Club) 'I think the Derby is an open race really,' added Fallon. 'Maybe it's best to stick with Ryan Moore and the draw for Delacroix (in 14) doesn't really matter if the horse is good enough. 'Ruling Court has lots of speed and won the best trial, but will he stay? I think Delacroix is guaranteed to stay whereas Ruling Court isn't. He's a horse with a lot of speed, but if there is a bit of cut in the ground it might not be ideal. 'Aidan has a great record in the race and you have to respect that, but it would be a very nice double if Charlie could do it.'
The Herald Scotland
20 hours ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Fallon expecting big performance from Desert Flower
An unbeaten daughter of Night Of Thunder, Desert Flower has left Fallon spellbound. He said: 'If the filly was running in the Derby I would think she would be very competitive, I would be wanting to back her. Kieren Fallon expects Desert Flower will take all the beating in the Oaks (David Davies for The Jockey Club) 'I think the Oaks is a foregone conclusion and she ticks all the boxes. She settles and will switch off nicely and she will be fine over the trip and she will go on any ground. 'She's the nicest filly I've seen in a long time and I thought she would maybe even be good enough to beat the colts.' Few have ridden Epsom better than Fallon, who has the likes of Oath (Derby, 1995) and Kris Kin (Derby, 2003) on his roll of honour, while in 2004 he did the Epsom double by landing the Oaks on Ed Dunlop's Ouija Board before following up 24 hours later aboard Sir Michael Stoute's North Light in the Derby. This is an achievement that awaits Appleby and Godolphin's number one pilot William Buick should both Desert Flower and his Derby mount, 2000 Guineas hero Ruling Court, succeed this weekend. However, while Fallon is steadfast in his belief in Desert Flower, he is wary of the challenge Aidan O'Brien's Ballydoyle team presents to the Classic-winning son of Justify in Epsom's showpiece event as he puts his stamina to the test. Like Desert Flower, Ruling Court is bidding for a Classic double after winning the 2000 Guineas (David Davies for The Jockey Club) 'I think the Derby is an open race really,' added Fallon. 'Maybe it's best to stick with Ryan Moore and the draw for Delacroix (in 14) doesn't really matter if the horse is good enough. 'Ruling Court has lots of speed and won the best trial, but will he stay? I think Delacroix is guaranteed to stay whereas Ruling Court isn't. He's a horse with a lot of speed, but if there is a bit of cut in the ground it might not be ideal. 'Aidan has a great record in the race and you have to respect that, but it would be a very nice double if Charlie could do it.'
Glasgow Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Buick confident his Classic aces can strike again at Epsom
Having completed the 2000 and 1000 Guineas double over the Rowley Mile in early May, Buick is in an enviable position as the same two horses prepare to line up at Epsom later this week. He said: 'Every year you go into Oaks and Derby week, it is always exciting but of course I must admit this year there is a little bit more excitement as both of our Guineas winners are going to turn up. Naturally it is exciting week for all of us.' Should the Charlie Appleby-trained duo both emerge triumphant on the Surrey Downs, Buick will become the first jockey ever to win the first four Classics in the same season, but he is not getting carried away. William Buick celebrates winning the 2000 Guineas on Ruling Court (David Davies/The Jockey Club) 'We'd like to just take one step at a time, that's a big ask, it's a huge thing to do. Winning both Guineas was a big achievement in itself and we'll just take each race as it comes,' he added. 'Both horses are really well. I haven't sat on Ruling Court but I've sat on Desert Flower once. Everything they've been doing has been really routine. Immediately after Newmarket they recovered well and everyone has been very happy with them, it's been quite smooth.' Ruling Court narrowly denied the subsequent Irish Guineas hero Field Of Gold at Newmarket and he will be stepping into the unknown over Epsom's mile and a half, but Buick is hopeful the Justify colt's stamina will stand up to the test. The @betfred 2000 Guineas is BLUE 🔵 Ruling Court beats Field Of Gold to deny John Gosden again 👊 — Newmarket Racecourse (@NewmarketRace) May 3, 2025 He said: 'We're confident he will get a mile and a quarter. There are so many horses that go to Epsom with those sort of credentials. Very few three-year-olds have gone the full mile and a half before the Derby, most are trying it for the first time bar a select few who run in the Lingfield Trial or the Chester Vase, so you never quite know until the day. 'They do say if you get a mile and a quarter you've a chance of getting a mile and a half round Epsom and most good horses are well balanced, do everything you ask and have a good turn of foot, which he has. I was asking him for an effort going into the dip at Newmarket and he responded – he never needed any real help. 'He's well-balanced, travels well through his races and has a good turn of foot so in that regard he ticks all the boxes. He's a high-quality colt.' Buick is similarly unconcerned about the razzmatazz of Derby day getting the better of Ruling Court, adding: 'Nothing has ever given us the impression he won't handle it, but it really is a different day. 'There's a lot of people, the fanfare, there's a lot of noise, it's a long canter down so that in itself is a challenge. We don't expect it to be a problem but you respect the occasion and try to take every precaution you can to get him to the start in a good frame of mind. 'We all still get the buzz before the Derby, it is our most important race and everyone would be of the same opinion – it's our Holy Grail.' William Buick on board Desert Flower following her Guineas triumph (David Davies/The Jockey Club) Just under 24 hours before Ruling Court's bid for Derby glory, Desert Flower is set to line up as a hot favourite for the Betfred Oaks. Unbeaten in five career starts, the Night Of Thunder filly also has her stamina to prove, but Buick said: 'I don't want to sound like a broken record but they are similar horses in regard to distance, neither have gone beyond a mile, I'm very confident about 10 furlongs and we'll see about a mile and a half. 'Desert Flower is a high-class filly and we've always thought the world of her. She has never stepped a foot wrong. 'She's well-balanced, she travels well through her races, she relaxes, she's tactically incredibly versatile and I don't think Epsom will pose any problem to her. 'She's always been strong towards the end of her races, as you could see in the Guineas where she had to make her own running and she was strong when she hit the rising ground. I'm hopeful of her getting the trip. 'I've ridden in the Oaks a few times and never quite managed to pull it off. It would mean a lot to win it, the Classics are what it is all about, each season you set out to find a Classic horse for the Guineas, Epsom and the St Leger, they are our most important races.' While Buick is not taking for granted, it is clear confidence is high. He added: 'I feel like I'm on the two best horses. There is of course the question about the distance as neither has been beyond a mile before, but I do feel like I'm on the two best horses. 'Horses will either stay or they won't, it's as simple as that. You have to ride them accordingly but equally you can't make a horse stay. Where you find out is inside the last couple of furlongs and you won't get an indication before that. 'To be going to Epsom with two horses of the calibre of these two is a pleasure, so fingers crossed everything goes well.'
The Herald Scotland
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Buick confident his Classic aces can strike again at Epsom
He said: 'Every year you go into Oaks and Derby week, it is always exciting but of course I must admit this year there is a little bit more excitement as both of our Guineas winners are going to turn up. Naturally it is exciting week for all of us.' Should the Charlie Appleby-trained duo both emerge triumphant on the Surrey Downs, Buick will become the first jockey ever to win the first four Classics in the same season, but he is not getting carried away. William Buick celebrates winning the 2000 Guineas on Ruling Court (David Davies/The Jockey Club) 'We'd like to just take one step at a time, that's a big ask, it's a huge thing to do. Winning both Guineas was a big achievement in itself and we'll just take each race as it comes,' he added. 'Both horses are really well. I haven't sat on Ruling Court but I've sat on Desert Flower once. Everything they've been doing has been really routine. Immediately after Newmarket they recovered well and everyone has been very happy with them, it's been quite smooth.' Ruling Court narrowly denied the subsequent Irish Guineas hero Field Of Gold at Newmarket and he will be stepping into the unknown over Epsom's mile and a half, but Buick is hopeful the Justify colt's stamina will stand up to the test. The @betfred 2000 Guineas is BLUE 🔵 Ruling Court beats Field Of Gold to deny John Gosden again 👊 — Newmarket Racecourse (@NewmarketRace) May 3, 2025 He said: 'We're confident he will get a mile and a quarter. There are so many horses that go to Epsom with those sort of credentials. Very few three-year-olds have gone the full mile and a half before the Derby, most are trying it for the first time bar a select few who run in the Lingfield Trial or the Chester Vase, so you never quite know until the day. 'They do say if you get a mile and a quarter you've a chance of getting a mile and a half round Epsom and most good horses are well balanced, do everything you ask and have a good turn of foot, which he has. I was asking him for an effort going into the dip at Newmarket and he responded – he never needed any real help. 'He's well-balanced, travels well through his races and has a good turn of foot so in that regard he ticks all the boxes. He's a high-quality colt.' Buick is similarly unconcerned about the razzmatazz of Derby day getting the better of Ruling Court, adding: 'Nothing has ever given us the impression he won't handle it, but it really is a different day. 'There's a lot of people, the fanfare, there's a lot of noise, it's a long canter down so that in itself is a challenge. We don't expect it to be a problem but you respect the occasion and try to take every precaution you can to get him to the start in a good frame of mind. 'We all still get the buzz before the Derby, it is our most important race and everyone would be of the same opinion – it's our Holy Grail.' William Buick on board Desert Flower following her Guineas triumph (David Davies/The Jockey Club) Just under 24 hours before Ruling Court's bid for Derby glory, Desert Flower is set to line up as a hot favourite for the Betfred Oaks. Unbeaten in five career starts, the Night Of Thunder filly also has her stamina to prove, but Buick said: 'I don't want to sound like a broken record but they are similar horses in regard to distance, neither have gone beyond a mile, I'm very confident about 10 furlongs and we'll see about a mile and a half. 'Desert Flower is a high-class filly and we've always thought the world of her. She has never stepped a foot wrong. 'She's well-balanced, she travels well through her races, she relaxes, she's tactically incredibly versatile and I don't think Epsom will pose any problem to her. 'She's always been strong towards the end of her races, as you could see in the Guineas where she had to make her own running and she was strong when she hit the rising ground. I'm hopeful of her getting the trip. 'I've ridden in the Oaks a few times and never quite managed to pull it off. It would mean a lot to win it, the Classics are what it is all about, each season you set out to find a Classic horse for the Guineas, Epsom and the St Leger, they are our most important races.' While Buick is not taking for granted, it is clear confidence is high. He added: 'I feel like I'm on the two best horses. There is of course the question about the distance as neither has been beyond a mile before, but I do feel like I'm on the two best horses. 'Horses will either stay or they won't, it's as simple as that. You have to ride them accordingly but equally you can't make a horse stay. Where you find out is inside the last couple of furlongs and you won't get an indication before that. 'To be going to Epsom with two horses of the calibre of these two is a pleasure, so fingers crossed everything goes well.'
Glasgow Times
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Glasgow Times
Owen favouring King Edward VII challenge for Wimbledon Hawkeye
The Gredley Family-owned son of Kameko has already been seen three times this season – including when second in the Craven then a creditable fifth in the 2000 Guineas – and although shaping nicely when putting his Epsom credentials to the test at York, the King Edward VII Stakes at the Royal meeting has emerged as a preferred option. Owen said: 'He's come out of the Dante really well and he's had three quick runs now and probably ran to a similar level in all three. Wimbledon Hawkeye on the Newmarket gallops (John Hoy/The Jockey Club) 'I thought he stayed well at York and although I would love to go to the Derby with him, we have to do the best thing by the horse and we are probably swaying towards the King Edward VII at Royal Ascot. 'We're leaning that way to give him the best chance of getting his head in front. I think he would be a solid Derby runner, but he's got to improve on the form he has shown this year around some of the others. 'It's not certain yet, but at this stage we're swaying towards Royal Ascot over the Derby.' Despite the likely absence of Wimbledon Hawkeye on the Surrey Downs, Owen can still look forward to saddling his first Derby runner after confirming Rogue Impact will take his chance in the premier Classic. Gamble landed at @LingfieldPark! Rogue Impact was well supported in the market and justified that confidence by getting off the mark in the hands of @daviesharry_, landing the double for @JPOwenRacing! — At The Races (@AtTheRaces) April 23, 2025 Although a 200-1 outsider, the Green Ridge Stables handler is confident his son of Study Of Man can outshine those limited expectations on the big stage as connections roll the dice with a colt they hold in high regard. 'Rogue Impact will run in the Derby and he's a horse I really like,' continued Owen. 'He's been learning on the job and is going to stay well and has winning form with Owen Burrows' Al Wasl Storm, who is another outsider running in the Derby. 'I think he would appreciate a little bit of cut in the ground, which I think there probably will be – it will be nice ground – and it's great for the Rogues Gallery (owners) to have a runner in the Derby. James Owen could saddle his first Derby runner (Mike Egerton/PA) 'He's a horse that acquitted himself well in his trial (at Lingfield) before probably being done for a bit of inexperience and not enjoying the fast ground, but he's a nice horse and we're not afraid to have a go.' Owen added: 'We'll be an outsider but like others in the race, we'll be staying on well at the finish – it will just be a question of whether he is good enough. 'Whatever the result, we'll have a great day out, the syndicate will have a great day out and we've got a horse to look forward to for the future after that. He's a horse we really like and I'm delighted we're going to have a run.'
