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UK: Chopin on Derby trail

3 minute read

German challenger Chopin will be supplemented for the Investec Derby at Epsom on June 1.

Considered as the best three-year-old in his homeland, he was bought by Sheikh Fahad Al Thani after winning his last race by eight lengths and will be ridden by Jamie Spencer, who recently went to Dusseldorf to partner the colt in a piece of work.

The owner's racing manager David Redvers said: "The plan is definitely to supplement him and he will run. His form was given a major boost on Monday when the horse he beat easily last time out (Global Bang) was just touched off in the German Guineas."

He went on: "Chopin is in very good shape but we decided not to take him to the Breakfast With The Stars at Epsom because it's only 10 days before the race. For the French horses, they can be back in their stable in four hours but it's a much more drawn out journey back to Germany.

"It was considered it would be too unsettling for him so he'll come over the day before the Derby.

"We think he'll act on any ground. At Dusseldorf the other day it was soft which wasn't perfect for him as he has a low, flat action. We're sure he'll cope well with decent ground.

"His trainer Andreas Wohler might not be that well known here, but he trained Lomitas (who won several Group Ones) and has won all sorts of good races in France. It never even crossed our minds to send the horse to anyone else when we bought him.

"We think he adds a bit of spice to the race. The Derby trials were slightly underwhelming in that nothing stood out, so much so that Dawn Approach hardened as favourite.

"In a normal year, a Guineas winner stepping up in trip would have plenty of dissenters but this year, maybe because of the opposition, people seem to think he'll stay. There's also Aidan O'Brien who we respect massively.

"It will be great to be involved but make no mistake, we are not running him just to have a runner, we think an awful lot of this horse."


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