Gosdens’ Epictetus heading for Dante
EPICTETUS stated his claim for Classic honours by landing the Weatherbys Digital Solutions Blue Riband Trial at Epsom – and he is set for the Dante at York, next.
A winner on debut last season, the John and Thady Gosden-trained colt went on to finish second in both the Autumn Stakes at Newmarket and Doncaster's Vertem Futurity Trophy
– where he chased home Betfred Derby favourite Auguste Rodin in heavy ground.
Having handled testing conditions adequately on Town Moor, soft ground on the undulations of Epsom held no qualms and Frankie Dettori aboard the 1-3 favourite was happy to let Andrew Balding's Stormbuster and Charlie Johnston's Middlehamtrained Hadrianus stride on in the early stages.
The Italian asked his mount to extend passing the two-pole and although getting lonely inside the final furlong, was kept up to his work under hands and heals to complete a successful reconnaissance of the Derby track.
However, any decision about whether he will return to Epsom or go to Chantilly for the Prix du Jockey Club will be left until after he has taken part in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes on May 18.
"It was very testing conditions today," said John Gosden. "It was very deep and he hasn't trained in anything like that this year. Frankie said he was a little bit lonely in front and he got to the front sooner than he wanted. He travelled well.”
On future plans, he continued: "We had this pencilled in for him all year. We will go to the Dante and take it from there.”
Gosden and his son Thady will wait before deciding if Theoryofeverything will run in the Dante following his effort in the Greenham at Newbury on Saturday.
A son of Frankel, the Prince Faisal-owned colt looked well above average when making light work of his 12 rivals in a seven-furlong Doncaster novice on his racecourse debut earlier this month.
Having powered to six-length victory over Godolphin's Striking Star, he was handed a berth in the Greenham, and in very soft ground finished eight and a half lengths third to Isaac Shelby in the Group Three contest.
Thady Gosden said: "He's fine. He is in the Dante, but we will see how he comes out of the race before making any decisions."
Meanwhile, York Racecourse have announced that Boodles will become a major sponsor of the Dante Festival by taking over sponsorship of Group Two Yorkshire Cup.
The luxury jewellery firm already sponsors races including the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Chester Vase and a record £180,000 prize fund will be on offer.
Entries for this year’s race include the reigning St Leger winner, Eldar Eldarov, multiple Group One winner Trueshan as well as Quickthorn the eye-catching champion in the 2022 Weatherbys Lonsdale Cup.
York’s head of sponsorship, James Brennan, said: “Everyone at York is delighted to welcome the team from Boodles to the Dante Festival and is excited to be working with a supportive partner.”