The Queen's new horse has been lauded by one of the sport's leading jockeys after a sparkling debut.
Tom Marquand enthused about Desert Hero, who made an immediate impact on racing fans at Haydock. Part of a four-timer for the rider, the son of Sea The Stars easily drew clear of the opposition.
The two-and-three-quarter length triumph was recorded with Marquand, whose winners totalled odds of 421-1, just having to push his mount out towards the line. Bumped at the start, Desert Hero, also bred by the Queen, ran on strongly towards the finish of the seven furlong contest.
“He’s a lovely horse and it’s exciting for The Queen because having a two year old first time out winning in that manner is as good as it gets," Marquand said.
“He’s done everything we’ve asked of him so hopefully he can progress from today. There’s no reason why he shouldn’t, he was a bit green and a bit shy of it all, so there’s certainly progression. How much, I don’t know!”
Bookmakers Coral gave the talented newcomer quotes of 33-1 for the 2023 Derby at Epsom. Desert Hero's sire, Sea The Stars, took the 2009 renewal and went on to become one of the greatest European racehorses of all time.
The Queen was without a runner in this year's Flat showpiece, won by the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Desert Crown, on the Platinum Jubilee weekend.
Principal hope Reach For The Moon was ruled out and went to Royal Ascot several weeks later, where he was sent off at a very short price but could only finish second in the Hampton Court Stakes. One of the shocks of the entire meeting, it was a disappointing result for Frankie Dettori and John Gosden, who subsequently parted way s.
Marquand was victorious in the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes, a race renamed after Prince Philip in 1999, in clear-cut fashion riding Candleford.
Like Desert Hero, the smart Flat racer is trained by Newmarket handler William Haggas. Together the jockey and his employer have combined for a number of notable successes this term, including the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup with Alenquer.
On Friday they team up with Addeybb in the Listed Davies Insurance Services Gala Stakes. The winner of more than £3.5 million in prize money gave Marquand his first top level score in Australia two years ago.
“He looks in great form and it was a super run in the Brigadier Gerard last time out," he said. "He showed that he’s still got that spark and it looks a perfect race for him to go for – hopefully Sandown gets hit by a drop of rain."
