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| Staff Writer |
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Eydon, the highly regarded contender in the prestigious Derby, is inching closer to making a long-awaited return to the racetrack later this month. With aspirations of competing in Ascot's QIPCO Champion Stakes in the autumn, Eydon's connections are eagerly anticipating his comeback.
This promising colt has had a limited racing career due to injury. However, he showcased his immense talent with a remarkable victory in the Feilden Stakes at Newmarket. Following this success, Eydon participated in the 2000 Guineas on the Rowley Mile, where he finished a respectable fourth behind Coroebus in his first taste of Classic action.
Eydon had his sights set on the Derby for a second shot at Classic glory, but unfortunately, a setback prevented him from participating in the race. Since then, his appearance in the 2000 Guineas remains his most recent outing on the racetrack.
Eydon’s Winter Transfer & The Road Ahead
During the winter, Eydon was transferred from trainer Roger Varian to Andrew Balding. It was initially anticipated that he would return to racing in the early stages of the 2023 season. However, another setback in the spring forced him to miss the crucial summer months.
As Eydon prepares for his much-awaited return, the connections have identified potential outings at Listed level. He may compete in either the Chasemore Farm Fortune Stakes at Sandown on September 20 or Ayr's Virgin Bet Doonside Cup Stakes on September 23. These races will serve as a litmus test to determine if Eydon still possesses his exceptional abilities.
“Oisin Murphy was on him at Andrew’s and seemed happy and we’re going to either the Doonside Cup or the Fortune Stakes,” said Ted Voute, owner Prince Faisal’s racing adviser.
“He’s probably going to be a bit ring-rusty, but the aim is to see if we can get him to the Champion Stakes.
“It’s a big ask and he’s had lots of little niggly things along the way, but from what Andrew has seen, he has seen sparks of good things on the gallops and touch wood he’s still in one piece and that will be the plan.
“We’ll see how we go and we thought it was a good idea to have a target, because if he came out and was as good as he was in the Feilden Stakes then we would have a bash. We’re keeping our fingers crossed.”