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| Staff Writer |
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William Haggas is targeting a Royal Ascot repeat for Desert Hero when he returns to the track this summer. The Hardwicke Stakes is on the agenda as Haggas wants to ensure that the horse is in peak condition.
Desert Hero, the son of Sea The Stars, made history at the Royal meeting last year when he won the King George V Stakes in dramatic fashion, providing the King and Queen with their first Royal Ascot champion. The victory sparked joyous scenes in the royal box.
After his Royal Ascot win, Desert Hero went on to win the Gordon Stakes at Glorious Goodwood in his next start, which set him up for a shot at the St Leger. At the St Leger, Desert Hero finished third, an honorable performance in the presence of his owners.
William Haggas is content with the progress of Desert Hero as the four-year-old builds up for his upcoming campaign. Although there were initial discussions of a Melbourne Cup bid, the Somerville Lodge trainer decided against taking the horse to Australia at the moment.
Desert Hero's main focus will be on Royal Ascot in the earlier part of the season. The Hardwicke Stakes is being targeted by Haggas as the horse's primary race at the summer showpiece.
“He’s done really well and I’m really pleased with him,” said Haggas.
“We cut (gelded) him over the winter and took the view he was unlikely to make a stallion, or a stallion that would be popular for anyone, and that he still had plenty of mileage as a racehorse. I think he will be better for being gelded and hopefully he will have a good season.
“He will have a run or two, probably only a run, and it would be very much the Hardwicke. It would be lovely to go back to Ascot with a chance for him.”
Desert Hero may follow a similar route to last year's Royal Ascot preparation by making an appearance on Lockinge Day at Newbury on May 18. As a four-year-old, the horse made a reappearance in the London Gold Cup on the same card in 2023. Trainer William Haggas has suggested that the Al Rayyan Stakes, formerly known as the Aston Park, could be the perfect race for Desert Hero to return to action.
“It will depend how quickly he comes to hand, but the obvious race is the Aston Park,” he continued.
“He ran in the London Gold Cup last year at Newbury and the Aston Park is on the same day, a valuable Group Three race.
“He will be penalty free for that and if you are asking me in March where he will go, then off the top of my head that is what I would say.
“It’s very possible he will start there. That to me looks the perfect place to start him with a nice gap until Royal Ascot.”