 |
|
| Staff Writer |
 |
Owners of Wathnan Racing have announced that Courage Mon Ami, who was preparing to defend his 2023 Gr.1 Ascot Gold Cup win, has experienced a setback. The 5YO, who is currently priced as short as 6-1 for next month's Royal Ascot Group One, has not been in action since finishing behind Coltrane in the Gr.2 Lonsdale Cup at York in August. Courage Mon Ami achieved victories in his first four starts for John and Thady Gosden and also triumphed at Goodwood last May before securing the Gold Cup under the guidance of Frankie Dettori.
"He had a bit of a training setback last week and had some time off, and we're now investigating this week to see whether it's serious or not," said Richard Brown, racing adviser to Wathnan Racing. "Until we really dig into it, we just don't know so we'll see what the vets find and then we can make a plan."
Wathnan burst onto the international scene with two victories at Royal Ascot last season courtesy of Courage Mon Ami and his stablemate Gregory, who remains on course for the Ascot Gold Cup. The 4YO won the Gr.2 Queen's Vase before finishing third in the Gr.2 Great Voltigeur Stakes and fifth in the Gr.1 St Leger on his final start last season.
After finishing third on his seasonal reappearance in the Gr.2 Yorkshire Cup over a mile and six furlongs behind Giavellotto , Gregory is 7-1 generally for the Gold Cup.
Brown said, "The Gold Cup is very much the plan for him. We thought he ran a lovely race at York. James (Doyle) is quite taken with him and I think both he and John Gosden feel he'll get the extended trip. He's very much on target for that."