This year's Kentucky Derby field already includes two runners from Japan. Now, Brave Emperor, the winner of the European Road to the Kentucky Derby series, may make the third international participant in this year's Run for the Roses, connections told thoroughbredracing.com this week.
The 3-year-old gelded son of Sioux Nation (Scat Daddy) won the Road to the Kentucky Derby Conditions Stakes at Kempton on March 15, and finished second, beaten a half-length, in Saturday's Cardinal Stakes at Chelmsford to top the European series. Middleham Park Racing Syndicate, owner of Brave Emperor, is considering whether to accept the invitation to Louisville as the winner of the European series.
“We are waiting to receive a couple of quotes on air fares and stabling and then we can talk to the owners as to whether to take it on or not,” Middleham Park partner Tom Palin told thoroughbredracing.com. “It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have a horse guaranteed a run in the Kentucky Derby so this is something we should take seriously.”
Brave Emperor has not started on dirt, but has won five of eight lifetime starts for trainer Archie Watson. He was a $26,086 yearling purchase at the 2021 Goffs UK sale, and has earned just over $134,000 thus far.
“You'd be going there hoping he handled the dirt,” Palin continued. “He is a great, great grandson of Secretariat. It's the 50th anniversary of him winning the Kentucky Derby and the Triple Crown.
“Poetically and romantically it would be fantastic if he could go. There are a lot of unknowns, but hopefully he'd be a bit better than a social runner.”
Read more at thoroughbredracing.com.
The post ‘Once-In-A-Lifetime Opportunity’: British-Trained, Syndicate-Owned Brave Emperor Could Start In Kentucky Derby appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.
