Up-and-coming British racehorse coach James Owen and legendary jockey Frankie Dettori teamed up on Saturday (30 August) to win the $3,500,000 (£2,620,000) Nashville Derby at Kentucky Downs, USA.
Operating within the colors of the Gredley household, three-year-old colt Wimbledon Hawkeye scored by a head to win this vastly invaluable invitation race.
Newmarket-based twin jumps and Flat coach James Owen had by no means had a runner in USA earlier than and hailed his debut success there as “unbelievable”.
“He’s run an absolute cracker – he’s carried out us very proud,” he stated. “It was an enormous name from Tim Gredley popping out right here, however we’ll be coming again – we’ve had a good time.”
James Owen on Wimbledon Hawkeye: “He flew the flag for me final 12 months and he’s flying it even greater this 12 months”
Frankie Dettori travelled extensive all through the early levels of the 1m 2½f race, then unleashed the Gredleys’ home-bred son of Kameko coming into the house straight. Wimbledon Hawkeye responded with a unprecedented flip of foot, however the US-trained Burnham Sq. was closing rapidly and the 2 horses battled it out to the road, the place the James Owen runner was adjudged the slender winner.
“Wimbledon Hawkeye has matured all season and Frankie has given him an outstanding journey – he’s actually toughed it out effectively and battled when the opposite horse got here to him,” stated Owen, who was joined at Kentucky Downs by assistant coach Ryan King. Jockey Laura Pearson had additionally travelled over to take care of Wimbledon Hawkeye.
“He’s an actual, correct stayer – he desires additional in time – and he’s only a pretty horse for me to coach. That is solely our third 12 months coaching, however he flew the flag for me final 12 months and he’s flying it even greater this 12 months.”
Frankie Dettori: “It’s been a really tough time for me”
Frankie Dettori, who moved to the US final 12 months after an aborted try at retiring, revealed he’d been “pondering of quitting” two weeks in the past after the sudden dying of an in depth buddy in Dubai, however as a substitute drew power from “my good mucker Duncan” to win the race for the second 12 months in a row.
“I wasn’t certain I’d acquired the race – we each had our heads down and when it’s that shut you by no means actually know,” stated the previous champion jockey. “It’s been a really tough time for me, however that is a tremendous win. I’m doing it for [Duncan], he would need me to hold on.
“Wimbledon Hawkeye has danced each dance this 12 months and he at all times places his coronary heart into it. Full credit score to the James Owen group – it’s an extended journey, however he dug deep for me.”
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H&H showjumping editor
Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her position as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her all over the world reporting from reveals and interviewing riders, connections and people concerned behind the scenes. Since becoming a member of H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on each topic throughout the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to secure administration — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She additionally has first-hand expertise of working within the equestrian business as a using teacher and yard supervisor.
