Shadwell’s extremely exciting Mohaafeth has earned his way onto the big stage, courtesy of a trio of one-sided victories to commence his sophomore campaign. Trained by William Haggas, the son of Frankel has now landed three from five, including a dismantling of Meydan Trophy winner Secret Protector last out in the Listed Newmarket Stakes.
Garnering a 111 rating, Mohaafeth heads into the classic Cazoo Derby (G1) at Epsom this Saturday as a serious player in what looks a salty renewal. He will be reunited with jockey Jim Crowley, who has been aboard for his past two victories
“Everybody has been very happy with him leading up to the race,” said Angus Gold, Shadwell’s longtime racing manager. “Jim Crowley came and rode him in a gallop on the Rowley Mile (last Wednesday) and was very happy with the feel the horse gave him; although the ground was still soft, which is not his favoured surface, he strode up to two high-class lead horses very well and Jim said he gave him a good feel. The horse seemed to pull up well from it, so William will just be looking to keep him fit and happy for the next week.
“It would be wrong to say anybody is going into the race with confidence, as this is a Derby and in my experience it is better to be hopeful rather than overconfident, particularly as very few of these horses have run over a mile and a half already and Bolshoi Ballet looked very impressive in the Derrinstown Derby Trial,” Gold continued. “However, we are all very excited to have a horse in the top four or five in the betting market for the Cazoo Derby, and we just have to hope he gets there in top shape on the big day.”
