Saxon Street strengthened his Classic credentials with a polished return in the Listed Blue Riband Trial Stakes at Epsom Downs, delivering a performance that immediately brought him into the conversation for this year’s Derby.
The son of Saxon Warrior, carrying the colours of Marcstown Ltd, had not been seen since his winning debut at Chelmsford City in December, yet showed no signs of rustiness on his reappearance. Ridden by William Buick, he travelled with purpose throughout before taking command entering the final furlong. From there, he stretched clear to score by two and a half lengths over Rebel Rocker, with Balzac a further length and a quarter away in third. The well-fancied New Zealand could manage only fourth.
For Thady Gosden, who trains in partnership with his father John, the outing represented both a test and a stepping stone.
“I thought it was a big jump up coming here today,” he said. “He won a novice at the end of last year and came here without a prep run. He is still very much learning on the job, but he settled well and saw it out nicely.”
Gosden noted the importance of the track in shaping a young horse’s development. “Epsom is a great place to learn. He had been working well at home, and after discussions with the owner, we felt this was the right starting point.”
The colt’s pedigree suggests stamina will not be an issue as distances increase. “He has some stamina in his pedigree and should stay a mile and a half,” Gosden added, while leaving options open regarding his next run. “Whether we go straight to the Derby or give him another race over a mile and a quarter, we’ll see how he comes out of this.”
While the Blue Riband Trial has not always been a reliable guide to Derby success—the last winner to complete the double was Blue Peter in 1939—Saxon Street’s composed display marked him down as a colt of considerable promise.
Earlier on the card, the Spring Meeting opened with an impressive debut from Runman in the Weatherbys Racing Bank Novice Stakes over an extended mile. The three-year-old son of Frankel, sent off a strong favourite, justified expectations with a smooth success, reeling in longtime leader Vitality before pulling clear to win by a length and three-quarters under Oisin Murphy.
“He’s a very well-bred colt and a half-brother to Running Lion,” said Gosden. “He had a smooth run through, and Oisin gave him a confident ride. He picked up nicely and has done everything right so far.”
With Epsom’s undulations providing an early-season examination, the meeting offered both established contenders and emerging talent, but it was Saxon Street who left the most lasting impression as the road to the Derby gathers momentum.
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