Bar the Bull
At the Start
The Lingfield Derby Trial is down on its luck. Back in the 1980’s and 1990’s, it was a major pointer not just to the Derby, but also to the St. Leger. A slew of top colts followed victory in the Surrey trial venue with a win either in nearby Epsom or faraway Doncaster. In fact, the roll call of Lingfield Derby Trial winners reads like a who’s who of gritty middle distance colts from the era.
Teenoso, Slip Anchor, Kahyasi, Bob’s Return, Silver Patriarch, High-Rise. However, who would have guessed back in 1998, that we would have to wait 14 years for the next colt to follow up Lingfield Derby trial success with Derby success at Epsom? Thankfully, the wait is over. Main Sequence is about to ensure it.
The Niarchos family is no stranger to Classic success. Miesque, Divine Proportions, Six Perfections, Sulamani, Dream World and Spinning Well have all proven their superiority over their 3yo contemporaries, with most of them, as well as Bago, going on to further success in championship events. Here they have a colt that promises to smash the achievements of the aforementioned horses into smithereens. The horse is Main Sequence.
In contrast to the illustrious owners and the previously illustrious status of the Lingfield Derby Trial, the Niarchos Family have entrusted the handling of Main Sequence to the competent (but relatively inexperienced Lambourn handler David Lanigan. After apprenticeships with Vincent O’Brien, John Oxx and Edward O’Grady, Lanigan suckled from Henry Cecil’s ample teat of knowledge for years, before striking out on his own five years ago. Meeznah has been the standard bearer of the stable previously, but events on the All-Weather surface of Lingfield on May 12th have given very real hope to the legion of David Lanigan fans that he could be the 33rd youngest trainer to train a Derby winner.
Aldebaran is a red giant star located about 65 light years away in the zodiac constellation of Taurus. Aldebaran is also a stallion standing at JBBA Shizunai Stallion Station, having previously been champion US sprinter in 2003. Having previously raced for Henry Cecil, the Niarchos family sold a stake in the horse to race in the US for Bobby Frankel, where Aldebaran delivered on the promise he had shown for Sir Henry. Niarchos homebred Ikat was sent to Aldebaran four years ago, just before the latter set sail for Japan. Ikat (by Pivotal) was a 7f winner as a 2yo, but was placed later that autumn in a Group 3 race over a mile at Chantilly. She never won after her maiden success.
So, a horse out of a Pivotal 7f winning filly by the speedy Aldebaran. No chance of staying? Think again. Main Sequence’s fourth dam Northern Trick finished second in the 1984 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, his third dam Lingerie bred the 2007 Oaks winner Light Shift, and his second dam Burning Sunset was Group Two-placed in the 2001 Prix d'Harcourt over 1m2f. And Main Sequence has already won over 12f. Almost all of Aldebaran’s stock so far have improved with age. If Main Sequence can follow this progression, the Derby is his for the taking.
Admittedly there are slight stamina doubts, given his parentage. And foolish people may say that he may stay 12f, but he has never met horses of the calibre of the Derby field he is due to face on Saturday. However, the Derby field has never met a horse of the calibre of Main Sequence. Just like Dubai Milennium, he started his racing career with a win in a 1m Yarmouth maiden. Three subsequent winnes were left flailing in his wake. Next stop was a Newmarket nursery, with a smooth 3L win over rivals from top stables including subsequent multiple winners Fennell Bay, Come on Blue Chip and Winners Wish.
A mild winter on his back, and another trip back to HQ, for a 3yo handicap at the Craven meeting. Although the form doesn't look too hot in that race, it was the manner of victory that impressed, with Ted Durcan getting Main Sequence bedded down in the pack, and producing him late to show off his impressive turn of foot. Onwards and upwards to Lingfield, for his trial for Epsom. Durcan produced Main Sequence late again, and it looked too late. However, his trusty steed mowed his rivals down like a crazed and beligerent psychopath on a killing spree. Don't be among this colt's victims on Saturday. Beg, borrow or steal enough money to enable you to be able to afford to wave your miserable life goodbye and set sail for a life on Copacabana beach, all the while toasting Main Sequence's famous Derby triumph.
Teenoso, Slip Anchor, Kahyasi, Bob’s Return, Silver Patriarch, High-Rise. However, who would have guessed back in 1998, that we would have to wait 14 years for the next colt to follow up Lingfield Derby trial success with Derby success at Epsom? Thankfully, the wait is over. Main Sequence is about to ensure it.
The Niarchos family is no stranger to Classic success. Miesque, Divine Proportions, Six Perfections, Sulamani, Dream World and Spinning Well have all proven their superiority over their 3yo contemporaries, with most of them, as well as Bago, going on to further success in championship events. Here they have a colt that promises to smash the achievements of the aforementioned horses into smithereens. The horse is Main Sequence.
In contrast to the illustrious owners and the previously illustrious status of the Lingfield Derby Trial, the Niarchos Family have entrusted the handling of Main Sequence to the competent (but relatively inexperienced Lambourn handler David Lanigan. After apprenticeships with Vincent O’Brien, John Oxx and Edward O’Grady, Lanigan suckled from Henry Cecil’s ample teat of knowledge for years, before striking out on his own five years ago. Meeznah has been the standard bearer of the stable previously, but events on the All-Weather surface of Lingfield on May 12th have given very real hope to the legion of David Lanigan fans that he could be the 33rd youngest trainer to train a Derby winner.
Aldebaran is a red giant star located about 65 light years away in the zodiac constellation of Taurus. Aldebaran is also a stallion standing at JBBA Shizunai Stallion Station, having previously been champion US sprinter in 2003. Having previously raced for Henry Cecil, the Niarchos family sold a stake in the horse to race in the US for Bobby Frankel, where Aldebaran delivered on the promise he had shown for Sir Henry. Niarchos homebred Ikat was sent to Aldebaran four years ago, just before the latter set sail for Japan. Ikat (by Pivotal) was a 7f winner as a 2yo, but was placed later that autumn in a Group 3 race over a mile at Chantilly. She never won after her maiden success.
So, a horse out of a Pivotal 7f winning filly by the speedy Aldebaran. No chance of staying? Think again. Main Sequence’s fourth dam Northern Trick finished second in the 1984 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, his third dam Lingerie bred the 2007 Oaks winner Light Shift, and his second dam Burning Sunset was Group Two-placed in the 2001 Prix d'Harcourt over 1m2f. And Main Sequence has already won over 12f. Almost all of Aldebaran’s stock so far have improved with age. If Main Sequence can follow this progression, the Derby is his for the taking.
Admittedly there are slight stamina doubts, given his parentage. And foolish people may say that he may stay 12f, but he has never met horses of the calibre of the Derby field he is due to face on Saturday. However, the Derby field has never met a horse of the calibre of Main Sequence. Just like Dubai Milennium, he started his racing career with a win in a 1m Yarmouth maiden. Three subsequent winnes were left flailing in his wake. Next stop was a Newmarket nursery, with a smooth 3L win over rivals from top stables including subsequent multiple winners Fennell Bay, Come on Blue Chip and Winners Wish.
A mild winter on his back, and another trip back to HQ, for a 3yo handicap at the Craven meeting. Although the form doesn't look too hot in that race, it was the manner of victory that impressed, with Ted Durcan getting Main Sequence bedded down in the pack, and producing him late to show off his impressive turn of foot. Onwards and upwards to Lingfield, for his trial for Epsom. Durcan produced Main Sequence late again, and it looked too late. However, his trusty steed mowed his rivals down like a crazed and beligerent psychopath on a killing spree. Don't be among this colt's victims on Saturday. Beg, borrow or steal enough money to enable you to be able to afford to wave your miserable life goodbye and set sail for a life on Copacabana beach, all the while toasting Main Sequence's famous Derby triumph.
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