Classic double for son of Val Royal
Cockney Rebel duly completed an Anglo-Irish Classic double on Saturday (26/5/07) when he landed the Boylesports 2,000 Guineas (Gr.1) at the Curragh.
The son of National Stud stallion Val Royal became only the sixth horse to complete the Newmarket-Curragh double and trainer Geoff Huffer will now name him for the St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot.
"I was delighted with him at the Curragh," said Mr Huffer. "He was always travelling, and when this horse picks up, he really does go. He still hangs left, but that is just him and it never stops him going forward.
"He is a fabulous horse and is a legend already, but, hopefully, he will become an even bigger one as the season progresses."
Mr Huffer added: "Assuming he comes out of this race okay he'll go for the St James's Palace Stakes, and then we'll look at either the Juddmonte International or the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, before heading for the Breeders' Cup Mile."
Unlike at Newmarket, where Cockney Rebel came from behind, jockey Olivier Peslier rode the colt closer to the pace. The pair hit the front under two furlongs out, from which point the result never looked in doubt as he held French 2,000 Guineas runner-up Creachadoir.
Cockney Rebel joins Right Tack (1969), Don't Forget Me (1987), Tirol (1990), Rodrigo De Triano (1992) and Rock Of Gibraltar (2002) as dual Guineas winners.
<< Back to index
