Godolphin are looking to an international campaign for Home Of The Brave after the four-year-old colt displayed tremendous guts to land the Group Three Timeform Jury Stakes at Haydock on Saturday.
The Dubai-based operation were instantly rewarded for buying Home Of the Brave, having purchased the son of Starspangledbanner from the Flemington Bloodstock Partnership after he had won at Leicester last month.
James Doyle made every yard of the running on Home Of The Brave and despite challenges from Tupi and Breton Rock during the 1,400 metres he saw them all off with aplomb to beat Convey and Ryan Moore by a neck.
The only time Home Of The Brave has run over 1,600 metres was when he finished sixth in last season’s English 2,000 Guineas, but trainer Hugo Palmer intends to step him up for some of the biggest races around the world.
“What I loved today was the way he had to dig deep as in all his races previously, he’s either won easily or been beaten a long way,” he said. “There is a Grade One at Saratoga in June for him, beyond that there’s the Keeneland Mile and the Breeders’ Cup Mile.”
Palmer did admit that there were targets in England that Home Of The Brave could also run in. The horse is entered in the Group 1 Sussex Stakes at Goodwood in July, while the Lennox Stakes over 1,400 metres at the same meeting might also be an option.
Palmer did not enjoy the same luck 35 minutes later when Dr Ali Ridha’s Gifted Master finished only third to the improving Quiet Reflection and Donjuan Triumphant in the Group Two Sandy Lane Stakes.
Gifted Master led from early on under Pat Smullen, but came under pressure as Godolphin’s Buratino came to challenge 400 metres from the finish but both floundered late on.
Quiet Reflection, who was ridden by Dougie Costello, is now considered the favourite for the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot next month.
“She’s got a fantastic turn of foot and a high cruising speed and when you put them together, it makes something special,” trainer Karl Burke said.
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