Kentucky Derby Ruled Out for Brave Emperor

[Wandering Eyes]

Middleham Park Racing's Brave Emperor (Ire) (Sioux Nation), who has earned 32 qualifying points on the European Road to the Kentucky Derby, will not make the trip to Churchill Downs in May.

Confirming the decision to swerve the expensive journey across the Atlantic, Tom Palin of Middleham Park Racing said, “We have weighed it up and the horse's owners discussed the options. He has earned £108,000 but the costs of getting him to America would wipe out all of his earnings, so the decision has been made not to go, especially as there were a few questions marks, like the trip and the dirt.

“However, if an interested party came forward and wanted to partner up in the horse to share the costs and share the fun, we would consider that possibility.”

Bought for £19,000 as a yearling at Goffs UK, the Archie Watson-trained gelding has already taken his syndicate of owners on quite a ride, winning five of his eight starts. These include the Listed Prix de la Californie in Cagnes-sur-Mer and the 'Road to the Kentucky Derby' Conditions S. at Kempton, earning 20 points. He followed up that victory by finishing runner-up to Godolphin's Bold Act (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) in Chelmsford City's Cardinal Conditions S. on Saturday evening, accruing another 12 points.

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