Another Peintre Celebre colt bursts into Derby picture

7th May 2007

Trainer David Elsworth was dreaming of the G1 Epsom Derby after Salford Mill (3c Peintre Celebre-Razana by Kahyasi), bred by Mrs H D McCalmont, ran out a length and a half winner of the Listed Newmarket Stakes on Saturday from Acapulco (3c Galileo-Harasava by Darshaan).

"At this stage of the year, you don't get too excited but he's a progressive horse - he's the real deal," said Elsworth. "I hope he'll improve for that and he's a particularly nice horse. We'll see how he comes out of this before deciding whether to run him again before Epsom, but the plan is to go there and I don't think he'll have any problem with the track as he's a well balanced sort."

Indeed Peintre Celebre looks set to be well represented in this year’s G1 Epsom Derby. Petara Bay (3c Peintre Celebre-Magnificient Style by Silver Hawk), who had beaten Salford Mill by a head in the Listed Feilden Stakes in April, and the Roger Charlton-trained Proponent (3c Peintre Celebre-Pont Audemer by Chief’s Crown), who was unbeaten last year, both look live Derby contenders.