GB: King Charles III is hoping Slipofthepen can give him a historic Classic victory at Newmarket on May 6 to round off his Coronation Day in style.
Fewer than six hours after the service at Westminster Abbey has begun on Saturday week, the son of Night Of Thunder will bid to win the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Headquarters – a race won in 1958 by the monarch’s mother, the late Queen, with Pall Mall.
The three-year-old is unbeaten, having won his only two starts to date – the first as a two- year-old at Kempton Park in November and then again on April 10 back at the same venue.
Unbeaten in two starts on the all-weather at Kempton Park, Slipofthepen was bred by the Queen and is trained by the father-and-son partnership of John & Thady Gosden, who will now make the decision on whether to run him in the Guineas.
“He worked well and we’ll obviously make our decision over the next few days,” said John Gosden, speaking after the gallop, in which he was ridden by James Doyle.
Asked who might ride the king’s horse on the day, Gosden added: “It depends. Frankie [Dettori] at the moment obviously has Chaldean, the Dewhurst winner, so we’ll just have to see.
“Depending on what else runs, James may well be available. There are decisions to be made.”
Earlier this month, John Warren – racing manager to the King and Queen Consort – said the monarch will watch the race on TV after the Coronation.
Speaking after Slipofthepen had won on April 10, Warren said: “As far as the owners are concerned they won’t be able to think of anything else but the Coronation, but they would never prevent the horse participating if we recommended that is where he ought to go.
“It would be an added bonus and they would watch after the event,” Warren went on. “The King has had very good osmosis in tuning in to the bloodstock side of the Queen’s life.
“He has always said when he had the responsibility of taking the bloodstock portfolio on he would take it seriously and he has, wonderfully supported by the Queen Consort at the same time. It is a wonderful thing for racing they have both taken such an interest.”
Slipofthepen is currently 20-1 to win the 2000 Guineas, Britain’s first Classic of 2023.
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