Classic winner Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), who won the G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby and G1 Grand Prix de Paris already this summer, will line up for Godolphin in the G1 Cazoo St Leger on Sept. 11, one of 18 colts and fillies left in the fall Classic. G1 Cazoo Derby hero Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), who also races for Godolphin, will not take part, and instead target the G1 Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
Richard Hannon's Mojo Star (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), one better than Hurricane Lane's third in the Derby and fifth in the Irish equivalent is also signed on. The progressive G3 Gordon S. winner Ottoman Emperor (Ire) (Excelebration {Ire}) for Johnny Murtagh and Martyn Meade's Irish Derby second Lone Eagle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) also remain at the latest forfeit stage. One of two for Andrew Balding is G2 Great Voltigeur third Youth Spirit (Ire) (Camelot {GB}).
Aidan O'Brien fields an octet at this point for the race, including Sir Lamorak (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), listed winner and G3 Gordon S. second Sir Lucan (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) and G2 Great Voltigeur runner-up The Mediterranean (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
A pair of listed-winning fillies have also stood their ground in Roger Varian's Save A Forest (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) and Ralph Beckett's Yesyes (GB) (Camelot {GB}).
Murtagh said of Ottoman Emperor, “That is the plan so far–we've had no problems, touch wood. I've not been speaking much to the OTI people [owners] since after Goodwood-[but] the English St Leger is the next stop.
“That last run was good, and the form of that race stood up at York. I think he deserves his chance in the St Leger–whether he stays the mile and six is a question mark, but we'll have to pay to find out.”
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