The G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh on Sunday, June 30 has been confirmed as the next port of call for Epsom runner-up Ambiente Friendly (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), with Robert Havlin again booked to ride having replaced Callum Shepherd in the premier Classic.
Sent off the 9/2 second favourite at Epsom following a dominant four-and-a-half-length success in the Listed Lingfield Derby Trial S. on his previous start, Ambiente Friendly proved himself a high-class colt when chasing home City Of Troy (Justify) on that occasion, ultimately passing the post two and three-quarter lengths behind that rival having travelled strongly throughout.
The G1 Coral-Eclipse S. on Saturday, July 6–which was confirmed as the next target for City Of Troy on Sunday–had been under consideration for Ambiente Friendly following that effort, but a trip to Sandown has now been ruled out as connections plot another Classic tilt over a mile and a half for his next start.
“After the dust settled, we were very keen to keep him at a mile and a half and, as importantly, stay against his own age group,” said co-owner Tim Gredley. “It was the only option really and I'm really looking forward to it and I think the race will suit him. We want to do what is right by the horse and the conditions of the Irish Derby seem a lot more favourable than going to the Eclipse.
“They came and won our Derby and for the sport, it only seems fair to go and have a go over there. We think the gradients of the Curragh and conditions of the race will suit, so that is why we have made the decision to go there.
“Rab [Havlin] will ride and we all had a good chat this morning–Mr Fanshawe and I also spoke to Rab and Freddie Tylicki. We are all in unanimous agreement that we should go to Ireland.”
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